Sitting down with… NATASJA BRIERS
I never thought the colour blue could inspire so much dread in one, yet Natasja Briers, winner of the Watersprite 2023 Costume Design award, has done just that in “The Devil Has The Best Tunes”. I had the pleasure to sit down with her this week, and I couldn't help but ask how she has managed to completely alter my perception on a colour in her 1940s jazz inspired noir film.
Blue is the colour of the company logo for “Helix Enterprises”, the central antagonist to the film’s heroine, Rosamund (played by Hannah Snow). blue is also the colour of the pills and powders the corporation forces Rosamund to consume; “because we wouldn’t want you to become a gram heavier”,explains the company spokesperson (played by Lucas Tavernier) . And blue is the colour Rosamund wears onto stage as she practises to become a star, all in accordance with the company's demanding and perfectionist design. Blue is the tinge of Rosamund’s skin when she fails to meet their requirements at the end.
Credit: Actress Hannah Snow in “The Devil Has The Best Tunes”, directed by Natasja Briers, @_artasja_
Natasja explained that she paid particular attention to primary colours in the creative design of the film. “I used colour theory to create the atmosphere of the film, and I was aiming to replicate the art decor vibes that were popular in the 1940’s”, she said. And blue is the primary colour that poised counter to the bold red and yellow dreses that Rosamund initially wore before succumbing to the comapny’s influence.
Historical accuracy was a design detail that received meticulous attention, as Natasja scoured through 1940s costume books and films to dress her actors and actresses in a convincing fashion.
Details, down to the very material used for props and wardrobes were painstakingly scrutinised, and all of it by Natasja herself. She is simultaneously director, writer, producer and talent scout for the short film. It is no surprise then, that the central theme and inspiration to “The Devil Has The Best Tunes” is “perfectionism”, the obsession and pursuit for flawlessness that can drive people to self-destruction.
“She is simultaneously director, writer, producer and talent scout for the short film. ”
Natasja herself regularly struggled with her perfectionist tendencies, even during the days that led up to the award announcements.
“It was my perfectionism that made me see all the flaws in my short film, and when I looked at other nominees in the Costume Design category, I thought it would be near impossible for me to win with how impressive the other contenders were” she said.
“I was really surprised when I won.”
Yet her attention to detail and dedication to historical accuracy was what finally won over the jurors. Looking back on the entire filmmaking process, Natasja found it to be a satisfying and rewarding experience.
It was certainly not without its challenges, such as when she was repeatedly told off by others for striving to make her film “Hollywood-esque”, or when she had to juggle her multiple roles as a student filmmaker. Being just her second ever short film, it was hard to be taken seriously, but she persevered and managed to create this haunting and visually stunning film.
Though she was personally unable to attend the 2023 Watersprite Film Festival due to railway strikes, she greatly enjoyed the sense of togetherness in the Watersprite community and the experience of watching the Festival livestream.
“To fellow contenders and film students, my advice is just to unapologetically be yourself,” she said.
“And if you ever win an award, do keep the acceptance speech short, because having to watch myself speak for 2 minutes was quite awkward,” she added with a laugh.
Natasja is currently pursuing her Master’s in Film and is working on another historical film, this time based on the 1920s. We from Watersprite wholeheartedly wish her the best in her endeavours in filmmaking!
Watch “The Devil Has The Best Tunes” on Youtube.
Written by Jefferson Lin
