Stills Photography for Matryoshka Crush (Laura Taler), Ottawa Gatineau

Melanie Mathieu
Jun 11
2 min read

In 2022 I had the opportunity to document the production of the film Matryoshka Crush that is launching today at AXENÉO7 in Gatineau. This was my second time working behind the scenes for a Laura Taler project and of course I jumped at the chance. Based on my previous experience as stills photographer for Karanfil/Carnation I knew it would be like stepping into another word, wonderful, outside of the box, filled with so many opportunities to capture details, characters and spaces.

"The film centers around four characters. Wearing a series of masks, one layered upon the other like Matryoshka nesting dolls, Laura Taler plays KUKERI, BIG HEAD, HAIRY FACE MEDUSA, and LITTLE HEAD. Each recall, respectively, nature and magic, the old world, female rage, and childlike wonder. The result is a visceral and material-based performance that tells an unmoored story of bodies out of place, with fuzzy, penetrable boundaries. Hilarious, lusty, and troubling, the actions of the characters orbit around an old tavern, an in-between place to rest, clean, feed, pleasure, and entertain. " - Laura Taler

Shooting took place in and around Gavan's Hotel in Quyon QC. The atmosphere did not disappoint. The team (see credits below) were all wonderful to work with and around. What I love about stills photography is blending into the background. My role forces a creativity in angles and compositions. Seeing the effort involved in each take during the shooting process means I really don't want to be in the way and force a re-take. Being quiet, unnoticed, carving out a little space to get the shot and patience are really important. There can also be a lot of down time as setups from one scene to another take place. I love using that time to explore new angles, find interesting light or reflections, and to capture the team working away at what they do best. Below are a sample of the 300+ photos taken over the 3 days I was on set.

Thank you Laura for the opportunity!

Kelly Spinelli (production manager) @kgirl33

Jordan MacDonald (on-set production manager)@jborgy

Mélanie Meyers (costumes)@myers.mm

Merisa Gallemit (costume assistance)@marisagallemit

Sandy Harris (wig construction)

Wassim Nohra (director of photography)@wassimnohra

Conor DeVries (camera operator)@defreez

Aylin Abbasi (assistant editor & data management)@aylin.abbasi64

Elia El Haddad (sound recordist)

Roland Marckwort (gaffer)@Roland Marckwort

Scott Brown (grip)@scottrawsonbrown