Films Gone Wild

Editor’s column/daily commentary welcoming feedback and opinions.

Marija Perović ‘s BREASTS : SEEfest 2021 Interviews; talks about balancing the personalities and relationships between four distinct characters in her film

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we talk about Marija’s work with the main actors in the film – since those performances were a highlight for me me personally – as well as how they each came to the project from different countries. We also talk about the seeming rarity today of having a film focused on 40-something leads and their behavior (as opposed to a having a film fronted by a much younger cast). We also discuss the editing process and balancing the four characters equally when a really strong individual performance can inspire an editor to give them more screen time than was originally intended.

Jo Anna Edmison, Allison Rich, Lisa Gold and more SLO FILM FEST 2021 INTERVIEWS: Shorts #2 – 7 filmmakers with truly great shorts

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we talk about why these filmmakers went through the effort it takes to make any film – feature or short – in the service of something that they, in all blunt likelihood, will never make a dime for their toil. Allison and Keith talk about the challenges and benefits of directing themselves. Finally, I ask each filmmaker to give a name check or shout out to a crew or cast member who was a true lifesaver to either getting the film made or having it turn out as well as it did.

Loretta Todd’s MONKEY BEACH: SLO FILM FEST 2021 INTERVIEWS: taking the novel to the screen and what it meant to the indigenous cast and crew members

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we talk about the challenges of adapting a popular novel and finding the Zen of accepting the thanklessness of that effort. Todd also discusses the importance of shooting the film in the village where the book’s story was set and what that meant to the production costs, etc. We also talk about the amazing cast of indigenous actors and the rarity of having so many get to come together for a project like this and her efforts to create a safe place for them to bring those characters to life.

Aimee Long’s A SHOT THROUGH THE WALL: SLO FILM FEST 2021 INTERVIEWS: distilling the real life inspiration into the film

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we talk about the real life inspiration for the project, and how she worked to achieve a nuance with the approach to the issues interweaved within the plot of the film. Aimee also talks about how she went about the research to get the details right – even the mundane police processing and inter office workings – and where she departed from that to take artistic liberties. We also talk about capturing the realness of the Asian American family dynamic, like the authenticity of expressing love with food.

Director Paul Michael Angeli, producer Vladimer Daniel MEDICINE MAN: SLO FILM FEST 2021 INTERVIEWS

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, Paul and producer Vladimer Daniel talk about what inspired them to make the film and take on Stan Brock’s life as a subject, as well as the efforts to balance what they were personally interested in with what they believed audiences would really be interested in. They also talk about their approach to filming and putting the elements of the film together, including concerns that they would thoroughly examine the experience of the Remote Area Medical pop up clinics. We also laugh over my memories of watching Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom when I was a kid.

Lisa Molomot and Jeff Bemiss’ MISSING IN BROOKS COUNTY: SLO FILM FEST 2021 INTERVIEWS; experiences of doing a virtual film fest tour

By John Wildman 5 years ago

Last year, I spoke with Lisa and Jeff and one of the film’s subjects during the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, so this time Jeff and I talked about his and Lisa’s experiences during their virtual film festival tour including doing a rare in-person screening at one point. Jeff talks about potential impact partners and a write-up in a publication that came about due to screening virtually, as opposed to in-person. He also discusses their strategy for representation at the various fests. We also talk about our shared fandom of the Film Collaborative’s great Jeffrey Winter.

Robert H. Lieberman ECHOES OF THE EMPIRE: BEYOND GENGHIS KHAN: SLO FILM FEST 2021 INTERVIEWS

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, Robert talks about something I found absolutely fascinating in the film, and that is the priority on education among the female population and the unexpected result of that. He also discusses what it took to achieve the gorgeous photography of Mongolia in the film – in particular, the use of drones. He also talks about his technique to get his interview subject to “forget the camera” and therefore, open up that much more and reveal themselves in the interviews.

Cassio Pereira ‘s VALENTINA: SLO FILM FEST 2021 INTERVIEWS

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we talk about how VALENTINA addresses what could be seen as the more mundane – though no less damaging on a daily basis – affronts and indignities and difficulties transgender youth go through as they simply try to just get by. Cassio also talks about his personal work with his research and on set to ensure he got the details correct, as well as how important the casting of Brazilian You Tube personality Thiessa Woinbackk in the title role and what she added beyond her performance. He also goes through the editing process to capture the right rhythm for the film.