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Your
new movie The Harvesting
- in a few words, what is it about?
The Harvesting centers around the
implosion of a seemingly normal family while visiting
the Amish Countryside. How did the project
fall together in the first place, and how did you get involved?
This is a labor
of love. It all started with producer Daniel Shultz and his dream of
filming an interesting story in his home town. One day, while
having lunch and talking about the film, a person emerged out of nowhere
and it turned out to be Dan’s childhood friend from Lancaster.
Dan laughed and said “Ivan don’t say it’s faith” What
can you tell us about The
Harvesting's writer Ben Everhart, and what was your collaboration
like? Working with Ben
was unbelievably simple and instinctual. We had countless moments
in which we uttered the same words. The challenge was to keep his
vision and threads regardless of production obstacles. Ben has
exhibited a lot of faith and I hope we made him proud, I know we did.
Do talk about your movie's approach to horror!
Dan and I
wanted to use emotion, fear of the unknown, to drive the film along.
Some people love it some hate it, I prefer what we did to the more blood
approach.
What
can you tell us about your overall directorial approach to your story at
hand?
My approach is
always the same, directing through creating situations for actors to
react to. In doing this I can just watch the movie through
kid eyes and adjust details. Casting, locations, budget is
something to embrace rather than resist - like in martial arts, spinning
the energy back and using it to an advantage is what I truly love.
From what I've read, you've actually filmed The
Harvesting in Amish country - so what was it like filming there,
what were the advantages and challenges?
Lancaster was
amazing, the love the community gave us is impossible to describe.
I am forever in debt to the Shultz and Gareis families and the rest of
people we touched. Do talk about The
Harvesting's key cast, and why exactly these people?
Casting
magically came together as if we had no choice. Of course there
were choices but the right fit was obvious.
A
few words about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere?
The atmosphere
on set was really positive and everyone was amazingly creative.
The catch phrase was “It’s like we meant it”.
Some ideas fit
so well it seemed they were just always meant to be.
Anything
you can tell us about audience and critical reception of The
Harvesting?
The
Harvesting has had great reviews by the fans and critics who look for something
more than blood, the ones looking for blood didn’t get what they
wanted. What I can say is that I am opinionated and the film
isn’t meant to be for everyone. Any future projects you'd like to
share?
I am working
on an epic story of a woman queen who stood up to the Romans and lost
everything 300 years before Cleopatra. What got you into filmmaking in the first place,
and did you receive any formal education on the subject?
I always had
an opinion about movies and often wondered why they bother making bad
ones. I guess I’m on a lifetime quest to make more good ones
and move the needle.
What
can you tell us about your filmwork prior to The
Harvesting?
I directed two
shorts before The
Harvesting, and the overwhelming realization was that
it was easy and natural. What took me so long? How would you describe yourself as a
director?
I don’t know
how to do anything else but to give people my opinion on how to be
better. Great for film, not so great for relationships. Filmmakers who inspire you?
All the classics,
too many to list, but the thread of common sense storytelling and the
ability to understand and evoke the human emotion is always present. Your
favourite movies?
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I guess I got to give you something: Pulp Fiction, The Good the
Bad and the Ugly, 2001: A Space Odyssey.
... and of course, films you really
deplore?
I realize that
there is an audience for all, and if I don’t like something I’m
more confident someone else will, so why hate.
Anything else you're dying to tell us and I have
merely forgotten to ask?
I appreciate your support and interest in the movie. I’m the
exchange student that got to live the dream!
Thanks for the interview!
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