Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with co-writer/directors Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata to discuss their Oscar-winning live action short film, Two People Exchanging Saliva (Deux personnes échangeant de la salive).
Set in a dystopian world where kissing is a capital offence and currency is exchanged through slaps to the face, this 36-minute absurdist drama has taken the festival circuit by storm. Alexandre and Natalie—a visual artist and an art historian by trade—reveal how they built this bizarre reality from the ground up.
In this deep dive, they discuss the intricate sound design behind the film's "slap hierarchy," how they used 3D pre-visualization for planning their shoot in the iconic Galeries Lafayette, and why absurdism is the most powerful tool to critique modern authoritarianism. They also touch on their transition from the art world to filmmaking, the surreal experience of an Oscar nom, and their plans for a feature-length version for the film.
👀 Watch Two People Exchanging Saliva youtu.be/RuOEEu--j2Y?si=CFOsrz9JDvLtuFma
🔔 Watch more interviews with visionary filmmakers on our channel: youtube.com/c/directorsnotes
🎥 Want to see your film here? Submit your work to Directors Notes: directorsnotes.com/submit
📬 Get filmmaking insights delivered: Subscribe to our free Newsletter: directorsnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
📷 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/directorsnotes
🎧 Listen to our Podcast: pod.link/192507317
👍 **Loved this deep dive?** Hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you never miss a conversation with the world's best filmmakers.
** VIDEO CHAPTERS **
00:00 - Intro
02:46 - Absurdism vs. Reality: Satirizing Authoritarianism
04:15 - Finding Tender Optimism in a Dystopian Society Story
09:08 - The Parable Structure: Why the Film Has Chapters
14:35 - Building the Slap: Choreography, Sound Design, and Eroticism
20:13 - 3D Pre-Visualization & Shooting at Galerie Lafayette
26:01 - Running Time "Death Zone": Why 36 Minutes Was the Sweet Spot
30:43 - Natalie & Alexandre's Short Film Recommendations
34:57 - Expanding the Universe: What's Next for the Directors?
#oscarwinner #TwoPeopleExchangingSaliva #NatalieMusteata #AlexandreSingh #BestLiveActionShort #oscars #oscarnominee #foryourconsideration #dystopia #shortfilm
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with co-writer/directors Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata to discuss their Oscar-winning live action short film, Two People Exchanging Saliva (Deux personnes échangeant de la salive).
Set in a dystopian world where kissing is a capital offence and currency is exchanged through slaps to the face, this 36-minute absurdist drama has taken the festival circuit by storm. Alexandre and Natalie—a visual artist and an art historian by trade—reveal how they built this bizarre reality from the ground up.
In this deep dive, they discuss the intricate sound design behind the film's "slap hierarchy," how they used 3D pre-visualization for planning their shoot in the iconic Galeries Lafayette, and why absurdism is the most powerful tool to critique modern authoritarianism. They also touch on their transition from the art world to filmmaking, the surreal experience of an Oscar nom, and their plans for a feature-length version for the film.
👀 Watch Two People Exchanging Saliva youtu.be/RuOEEu--j2Y?si=CFOsrz9JDvLtuFma
🔔 Watch more interviews with visionary filmmakers on our channel: youtube.com/c/directorsnotes
🎥 Want to see your film here? Submit your work to Directors Notes: directorsnotes.com/submit
📬 Get filmmaking insights delivered: Subscribe to our free Newsletter: directorsnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
📷 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/directorsnotes
🎧 Listen to our Podcast: pod.link/192507317
👍 **Loved this deep dive?** Hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you never miss a conversation with the world's best filmmakers.
** VIDEO CHAPTERS **
00:00 - Intro
02:46 - Absurdism vs. Reality: Satirizing Authoritarianism
04:15 - Finding Tender Optimism in a Dystopian Society Story
09:08 - The Parable Structure: Why the Film Has Chapters
14:35 - Building the Slap: Choreography, Sound Design, and Eroticism
20:13 - 3D Pre-Visualization & Shooting at Galerie Lafayette
26:01 - Running Time "Death Zone": Why 36 Minutes Was the Sweet Spot
30:43 - Natalie & Alexandre's Short Film Recommendations
34:57 - Expanding the Universe: What's Next for the Directors?
#oscarwinner #TwoPeopleExchangingSaliva #NatalieMusteata #AlexandreSingh #BestLiveActionShort #oscars #oscarnominee #foryourconsideration #dystopia #shortfilm
