Ep. 44: Savas Alpaltun & Aso Sherabayani

DEATH, DEALS & DENIAL

What happens when a man facing death tries to bargain his way out of it—and the Angel of Death just won’t play along? In this episode of the Richmond Film Network podcast, host Lisa Giles sits down with London-based filmmaker Savas Alpaltun and actor Aso Sherabayani to discuss their darkly funny short film “The Visitor,” screening at RFN IndieFest on November 15.

The pair reveal how they shot the entire film in just seven hours, inside a London convenience store, fueled by meticulous planning, creative improvisation, and a crew so synchronized they could finish each other’s shots. Savas explains how he staged every frame in his head long before filming began, while Aso describes the challenge of acting opposite the Angel of Death—who often wasn’t even in the room.

Together, they unpack the film’s deeper themes: mortality, faith, and the absurd comedy of trying to negotiate with fate. From finding humor in the universal truth of death to the practical magic of low-budget filmmaking, “The Visitor” proves that sometimes the most life-affirming stories begin with the end.