Interviews

Filmmaker Mercedes Stalenhoef thought she was filming a young woman with dreams of escaping her poor Romanian hometown for a better life. But then another film crew descended on Glod, Romania, to shoot scenes for Borat, forever changing the villagers' prospects and not necessarily for the better. The Independent's Randi Cecchine interviews Stalenhoef about the process of making and distributing her documentary, Carmen Meets Borat.

The Independent's Exhibitor FAQ series provides resources and advice on how to get your film onto the big screen. In this installment, the Olympia Film Society is featured; Helen Thornton, the Society's film programmer, discusses the Society, its film festival, and how independent filmmakers can get their work shown at the theater.

Eugene Rosow and Bill Benenson sit down with The Independent's Emily Cataneo to discuss how they were able to transform an environmental science book into a funny, socially relevant and award-winning documentary film. Based on William Logan's book Dirt, the Ecstatic Skin of the Earth Rosow and Benenson sought to create something that would make a difference without sacrificing art and entertainment, and they did just that, going on to win the audience award for the best green documentary at Sundance this year. See the trailer for Dirt! The Movie here.

In June 1999, The Independent asked Seventh Art Releasing where the company would be in ten years (read the original interview here). They answered, “Still open for business doing films we like.” And Seventh Art has done just that. And though there have been some changes, Epstein insists that despite the technological and economic turmoil of the past ten years, the company’s original vision has stayed the same. Exactly a decade after the last interview, The Independent’s Emily Cataneo sits down with co-founder Udy Epstein to find out what those changes are.

After a film finds success, the industry usually lauds the miraculous execution of the director and the cast. Yet, often ignored are those who actually crafted the story: the writers. The Independent’s, Joi R. Wheatley, taps into the ingenious minds of Pamela Cuming and Lee Ross who wrote the dark, intense, drama Downloading Nancy, which was recently screened at the Seattle International Film Festival. The film, starring Maria Bellow and Jason Patric, follows a middle-aged wife who orders a man she met on the Internet to kill her so she can escape from her unhappy life (view the trailer here). Cuming and Lee discuss how the idea became a script, why it’s important to produce and direct your own projects, and what’s next for this writing duo.

The modern filmmaker has no fear of flying. From the blue whales of the Galapagos to the Bhangra dancers of Punjab, it seems there’s nowhere a camera can’t go. But what do you need to know to film overseas, and how is it different? The Independent caught up with producer, director, and editor David E. Simpson, whose film Milking the Rhino (view the trailer here), shot entirely in Africa, recently screened at the Boston International Film Festival.

Brooklyn-based filmmaker Michael Sládek directed and produced, as well as shot and co-edited the film Con Artist. The riveting, hilarious portrait of '80s art star Mark Kostabi, whose addiction to fame hit its extreme with his kitschy public access TV show Title This, where contestants vie for the chance to title his paintings. Con Artist (view Con Artist trailer) had its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival this month and The Independent's Vicki Vasilopoulos caught up with the director to learn more about Kostabi and the story behind the film.

Aspen Shortsfest holds a special place in the hearts of many independent filmmakers. Though it has its share of international prestige due to its selectivity and Oscar-qualifying status, it most distinguishes itself for its focus on short film directors. Feature film directors and big name actors step aside to celebrate a medium that often heralds the industry’s up-and-coming visionaries. As a result, Aspen is a place where young film school grads rub shoulders with established veterans. The Independent's Sean Jones catches up with Aspen filmmakers Martina Amati, Destin Cretton (view the trailer for his film Short Term 12 here) and David Cooke.

Director Joseph Cashiola sits down for coffee with The Independent's Jennifer Sheffield and hashes out the details behind the making of his first feature-length film, A Thing as Big as the Ocean (view the trailer here), now in post-production and ready to hit up festivals in 2009. Cashiola discusses working with his brother, shooting on the road, and the difference between independent filmmakers and "beginner-level professionals."

For a first-time writer/director, making it to Sundance is a dream come true, but for John Hindman it didn't stop there. His film, Arlen Faber, was one of 16 films selected for the Dramatic Competition category and following the screening, was picked up for distribution by Magnolia Pictures. The Independent's John McMahon talks to Hindman about bringing his screenplay to life, and meeting Robert Redford.