Films Gone Wild

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

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.

Lauren Noll ‘s HONOR, Alix Angelis SEANCE-ING , SLO Film Fest 2021 Interviews

By John Wildman 5 years ago

The films couldn’t be farther apart on the storytelling spectrum from one another, but they both share the accomplishment of either gutting you with the emotional crisis of potentially denying your identity and betraying someone to “save” yourself (HONOR), or landing you smack dab into the emotional psychology of your teen youth and overcoming the immense crises in our heads that all of us likely faced during that time in our lives (SEANCE-ING). And they effectively achieve that within short run times.

Xuan Liu with BLOOM: SLO Film Fest 2021 Interviews: Writer/Director of richly layered, poetic love story

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, Xuan Liu talks about his efforts to create a specific gentle tone in the film including the influence of Ingmar Bergman’s work, specifically WILD STRAWBERRIES on him. He also discusses the personal nature of the story and how closely it hews to his life, how the pandemic influenced the journey of the film to audiences, and how he handled directing a child on camera.

Jen Rainin and Rivkah Beth Meadow’s AHEAD OF THE CURVE: SLO Film Fest 2021 Interviews:

By John Wildman 5 years ago

In the interview, we talk about the challenges faced in making a documentary when you have a relationship with the subject (Jen is married to Franco), delving into the topic of representation, and the evolution of the acceptance of the word “lesbian” within the story of Curve and Franco. We also discuss the desire by Jen and Rivkah to make sure the film was forward thinking as opposed to just approaching the film a s a history lesson.

Convoy, Fascinaton, THE CHILDREN’S HOUR more! Awesome Kino Lorber Blu-Rays and DVDs to add to your library – the sequel

By John Wildman 5 years ago

As discussed the first time I did this column highlighting some choice Kino Lorber nuggets, I LOVE their combo of classics versus “You gotta see this shit!” to gems they have rightfully given a home to and made available for people like us to discover. I will routinely call a friend after watching a title (including a couple on this list) to excitedly talk about it. That’s what movie watching should inspire, right? That kind of excitement and thrill – so much so that you just need to talk about it with someone?!