We are pleased to announce that New York Film Academy alumna Eliza Bolsh’s film “Check your Mate” won Best Short at the Los Angeles Short Awards Film Festival! Bolsh also won the nomination for “Best Female Director” at the European Film Festival, as well as awards and nominations at other film festivals. This summer, the film will screen at the Cannes Film Festival and at the Mediterranean Film Festival in Italy.
We had the opportunity to speak with Eliza despite her busy festival schedule.
Eliza, congrats on your awards! Can you please tell us about your film?
“Check your Mate” is a drama with deep emotional overtones. It tells us about a successful emancipated elderly woman. She used to manage her life as she wanted. She built a career and her life, and now she likes to teach the others, even if they don’t ask about it. Since she plays chess well, she uses her ability to see how much a person is afraid. She especially likes to play with her sister’s grandson. She teaches him strategies in business and always wins. One day, his wedding is at stake. He needs to win whatever it takes. But to do it he must find her weak spot.
I was inspired by the fact that in my childhood my grandfather played chess with me. He skillfully linked the moves with real life strategies. He provided me with great food for meditation. Now I understand that it was an invaluable experience. There is a simple, vital and profound human history at the heart of my film.
What were some of the difficulties you faced while creating your film?
The budget was small, only $15,000. We worked at night to observe the context of the mystery. At the heart of it were two very complicated chess games, created for this film by a professional. The actors had a difficult task to remember all the moves, and, in fact, they had not played before.
What made you decide to attend the New York Film Academy Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is the meridian of world cinema, so I chose to study at the New York Film Academy. I have always been a creative person — that’s why I wanted to be realized on a world-wide basis.
Are you currently working on anything else that you’d like to share?
Recently I opened my production company, Boldman Bolsh Production, LLC in Los Angeles, which helps other people realize and implement their projects. We create music videos, commercials, films and all stages of the production, starting with the legal registration of documents, finishing with the construction of the set, castings, photography.
I have far-reaching plans. I want to create global projects and develop my company in all directions. I’m also writing a script for a series. I plan to start shooting at the end of this year, or the beginning of next year. I hope audiences will love it.
The New York Film Academy would like to thank Eliza Bolsh for taking the time to speak with us.