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An Interview with Deborah Twiss, Director and Star of Taboo: A Family Secret

by Mike Haberfelner

October 2024

Deborah Twiss on (re)Search my Trash

 

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Your new movie Taboo: Family Secrets - in a few words, what's it about?

 

A family is fractured by Lukas, the patriarch (Costas Mandylor) and his ongoing infidelities. When the son Tyler (Staffan Edenholm) comes home for a visit, a taboo passion between him and his stepmother Amanda (Deborah Twiss) blossoms, changing the family dynamics forever. The allegiances and expectations shift radically as the truth is revealed.

 

What were your sources of inspiration when writing Taboo: Family Secrets, and (without wanting to get too personal)  is any of the movie based on personal experiences?

 

This was not based on personal experience in regard to the forbidden romance. It was strictly a scenario I came up with in collaboration with Rich Wolff of Breaking Glass. He asked me to write a good indie about an affair between a woman and her stepson. However, in my real life I do find that younger men tend to be attracted to me more than older guys. I find that fascinating.

 

To what extent could you identify with Taboo: Family Secrets' lead character Amanda - or her stepdaughter Jillie actually?

 

I have been in a relationship in the past where I was sort of held "hostage". The physical intimacy was cut off by the guy and I was told he wasn't going to allow the relationship to break up. It was strange and frustrating. I had thoughts that were dark as a teen, as Jillie does, but kept them to myself. I was a "good kid" and never acted out. But I'm very aware of the thoughts behind acting out, so it's an easy character trait to write about. For sure!

 

What can you tell us about the challenges of getting Taboo: Family Secrets off the ground from a producer's point of view?

 

The same problems seem to be the issue always in the indie film world. And I'm sure it's not just me who feels this... money. No matter what, it's really intense making low budget indies. Very hard work. Thankfully I love it.

 

A few words about Taboo: Family Secrets' approach to the thriller genre?

 

I love the concept of exploring the forbidden in the realm of relationships. That's the "thriller" element here. What is considered socially acceptable? What is really forbidden or unethical? And the secrets people try to hide from each other really can lead to very dark behaviors. It's all so interesting to explore this through the medium of film.

 


Do talk about your overall directorial approach to your story at hand!

 

Yes. I always want everyone to feel comfortable and aligned inside. I try to have a very calm, pleasant set that allows actors to really thrive. Being an actress myself, I know what makes my art flow better, so I always try to ensure I've created for others the environment that I prefer.

 

You also play the lead in Taboo: Family Secrets - so what can you tell us about your character, what did you draw upon to bring her to life, and did you write her with yourself in mind from the get-go?

 

I absolutely wrote the role of AMANDA so I could play her. I find her story so interesting. And it is not uncommon for people to have dark secrets, as Amanda does, that keep them from living life freely. Human beings are so intriguing to me. I love to explore the psyche and the dissection of what makes people do the things they do.

 

What can you tell us about the rest of Taboo: Family Secrets' cast, and why exactly these people?

 

Honestly, we write what we know, ideally, correct? I know a lot about "fucked up white people". It's interesting to me to find out the truth behind the people who look like the "perfect family" on the outside but actually have layers of crap going on within the walls of their home that no one would suspect. I currently live in a suburb of NY and it all looks so nice and upscale on the outside, but the truths so many work hard to hide will never stop raising tons of questions in my mind that I want to explore hrough the art of film.

 

Do talk about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere!

 

It was a great set. My actors were amazing, the crew was fabulous... we shot with two RED Komodo Dragon cameras. It helped ensure speed. I like to keep our days at 10 hours maximum so everyone can feel well rested and respected. My friend Charlie owns Angelo's PIzza in Bloomfield NJ, and he provided us dinner every night. It was so good. I think it's important to feed people really well. It was a good shoot. I would definitely repeat the setup we had.

 

Anything you can tell us about audience and critical reception of Taboo: Family Secrets?

 

People are getting the deeper things behind the sexy setup. That is really important to me. I always want my projects to have a depth and the characters to be complex, like life. I'm very happy about the response.

 

Any future projects you'd like to share?

 

Yes. I'm currently shooting Crave. It's a very sexy little piece about a woman who lost her husband and begins an affair with a good friend she's always had a crush on. The two dive hard and deep and nearly don't make it together. It's probably the sexiest film I've ever made but also the deepest. The two main characters have so much baggage and horror in their pasts and find solace in their connection with each other. It's a very NYC love story. We shot all around NYC and Coney Island. I love this film. It's a bit of an homage to 9 1/2 Weeks and Last Tango In Paris.

 

You've risen to fame as an actress, but for the past ten or so years, you've also started working behind the camera as writer, director, producer and whatnot - so why is that, and which side of the camera do you actually prefer?

 

I love telling stories. I especially love telling really sexy, adventurous, intense stores about grown-ups, people over thirty. It is so fulfilling. And it's especially fun, as a female director/writer, to portray sexy moments as really artistic pieces. I always want the sex scenes to look like a painting. I think the human body is gorgeous, both men and women, and really want to express my love of the human form on screen. I want to capture it in a way that maybe others aren't doing. And being a woman, it's easier for people to feel comfortable on set with the whole experience. I love working on other people's projects as just an actress. That feels like a vacation after making my own films. But I truly adore both, everything, all of it. This is what I wanted to do since I was three years old, so I'm just happy in general.

 

What can you tell us about your directorial work prior to Taboo: Family Secrets, and about your evolution as a director over the years?

 

I think I'm becoming more confident as a director with each film. And it's becoming more fun with each project as well.

 

How would you describe yourself as a director, and filmmakers who inspire you?

 

I am an actor's director, for sure. I am inspired by John Cassavetes, Abel Ferrara, Tarantino, Scorcese, Céline Sciamma... the ones who came from the indie world.

 

Your/your movie's website, social media, whatever else?

 

Feeling lucky?
Want to
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The links below
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Find Deborah Twiss
at the amazons ...

USA  amazon.com

Great Britain (a.k.a. the United Kingdom)  amazon.co.uk

Germany (East AND West)  amazon.de

Looking for imports?
Find Deborah Twiss here ...

Thailand  eThaiCD.com
Your shop for all things Thai

I'm on Instagram, @deboerahtwiss, same on Facebook, my website is www.DeborahTwissActress.com, but it needs updating badly. Also all Breaking Glass Pics sites.

 

Anything else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?

 

Yes! My first film A Gun For Jennifer is available on Blu-ray with Vinegar Syndrome, and it's got a really fun "making of/behind the scenes/where are they now" extra.

 

Thanks for the interview!

 

© by Mike Haberfelner


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Thanks for watching !!!



 

 

In times of uncertainty of a possible zombie outbreak, a woman has to decide between two men - only one of them's one of the undead.

 

There's No Such Thing as Zombies
starring
Luana Ribeira, Rudy Barrow and Rami Hilmi
special appearances by
Debra Lamb and Lynn Lowry

 

directed by
Eddie Bammeke

written by
Michael Haberfelner

produced by
Michael Haberfelner, Luana Ribeira and Eddie Bammeke

 

now streaming at

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Vimeo

 

 

 

Robots and rats,
demons and potholes,
cuddly toys and
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love and death and everything in between,
Tales to Chill
Your Bones to

is all of that.

 

Tales to Chill
Your Bones to
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a collection of short stories and mini-plays
ranging from the horrific to the darkly humourous,
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tales that will give you a chill and maybe a chuckle, all thought up by
the twisted mind of
screenwriter and film reviewer
Michael Haberfelner.

 

Tales to Chill
Your Bones to

the new anthology by
Michael Haberfelner

 

Out now from
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