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Meet Jenna Suru of Belle Époque Films

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Suru.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It really all started when I turned 17 and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in LA. I had been taking film and theatre classes at the Cours Florent in Paris aside of school for a good few years when I suddenly decided to pack my luggage and pursue my film education in LA. This was such a great turning point for me, as not only did I start learning various acting and audition techniques, but also directing, producing, marketing, even make-up! I’m convinced that cinema is an industry that « stands on 3 feet »: art, techne, and business, and my education in LA perfectly embraced that. I was greatly inspired by the education there from top teachers like Kevin E. West, who last October -11 years later- attended the West Coast Premiere of my debut feature “The Golden Age” at the DTLA Film Festival.

LA was a huge inspiration to me, and when I turned 20, I was committed to get into the nitty-gritty of production. I sent about dozens of CVs and was chosen to work as a PA on Dahn and Alimi Ballard’s TV show “The Experiment With Dahn and Ali”. It was an extremely valuable experience for me to start with, the Ballard Family is such an inspiring family with many talents and very exciting lifestyle. As I was pursuing Media Management studies in Europe, I was very eager to get into the “real world” of film & TV distribution and worked at the 2 top film distributors in France, Gaumont and SND (M6 Group), then at CAKE Entertainment in London where I completed my studying.

When I turned 22, I opened my company Belle Époque Films and produced two films and a play. First film was “The Bigger Picture”, a romantic drama filmed in London on 35 mm with an Academy Award Nominated DP and starring Robert Sheehan (for those binge-watching Season 2 of “The Umbrella Academy” on Netflix!). Second film was “Spitball”, financed by the Northern Ireland Screen and starring Elliot Cowan and Shauna Macdonald. Last but not least, it was extremely rewarding for me to take the risk on producing the LA Premiere of “Happy”, a brilliant play written by Robert C. Caisley, published by Samuel French. From first read, I was convinced this play would be successful and a great asset to my company. As a result, the LA Premiere of “Happy” sold-out and received the most fantastic reviews. This all happened in the first six months of Belle Époque Films and was the beginning of a wonderful adventure – the company has turned five years old earlier this year!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My passion and long-term goal is to bring change in our industries. Which is enough to explain why it’s been everything but a smooth road. As a filmmaker, I do films about artists struggling with acceptance of their roles in the world. My debut period drama feature “The Golden Age” (“L’Âge d’Or”), is a tribute to all the artists from various backgrounds who flew to Saint-Tropez in the 60s to find inspiration and change that world that didn’t work for them.

First major obstacle was to raise the money. While budgeting and meticulously working on every aspect of production, I asked my customers for my freelance fee to be doubled, and because of the value I’m bringing to the companies I work for, it worked great for everyone. This is why “The Golden Age” is a tribute to change in our industries, but has also tremendously changed my life.

Second major obstacle was juggling between major roles, both as CEO of Belle Époque Films and for the film. I’ve written, directed, produced “The Golden Age” as the only producer, and also star as the female lead. I wanted to make sure to protect the authenticity and magic of 60s Saint-Tropez we pay tribute to in the film, for our audiences to live or re-live this unique atmosphere of artistic hub on Douce France French Riviera.

Another challenge was making the film in an eco-friendly way, while filming in 35 exceptional locations in Paris, South of France and LA. Working with an eco set has been a wonderful experience and the result is so very rewarding now that the Film is Ecoprod certified. Some of our film partners like the mythical Byblos Hotel even have their own sustainable Chart and eco-friendly restaurant, which is a very exciting achievement.

It’s been everything but a smooth road, and maybe that contributes to making it so rewarding. Change is not just worth the struggle, it’s become absolutely essential. On that note, it’s important to mention that my background in distribution is giving me a solid drive. It has tremendously helped me understand how we can give the very best of content to our audiences, and bridge the gap between filmmakers and the distribution world.

After working at top distributors in Europe, and virtually all the medium to top Festivals on five continents, I worked on kickstarting Canneseries alongside MIPTV, in particular, the In Development Forum, which has been a huge success since first edition. The Festival has only been growing these past three years, and we’re going partly online for the upcoming edition in October to enable everyone to join from the safe comfort of home. Canneseries and MIPTV are such a fantastic team to work with, besides it’s a blast to be championing top series and their creators.

Belle Époque Films – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Thanks so much for asking, supporting our filmmakers along their way to success is our passion and the reason why we work so hard every day! On the back on these achievements, Belle Époque Films has become a key player in Production Consulting and Line Producing in France. We’re known for our 121 production consulting at all stages of production and distribution to support our filmmakers in their short and long-term goals. On that point, it’s important to mention we have a unique track record of working on eco-friendly projects with international teams. For instance, if you’re in the stage of development or financing your project and can potentially film it in France (at least partly), we highly encourage you to get in touch with us as working with Belle Époque Films can give you access to the 30% French tax rebate, on the top of the perks of filming in France and all the exceptional locations we have experience with.

Likewise, if you’re meant to release your film or submit it to Festivals, we provide 121 tailored consulting to help you strategize your distribution and digital plan to maximize the chances of your film and adapt to the current transition times our industries and audiences are living. We’re known for our great results and share a common vision for authenticity, diversity and eco-friendly with our top partners and talents, which is also why such wonderful organizations as Canneseries work with us, and why last year at Cannes Festival, my interview for Écran Total made the headlines, as I was sharing our vision of the future at Belle Époque Films.

We’re proud that as we’re achieving ambitious international projects, we’re also championing change in our industries, with the support of the Paris International Film Festival I run. As a Festival preview, I’ve been very honored I was chosen by Paris City Official to perform a beautiful text for the commemoration of the Liberation of Paris. We’ve recently filmed at the Paris Hôtel de Ville, respecting social distancing. I was so very touched Paris City chose me to perform this text alongside wonderful actors like Mathilde Seigner and Alix Bénézech, whom I admire very much, and on the National Anthem. Paying tribute is such an important responsibility for us producers and artists, we have a voice and our audiences count on us to spread these important messages. You can stay tuned on Paris City Official website and socials from August 17–29 for the broadcasting of this episode and of the 12 others which retrace this momentous page of our History.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
It would have to be the European Premiere of my debut period drama feature “The Golden Age” (“L’Âge d’Or”). The film interestingly echoes momentously with the transition times we are living. First, “The Golden Age” last year became the last drama ever filmed at Notre-Dame Cathedral before the fires. Then, “The Golden Age” was multi-awarded in the USA and Europe and sold-out the Opening Night of the London Independent Film Festival in March just before lockdown.

I believe that Opening Night was one of the proudest moments of my career, as at this stage, I was not just representing “The Golden Age”, it was the film that was representing the current situation we were living. Together on that Opening Night with the Festival Team, Genesis Cinema Team, press, audience, as we were stepping into a global pandemic, we were paying an important tribute to all those who fight to bring change, all caught up in the artistic joy of 60s Saint-Tropez. A unique European Premiere for sure!

Pricing:

  • International Narrative Feature Film Submission (Regular Deadline) 70 USD
  • International Narravite Short Film Submission (Regular Deadline) 40 USD
  • Feature Screenplay Submission (Regular Deadline) 40 USD
  • Short Screenplay Submission (Regular Deadline) 25 USD
  • Documentary Feature Film Submission (Regular Deadline) 70 USD

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Serge Angeloni, Vincenzo Albano, Belle Époque Films

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