Faust's Facade

An actor stuck with the pathetic supporting role of Mephisto on a student film starts method acting as the powerful lead character Faust to get his role, leading to disastrous consequences.

  • Rishi Chhapolia
    Director
  • Rishi Chhapolia
    Writer
  • Ciara Kavanagh
    Producer
  • Joel Meyers
    Key Cast
    "Nick / Mephisto"
  • Maya T. Weed
    Key Cast
    "Nicole"
  • Harris Solomon
    Key Cast
    "Colin / Faust"
  • Jon Noto
    Key Cast
    "Scott"
  • Evyatar Gershon
    Cinematographer
  • Alexandra Hobbs
    Production Designer
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Fantasy
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 44 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 21, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    3,250 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Columbia University
Director Biography - Rishi Chhapolia

Rishi is an independent filmmaker based in New York City. Growing up as an overthinker across India and the US, he tells stories that investigate identities through dream worlds.

He is studying Philosophy at Columbia University.

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Director Statement

Through this character-driven short film, I want to explore what it means to assert a sense of identity. All of us, at some point or another, have struggled with maintaining an artificial persona to get what we want. But at what point does this go too far?

FAUST'S FACADE tells the story of an actor who is trying to be someone he's not in order to get what he wants. He is so blinded by his desires that he ends up losing his real sense of identity.

This story is inspired by the classic Faustian legend: an overachieving but dissatisfied scholar sells his soul to the Devil to gain unlimited knowledge.

I seek to immerse audiences in the psyche of an actor who's willing to sell his metaphorical soul to earn the admiration of those around him.