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An Interview with James M. Hausler, Director and Star of Suicide Trip

by Mike Haberfelner

April 2019

James M. Hausler on (re)Search my Trash

 

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What were your sources of inspiration when writing Suicide Trip?

 

I don’t quite know how to answer that. I know at the end of the movie, I said thank you to Q.T, D.A, and K.F. Guess if you can decode those names (not that hard), then maybe those were my influences at the time.

 

Suicide Trip tells the same story from different perspectives - so what was the idea behind that approach?

 

We’re talking about something I wrote so long ago, it’s hard to really figure out what my line of thinking was. I guess I wanted to make it a fun movie and telling it as I did felt right.

 

What can you tell us about your directorial approach to your story at hand?

 

Well, every film is different. Been a while since I made one, but that’ll change soon. But that being said, I think that a director’s relationship with the actors is very important. It starts there. Actors are these vulnerable human beings who are opening their ribcage and saying “have at it,” so if they don’t trust you, you’ve got nothing.

 

You also play one of the leads in Suicide Trip - so what can you tell us about your character, and what did you draw upon to bring him to life?

 

Well, part of what I was making fun of in Suicide Trip was the films of the day. The high school films with all the archetypes. I wanted to take the angry loner and make him as angry as possible. I wanted to take the popular guy and make him so popular it would be comical. Playing Tommy wasn’t something I’d want to do again, but it was cathartic in a way. He was just a ball of rage and unchecked feelings. I’m not sure where it came from.

 

Have you actually written Tommy with yourself in mind, and to what degree is the character autobiographical?

 

I wrote him with me in mind, yes. No, not at all. Though everyone has a combative side of themselves.

 

What can you tell us about the rest of your cast, and why exactly these people?

 

Well Chris Clark has been my friend since 13. He has a funny relationship with the truth sometimes, so since day one I wanted to work with him. He’s not an actor by training, just by experience. I think a lot of people start off that way. Mike Mandell is just kind of a one-of-a-kind guy, a special dude. Eco and I met right before the film was made and she had the part instantly, even after we did a good amount of casting for Sasha. If I could locate her, I’d work with her again. Sean Galdo… well he’s a legend.

 

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

 

Fuck. The shoot was a nightmare. I didn’t know what the Christ I was doing, none of us did (not knocking the gaffer, etc—who was amazing—just speaking from a general standpoint). We were making shit up as we went along. Here’s a quick, but good example. We needed a keg for the party scene. When Trent is doing a keg stand in the movie, that wasn’t fake. He did a keg stand and then after we were done shooting, we kicked the keg. It was a sloppy night. Most of the crew was staying at the house and people were puking in the grass. It was bad.

 

Anything you can tell us about audience and critical reception of Suicide Trip?

 

I mean it never really got noticed by critics. The company that agreed to distribute it was a clowncar. This movie hasn’t really ever seen daylight. That being said and knowing them, they probably would’ve hated it. Roger Ebert was the only critic I care about and he’s gone. Miss him and his writing. Wish I’d known him.

 

As far as I know, Suicide Trip was your first movie - so looking back at it now, how does it make you feel?

 

Nostalgic as can be and uncomfortable (when I’m on screen). I love what it represents in my life, which is kinda a creative birthing of sorts.

 

What made you want to go into filmmaking to begin with, and did you receive any formal training on the subject?

 

Some. And you know what did? Probably Troma movies. As a kid, they were the equivalent of exploitation movies. I loved the Class Of Nuke ‘Em High movies.

 

What can you tell us about your filmwork since Suicide Trip? And any future projects on the horizon?

 

Kalamity and Wild Seven are the two other films I’ve made. I’ve written a bunch. Rarfland, K.A.D, Moonshine Clover, etc. Working on one now I’m probably gonna make this year.

 

How would you describe yourself as a director?

 

Shit, that’s kinda a personal question. JK. I just wanna make the film true to what I set out to do. Music speaks to me a lot, I guess. I don’t know, it’s been a while since I’ve made a film, but I’m sure I’d better answer this question after making the film I’m writing.

 

Filmmakers, actors, whoever else who inspire you?

 

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Robert Forster is my man, he’s the best. He finds his way into anything I write. Otherwise, my heart broke beyond repair once Phillip Seymore Hoffman died. It was the moment my idea of the world changed. I always said—when watching him on screen—that if this guy would be okay, so would everything else. If a person can be that genuine—that honest on screen—and be okay? Everything else will be okay. Well it wasn’t and I cried horribly when he died. I like a lot of directors, but that’s an overshare that’s important to me.

 

Your favourite movies?

 

Battle Royale has always been my favorite film, as I state it. But I’ve kinda let go of that over the years, haven’t watched it as much. I love different films for different reasons. I love the Babadook cause it’s one of the most brilliant metaphors I’ve ever seen. I loved Rampage cause it’s a silly, fun action movie. Playing favorites is never a good idea.

 

... and of course, films you really deplore?

 

Shhh, I’m not talking shit about others’ work. I’ve had it done about my own and it stings.

 

Your/your movie's website, Facebook, whatever else?

 

Haha, I don’t do social media. Off the grid. If my films have accounts, that’s a shrug for me.

 

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

 

Well, I hope you enjoy my other films. Your review of Suicide Trip was awesome. Written by a movie fan. I can tell you’re a dude. Stay real!

 

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
-
a collection of short stories and mini-plays
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to the weirdly romantic,
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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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