Alice In Acid Wonderland will premier at the Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival How did you get into making films? While studying art at the University of Texas at San Antonio I took a video art class with Leslie Raymond, now the Ann Arbor film festival executive director. I was assigned to make my first short film. It was then that I developed a love for film making. After that i couldn’t stop making films. The class was very inspiring and motivating for dreams I had of becoming a director like my Mother. What inspired you to make your movie? I was wandering YouTube watching all kinds of different versions of Alice In Wonderland, so I thought it would be cool to compile some of these different versions into my own acid version. How has your style evolved? I’ve always tried to contribute some kind of dream like interpretation to my films. Eventually I started becoming more interested into the “ACID” idea of psychedelic transformation for my films into to an acid dream experimental video art film form which I conceptualised my films with an Acid Dream Experimental Video Art film making manifesto which i wrote after directing DICA The Acid Dream Experiment and my latest film Alice in Acid Wonderland. Tell us any strange or funny stories while making the film? The funny thing I guess is that even though I was directing Alice In Acid Wonderland an acid film I never really actually tripped on acid. The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto bring what to mind? It brings to mind challenges that most film making standards don’t expect you to follow through with. Its exciting how DIY the movement is and accepting to those rebel artists who have been doing these sorts of things all along. What can we expect from your next film? I’m not sure what to expect from my next film but I do know it will be very dream like and have some kind of psychedelic characteristics. I’m thinking of directing a film titled Acid Cinderella.
Curtido will premier at the Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival How did you get into making films? Cinema interested me since I was a child but I saw it as something distant, unattainable. After many years of dedicating myself to theatre, I made up my mind and moved to Buenos Aires to study filmmaking. It was only then that I started writing my own scripts and filming short films. What inspired you to make your movie? My film talks about a provincial actor frustrated by the lack of opportunities. This is what happens with artists who try to exercise their profession in small places. That is an experience that I know very well and it touches me closely. From there, I imagined a lonely and self-destructive character (an actor over forty) suffering from a lack of professional achievement. Instead of going in search of opportunities to bigger cities, he does the opposite, takes the opposite path, isolating himself from society in the middle of the countryside. How has your style evolved? I still don't think I have my own style. That would be one of my goals. I am in full search, on a path of experimentation that leads me to find that uniqueness that every artist must have. I hope to get it sometime even though I'm in no rush. What worries me the most is being able to continue filming and that is enough. Tell us any strange or funny stories while making the film? We started filming Curtido (Hardened) in January, it is the middle of summer in my country. The temperatures are really very high and the heat is unbearable. I needed that what was seen on the screen was the opposite, that is, a cold climate. So I asked the costume designer to wear winter clothes. The actors hated me for this. We had to stop filming for them to cool off a little bit between takes. It was necessary to fight so that perspiration that was permanent was not noticed. It was difficult but in the end we were happy with the result. The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto bring what to mind? I did not know the movement or the manifesto before meeting the Festival. When I met you, I also got to know your ideas about the movies, of which I feel identified. I was born, live and produce my films in the province of Formosa (Argentina), which is very small compared to the big city in the world. For this reason, it is very difficult to access industrial cinema and many times we are totally oblivious to the stories they tell us. For this reason, we experience alternative modes of expression that are consistent with who we really are. What can we expect from your next film? My next movie is also about a village character. A woman tied to social and religious conventions who feels overwhelmed by her surroundings but also by the decisions I make in her life. From a series of events, she will be able to see that there are other ways for her, very different from those she knows. You should only be encouraged to take them. I think these characters reflect a somewhat invisible part of the society of my country. My idea is to continue telling stories where they are reflected.
Vampire Cap will premier at the Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival
*How did you get into making films? Right out of high school I went to art school. I was just 18 years old and spending 6 to 9 hours every week drawing and painting nude models. I remember being very nervous about it at first but quickly it just became something I did as a part of my creative routine. Toward the end of my second term a friend from high school came to visit and he told me of the program he was in at another college that included photography, television and film. As soon as he mentioned film I knew that was what I wanted to do. It would be the medium which would replace my pencils and paints. I felt that it was a much more powerful medium and way to communicate to others. So I transferred schools and enrolled in the film program. It would be over 20 years after I graduated before I would finally start making the films that I wanted to make. *What inspired you to make your movie? I knew I was going to be furloughed from my job for a couple months so I scheduled surgery with the idea that I would spend the furlough time recovering. But a month before the fulough was to begin I was prescribed a new drug that eliminated my need for the surgery. So now I had a couple months off from work with nothing scheduled so I decided it was an opportunity to make my third ultra low-budget feature. I had previously made "Die Before I Wake" and "Sixes and the One Eyed King". So there wasn't any specific inspiration to make the film other than my passion for filmmaking and an opportunity of time that availed itself. *How has your style evolved? As I mentioned in my response to the first question it was over 20 years after film school that I really got to make the films I wanted to make. That was because during those 20 years I was making low-budget TV commercials. It paid the bills and was a good way to hone my filmmaking skills so I don't regret making all those television commercials. It really helped me learn how to create films without money - though of course it is always nice to have a budget. I knew when I started my first feature I could do it with very little money. My style is based a great deal on my working for so long without budgets but also after being strapped down by commercial requirements it was quite freeing to self-finance a film and just do it the way I wanted. I'd say I stay away from filming trends and maybe I stay away from trends in general as I've never really felt too connected to American culture. My mom was raised in a world of eastern philosophy and even though I grew up in the US my mother's perspected was definitely a part of who I was and am. So I just go with what I like whether it is the current style or not. I want to be able to be as eclectic as my budgets will allow. Specifically to "Vampire Camp" it borrows a lot from the beach movies of the 60's, like "Ghost in the Invisible Bikini" and the low budget comedies of the 40's and 50's like "Abbot and Costello meet Frankenstein". But you notice "Vampire Camp" is not very similar to my previous feature films. Like I said, I like being eclectic. *Tell us any strange or funny stories while making the film? Reuben Rox plays a character in the film that the vampires leave alone. One of the reasons is that he is constantly eating garlic. I told him he could just palm the garlic hiding it in his hand while bringing it to his mouth instead of actually eating it. He insisted it was fine so he ate garlic cloves in each of his scenes. There were a couple times he needed a break from chewing on the garlic but I'm amazed he never got sick. *The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto bring what to mind? I went to film school which a lot of independent filmmakers view as a waste of time. Not to debate that opinion I will say that I studied filmmaking and not film. I do see a difference. I don't know what other film school programs encompassed but where I went it was more about learning how to make a film from a technical and basic aesthetic direction and not a lot of over anylysing film styles and admiring the work of over praised filmmakers. All I was looking for was a way to make the films I wanted to make. The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto to me bring attention to so much that is unfortunate in humanity - a lack of adventure in creativity - both from film audiences and filmmakers. What is popular is mainstream and mainstream exists for the purpose of making money so big business filmmaking brings in the masses to watch the same formula remakes and sequels. Sadly most audiences are not willing to take a risk on an unknown film and because of that we as an artistic community cannot grow. *What can we expect from your next film? I never know what to expect from my next film so can't really tell you what to expect. I've been doing a lot of short films lately but really want to get back to making another feature. Some of the options I am exploring are: "And Evil Makes 8" a blend of the typical horror setup where people gather at a cabin in the woods and cosplayers; a film called "The Other N-word" that I wrote as a sequel to "Besetment" which I executive produced but looks like I will need to disassociate it from "Besetment". None the less if you haven't seen "Besetment" you should - it is fucked up. And of course I would love to do a sequel to "Vampire Camp" called "Zombie Camp".
Making 100 Friends From All Over The World - premier at the Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival *How did you get into making films? I’m a movie buff. Sometimes I was into a bunch of Hollywood movies, and sometimes I was into some deep European art films. But when it comes down to it, I always wanted to be a film-maker since I was little. *What inspired you to make your movie? I love traveling. I’ve visited around 32 countries so far. Along the way I just wanted to film something fun while I’m traveling. *How has your style evolved? Making 100 Friends From All Over The World is not only a travel documentary but also a mockumentary and documentary comedy. I love the whole process that we reach the truth from the untruth. *Tell us any strange or funny stories while making the film? I hate geckos! (You know what I mean?) *The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto bring what to mind? Freedom. *What can we expect from your next film? I’m not sure yet but I think I will make something meaningful in the UK soon.
Misfits Of The Profane will premier at the Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival How did you get into making films? I moved to Los Angeles when I was 20 to get into film. I started taking my writing more seriously and made the decision. It’s like a domino effect from there. I spent my time working as an AD on some projects and learned a lot, ultimately supplying me with the practical knowledge that I could make a feature with a crew of two. *What inspired you to make your movie? Real female stories. Real humanism in the streets of LA. Stories I’ve heard over the years from living and existing here. The confidence to be heard. Probably too much to write here. But all in all, to see if I could do it with the resources I had available. *How has your style evolved? This is my first feature film. So in short, we shall see! *The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto bring what to mind? Given the world will be so different with virus threats now, I think the message of the manifesto and Misrule are probably more prevalent than ever. Although I subscribe to it nominally, my focus is on storytelling. I really love writing. The movements themselves are freeing, and sending the right message that you can just go out and do it. Technology is here and cinema is achievable through your fingertips. I can get behind that message. I co-founded a club with Gabriel Hans Durst in LA called The Hollywood Guerrilla Film Club where we focus on that notion, get out there and shoot. We made Misfits of the Profane together, we were the only crew besides cast. *What can we expect from your next film? You can expect that I’ll break the boundaries of traditional cinema. What one can accomplish with a small amount of money, to produce quality narrative stories that evoke consideration and thought.
*How did you get into making films? I am script writer and director my investor told me have film project story about religion value of life. I saw something have value to the audience. I need do it. *What inspired you to make your movie? I need expression to life value *How has your style evolved? My style develop from short film scrip writer cinematographer *Tell us any strange or funny stories while making the film? Every day to shoot film my crew is funny make more smoke of mistake every day *The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto bring what to mind? I think so strange and other art films. *What can we expect from your next film? I think about make film from my spirit.
Anya will premier at the Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival *How did you get into making films? When I was a boy I always knew I had a lot of things to share but I didn't know how. In my adolescence I discovered cinema as a window to new worlds were I learned different visions of life, and identify myself with many characters that expressed my emotions better that I could even understand at the time. Then I questioned myself the meaning of life; A nice house, a new car, a good job, a pretty wife... is that it? and then disappearing without no one ever knowing you were really here.... In filmmaking I found a meaning, a means to express my thoughts and feelings and the best way to cheat death by making my ideas, all the images and stories in my head transcend my physical existence. *What inspired you to make your movie? Like all young filmmakers, I wanted to make a film, but I was very aware of my limitations and how difficult it is to finance a first film. So I set out to write a story with certain rules: - most of the story has to happen in one location - two main characters - The script has to be achievable in terms of budget - the story has to provoke strong emotions With that determination I went to Cuba for a month to isolate myself and write, I found in the genre cinema (psychological thriller) the best way to tell a visceral story that could transmit the anguish and hell that a victim of abuse goes through in a character that you could see on the street and you never imagine the psychological hell that goes through every day. *How has your style evolved? When I finished film school it was more a matter of replicating influences, then I realized that these were sterile images that did not express my way of understanding the world and I had to find my voice as a screenwriter and director. As I shot Anya I discovered that my major virtue as a director is the work with actors I feel very comfortable with an open Mise-en-scène, delimiting emotional goals that help them reach emotional extremes. This is complemented by the script, which becomes a fundamental tool to build actions and situations visceral that provoke the audience on an intellectual and emotional level. *Tell us any strange or funny stories while making the film? One of the last days all the crew was super tired, we were doing running shots at 4 am as it was an indie film we didn't have a camera car so we put the camera rigged, actors were in place and the only option for the sound guy was in the trunk of the car. So, we went to do the shots and spent some time doing them and when we finished we stepped off and went to rest but after some minutes we realized the sound guy was missing and said: shit! we forgot him in the trunk, when we opened it it was really funny to see that he fell asleep and didn't realize the running shots were over. *The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto bring what to mind? I think both appeal to the very essence of Cinema, it is a common belief that in order to be a filmmaker you have to go to film school. Theory is easy you can learn it on your own, the beauty of cinema is portraying the complexity of human emotions and there's no theory for that, the only school for that is living, seeing, learning from happiness and suffering. The comfort zone is the death of the Artist so what I like of both of them is that there's no excuses to do a feature film *What can we expect from your next film? My next film is going to be more visceral, violent and provocative. Is a reflection about toxic love using cannibalism as a metaphor in which we devour our loved ones out of fear of loneliness.
Amores Artificiais will premier at the Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival *How did you get into making films? Well, my career as a director started in college, with experimental work, as well as other students who had the same goals, and I started to enjoy the possibility of telling stories my way, as my way of seeing the world. *What inspired you to make your movie? Some experiences I had and observation of other similar stories, motivated me to deal with the theme covered in Artificial Loves; SOCIAL PATHOLOGIES *How has your style evolved? Before making cinema, I was a theater actor and then I worked as a director, but I can say that my way of doing suffers references from the great directors of my country, of course we look at other good names in world cinema, but as I consider myself to be in the early career there is still a lot to learn and experience in the audiovisual universe. *Tell us any strange or funny stories while making the film? Well, i have several stories, but i will report one that caught my attention, as this film was inspired by real events, it took place in a scene in which the actors did not know the (real) name of the person being represented in the film and in a very strange way they started to give the text and saying the person's name in real life and that caught my attention, because I was careful to change the names of the characters so that there would be no problems with processes or something, but the actors insisted on treating the characters by their real names that was very bizarre. because nobody knew that the story was based on facts. *The Misrule Film Movement & Pink8 manifesto bring what to mind? My identification with the aforementioned movements comes from the possibility of making cinema in an alternative way, without resources and sometimes improvised, but in the end it works and the result is surprising. Guerrilla cinema is not tied to the big studios or large producers of the traditional film industry, and for that reason we suffer a certain prejudice for making this type of cinema. do my works, I believe that over time we will be seen and recognized, I say because cinema is an art it is not done collectively and my companions think just like me. *What can we expect from your next film? I am working on an action film, also in the guerrillas, it will be a film that addresses political and social issues, heinous crimes and the fight against them, the name is Tiro Certo. We will have news soon!
Sattham will premier at the Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival How did you get into making films? I was always interested in watching movies from my childhood.. It was in my high school days , I happened to see a Tamil film called RHYTHM, directed by Vasanth from Tamil Nadu, India. I got so much fascinated with that film. More than watching the film, I got addicted to that film.. I started analysing all the layers involved behind that film be it acting, Screenplay structure, cinematography, lighting, sound design, background score . I stared learning the process of filmmaking through this film.. I understood later that I have the ability to act, narrate stories. Eventually I also realized that the fascination is growing more for films rather than literature or theatre and then the journey of being Filmmaker started.. I joined Madras Film Institute and graduated in Direction and Screenplay writing with a Gold Medal. In my academic career, I made several short films and featurette which helped me to experiment with my style of filmmaking and understand cinema What inspired to make your Cinema? Sound is always a thrilling experience be it in theatres or any medium.. If you watch a horror film the real anxiety and fear is created not by seeing ghosts alone but it is due to the sound . Same way if you watch Jurassic Park or any action movies the real thrill is through the sound effects.. I always wanted to focus more on sound aspects in my films . When the idea strike to me that what if a man is haunted by a sound and it so happens that only he can listen to those sounds and no one else can, I realized this is my idea and started developing this film. I found sound to be a very intriguing element in storytelling and here, sound itself being a part of the conflict and narration, I was very motivated.. I loved the mystery part of the script where as an audience we are immersed inside deep to know what is bothering the protagonist and why the sounds are audible only to him.. Having said that, it was also challenging for me to design this sounds realistically in order to bring the characters closer to reality. I didn't want to design sound stereotype like in horror films. I wanted to bring a different mood through this sounds where as an audience while watching the film it should be interesting and the same time should convey the irritation the protagonist is going through.. How has your style evolved? I think the main focus for any film should be the story. The story is the key factor which decides how the film has to be crafted. I don't believe in style. I look deep into the script and decide what justice I can do as a filmmaker and screenwriter. I have watched so many International films and have learnt one thing. Language is not a barrier for watching a film. Film itself is a language. Irrespective of language, culture what really works with all set of audience is feelings. If a movie delivers the message honestly and emotionally,. It is conveyed to all set of audience.. Titanic was enjoyed world wide for it's emotion and simplicity. There are so many examples.. MEMORIES OF MURDER, BICYCLE THIEVES, CHILDREN OF HEAVEN, GREEN MILE, SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION.. I follow this sincerely in all my films. Simplicity and emotion and narrating the story closer to reality.. Tell us any strange or funny experience with this film? It was a big experience making this film. Honestly I didn't plan to make this as a feature film.. the original script which I wrote consisted of 35 scenes in total.. I planned to make it as a featurette , lesser than 60 mins . We had a very shoe string budget and so we couldn't shoot continuously. I first shot for five days and my budget was over. I decided to edit the footages and convince my parents and friends to fund further. But as the process of edit started , I started generating extension off various ideas connected with this script. I felt I can tell this more interesting and can add few more details. Finally when I finished the film, it had total 105 scenes including Montages.. Though this practice is not the healthy way to approach a film technically but I learnt one thing that there is always a space for improvisation in all the stages of filmmaking. I finished the shoot for the entire film in just 15 days. The budget spent for this film was very very very minimum but I could bring the result. We did all the work ourselves. We recorded sounds in Sony Recorder and brought the original Foley feel. To add another point as a part of this question. No one from my team charged even a single penny for this film. Everyone are newcomers and passionate.. what really brought us all together is the script and bonding. I don't know whether I can recreate this magic again, but what magic happened with this film, the true appreciation should be shared equally to all my team members. The Misrule Film Movement and Pink8 Manifesto bring what to mind? Well.. I think films don't have a classification. It is not like genres- big budget, small budget, commercial cinema, parallel cinema..Film is a film. The budget and the strategy don't decide what type of film you have made. All that matters is the story, the theme and the emotional connection. With the advancement of digital cinema, I believe we have break all the stereotype. We can experiment with new stories, shoot in more real places, bring more reality. All we need is the courage and passion. What can we expect from your next film? Well. I don't rush myself doing films. The idea and story is what , matters me the most. We might get lot of ideas but they might not materialize everytime. Something happens with an idea and that will not let you sleep or do anything. Once I get an idea so fascinating, I will start writing the script . So I don't pressurize myself what I am going to do next. It will happen itself. But whatever movie I make , I will really focus that the film has something interesting to say, it has am emotional connection with the audience and it falls closer to the reality
What do you think is the future of underground cinema especially in the United Kingdom ?
If you watch ‘Anarchy In The UK: The New Underground Cinema’ you’ll get a perfect idea, it’s about the Misrule film movement and how we changed the film industry. Cinema is my religion, Im the John McEnroe of cinema because of my gusto. Im not saying Im the best, but I am. I make the best hyper-kinetic films and pick groundbreaking subjects, and I do it cose I want cinema to move forward as an artistic expression. Im a pioneer but I dont want to just be a poster boy for cinema chic just cose Im good looking. I want new blood to upstage me and no one has done that. So the best thing for me to do now is now be a recluse, to give others a chance at world domination because Im generous. My wild years were from (2010-2019), Im pre Corona virus. I was the last cinema maverick before this brave new world we now all live in.
How has the Misrule cinema movement helped you grow as a filmmaker and as an individual ?
Well obviously I’ve become more humble. I’ve been blacklisted but it was worth it because the industry needed shaking up, Im not scared about fighting back if they arent open minded about my movies, I cant stand being polite all the time just to be PC. Those moguls needed to be told that they were being unfair by not letting new filmmakers screen their movies, just because they were different and we use iPhones and non-actors. You can learn more from street superstar non-actors than professionals, they offer real emotions and they touch a raw nerve like a Diane Arbus photo. But you have to take whats yours, Im not a rich kid like a lot of the people in the film industry, Im rough and ready but also highly intelligent and they think thats dangerous, plus it scared them when Im encouraging all these untrainned filmmakers to rise up, hence, the Misrule movement. A generation gap is always going to be messy, a lot of blood gets spilled but hopefully in the future things will be easier for a new generation of filmmakers.
What has been your personal influences as a filmmaker ?
At the moment I’ve been watching Le Samurai with Alain Delon, and Bad Timing by Nicholas Roeg, I’ve had it on loop. Theresa Russell is omnipotent in that movie, I wish all actors were as fearless as her. The editing is phenomenal as well, everything is juxtaposted like a daydream mixed with reality. I call my style ‘Pick-A-Mix’ because I mix up many levels of zen consciousness, even the afterlife, because Im psychic. But I prefer villains and anti-heroes like HAL 9000, computers make fascinating enemies. I now also do art collages based on bacteria and germ colour patterns. My last two art pieces are called Coroner Boner & Banana Fish Love Card, and then in August I’ve got the Straight-Jacket Guerrilla Film Festival. How has the lineage of filmmakers from the UK helped you from when you started making films ? Well not really, theres been some great classic films but nothing exciting lately in England other than Teddy Bears Live Forever. No other new British directors come to mind who have put their necks out on the guillotine like Im doing. The Kitchen Sink Movement was great but it isnt as experimental as Punk Cinema, until I came along England only had those two cinema movements, but Misrule is too undisciplined for mainstream magazines and TV because its too radioactive. My favourite directors are either French or Russian, they are a lot braver then British filmmakers. Over here Im the only one making edgy films but across the world there are many more because its a worldwide movement. YouTube is our church.
Have you ever made a porno ?
God no but I love films like Betty Blue, The Last Seduction and La Belle Noiseus, those crazy erotic avant-garde films, because sex is a natural emotion and it’s one of the best occasions in life between two people. It’s so pure and intense, and you just forget the world, the world goes away during sex. If you combine sex & intellect together in a film its like dynamite. It also depends on the person watching and how carnal they are. Unfortunately a lot of people in power are very frigid so they think sex is not a natural emotion. I get most of my inspiration from graveyards and ruins. But when the devil fails he sends me a woman.
What exactly was the liberation that Misrule movement wanted to gain, or was it just economical or was it a change in the set of ideologies, if so how have the other cinema movements helped in the process, like Dogme95?
We wanted to make cheap, DIY films mixed with documentary and alternative images. See this is the thing that annoys me, Dogme95 is very tame. But the Pink8 Manifesto is the equivalent of Bebop or psychedelic rock, the actors improvise while on drugs and its mind expanding and easy to do, you dont even need a script just guts, passion and colorful people. When I saw Dennis Hoppers The Last Movie I discovered cinema nirvana, but that film was a critical and commercial failure, think about that. But the future was invented to spoil the present so I focus on the ’now’. Misrule is like cinematic voodoo, or an incantation, it’s meant for intelligent viewers of any age who want to elevate themselves and watch a new kind of reality, just follow the white rabbit.
