With its breathtaking visuals, beautiful people, and beguiling soundtrack, it’s nearly impossible not to be swept up in ELECTRA, director and co-writer Hala Matar’s feature film debut. Shot in an Italian fifteenth century palazzo, ELECTRA follows a journalist who travels to Rome to interview a famous musician, only for the trip to end in deceit, betrayal, and murder.

THE CREATION OF AND CREATIVES BEHIND ‘ELECTRA’

The film is sumptuous, seductive, and stars indie darlings Maria Bakalova (BODIES BODIES BODIES), Jack Farthing (SPENCER), Abigail Cowen (REDEEMING LOVE) and co-writer Daryl Wein. Prior to its premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF), ELECTRA filmmakers Matar and Wein spoke the project’s inspiration and examination of “unfinished business.”

When asked about the genesis of the project, Matar shares:

“I lived in Rome during the pandemic, and so a lot of my inspiration comes from Italian cinema, so I always wanted my first film–well, I want all my films to be in Italy. We wanted to make a fun, Hitchcockian-inspired thriller.”

Matar and Wein cited artists Visconti and Godard as visual references for ELECTRA, yet Wein was quick to credit the movie’s distinct aesthetic to Matar’s own eye. “She makes everything always look good. It’s so wild and colorful, that’s her personality, and fashion and most of her work. Which is what I was so drawn to helping support Hala’s vision, helping to bring it life, and collaborating with her on this.”

WATCH OUR INTERVIEW WITH THE ELECTRA FILMMAKERS

However, ELECTRA doesn’t fall into the filmmaking trap of style over substance. Matar, Wein, and their co-writer Paul Sado’s script balances the excess of its characters’ lifestyles with palpable tension. Furthermore, Matar channels her background in short form, music videos and luxury branded content to dot vignettes throughout ELECTRA. The asides don’t distract from the narrative, rather they provide palette cleansers for the viewer, all while visually teaching them about the movie’s characters.

MATAR BECOMES THE FIRST FEMALE FEATURE FILMMAKER FROM BAHRAIN

In addition to her unforgettable feature debut, Matar is also the first Arab female filmmaker from Bahrain to helm a feature film. Made only more notable by the fact it debuted at SBIFF, she spoke to the significance of this achievement: “I’m so grateful. I’m really trying to encourage young filmmakers–or, just filmmakers–there. I’m trying to help start a film commission…and I hope this will encourage people to take it more seriously.”

Wein chimed in, “And more creative storytelling over there [in Bahrain]. Because lot of it ends up being religious-based and ociopolitical.”

“It why I wanted to make a fun film!” Matar adds.

‘ELECTRA’ EXAMINES DARKNESS AND CATHARSIS WITH PANACHE

Despite the fun throughout ELECTRA — and rest assured, there is plenty of it — the film examines how loss can drive one to the brink. “It’s mostly about unfinished business, and what that leads to.” shared Matar. “Because we all have to deal with that — with work, relationships, and trying to close things in a nice respectable way, you know?”

Wein said of the characters in the film:

“These people aren’t where they want to be. They’re trying to work through their baggage, issues, traumas, but they’re doing it in all the wrong ways. So there’s a lot of people making mistakes in this movie. That’s interesting to us, that kind of catharsis for getting to a new place in your life –trying to figure out who you really are and what you really should be doing.

Even though the characters do despicable things nearly constantly during ELECTRA, Matar’s direction and the actors’ performances allow one to actually find a little of themselves in their plights. As the weekend the film transpires over goes on, the once sprawling, massive palazzo becomes increasingly crowded and claustrophobic. ELECTRA serves as a splashy and affecting calling card for Matar, and certainly makes her a director to watch.

Follow Hala HERE

Follow Daryl HERE

Our interview with Hala and Daryl was filmed at Kiva CoWork Downtown Santa Barbara. Learn more about Kiva’s coworking spaces in Santa Barbara and how to become a member on their WEBSITE.