This is the 8th part of our continuing series of short interviews with feature and short filmmakers from the upcoming NewFest 2007: The 19th NY LGBT Film Festival - May 31-June 10. Visit newfest.org for more information, including full program, schedule, and ticketing details.
FILM TITLE: Back Soon
DIRECTOR: Rob Williams
SCREENING: Sunday, June 3 & Tuesday, June 5
Please introduce yourself: Your name, occupation if not a full-time filmmaker, and where you are based.
I am Rob Williams, writer/director of Back Soon. I live in Los Angeles and currently work full-time as a filmmaker with my production company, Guest House Films LLC, which I formed with my partner, Rodney Johnson.
What initially attracted you to filmmaking? How many films have you made?
I started out wanted to be a screenwriter, but I became a filmmaker in order to make the type of films that I want to see. I have written, directed and produced two films - Back Soon (screening at NewFest 2007) and Long-Term Relationship, which debuted at NewFest 2006.
Did you go to film school? If so, where?
I did not attend film school. I learned about filmmaking partly from my background in producing public relations videos, and mostly from watching far too many movies throughout my life.
Please describe your film.
Back Soon is a romantic drama about love, loss, identity, and hope, in which a man struggling to deal with the death of his wife finds himself inexplicably drawn to another man, but the true nature of their connection catches them both by surprise.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in making your film?
The biggest challenges with any indie film are certainly time and money. Back Soon was shot in 10 days, which left little room for error.
Are you working on a new film yet? If so, give us a brief description.
In developing my next project, I keep being drawn to the horror genre. Gay horror still has a lot of possibilities to explore.
The first film I have memories of watching as a child was:
The Sound of Music
The first LGBT film I ever saw was:
Deathtrap. Most people don't even include it as an LGBT film, but it contained the first same-sex kiss and relationship I remember seeing on film.
The last DVD I watched was:
Music & Lyrics
FILM TITLE: Anger Me
DIRECTOR: Elio Gelmini
SCREENING: Monday, June 4
Please introduce yourself: Your name, occupation if not a full-time filmmaker, and where you are based.
My name is Elio Gelmini and I am based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
What initially attracted you to filmmaking? How many films have you made?
As a teenager I became fascinated with cinema and art, in general. Since 1988, I have written, directed, and produced a variety of works... on topics ranging from the plight of the indigenous peoples of Chiapas to my most recent feature film, Anger Me, which basically provides an in-depth interview with Kenneth Anger and tells the story of his life.
Did you go to film school? If so, where?
I studied acting in my early 20s when I was living in Italy, and then I studied film disciplines in a documentary film school.
Please describe your film.
Anger Me is the story of the life, literary and motion-picture accomplishments of Kenneth Anger, a pivotal figure in the history of experimental film. Considered to be one of the major personalities of the 1960s and 1970s underground art scene, Kenneth defined himself as a "cinematographic magician" and his "cinema" as a ritualistic form.
Who or what are some of the creative influences that have had the biggest impact on you?
Poetry generally influences me the most when it comes to designing a new project.
Are you working on a new film yet? If so, give us a brief description.
My next project will be about the life of Aleister Crowley.
The first film I have memories of watching as a child was:
Sergio Leone’s films
My top three all-time favorite films are:
In a Year of Thirteen Moons - RW Fassbinder, The Last of England - Derek Jarman, Comizi d’ amore - Pier Paolo Pasolini
The most recent film I saw in a theatre was:
Tick Tock Lullaby - Lisa Gornick
FILM TITLE: Say Yes!
DIRECTOR: Myriam Papantoniou
SCREENING: Sunday, June 3 & Tuesday, June 5 (preceding Back Soon)
Please introduce yourself: Your name, occupation if not a full-time filmmaker, and where you are based.
My name is Myriam Papantoniou, in Germany. Until now I am a scriptwriter, but I am about to change into prose-writing. I lived quite some time from writing but now - as I am changing and starting new projects - I will have to go back to work - whatever it will be.
What initially attracted you to filmmaking? How many films have you made?
When I studied scriptwriting at film school I was annoyed by Reinhard Hauff - who was the Director at that time. He said that everyone, besides the directing students, was allowed to make his own film - producers, camera-students - everybody - but not the scriptwriters. I just wanted to learn for my writing and to prove that one's own film project can help teach writers... and it did...
Did you go to film school? If so, where?
DFFB - Berlin
Please describe your film in 1-2 short sentences.
It's a story about a (hetero) couple, that ends up splitting because of the man's sexuality. As he always felt he could not be how and who he is, he got used to lying.
Who or what are some of the creative influences that have had the biggest impact on you?
I am not sure, but it could be Woody Allen - I love his kind of humor. The mix of tragic and comedy....
Are you working on a new film yet? If so, give us a brief description.
I am about to finish a script for an independent film project. It's a story about three unhappy unemployed people who are forced to learn a new job - one which makes no sense at all. I am not allowed to tell
more... In general it's a story about how the German government is trying "not to solve the problem", but just to pass it on...
The first film I have memories of watching as a child was:
Walt Disney's Snow White. I was very frightened at the age of 6... my first time in a movie-theatre...it was a huge place and dark and then this colourful witch...
The first LGBT film I ever saw was:
If it counts: The Kiss of the Spider Woman, in 1985.
The last DVD I watched was:
L'enfant by the Dardenne brothers
FILM TITLE: Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves
DIRECTOR: Andrea Janakas
SCREENING: Monday, June 4 & Saturday, June 9 (in shorts program I Kissed a Girl)
Please introduce yourself: Your name, occupation if not a full-time filmmaker, and where you are based.
My name is Andrea Janakas. I'm based in Los Angeles but originally from Boston. I'm currently a full time writer/director.
What initially attracted you to filmmaking? How many films have you made?
After spending 4 years working in a video store in my small town of Peabody, MA, I knew I wanted to be a filmmaker, but I just didn't think it was possible. After much perseverance I'm finally making that a reality. To date I have made 7 shorts. I'm REALLY hoping the next will be a feature :)
Please describe your film.
Amidst the political turmoil of 1979, an adolescent girl struggles to find identity one snowy night in a small town in upstate New York.
Are you working on a new film yet? If so, give us a brief description.
I'm in love with true stories or small character pieces with political or historical backdrops. I currently just adapted the award-winning book The Last Time I Wore a Dress by Daphne Scholinski. At this time we are seeking financing for the project and hope to shoot next summer.
The first film I have memories of watching as a child was:
Fellini's 8 1/2
The one LGBT film that has had the biggest impact on me is:
Aimee & Jaguar
FILM TITLE: The Sisterhood of Night
DIRECTOR: Jeffrey Moss
SCREENING: Monday, June 4 & Saturday, June 9 (in shorts program I Kissed a Girl), & Friday, June 8 (preceding Ugly Ducklings)
Please introduce yourself: Your name, occupation if not a full-time filmmaker, and where you are based.
Jeffrey Moss, based in Chicago, Illinois.
What initially attracted you to filmmaking? How many films have you made?
Films are like dreams: they come together like dreams, the images and ideas. I was attracted by the notion that we can come together in relative silence and share the same sounds and images, but talk about those same things from different perspectives. I've made three films.
Please describe your film.
The Sisterhood of Night is about silence and the unknown, by way of girls in a small town who form a secret society. For the curious, Steven Millhauser's story exposes damage and, ironically, sadly, death and decay.
What was the most satisfying aspect in making your film?
That so many people came together, with almost no compensation, to make it. I don't subscribe to the idea that the director is the author of a film, and I drew enormous satisfaction (almost to the point of addiction) from collaborating with so many skilled and talented artists.
The first film I have memories of watching as a child was:
The Wizard of Oz. I always hid, from fear, when the Wicked Witch of the West appeared (on television, once a year) in her jetting cloud of red smoke. At the same time, I wanted her monkeys.
The most recent film I saw in a theatre was:
Pan's Labyrinth.
FILM TITLE: Seeya Rach
DIRECTOR: Pearl Tan
SCREENING: Monday, June 4 & Tuesday, June 5 (preceding Finn’s Girl)
Please introduce yourself: Your name, occupation if not a full-time filmmaker, and where you are based.
Hi! I'm Pearl Tan, an actor when allowed, filmmaker when inspired and clown every weekend... literally. I'm based in Sydney, Australia.
What initially attracted you to filmmaking? How many films have you made?
I wanted to act and thought bugger it, if I can't be in front of the camera I'll be behind it, and then fell in love with being behind the camera too! I made many dodgy shorts while at uni, and maybe a couple of good ones! Seeya Rach is the first film I've entered into any film festivals, so I'm overjoyed to be screened!
Please describe your film.
Mel's girlfriend Rach is headed overseas... This is Mel's goodbye video. It's a heartwarming voyeuristic film, with an evil little twist in the end.
Who or what are some of the creative influences that have had the biggest impact on you?
Rolf de Heer, who is the master of the low budget feature film in Australia. Films like Saving Face directed by Alice Wu and Red Doors directed by Georgia Lee, which represent Asian American lesbians... I want to do the same for Asian Australian lesbians.
The first LGBT film I ever saw was:
If These Walls Could Talk 2
The most recent film I saw in a theatre was:
The Lives Of Others. Brilliant!
