Director and co-writer Hala Matar’s bold take on a story of revenge catapults her 
ELECTRA into something much more interesting and accomplished than anyone could have expected. The story marinates in timeless allure of Rome, where “journalist” Dylan (Daryl Wein) and his companion, photographer Lucy (Abigail Cowen), find themselves weaving through the historic streets on assignment. 
Their journalistic pursuits lead them to an enthralling interview with the charismatic but flailing musician Milo (Jack Farthing). Charmed by their company, Milo extends an invitation for a weekend escape to his girlfriend Francesca’s (Maria Bakalova) opuent palazzo nestled in the verdant Italian countryside. Beneath their professional 
veneer, Dylan and Lucy harbor a clandestine motive: a meticulously orchestrated plan to abscond with a mythical unicorn painting, a prized treasure Milo once bestowed upon Francesca. Director and co-writer Hala Matar joins us for a conversation on pulling together a superb cast of brilliant performance from her cast, backing into the grand palazzo, the“perfect” location, where she and Michael Alden Lloyd shot Electra and how she and her creative team worked to find the perfect tone and pace for ELECTRA.
About the filmmaker – Hala Matar is a Bahraini American director based in LA. Electra is her feature film debut. She has directed films for Vice, Nowness and for fashion brands including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Moncler, Kenzo, Vivienne Westwood and Diesel. She made music videos for Interpol, The Voidz, and Poolside. She has worked with a variety of A list talents such as: Kristen Stewart, Chloe Sevigny, Johnny Knoxville, Suki Waterhouse and Matthew Gray Gubler. Her work has been featured in Rolling Stones, Pitchfork, Vogue, NME, Spin, NME, W Magazine, Nylon, CNN and Harpers Arabia.
DIrector’s Statement – My journey as a filmmaker is rooted in a profound passion for weaving tales that delve into the realm of dreams and contest reality. Driven by a quest to transcend the boundaries traditionally set by Middle Eastern cinema, I find myself drawn to the unconventional and the enigmatic, much like the works that hallmark the French New Wave and Italian Cinema. This drive became deeply personal after experiencing the death of a loved one—a difficult crossroads that profoundly shaped my artistic expression. Their memory served as the impetus for my film, offering a vessel through which I navigated the complex seas of grief and trauma but done in a lighthearted way. I have always had a soft spot for fun, dramatic thrillers, most notably Alfred Hitchcock. As the first Arab female filmmaker from Bahrain to helm a feature film, I approached this endeavor with a profound sense of humility and duty, keenly aware of the singularity of my stance. I endeavored to craft a narrative that challenges the cultural tapestry of my upbringing. The decision to film in Italy was pivotal, as Fellini’s films and Rome’s liberating ambiance are my greatest inspirations. Collaborating with such a talented team, whose zeal and support have been invigorating, has been an extraordinary journey. As we anticipate sharing our work with a global audience, it is my heartfelt aspiration that it strikes a chord with viewers and enriches the tapestry of diverse narratives in the world of film. – Hala Mater
SOCIAL MEDIA
facebook.com/hala.matar.58
facebook.com/Level33Entertainment
instagram.com/level33entertainment
instagram.com/halamatarofficial
instagram.com/thepaulsado
instagram.com/abbeycowen
instagram.com/darylwein
instagram.com/mariabakalovaofficial
instagram.com/michaelaldenlloyd
instagram.com/collider
instagram.com/walijewskiart
Reviews:
“From its title sequence to its languid eying of the palazzo’s suggestive artworks, “Electra” declares its affinity for visual (and sonic) swagger.” – Lisa Kennedy, New York Times
“The film itself shimmers with a kind of free-floating hilarity, and the team’s sense of creativity and pleasure is catching.” – Sheila O’Malley, RogerEbert.com
Film School Radio
The best in documentary, foreign and independent filmmaking