Directors Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata are teaming up with Paris-based Misia Films to bring their award-winning short film Two People Exchanging Saliva to the big screen as a feature-length project. The original short, which has garnered significant acclaim, is set in a dystopian world where kissing is a capital offense and transactions are conducted through slaps to the face. This absurd and tragicomic tale follows a compulsive shopper and a naive salesgirl who locking eyes in this bizarre societymacabre, must navigate their forbidden attraction in secrecy, especially as their relationship begins to arouse suspicion.
Narrating the film is the talented Vicky Krieps, with Zar Amir Ebrahimi, known for her gripping performance in Holy Spider, and Luana Bajrami, who captivated audiences in Portrait of a Lady on Fire, starring as the doomed lovers trying to ignite their spark in a world that forbids it. The short film made its world premiere at Telluride, selected by none other than Barry Jenkins, before going on to win the grand jury prize at AFI Fest. The jury praised the film for its thought-provoking exploration of desire and capitalism, while also celebrating its unapologetic portrayal of queerness as a norm in society.
The success of Two People Exchanging Saliva continues to grow. The directors recently won both the audience award and the Canal+ award at the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival, solidifying their reputation as innovative storytellers. As part of their prize, Canal+, a French pay-TV service, has picked up the short for broadcast and has also pre-bought their next short-form project, further cementing their presence in the film industry. The filmmakers will now develop their feature project through the Groupe Ouest lab in Brittany, a renowned platform for nurturing creative and ambitious cinematic endeavors. The cast, including Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Luana Bajrami, and Vicky Krieps, have all expressed interest in returning for the feature, a testament to their belief in the project.
For Singh and Musteata, expanding Two People Exchanging Saliva into a feature film feels like a natural progression. “From the beginning, we knew that this world and these characters were so rich,” says Musteata. “The short is only 36 minutes long, leaving us so much to develop in this very crazy world. There’s so much more to explore, and we have deep affection for all these characters – including the villain, I kid you not!” The directors admit that their journey into filmmaking has been unconventional. Singh spent 20 years as a professional artist, while Musteata holds a Ph.D. in art history. “This whole process has been a learning experience,” says Singh. “We certainly espouse a particular and odd kind of cinema.” Their unique backgrounds have undoubtedly shaped their distinct storytelling style, blending visual artistry with a deep understanding of cultural narratives.
The world of Two People Exchanging Saliva is as fascinating as it is unsettling. The film’s dystopian setting, where kissing is punishable by death and slap-based transactions are the norm, serves as a satirical commentary on societal norms and capitalism. The story of the compulsive shopper and the naive salesgirl becomes a metaphor for the universal human desire to connect, even in the face of oppressive systems. The feature adaptation promises to delve deeper into this bizarre world, fleshing out its characters, themes, and absurdities. Singh and Musteata’s affection for their characters, even the villain, hints at a nuanced exploration of morality and human nature.
As Singh and Musteata embark on this new chapter with Misia Films, they are poised to create something truly unique and thought-provoking. Their feature adaptation of Two People Exchanging Saliva is not just a project; it’s a passion-driven labor of love, born out of a world so rich and characters so compelling that they demand to be explored further. With their backgrounds in visual arts and art history, the directors bring a painterly quality to their storytelling, blending the surreal with the emotional to create a cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Backed by the support of their cast, the Groupe Ouest lab, and Canal+, Singh and Musteata are ready to push the boundaries of their “odd kind of cinema” and invite audiences into a world that is as strange as it is familiar.
