Ella Balinska & Hugo Keijzer interview on The Occupant at SXSW London: Survival & emotional depth

Ella Balinska & Hugo Keijzer interview on The Occupant at SXSW London: Survival, sisterhood, real locations & emotional depth

Documentary director Alastair Evans discusses the making of his film A Crack in the Mountain. He describes the exploration of the extraordinary underground kingdom of Hang Sơn Đoòng, a recently discovered cave in Vietnam, and outlines the challenges of capturing its majesty using natural lighting. Evans highlights the film’s role in transporting audiences to mesmerising locations and explains how the documentary goes beyond examining an underground wonder to address the tensions between economic growth and sustainable development. Reflecting on the impact of the cave’s discovery on the local community and the threats posed by a proposed cable car, he describes the strategic approach to conducting interviews in a country where activism can be risky. Evans emphasises the importance of including diverse voices in the debate over economic development versus environmental preservation. Ultimately, he sees the documentary as a call to Western audiences for more sustainable tourism and expresses hope for a future where natural wonders like Hang Sơn Đoòng can coexist with economic progress.

Keijzer talks about his feature debut, describing how he brought a deeply personal story of loss and survival to the screen through a tense sci-fi thriller. He explains his decision to set the emotional narrative against the wild landscapes of Georgia, grounding the drama in a stark, real environment rather than relying on visual effects. Balinska discusses her immediate connection to the role of Abby, highlighting the physical and emotional demands of portraying a woman fighting to save her sister. She describes the gruelling shoot on location, crediting the authenticity of the film’s atmosphere to the cast and crew’s shared hardships. Keijzer reflects on working with Rob Delaney, praising his ability to bring complexity and warmth to the enigmatic American pilot. Both discuss the film’s subtle use of sci-fi, focusing on psychological tension and moral dilemmas. Balinska and Keijzer hope audiences will be moved by the film’s exploration of sacrifice, humanity, and the bonds that drive us to endure the impossible.

Interviewer: Sarah Bradbury
Editing: Olivia Barker

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