DUCK SOUP Directed By Kathryn Goldie

Indie Express: Tell us about your film?

Kathryn: Duck Soup is the story of a relationship that’s brought into focus by what was intended as a sweet compliment.

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

K: This film was written during a writing workshop. Everyone wrote a sentence, and the sentences were randomly distributed. I got “I love duck soup, but I love you more” and, after briefly trying to write something light and romantic, I came up with this slightly darker version.

IE: How did you assemble your production team?

K: I was at film school at the time, so my fellow students formed the crew.

IE: How did you find your cast? 

K: I met Kristy Barnes-Cullen and Katrina Mathers, both terrific actors, through workshops at film school.

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

K: Due to the time pressures and equipment limitations of film school, Duck Soup was completed after a two-day shoot, a three-day edit, and a day of post!

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

K: The shoot went very smoothly. The biggest problem was in pre-production: trying to find a restaurant that would let us shoot inside. Chinese BBQ restaurants are very busy and are usually open around 15 hours a day.

IE: Any particular moments from filming that stand out for you?

K: Katrina, a vegetarian, eating duck soup with such relish, was one of the standout moments of the shoot. Unfortunately (unbeknownst to me), that soup was not properly re-heated, so we were lucky she didn’t become grievously ill. And Kristy Barnes-Cullen was sick on both nights of the winter shoot, even bringing a portable oxygen machine to the set on the second night. Both of them were fantastic – as was the café owner who let us use his café for free and allowed us to completely re-dress it.

IE: Tell us about the film’s festival experience so far?

K: Duck Soup premiered at Sydney’s QueerScreen Mardi Gras Film Festival, and since then has screened at Melbourne Queer Film Festival and at NewFest. It was well received in Sydney and Melbourne, and I’m sorry to say I couldn’t get to the States to see it play there. I’m delighted that it’s been accepted into such great festivals, especially given that it was the result of a film school “exercise” rather than a major production.

IE: What are you most looking forward to at the festival?

K: I wish I could be at the festival! The program looks fantastic!

IE: What made you decide to become a filmmaker?

K: I love film and I love telling stories. Plus film-making uses and taxes pretty much every skill I have, and it’s incredible fun and incredibly exhausting.

IE: What is next for you? 

K: I’ve just completed another short, a lesbian revenge fantasy, which I’ll be sending out into the world very soon. And I’m about to start a feature film writing mentorship, which I’m really excited about. I’m very keen to write for the long form.

IE: What is next for the film?

K: I’m sending Duck Soup to film festivals in the US and Europe, and a North American distribution deal is in the works. Exciting!

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

K: Just take the plunge, and do it! It’s heaps of fun and you never stop learning.