Mitja Ličen, director of photography from Slovenia, spoke today at a panel titled „From Tribeca to Manaki, behind the scenes of „Family Therapy“, filmed with ALEXA 35“ at the Manaki cinema in Bitola. Together with Chiara Catalla from ARRI, the German manufacturer of film equipment, they talked about the equipment and lighting used on the sets during the filming. The Slovenian dark comedy-drama, about a seemingly perfect family life, was selected to be supported by the ARRI International Support Program.

The audience was shown several scenes from „Family Therapy“, which the cinematographer commented on talking about what happened on sets. 

„In the scene where the refugee family appears at the door, we put lights on the ends of the door with additional light above them to achieve the effect I wanted. When there`s a confrontation between the family and the refugees, it`s very important what the light is“, Ličen said.

He also commented on the scene in which Julien is in the shower, talking about the light in the scene coming from outside the bathroom.

„What`s interesting about this scene is that the young people have an open relationship. Agata enters and provokes Julien, looking for proof that they are indeed brother and sister. First they are separated by the glass from the shower cubicle, and then at the end of the scene they are at the same side“, Ličen said.

In the scene where the parents are having dinner with the children, Ličen said that a static camera was used that slowly began to move as the conversation unraveled and the relationship between the parents and the children was becoming weaker. He said he likes strong images, i.e. images in strong colors, so for that purpose, the Alexa 35 camera was a real hit.

Otherwise, some of the more notable projects in which Ličen has participated are „The Miner“ (2017), „Who`s Afraid of the Big Black Wolf?“ (2012) and „History of Love“ (2018). For „Family Therapy“, he received support from the international support program of ARRI, the German manufacturer of film equipment.

ARRI, the Munich-based company founded in 1917, is the Silver Partner of the 45 th edition of the „Manaki Brothers“ International Cinematographers Film Festival, supporting the cutting-edge creative expression in world cinematography. With its long tradition and innovations in the film industry, ARRI remains a trusted partner to professionals who create visual masterpieces. As a Silver

Partner, ARRI reaffirms its dedicated participation in maintaining the film`s legacy and promoting future generations of cinematographers. ARRI manufactures professional cameras for film, lenses, lighting equipment and post-production.