Films Gone Wild

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

Kata Oláh MY DIGITAL NOMAD, SEEfest 2021 Interviews: talks about documentary filmmaking as a personal discovery process when turning the camera in yourself and your loved ones

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we talk about about Kata’s personal discovery process during the time period making the film and how the insecurity of not having a familiar plan drove the inspiration of wanting to apply it all to the creation of that film. We also talk about the unexpected reaction(s) she had while reviewing footage of conversations that she herself had participated in while filming, as well as finding a balance in her own life once informed by literally watching her life play out in front of her.

Andrei Zinca’s SO WHAT’S FREEDOM?: SEEfest 2021 Interviews: focusing on visuals and giving symbolic characters nuance

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we talk about Zinca’s approach to the visuals of the film, the color palette, the script as seen by a director of photography, and the visual distinction separating the “universes” created within the film. We also talk about the nuance achieved in the characters – weakness in “villains,” conflicted intentions and behavior from “heroic” characters, etc., and how they were set up to be symbolic of entire groups during that time.

Elka Nikolova’s A QUESTION OF SURVIVAL: SEEfest 2021 Interviews; dealing with a central question can make or break a documentary

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we talk about the “responsibility” of the documentarian to choose great spokespeople as interview subjects for their films, as well as how kismet can come into play in finding the right people to put in front of their cameras. Elka also talks in depth about the central question in the film of “Can I consider myself a survivor or not?” as well as how she approached that question helped her unlock the key to making the film.

Bruno Pavić ‘s LANDSCAPE ZERO: SEEfest 2021 Interviews; talks about the taking a different approach and style to the environmental documentary

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we talk about why and how Bruno took the “artistic” documentary approach with this film and its subject, including not wanting to be perceived as an activist through the filmmaking. We also talk about a moment of improvisation he had while shooting the film, and how some of that came from the reluctance of interview subjects to actually appear in the film.

Nóra Lakos’ CREAM: SEEfest 2021 Interviews; romantic comedy inspirations, casting for chemistry and a great kid

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we talk about Nóra’s romantic comedy inspirations for the film, as well as how they purposely tried to deviate from the typical style and tropes where they could. We also talk about achieving chemistry between romantic leads – via casting and application, as well as her success casting (including how a growth spurt intervened) and working with the fake son in the film.

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.