Creating the Universe of “Dark Cell”

Blending suspense and science fiction, “Dark Cell” by Jean-Michel Tari is a feast for the eyes at the Utah International Film Festival.

“Dark Cell” is set within the confines of an orbital prison, where two seemingly unrelated inmates are confronted by chaos. Panic-stricken guards, armed to the teeth, disrupt their routine, revealing a prison overrun by blood-thirsty, zombie-like creatures. The only means of survival: eject the cell and return to Earth. However, a twist of fate exposes a shocking truth – the cell designed for two now accommodates four individuals. With time ticking away, the inmates must quickly decide who among them will emerge as the fortunate survivors.

Tari draws inspiration from a French TV series, “Braco,” where the intense performance of Alain FIGLARZ ignited his creative spark. The idea of locking two unrelated characters in a confined space within an orbital prison took shape, driven by the need for an ambitious science fiction film with innovative special effects.

“At that time, I wanted to make a science fiction film with ambitious special effects” said Tari. “I immediately thought of locking these two unrelated characters in a confined space because usually, in short films, a “closed set” is often used for obvious cost reasons. The idea of an orbital prison quickly came to mind as only the porthole would allow us to see the outside. So, I thought a 4×2 meter green screen would do the trick. All I had left to do was to write the story with these constraints.  I just had to imagine pretenses, twisted situations that are not what they seem. I love twisting a script in every direction and unexpected ending.”

For Tari, every aspect of the production was a labor of love. From the inventive pre-production phase, where he navigated the challenge of creating sets on a budget, to the adrenaline-fueled 6 days of shooting, the director reveled in the dynamic energy and talent of his team.

“I love this energy and these moments where, as a director, you have to make quick decisions. You don’t have time to waste and you must have an answer for almost everything. It pushes you to surpass yourself. My goal, at the moment, is to spend more time on set with larger team shooting a series or a feature film.”

Making films is not as easy as it looks to the casual viewer.  “I received no financial assistance whatsoever to make this film. Yet, I wanted a set that looked like “real” science fiction.”

Undeterred, he harnessed his expertise in 3D modeling, using five printers running 24 hours a day for two years. The result incudes a visually stunning set and props, including 544 VFX shots in post-production, all accomplished in Tari’s spare time. PLUS the film was Eco-Friendly!

“I had just finished shooting a commercial where the production threw away entire panels of wood that had only been used for 4 hours. That really bothered me, and I decided that the set of “Dark Cell” would be as eco-friendly as possible. The set is reusable and is currently stored away, awaiting future use as my dream would be to expand the “Dark Cell ” universe into a series or a feature film.”

Reflecting on the journey, Tari contemplates the possibility of seeking co-producers for a larger budget in future endeavors, recognizing the difficulties of funding science fiction in France.

“Unfortunately, science fiction is a very difficult genre to fund in France, especially for short films, but getting more into the film financing system would certainly have been something I would have liked to do. But on the other hand, I ultimately regret nothing because my approach also gave me complete freedom.”

For aspiring filmmakers, Tari’s advice is clear – build a great team and embrace collaboration. While his multifaceted role in “Dark Cell” allowed for creative freedom, he encourages the exchange of ideas and collective effort.

“My advice is to try to surround yourself with people you believe in and who believe in you. Exchange ideas and do things together.” 

“Dark Cell” is an Official Selection of the Utah International Film Festival and will screen at Maven Cinemas in American Fork, UT. The festival runs February 12-17 in Utah County.