For this series of interviews, I’ve chosen 8 questions as a tribute to the iconic 8mm camera, diving into the vision and passion of each filmmaker/actor.
Alec and Cyril Vrancken are twin brothers with a shared passion for filmmaking. They’ve been making movies since they were 12 years old, always driven by their love for storytelling. Over the years, they’ve created a wide range of films, documentaries, and music videos, constantly exploring new ideas and following their creative interests.
Is there a movie from your childhood that sparked your love for cinema, or was it something that developed gradually?
We can’t think of one specific film from our childhood that made us want to become filmmakers, but big franchises like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Marvel made us love movies. Watching them felt like stepping into amazing worlds, which is a wonderful thing for a child to experience.
Which filmmaker inspires you the most, and why?
Cyril: There are quite a few filmmakers that inspire me. Lately, Bill Hader, who has directed his TV show ‘Barry,’ has impressed me a lot with his directing skills; how well he creates suspense and emotion in his episodes is something very impressive. But the one filmmaker who has been the most influential to Alec and me is James Gunn, especially after his last two films ‘The Suicide Squad’ and ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume 3.’ The way he takes such good care of each of his characters is something we try to achieve in all the films I make. He is a master at choosing the right soundtracks for his films. Music is a big part of movie magic, in my opinion. It allows the filmmaker to create the right emotion the public needs while watching the film.
Alec: I wouldn’t say this filmmaker is my biggest inspiration, but he did influence me on this particular project, Whispers of the Waves. That filmmaker is Alfred Hitchcock. Watching Psycho for the first time left a huge impression on me – especially in how suspense and mystery are built and how a plot twist unfolds. If you’ve seen Whispers of the Waves, you’ll definitely notice many elements inspired by his work.
If you could organize your own film festival, what kind of films would you show, and why?
If we were to organize a film festival, we’d welcome films from any genre – whether it’s horror, comedy, romance, or anything else. The only thing that truly matters is if the film makes us feel something. We sometimes struggle to find the right festivals or get selected for the ones we really want to be part of. Often, it comes down to what the festival is looking for. Some don’t focus on horror, which is what we usually make. But behind every genre, there’s storytelling and character, and we believe more festivals should pay attention to that.
What’s a challenge you’ve faced as a filmmaker/actor, and how did you overcome it?
Cyril: We faced quite a few challenges while filming Whispers of the Waves. One that stands out the most was completely unexpected. Unlike other challenges we had prepared for, this one caught us off guard. It was our last day of filming on the beach, and we had a medium close-up shot of Albert, played by David Fouques, staring into the distance. But when we reviewed the shot, we realized his sunglasses reflected the entire crew! Since reshooting wasn’t an option, we had to think fast. We solved it by filming Albert’s point of view and later fixing it in post-production. Our VFX Supervisor, Yanko Vande Veegaete, did an incredible job making it seamless. So, next time you see Albert wearing sunglasses on the beach—well, let me tell you, they’re not real!
Alec: This was my first time directing, so naturally, I had a lot of worries about whether I would do it well. It was also my first experience working with a full crew of 15 to 20 people, which sent my anxiety through the roof – I constantly stressed about how to lead them, give directions, and manage the set. Fortunately, I had my brother by my side to share the load. We share the same vision, and I trust him completely when I step into my role as an actor. I know I could have never taken on that project on my own. The responsibility is too overwhelming for one person. That’s why I’m incredibly grateful to have three amazing partners – Cyril Vrancken, Brian Pattikawa, and Allegra Pattikawa – who helped organize every aspect of the film from pre-production (writing, casting, table reads, and location scouting) to production (daily planning, catering, and logistics) and post-production (editing, color grading, sound design, and private screening). I have immense respect for any student filmmaker who attempts to direct a film on their own—it’s no easy task. As for my experience as an actor, I had some previous roles in BC-MOVIES projects like Power Up and other small films. I see those as my first stepping stones leading up to this bigger and more challenging project. I took the role of the character Andrew very seriously, and I really hope that comes through in my performance. Like always, I had moments of doubt about my acting on set, but the constant positive feedback from the director, producers, cast, and crew reassured me every day. I couldn’t be more grateful for their support—it made this new environment so much easier to step into and only strengthened my passion for acting. Hopefully, this is just the beginning!
Can you describe a moment on set that has left a lasting impression on you?
Cyril: We were filming on the beach in the evening, around 8 to 9 pm, capturing a one-take scene where all three actors had intense physical performances. Since we wanted to catch the golden hour, we had to move fast. For the edit, our DOP, Landerik Boie, suggested recording multiple takes back-to-back because the lighting changed every minute as the sun set. This meant 30 minutes of nonstop running for both the actors and crew. When we finally nailed it, and everyone started cheering, I had this moment of realization – filmmaking is truly beautiful. I couldn’t believe we had brought together such a passionate and dedicated team to make this film happen. That evening will stay in my heart forever.
Alec: There’s a moment in the movie where my character, Andrew, tries to escape, but Albert catches him, so Andrew runs to the balcony and screams for help. When we filmed that scene, I screamed so loudly that the entire city center could hear me. Even though we put up big signs saying we were filming a horror movie, warned the neighbors in advance, and had crew members outside in fluorescent vests reassuring people, someone still called the police. Luckily, we explained it was just for a movie, and they called back to say it was a false alarm. It was pretty funny.
If you had the chance to make a film about your own life, what genre would it be, and who would play you?
We think our lives are pretty ordinary – nothing too exciting. The only thing that might make a good film is the fact that we’re twins. A comedy could work, showing all the funny ways twins can take advantage of their situation. We’d love for Joe Keery to play us as twins – people always say we look like him!
What are your top three favorite movies of all time, and what makes them so special to you?
Cyril: My top 3 films are films that make me want to pursue filmmaking and give me inspiration when I need it. They are Your Name by Makoto Shinkai, La La Land by Damien Chazelle, and Good Will Hunting by Gus Van Sant. Your Name is such a beautiful film. It’s the first film that made me cry. I didn’t know I could do that, but I did. The animation and story are so wonderfully done, and the soundtrack is imprinted in my brain. La La Land is a film I go back to when I’m feeling demotivated. Funny story: I made Alec and the producers on Whispers of the Waves, Brian & Allegra Pattikawa, watch the film with me, and afterwards we took filmmaking seriously by filming a short film 3 weeks later. Even though this film breaks me as a viewer, I get so inspired by the message, and it makes me want to do more. Good Will Hunting is a film I recently watched, and I fell in love. I couldn’t believe I didn’t watch it sooner. This film shows how important scriptwriting is, as well as performance. It reminds me of the films I make with Alec, Brian, and Allegra. We write something, and they get to act as well. It’s like Matt Damon and Ben Affleck writing the script, and they get to act in the film too. This film reminds me of me as a filmmaker.
Alec: The first movie I’ve chosen is IT, directed by Andy Muschietti. It was my first horror movie experience on the big screen, and it left a lasting impression on me. I can still remember the rush of adrenaline I felt while watching it, especially since I had no idea what to expect from a horror film at the time. I initially thought it would just be filled with blood and jump scares, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the story. I also appreciated the film’s central theme—how fear and anxiety manifest differently for each character and the journey of overcoming them. The second movie is The Batman, directed by Matt Reeves. This film took me back to my childhood and reminded me of how much I’ve always loved the character of Batman. I especially enjoyed how it focused more on Batman’s detective side, which I’ve always appreciated. Growing up with Batman: The Animated Series, that aspect of the character was a big part of what I loved, but over the years, with so many different interpretations (which I also enjoy), I had somewhat forgotten about it. This movie brought that element back in a way that really resonated with me. Taking third place on my list – though I might be a bit biased by how recently I watched it – is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, directed by Michel Gondry. I went into it knowing nothing beforehand, and I was fascinated by the way the story unfolded. To me, this film perfectly captures how the human mind works and how our memories and experiences shape who we are, even when they bring us pain. The part that stood out to me the most was when Joel, after having his memories of Clementine erased, listens to the tape revealing how miserable they had become together. Despite hearing how much they once resented each other, he and Clementine had to decide whether to continue their fresh relationship. That moment brought a level of realism I didn’t expect—it reinforced the idea that love isn’t just about fate or fairy-tale romance; it’s something that takes effort and commitment.
If you could share one life lesson with our readers, what would it be?
Cyril: I feel I’m still too young to answer that question. And I’m usually someone who doesn’t believe in life lessons until you experience them. But if I had to give an answer to a life lesson I wish everyone would hear, it would be to be kinder to people, because kindness is underrated nowadays.
Alec: Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how little I treat myself. I’m always either working or, honestly, just being lazy and doing nothing—but when I do that, I feel really guilty. I’ve realized that I almost never take time to rest or enjoy something without feeling bad about it. Whether it’s eating something nice or watching a fun movie, I’m trying to remind myself that it’s okay to take a break and enjoy the moment.
If you want to know more about the filmmakers, take a look here!
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