Interview with filmmaker Joe Leone

Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival will be screening Blood Falls

*How did you get into making films?

(Said in the voice of Sophia from “The Golden Girls”) 

Picture it, Brooklyn , 2017…  As a screenwriter with nearly 2 dozen features written at the time, a wave of frustration was pummelling me, as one option agreement after the next ran out and nothing got produced. So I said, “F it. I’m a producer now. We’re shooting a found footage feature - who’s coming with me??” 

*What inspired you to make your movie?

As Blood Falls is ostensibly about witchcraft, people always ask me about my involvement in the occult. It’s...minimal. What the film is actually about is what happens to your psyche when you are compelled to engage in the same behaviour each and every day. The repetition and monotony of a 9-5 office job can slowly drive some people insane. When the main character, Ren, accidentally reads a spell, she gets stuck in a never-ending nightmare, and is being controlled by forces that she can’t comprehend. This is what the daily grind, or any oppressive activity or relationship can feel like… The “man” just steering you ahead, as you try to make sense of a tortuous, fatalistic world. 

*How has your style evolved?

Our first film, Parched, was a charmingly silly POV-style horror comedy. Next, we went a lot bigger, with the narrative Reap, which features a top notch DP and experienced crew and cast - it’s a true horror movie. Blood Falls deviates from both of these, as it’s not a precisely linear story; we were trying to evoke a wide variety of emotions in our audience. It’s often surreal, and even jumps back in history to the Salem Witch trials at one point. Then, I shot a tragic lesbian vampire love story, the short film Invite Only - which explores themes of prejudice and acceptance. And now, we’re shooting the sequel to Parched - so I guess I’ve come full circle! 

*Tell us any strange or funny stories while making the film?

The house we shot in was built in the late 1700’s. It sure as heck felt like it was haunted for real. Creaking steps and odd nighttime noises had the whole cast on edge, much to my delight. As we slept there, on location, we really felt transported back in time, right around to when ‘witches’ were being persecuted in this country… 

Also, one of the leads, Ariel Fray, essentially has a zoo of pets. We used her dog Bane as the character "Lox." He was phenomenal - so don't believe that old adage that it's hard to work with animals :)

*The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto bring what to mind?

The Misrule movement seems like something I am always inadvertently invoking as I make films, as I have zero training and simply learn as I go! 

And Pink8 is the past tense of what happens after you ingest cotton candy. What a great sensation. 

*What can we expect from your next film?

Technically our next film to be released will be Reap. Everyone involved is champing at the bit to see it, as the editing process has been very involved, and as a result, quite slow. It’s got an almost 80’s slasher-meets-Final Destination vibe to it, with some heady motifs regarding relative morality. Some knockout performances bring it to another level, I firmly believe. It’s gonna be a fun one ;) 

Interview with filmmaker Joseph McGee

Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival will be screening Letters For Annie

How did you get into making films?

I’m an accidental filmmaker. You see — I’m actually an author. What I wanted to do is something different that not many do today. I don’t just write screenplays then film it. What I do instead is write my original novel and then turn my work into a screenplay and then film it. I’m also the director and producer for my films. My website is www.McGeeProductions.us. 

*What inspired you to make your movie?

By nature I’m a writer. When I write I want to share with the viewers on what I see visually. This started in 2017 after writing the novel — The White House Is Fake (www.TheWhiteHouseIsFake.com.) I felt I wanted to share the story visually so we filmed some promotion clips in a real police station, airport, and under the highway. Ever since we have been filming my work. 

*How has your style evolved?

In 2018; my first feature was Letters For Annie and after filming I’ve learned some gaps and holes to improve on moving forward. For example take more than just 2/3 takes — more footage is better. We ran into an issue with one particular scene and could have been edited if more clips or angles were seen. I typically like to have at least two cameras on all scenes; where in Letters some scenes we only ran one camera for example.

*Tell us any strange or funny stories while making the film? One particular scene we filmed outside which was suppose to be Mindanao Islands in the Philippines. The scene required to have some beer in a plastic cup. The beer I used for the actor was sitting in the car for hours. I didn’t expect the actor to drink it. I told him don’t drink it — you’re going to have diarrhea. His response was — I’m getting into character. 

*The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto bring what to mind?

Sometimes we need to experiment and find talent on the street and not relay on the best. Talent is often missed right under our nose. Don’t relay on techniques relay on your gut — set a rule and follow it. 

*What can we expect from your next film?

I’ve started my new film called — Reflections: Project Chameleon and begun principle shooting on June 28, 2019 for our first stop doing a parachute jump in Connecticut.  It’s classified as sci-fi military thriller. My name is Andrei Tvardovsky (Andy) and I was a failed experiment by the Russian Government. My side effects include nose bleeds, blurred vision, paranoia, hostility, depression, hallucinations, and mood disturbances. On August 12, 2015, I was awakened by a cold breeze that tickled the back of my neck. I opened my eyes and looked down at my bloody hands. I was riding a bus in Hartford, Connecticut. I don’t know how I got on the bus and I don’t know who I am. The local bus patrons seem to be talking about me. I reached in my pockets and I found a wallet and receipts for nearby gas stations. As the bus stopped the police were waiting for me. Due to my suspicious condition I was detained and brought to my home address found on my wallet.

As the detectives came out of my residence they immediately placed me upon arrest for murder. The bodies pulled from my residence were of my wife and two children.

What the Russian Government didn’t know was the experiments allowed me to see things they didn’t know I could see.My name is Andrei Tvardovsky (Andy) and it’s my legacy to expose the Russian Government and to clear my name.

Watch the trailer at https://youtu.be/db7mjV7hAhE

Interview with filmmaker Kelly Helen Thompson

Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival will be screening Lefty Lucy

*How did you get into making films?

Having a theatre back round I wanted something more tangible.                                                                                                       
*What inspired you to make your movie?
For the film Lefty Lucy driving uber helped me come up with this impossible story.  Night of crazy mishaps.                    

*How has your style evolved?
Assignment "Witches Talisman " the abstract, then to the Anomaly. The unusual.  "One By One " was an experiment of grittier and harder edged film.  "OMG" "WTF" it was an experience in experimental film making. Lefty Lucy was a blend of my previous experiments As well as original music.                             

*Tell us any strange or funny stories while making the film?
There was a murder at the storage unit we used. The giant 7foot man in the film couldn't get into the car. After several tries we got him in and out. He was part clown.                                                               
*The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto bring what to mind?
I think guerrilla film making is great. I enjoy it. I think a lot of mainstream looses the human part of a story.  Sometimes it's good to be reminded as to why we started telling these stories.  To bring back the human from the animal.                                                              

*What can we expect from your next film?
The next film is underway.  There will more original music. And I will be pushing the envelope into the wild further.  

Interview with filmmaker Onur Koçyiğit

Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival will be screening Tibyan

*How did you get into making films?

I studied Film production management. 

*What inspired you to make your movie?
To reveal the optimism that exists in every bad person 

*How has your style evolved?
By observing 

*Tell us any strange or funny stories while making the film?
I was attacked by a dog while I was making the film. the drone and generator broke down. the friend who played the doctor, he had an accident. plato is sealed. my supplies have been confiscated. the police raided it. my expenses have doubled. I fired her for not doing what I said. I was hallucinating for 3 days in the morning for sleepless shots. the friend who made the visual effect died in an attack. while writing the film, leg search poured hot tea. etc. 

*The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto bring what to mind?
One day, every person will shed the stones on their skirts. 

*What can we expect from your next film?
Crying. because there are situations where every person can't throw it in and say it.I'll tell you about the love of two cancers that are unique to these situations. so we'll know the importance of fighting.

Interview with filmmaker Alexander Kaminer

Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival will be screening Lift

*How did you get into making films? 
I've been contemplating about it for about 5 years now and since I'm still a professional actor for more than 15 years and been around different sets and productions, you can't help but learn the process of the movie making. But you have to be completely open to receive that knowledge. You can sit in your trailer and sip coffee or you can pick a DP's brains about a certain lens or and angle; you can sneak up on the director's monitor and see what is it there and if what he or she envisioned is actually there. You can hear the film lingo and learn the words so that when you're producing something, you can actually communicate properly with your team. You have to make friends with the PA's because tomorrow they're going to be producers and they know you, because you weren't an asshole to them. You have to annoy the wardrobe lady until she kicks you out, because you finally got what you wanted. The same goes for the makeup artists. If the grips like you, they'll light you in the best possible way. Again, if you're that person - you're a filmmaker; a guy that knows everything and everyone, but must find his own people that know a little bit more than him or her and that's when the magic happens. Now, you're making films! 

*What inspired you to make your movie? 
So, continuing my answer to the first question, when I finally came up with a script that I could do on my own, I started to put together the equipment I need and how to do it, based on my experience as an actor and as aforementioned. The inspiration came from an article that an on-line magazine did about me: https://www.indieactivity.com/interview-with-alexander-kaminer/
When answering questions about the filmmaking process and pretty much getting over my own hangups and fears I finally had the right impulse to go into action and fast. The script was finished and I started casting right away! The rest is history! LOL 

*How has your style evolved? 
It hasn't yet. I've just started, but my style the way it is has a big influence from the European cinema: Russian, Italian, French, German and some American movies from the 90's. 

*Tell us any strange or funny stories while making the film? 
I was in the trunk of my car for 3 month directing my actors and all of a sudden a homeless lady approaches us and say, "Do you have a permit to shoot this shit!" LOL 

*The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto bring what to mind? 
Without reading up on it or knowing anything about brings up craziness and complete freedom of thought. 

*What can we expect from your next film? 
Oh! You would just have to wait and see, my friend...

Interview with producer Imran Kaisi

Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival will be screening The Beautiful Hen 

*How did you get into making films?

I first went into theatre performance before going into the film industry.while in theatre I always wanted to shoot a movie,I then started reading books about film production then I got myself in the film industry. 

*What inspired you to make your movie?

I always wanted to be a film maker since a child.I used to watch many american films that increased my inspiration and it really put me in a good shape of film directing.about my movie I wanted to tell my own African story with African culture. 

*How has your style evolved?

My style was involved when I was researching the story.then I involved it in the play 

*Tell us any strange or funny stories while making the film?

I remember one day I went into a village to start shooting the village chief said we should bring out all the shooting materials of his village Avery day after shooting the movie because we might teach young kids evil things in shooting video. 

*What can we expect from your next film?

My next production will be more interesting will be more powerful since now I have learnt a lot, and people should wait for more interesting African flavoured plays.

Interview with filmmaker Andrew Eltham

Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival will be screening The Small Woman In Grey

*How did you get into making films? 
I first got into film as a means of escape. I loved jumping out of reality into something different. When I was about 10, I saw Halloween (1978) and it blew my mind. It was terrifying and scared the shit out of me, but also ignited this interest to de-construct it. Figuring out how they did what they did in that movie became a hobby and i repeated it over and over again on about a thousand more horror movies. Fast forward two decades and I became a fully-fledged horror geek (and proud of it). I was running Felissa Rose's website (a dream come true), for those in the know, she is the infamous Angela Baker in the classic 'Sleepaway Camp'. She is a brilliant force of nature and I once told her I was thinking of making my own movie, and she was ridiculously supportive and laid a lot of my fears to rest. I was concerned I didn't have enough experience or money or anything really...Felissa said "who cares" and she's right, it's better to be trying and attacking something you love than sitting wishing you were. My husband and I had always dabbled in small projects and loved the idea of working in film (he is more talented than I), so on the cusp of turning 30, we did it. And though 'The Small Woman in Grey' has its faults, and I know it does - it taught me and my partner so much about film making, technical things, and script writing. It was a crash course! 

*What inspired you to make your movie? 
We wanted something simple and I love a good urban legend. I read an urban legend called 'The Small Woman in Grey' and though the events of the original urban legend are only referenced in my film it was enough to start my brain thinking hmmm, what lead to this situation [portrayed in the urban legend]. Then leaning on Friday 13th and other classic horrors 'The Small Woman in Grey' appeared. A fun little woodland slasher meets the supernatural. I also knew that I want to add some things in that as a horror fan I would love to see; like none stereotypical LGBT leads, exciting roles for older female actors, challenging relationships. 


*How has your style evolved? 
Since 'The Small Woman in Grey' massively, this film gave me the fastest education into the film you could ever ask for. I think I have a blend for combining a classic 80's style of storytelling with a modern edge. I love a gritty grunge style, but I think I am more a shiny polished vibe. My new film [in post production] is very different and adds thriller elements to the horror theme. The new short script I am working on is a dark, dark little number. 

*Tell us any strange or funny stories while making the film? 
Whilst we were making the film we had many laughs. There is one thing (and a slightly less than a professional thing) you get on my set is laughter, nothing is off the table in terms of humor and mocking. We love to have a laugh. Something strange? One day whilst filming in the woods we started at about 10 am. It was a long day and we didn't stop until around midnight. During the day a Japanese woman began watching our filming session. We didn't have a problem with that, we understood it isn't something you see all the time. At first, it was fine, she watched - I believe she asked me a question or two. All of which was fine. Then she began interacting during takes. Like she had inserted herself into the story and she began responding to the actor's lines as if she were a character. We then asked her to stop and she got worse and worse. Then I asked her to go away, but she remained watching for an hour or two from a distance. Then disappeared. When we shut down for the night we returned to our cars, and there she was sat in her car!! creepy huh? She had been in the woods for over 12 hours! We also found a small burnt and beyond creepy doll on day 1 of production. We kept her and she became a mascot of the film and indeed my second film. She has a tiny cameo in both. Keep your eyes peeled in the opener of the film when Tiffany walks through the kitchen it is small and on the side. 

*The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto bring what to mind? 
Inspiration. Pink8 manifesto is my personal mantra, it covers everything I believe about creativity and having a go, and not just sat being a keyboard warrior moaning about the state of film in the world. Instead, it's about getting up - no matter what and being creative!! Embracing the good, the bad and the ugly and embracing it. 

*What can we expect from your next film? 
Well, my next film is in post-production. It is called Seven Boxes. It is a thriller/horror film. We are hoping it comes out by Halloween this year. We have the best people in and working on this little production. It is presented by Felissa Rose. It features the voice over work of Brinke Stevens (horror icon). We have the amazing Sam Hodge working on our music and grading. He is an indie movie maker who is, in my opinion, one of the best around! We have self-taped cameos from some incredible people including new horror icon Charles Chudabala, Actor and model Jason Caceres along with a lot more. We have some twists and turns for people to enjoy, some beautiful and talented actors. I'm in love with it. We have incredible artwork done by Sinister Arts, we cannot believe how many people are supporting this film as we made it on zero money, and the world of horror has stepped up to help. Couldn't be more proud. And cannot wait to see what people think!! I have attached the poster.

Interview with filmmaker Alexandre Valles

Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival will be screening Boulevard Voltaire

*How did you get into making films? 
I started doing stagings with my tiny toys (which seems extremely banal). Sound and light (with a record player and flashlights). Then my dad bought a camcorder when I was 11 and there it was a real factory of clips, short films in my teenage room. Then at 18 I made my first short film. It was 16mm film because the digital did not exist yet. I have always worked as an autodidact by watching a lot, a lot of film. Film schools have never interested me. I have always been very wary of artistic formatting and intellectual snobbery that decides what is great cinema or what is not. The unique thought and codes have always made me want to throw up. 

*What inspired you to make your movie? 
I was upset like all Frenchmen by the terrorist attack that took place at Bataclan in Paris on November 13th, 2015. Apart from the barbarity of this event I was extremely touched by the fact that death, that my own death could be so close. This is one of the first times I felt that life could be so fragile. André Marc Schneider with whom I had shot as an actor in the feature film by Ian Hansen "On the footsteps of my mother", offered me a few months after these events if I had a scenario idea to remake a movie together. I talked about my story about following people before the killing, that the film had to stop before the Bataclan concert. He really liked the idea and we started writing the script together. 

*How has your style evolved? 
Before talking about style I already think that for filmmakers like me the almost nonexistent budget that we have to make each film determines a lot of things. But when you have no money, it makes the brain work to find different ideas in order to reach the desired goal. I think it's very good for boosting creativity and at home that's what must determine a certain "style". 

*Tell us any strange or funny stories while making the film? 
The most difficult scene to shoot is when Rudy Blanchet and Walter Billoni are at home and there are more than 500 candles in the apartment. I really wanted it to be shot in natural light. But we all got very very hot and in the end we ran out of oxygen. Then for one of the last scenes where they meet before going to Bataclan. I really wanted to capture the authentic. I did not want them to pretend so I gave the comedians very little guidance, they had no text and the wine and champagne were real. This is the last scene we shot. We were all very fit under the effects of alcohol so we attacked the end-of-shoot party the same night. It is a superb memory elsewhere! 

*The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto bring what to mind? 
Compared to the Misrule film movement and Pink 8 I am in my family of thought and in my deep convictions on my vision of the job. Today we sell art like Coca Cola. The scenarios are written to meet the expectations of consumers. Capital, the promotional plan .... Everything is just marketing! There are certainly some directors who are in this system and who make great movies but it is very rare and it is only due to the spectators who are faithful to them. I know it's very difficult for them to edit their movie. There is no place for the diffusion of underground cinema in the current system because the system of the contemporary film industry is completely corrupted by a pseudo elite who absolutely does not want to share the cake of subsidies etc. The diffusion of contemporary cinema today belongs to this small circle of initiates and bankers. When I think about the destiny and the recognition that the greatest artists ... Mozart was buried in a mass grave, it was necessary to make the quest to bury Bela Bartók ... I am convinced that making our underground films is a real war for a cause just far from these manufactured and soulless products. As Léo Férré said, a great French poet: "At the school of poetry we do not learn, we fight! " 

*What can we expect from your next film? 
I like to change universes with each movie. After "Boulevard Voltaire" I realized "The Ghosts" that you had selected last year for your festival which is a thriller. Now I would like to go on an initiatory trip, I'm refining the scenario right now. Making a documentary also interests me a lot ... To be continued.

Interview with filmmaker Raphaël Desbordes

Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival will be screening VD3

*How did you get into making films?

I got into that when I was really young actually. With a bunch of friends, especially 2 of them, we experimented and tried to make our own movies. 

We began when I was 7 with just a shitty webcam -do you remember the small circle logitec one ?- but we were trapped in the basement (where the computer was). 

After, my mom bought me a DV cam so we began to shoot outside. At the begin, it was mostly cop stuffs and then it began to become more and more gory coz that what I really like and also unfortunately coz my friends didn't continue in movie making.

*What inspired you to make your movie?

Well, I had a lot on that one ! There was kinda all the German underground splatter movies, like Burning Moon or Violent Shit for the most known, but also actually all the underground splatter movies. But I also wanted to have a catchy killer like Jason Voorhees, you know ? 

And so I wrapped it in a little anti-system speech (it's well hidden, I confess !) and then came Painful Revenge 3 : Gore, Action, and Anarchy !

*How has your style evolved?

Actually, the essence didn't evolve so much but it came older like me. So, I wanted it to be more good looking and always find new methods to get rid the lake of budget. 

I always wanted to punch the viewers with things like gory, funny, or disgusting stuffs so I'm glad to see the path I did since my first movie (experiment ?) and how my story got more and more odd.

*Tell us any strange or funny stories while making the film?

Well, the broken windshield that you see in the movie wasn"t planned at all ! It cost a lot but I decided to kept that in the movie coz fuck cinema is made of unexpected things !

Plus, the storyline had been charged several times. The actor who played the killer at first changed his mind and didn't to shoot anymore in the movie so I changed the plot. I played the killer for several sequences until I had the idea to move the spirit of the killer from a body to another. That sounds odd but cinema is odd so let's rock !

*The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto bring what to mind?

I'm an anarcho-punk so Pink8 manifesto talks to me as a movie maker. Creation is important no matter what and I think that this movement tells this great. No rules should be impose to creation !

*What can we expect from your next film?

First, I'm really glad that Painful Revenge 3 get its first festival screening after the years ! And I'm also really glad to announce my next movie, "Morte à l'avance" (Already Dead) for this year after 3 years of hard work ! It's a rape and revenge very feminist, anarchist, and anti-system packed with lot of gore. That's a huge goal for a movie maker to succeed in telling and showing to viewers what I want to give them without having a huge budget. That's the essence of cinema for me : making what you want no matter the budget or what you are !

There's a limited 33 DVD and a limited to 20 VHS edition of the trilogy that has been released and which is available.