ABOUT SAMUEL

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Every one sees what you appear to be

Journalist: This is an important year for you. You're celebrating your tenth anniversary as Fadead, and you've announced your comeback as a music video director after solely focusing on production. Did someone convince you? [break]
Samuel: (he looks at the floor, lifts his gaze) My business partner? (he fiddles with his fingers) I did a lot of things these past years dabbling in documentaries, web series, TV series… I love the energy of bringing people together, finding solutions, but I want to get back to my roots. I started doing videos when I was a student. They were low-budget videos for local or indie artists. I remember we did everything by ourselves. I don't miss doing make-up tho, but I guess I miss some… creative freedom. Video production is still my main activity while directing is my playground.[break][break]

Journalist: You said you have a theme in mind, can you talk about it? Or do you want to keep it secret? [break]
Samuel: It's not a secret, but it's not something I imagine achieving either. I'd like to work on 10 MV with a sci-fi 70's crime Los Angeles or Hollywood setting. Am I making sense? (he grins) Neon signals, corrupted PI, fallen stars searching for their former fame in shady nightclubs, androids which strip from self-determination and self-understanding…[break][break]

Journalist: It sounds like a huge project. Do you have someone or a band in mind?[break]
Samuel: No, and I'm really really picky when it comes to this kind of project. I can't work with people whose image doesn't match it. I need to love everything about them. Vibes, personality, voice… My heart should flutter.[break] [break]

Journalist: And nobody makes your heart flutter?[break]
Samuel: I wish, but I told you, I'm picky. And for now, I don't have the time or the will to focus on one person or project.[break] [break]

Journalist: About being picky… Do you think it explains why some artists say you're eccentric? [break]
Samuel: No, I'm known for being blunt very active on set and isolating myself when things don't work. You could say it's my work mode. However, I avoid gathering, you know the one we throw after completing work. I'm not good with them. I'd just stay in a corner by myself, daydreaming or observing people. Usually, I'd give the company credit card to the staff and leave. Also I write a lot on my hands or on my arms if I can't write on paper or napkins. I can stay at home for a week without seeing or talking to anyone… (he pauses, then nods) If you add all these little things, I guess I can understand why some people view me as eccentric. [break] [break]

Journalist: I remember you said in a previous interview that you masked yourself during social interactions. Is it still your mindset?[break]
Samuel: (he takes time before answering) Yes and no. Yes, because there are social norms people have to follow and I used to… imitate the others when I was younger. It was mentally draining and avoided listening to myself, to what I needed. Now, I'm older, I don't care about fitting into a mold or what people think. It has been and it's still a long personal journey for me.[break] [break]

Journalist: So how would you describe the real Samuel Tran? Or should I say Samuel Heymans? [break]
Samuel: (he falls silent for a moment) I hope people are more interested in my work. What I do is more interesting than who I am. (he sighs) And what happens with my brother was a tragedy, but the justice proved him innocent, something he had always claimed.[break] [break]

Journalist: But it haunted you. Your last work 'Silent Oath' is a mockumentary about people's opinion on cases, news spreading on social media and how families are - [break]
Samuel: (he cuts the journalist off) I'll quote Machiavelli: "Everyone sees what you seem to be, few know what you really are; and those few do not dare take a stand against the general opinion." [break] [break]

Journalist: Does it mean - [break]
Samuel: I'm sorry, but are we here to talk about my brother? [break] [break]

The journalist hesitates. [break] [break]

Journalist: This question is a bit personal if you don't mind. Your past relationship with the songwriter Ciara Portelli was known for being complicated. You dated for four years, broke up four times, and she compared you to water, saying you could take any shape then slip away the second after. What do you think about that?[break]
Samuel: We were in different places mentally and physically. We wanted and needed different things, but we kept repeating the same vicious circle. [break] [break]

Journalist: Last question, you like to pick a theme as a red thread for your year, what did you choose?[break]
Samuel: (he smiles softly) Transcendence.[break][break]

• He was twenty years old when his older brother got arrested for murdering his boyfriend. As Samuel asked to take his mother's maiden name - explaining the consequences of the case on his own life -, he started to look for clues proving his brother's innocence. This period is the starting point of his paparazzi's days.[break]
• He has lived in Las Vegas, Amsterdam, Hanoi, and San Diego.[break]
• He has co-founded an agency with a friend 6 years ago and let them deal with the administrative tasks.[break]

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call me
NIEL

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