Your new movie Kultus
- in a few words, what is it about?
In the most simple terms it's a whodunnit. It's a "race against
the clock" thriller about the disappearance of a writer and the team
that is in charge of finding her before she's murdered. What were your
inspirations when writing Kultus? Great
films like Rear Window and Se7en. Also, HBO's
True Detective really struck a cord for me. Of
your two lead characters, the eccentric Agatha and the by-the-book Curtis,
who could you identify with more, and who was more fun to write? Agatha,
is kind of a smartass. I really enjoyed writing her. So smart but also
very socially awkward. Uncomfortable in her own skin. But she is so
brilliant that at times, she forgets that others around her aren't
keeping up with her. One of me favorite characters I have written so far.
Kultus
is rather complex in its buildup - so were you ever afraid you might get
lost in your story?
Kim Grimaldi as Agatha |
My original idea for Kultus
was to do a
3 part series. The fun thing about doing that is you have a broad idea of
where the story is heading but you aren't really sure where these
characters will take you. That's why it got longer and longer until we
called it a feature film. How would you describe your approach
to the more violent scenes in your movie? A lot of my
writing has scenes of that are violent. My goal is to do those scenes in a
way that is compelling and perhaps uncomfortable but without being
gratuitous or over the top. I have heard many great filmmakers say
"less is more" and I believe that very strongly. What can you
tell us about your overall directorial approach to your story at hand?
Annette Duffy |
To
be honest, I, with my casting director Annette Duffy [Annette
Duffy interview - click here] took a lot of time on casting the film. Once you have a great cast in place, my job as
a directer becomes much simpler. My responsibility is to communicate
my vision, Once I have, great actors bring it to life.
Do talk about your key cast, and why exactly these
people? I am not making horror films for teenage boys. I
want people to have to use their heads when they see my films. Go to a
grocery store and look around. Those people shopping are normal people.
That's how I want my films to look. Normal people. It just so happens that
these actors are incredibly talented and patient. What can you tell us about the shoot as such,
and the on-set atmosphere?
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Well it was almost always dark.
We shot it from August in Northern California then in November and
December in Iowa. So it was always very cold. Which I think lent to the
mood of the film as a whole. The story is disturbing and uneasy, so why
should the set or our feeling be any different?
The $64 question of course,
when and where will the film be released onto the general public? Late
spring, and we will make sure to get you those details as we get closer. A
few words about critical and audience reception of Kultus
so far? Well our reviews so far have been outstanding and I
can tell you we are thrilled. As far as an audience, well we cannot wait
to watch this movie in a theater with an audience. We know people will be
squirming and I can't wait to sit in the back row and watch that.
Any future projects you'd like to share?
We
are getting ready to shoot a new film called Sometimes
Salvation with a great cast. It's the story of an addicted Junior High
teacher that finds out that her student is being abused at home by his
father, but the father is also her dealer. Your/your
movie's website, Facebook, whatever else?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4317850/?ref_=rvi_tt
https://www.facebook.com/kultus.movie?ref=bookmarks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=g1NRwQmHWno
Anything else
you are dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? Just
let me express my deepest gratitude for watching our film and supporting
the very talented cast and crew involved!! ALL THE BEST!!!!!! Thanks
for the interview!
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