SMALL APARTMENT Directed By Andrew Betzer

Indie Express: Tell us about your film?

Andrew:  It is a film about a lonely old man who spies on his son and his son’s wife having sex in their tiny New York apartment.

IE: How did you come up with the idea for the film?

A:  It is actually a true story.  One that I never found out the ending/resolution of (it was a” news of the weird” type thing).  I decided that a true-life event as horrific as that, must have some shred of beauty or humanity to it, I hope.  If it doesn’t, I wanted to give it some. Anyone who would take advantage of his or her own blood like that had to have a motivation other than “whacking material”.

IE: How did you assemble your production team? 

A: Without instructions, and put together with bubble gum and Elmer’s glue. Mostly friends of mine.

IE: How did you find your cast? 

A: Older Alex is friend of mine’s uncle. The first time I saw him…I knew I had to make a movie with him.  Julia is a model/singer that O met online, and Alexandre is a French actor I have worked with before (very great actor!).

IE: How long did the film take?  (From conception to final edit)

A: About 9 months.

IE: Tell us a little about your process of directing (writing) this film.

A: As far as directing it, it was a juggling act to see how many balls I could keep up in the air and for how long.  It went smoothly, great crew and cast.  The first film I ever made without having to wear shoes.  Writing is the most peaceful process.  A pencil, my trusty legal pad, and me.

IE: What was the most difficult part of the shoot for you?

A: Sex scenes…but, there is a first time for everything. Also, carrying equiptment up 7 flights of stairs.

IE: Tell us about the films festival experience so far?

A: It has been very expensive, health damaging, and stressful…so in all a very good time.  SXSW was very fun, my liver is still thanking me for that one.

What are you most looking forward to at the festival?

A: Films of  Abel Ferrera, Guisepie Andrews, and some time in another place, oh…and the parties.

IE: What has been your most interesting Q&A so far?  What was your favorite question?  How was the dialogue afterwards?

A: Favorite question was “Was that really the old man’s penis and if not, what was it?”.  Dialogue has ranged from quiet discomfort to my film dominating most of the Q and A.  They are usually either one pole or the other.

IE: What films or filmmakers inspire you?

A: Claire Denis, Maurice Pialat, Damien Odoul, Jerry Lewis, Bruno Dumont, Robert Downey Sr., Sean Williams, Kinji Fukasaku, Nicholas Ray, Anthony Mann, Robert Altman, Conrad Hall, Joseph H. Lewis,  Alan Clarke, Mike Leigh, Polanski……The Mouth Agape!!!!, We Won’t Grow Old Together.

IE: What made you decide to become a filmmaker?

A:  It was the only way any of my writing would ever get produced into a film.

 IE: What is next for you? 

A: Really, continuing to move into my new place and keep working at my day job restoring/preserving films, watch films.

IE: What is next for the film?

A: It will probably be replaced by video.  No, seriously…I’m shooting another short this summer.

IE: If asked to give one piece of advice to a new filmmaker making their first short film… What would it be? 

A: Don’t spend your life savings!!!!!!  With a little blood sweat and tears, you can make it look good cheaply.

IE: What question would you like to be asked about your film?

A: I don’t know….anything that is irreverent or surprising.

IE: What is the Answer?

A: Something irreverent or surprising.