"This film is very much inspired by the ‘That Girl’ trend on social media" - Clarissa Charron, Director of #Fitspo (Interview)

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your filmmaking journey?

I've always been excited about anything film-related and it’s never been a question for me that I would work in film. I went on my first film set when I was 14, went on to study filmmaking and screenwriting at university and am lucky to have experience in many aspect of the industry—in front of the camera, behind the camera, and in the structures that influence worldwide film production. For me, filmmaking is a sort of tool to help make sense of the world and myself, like a more complex version of journaling.

Who are your biggest influences in cinema?

There are really so many and for all different reasons but what really inspires me is when a filmmaker can strike that balance between authentic creative style and being well-rounded people working to add positive value to the industry. For me, this means artists like Greta Gerwig, the Daniels, Sean Baker, Kaouther Ben Hania, John Hughes, and more...

Can you share the story behind the #Fitspo?

My 'adult self' was raised in the gym, shaped by its conflicting mindsets. This film is very much inspired by the ‘That Girl’ trend on social media, my past self, and all the young women I observed during my time as a personal trainer. It’s for the girl who wakes up at 5 AM, drinks lemon water, journals, meditates, works out, eats clean, and stays effortlessly positive… It highlights the contradictions women can face: build muscle (but not too much, or you lose femininity), look good (but not like you're trying too hard, or you're self-absorbed).

Social media only amplifies these pressures, making self-improvement feel like an endless race where you're never doing "enough”.

What message or emotion do you hope the audience takes away from it?

I’d like to believe it could offer some reflection or empathy toward the struggles that modern young women face. Although if someone told me they felt nothing, I’d either feel envy or disappointment.

Did you follow a strict script, or do you allow for improvisation?

Since we shot this as a 20-minute one-take, every movement was meticulously choreographed, leaving no room for improv—especially with only four of us on set. Whether it was a character entering on cue after a specific word or adjusting volume levels between lines, we had to rely on each other completely. We tried to keep mistakes to a minimum as no one wants to restart after an 18 minute take and thankfully we didn’t really need to.

How do you see the future of independent cinema and streaming platforms?

I think streaming platforms are a great way for films and filmmakers to access the general public, especially those who may not get traditional or theatrical distribution like in the case of short films and series. I hope over time there’s even more freedom for niche genres and unconventional storytelling, as it can be a great tool for sharing films that could otherwise be held back by mainstream distribution.