Hugo Teugels

Introduction & background in filmmaking? Who is Hugo Teugels?

With a passion for filmmaking and photography, Hugo Teugels is a multi-award winning producer, director, writer, editor and cinematographer of short films. Notable works include his most successful short, The Queen (2016), Hoko-Bang-Sing (2014), and 2nd Chance (2019). Current projects include AnoMiC, a vignette of 3-4 productions (2020-2024) and the promising "Cassandra Venice", the latest ongoing Italian project, shot in Venice and recently finished (Oct 2024).

Initially fascinated by the power of moving images ranging from artwork to Hollywood blockbusters, his mission eventually became the pursuit of 'that' perfect marriage between image and sound accomplished through the editing process. Drawing inspiration from legendary surrealist filmmaker David Lynch, Teugels' films are characterized by dream-like imagery mindfully paired with evocative sound design that etches powerfully into the viewer's mind. (>Full Biography on IMDb)

 

What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
I see my filmmaking as an out-of-control hobby that grew steadily.
 

Early endeavors included taking photographs and making video clips but quickly progressed into the cinematic world with each subsequent project testing new ideas and limits. Additionally, my 15 years experience as a movie soundtrack critic is parlayed into my work and showcases the meticulous understanding of the importance of sound to movies, thus garnering multiple nominations for Best Sound Design and Score.

The birth of a creatively kaleidoscopic perspective on his subject matter coupled with a discriminating eye stems from my studies at my hometown art academy in Leuven, Belgium. There, my love for photography evolved into a passion for filmmaking and a uniquely 'arty' approach that has produced multi-award winning onscreen magic.

 

What inspired you to choose Venice as the setting for this mystery and suspense story?

Venice, with its labyrinthine canals, ancient architecture, and deep sense of history, naturally lends itself to mystery and suspense—the kind of films I love to make. The city’s unique atmosphere, where beauty and decay coexist, felt like the perfect backdrop for a story that delves into profound existential themes.

 

Venice is a place where the past feels ever-present, where the boundaries between reality and myth blur. This enigmatic quality inspired me to set the film there, as it mirrors the story’s exploration of internal conflicts and the looming threats we often choose to ignore.

The idea originated in 2021, when I returned from the Lido (film festival location) to the center of Venice each night after the festival, finding myself wandering through the silent labyrinth of streets and waterways, shaping the story in my mind as the climactic cues grew stronger. In 2022, during the next Venice IFF, I discovered the perfect leading lady, Polli Cannabis, and we booked a few days to film in Venice. Again in 2023, during VIFF, we filmed the final footage and tested the red carpet together. The project then matured into its final form.

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What challenges did you face while filming in Venice, especially considering the city as a kind of "character" in the film? Any interesting or memorable experiences you had while making “Cassandra Venice”?

Filming in Venice presented unique challenges, particularly due to the geography and narrow streets. Even with a map in hand, it’s easy to lose your way. The city’s beauty comes with unpredictability—the light changes quickly, and water levels can rise suddenly. However, these challenges also contributed to the film's authenticity and atmosphere.

As a character, Venice is both breathtaking and ominous, and capturing that duality was essential to the story. The city’s influence is palpable in every scene, adding layers of meaning and atmosphere impossible to replicate elsewhere.
 

I recall one evening when it rained so heavily that we had to take shelter, and because our phones were wet, Google Maps didn’t work properly, leaving us lost in the rain. It’s a shame we didn’t capture that on film. We then had to take extra care to keep our existing footage dry and find our way out.

 

How has your cinematic vision been influenced by directors like David Lynch and M. Night Shyamalan, and how is this reflected in "Cassandra Venice"?

David Lynch’s influence is evident in the film’s surreal and dreamlike qualities. Like Lynch, I’m drawn to exploring the darker, more mysterious aspects of human nature and the subconscious. In Cassandra Venice, this is reflected in how the narrative blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, creating a world where logic and reason give way to emotion and intuition. The film’s use of symbolism, color, and sound to evoke a sense of unease and introspection is also inspired by Lynch’s approach to storytelling, where atmosphere and mood are as important as the plot itself.
M. Night Shyamalan’s use of plot twists and color symbolism also influenced the film, aiming to provide a visual experience that also carries a deeper message.

 

Are there any specific themes or messages that you aimed to convey through your film? / What do you hope the audience will take away from watching your film?

Climate change is woven into the narrative as an ever-present threat, symbolized by the Beast looming over the story. The film uses color, sound, and symbolism to evoke the anxiety and fear associated with environmental destruction.

Through this, I hope to convey that climate change is not an abstract, distant issue—it’s a very real, tangible threat that demands our immediate attention. The film encourages viewers to confront this reality, to listen to their inner voice urging them to act before it’s too late.

 

How do you feel your film stands out from others in the same genre or category?

"Cassandra Venice" is layered with metaphor and symbolism.

The story serves as a grand metaphor for an "inner dialogue," conveyed through the interplay of blue and red, each color carrying deep symbolic meaning.

Blue represents water—reflection, air, clean oceans, and the serenity of the sea, symbolizing the purity and essential aspects of life.

Red, on the other hand, stands for the danger looming over our climate and the very existence of life itself.

These two colors create a visual and thematic tension throughout the film, representing the conflict between life-sustaining and life-threatening forces.

 

Are there any filmmakers or films that have greatly influenced your work?

I've seen so many films and appreciate various filmmakers/directors, as mentioned earlier in this interview, but if you want film titles: Lost Highway, The Sixt Sense, The Dark Knight trilogy, Vanilla Sky, Inception, Lost in Translation, The Others, Eyes Wide Shut,...

Or other directors: Steven Spielberg and Christopher Nolan

 

Have you participated in any other film festivals or competitions? If so, how was your experience?
I went to the biggest film festivals in the world a few times (Venice, Cannes, Berlin and a couple of events besides the Oscars in L.A.) but mostly appreciated the smaller real film festivals because it is so easy there to connect with people with the same film spirit, with whom you can really talk and exchange ideas and even collaborate. All my films have been linked to film festivals I went to and met people who then wanted to collaborate.

 

What are your aspirations as a filmmaker, and where do you see yourself in the future?

I’m very excited about the potential to expand Cassandra Venice into a feature film or even a limited television series. The themes and characters—especially the city—have a depth that could be further explored in a longer format.

There’s much more to uncover about Cassandra’s journey, the symbolic elements, and the overarching message about climate change and human consciousness. I’m currently exploring these possibilities and looking forward to seeing how the story might evolve and reach a broader audience.

And for those interested, feel free to contact me regarding these possibilities or if there are any other questions.

I also have a few other good ideas in the pipeline. A new script is ready and, by the way, the next one is one to shoot and flesh out in Spain.

 

Is there anything else you would like the audience and the film festival organizers to know about you or your film?

‘Cassandra Venice is full of metaphors and symbolism. There are so many things to talk about that it may take another year before people realise what is really in it.

Let me explain one more symbol: the Golden Spoon.

The golden spoon symbolizes the idea that we were born into a privileged world, with a favorable climate and many advantages—like having a “golden spoon” in our mouths.

However, we’ve overindulged, and now that golden spoon serves as an alarm, a “call to attention” before it’s too late.

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The reflection in a spoon, where our image appears upside down, also serves as a metaphor for the duality of our inner selves—the ‘other me’ within our consciousness, urging us to look deeper and confront the reality of our situation.