Introduce yourself to our readers. Where are you from originally and where is home now?
My name is Mel Piper, I am a screenwriter, director and artist based in Hamburg. Raised in a village in Northern Germany, I called Dublin and London home for many years before once again settling in Germany. For now.
Who or what inspired you to make films?
I think films manipulate and translate reality so that emotions become visible.
When did you get your first camera and can you recall your earliest pictures?
My mother’s SLR camera from a mail-order catalogue. I took lots of b/w photographs with it, especially during uni years in London. Then I lost it somewhere and although the one I have now is sleek and fancy, it doesn’t feel quite the same.
How would you describe your style?
Surrealist, poetic, playful, darkish.
Do you have a favorite film?
Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) by Jim Jarmusch, My Blueberry Nights (2007) by Wong Kar-wai and The Power of the Dog (2021) by Jane Campion.
Who are your favorite filmmakers?
Aside from the above, Martin McDonagh and Wes Anderson
What inspires & influences you today?
Visceral art, theatre and music. The courage and kindness of people.
Where in the world would be your dream location to shoot?
Anywhere with magical light. A Scandinavian forest. Or in Provence.
Do you have a creative process?
I write and sketch from morning to noon. In the afternoon I explore with my camera and do research. In between or at the end of the day I love to go for a swim or a stroll in the park. Coffee and conversation are equally awesome.
Who is you favorite writer?
Ursula K. Le Guin, Amor Towles and Martin McDonagh.
Who are your favorite artists?
Leonora Carrington, Dora Maar and Leonor Fini.
Do you have a favorite photograph?
My dad rowing a boat in Canada in 1975.
What are your favorite publications/websites?
classics-magazine.com, themarginalian.org, openculture.com, theguardian.com, instagram @dieverpeilte, @goodnewsmagazin, @filmshortage, @beyondtheshort
Any upcoming projects we can look forward to?
Having received the Digital Media Formats for Visual Artists fellowship by the Deutscher Künstlerbund this year I am exploring surrealist scenes in daily life. As part of this I am also creating concept art for my debut feature film as writer- director. And I am looking to connect with a producing partner.
Watch her film "Shadow Players"
