5 Questions with Cole Bacani
“Our Last Normal Conversation,” is about young heartache in the moment before a separation, told with unapologetic emotion and sad-eyed shock. We asked director Cole Bacani how the project came to be, finding the right tone, and last minute omissions…
1) Can you talk briefly about your background, and how you first got interested in filmmaking?
I got started back in middle school by making family videos! I’ve always been close with my extended family, and I just record everything. Each year, I’d make a montage of family memories and screen it on New Year’s Eve for all my aunts, uncles, and cousins- and I’ve never seen so many people simultaneously laughing AND crying. It made me aware of how powerful film can be and how different layers can affect different people at certain times in their lives.
2) How did this project start - what was the earliest element that came to you, and how did you go about building from that?
This idea of film started with a real break up. Hahaha... Actually though, I started writing the script so long ago that I forgot what the first element was, but I remember early on that I wanted the film to visually start and end with the main character alone. A relationship that started and ended with loneliness. I also kind of wanted to make fun of how overdramatic break ups must seem for everyone on the outside of the relationship.
3) What was the biggest challenge in terms of finding the right tone for the film? For me personally, I usually have a hard time with films in the mopey realm, but this one worked for me cause there’s a real innocence and sweetness to it. And it feels true to the age of the character, and the way that teenagers process heartbreak.
The tone definitely was the hardest part to nail, which is why casting was so crucial. Break ups seem like the end of the world in the moment, but sometimes funny to look back on, so it was important to me that we all had the same sense of humor. After having time to think about it, I kept the tone honest and true to how I processed my own break up, and made it a story about getting what you needed but not exactly what you wanted. Honestly heartbreaking and honestly awkward. Bittersweet. For me, it’s hard to talk to people about a break up, but at the same time I want to be comforted. And this feeling is what I wanted to reflect in every conversation- a lot of talking at him... random pieces of advice you don’t stitch together until much later after you’ve gotten over the break up.
4) I always like to hear about scenes or threads that get cut out of films for whatever reason. Was there anything that you omitted late in the game, either in the script process, or in the edit, that you think significantly improved the final film, and why?
Yeah we actually ended up cutting a few scenes that weren't coherent with the overall tone. They were overdramatic and strayed away from the innocence and sweetness. One scene was a flashback involving self-harm, and the other was a scene where Finn, the main character, is outside of the party punching a wall. While they were both important to me on a personal level, they were not crucial to the story I wanted to tell in these 20 minutes.
5) What’s a film you’ve seen recently, new or old, that you really loved and why?
I recently watched Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell,” and loved it! Similar to the style I strive for, it was satisfying mix of painfully awkward and emotionally intricate moments. Also, “Lady Bird” was a huge influence on my style. I watched it seven times in theaters and wish I could meet Greta Gerwig just to tell her “thank you.” Just had to give her a quick shoutout too.
Bonus Question: What’s next for you?
I have one year left at USC and will be directing a senior thesis film! Super excited to be surrounded and supported by some of my best friends in my crew. I can’t wait to learn more from them and to create something big together before our careers take us all in different directions.
