Indie Express: Tell us about your film?
TWISTED FAITH Directed By Lisa Sanow
Indie Express: Tell us about your film?
Lisa: “Twisted Faith” is the story of a gay priest who is counseling a young woman with disturbing dreams and their meetings take a deadly turn when he discovers she is concealing a twisted faith.
IE: How did you come up with the idea for the film?
L: I wanted to write a drama to showcase the talent of my friend renowned Actor/Comedian Jason Stuart. A few years earlier an actress had said to me they wished they could play the role of a pedophile like the one Kevin Bacon played in “The Woodsman.” This planted the seed for the female pedophile and then the confession scenario just fell into place. Of course, I wanted Jason to play the gay priest.
IE: How did you assemble your production team?
L: Having done 11 shorts prior to this one, I had already established relationships with many of the production team we used on this film. Short filmmaking is an art of the heart and when you find great talent it is a no brainer that you want to use them again and again if possible. Craigslist is a great resource for filling in the gaps.
IE: How did you find your cast?
L: All hail the mighty Jason Stuart. I’m so fortunate to have him as a producing partner because he literally knows EVERYONE! He contacted Elaine Hendrix, gave her the script and she was up for the challenge. Lee Meriwether was in my short film “Gone Postal” so I called her to offer her the role. I guess it helps to know people and it also helps to write strong roles that actors want to play.
IE: How long did the film take? (From conception to final edit)
L: 8 long months -- most of which was post-production. We had to generate 7 special effects sequences and that takes time.
IE: Tell us a little about your process of directing (writing) this film.
L: Every film I make I feel I grow as a director and a writer. My personal feeling is that film is a collaborative effort and a great director allows the professionals they hire to be an intricate part of the process. Listen to all ideas and allow everyone to bring their creativity to the table. Ultimately, as the director I make the final decisions, but they are solidified based on that melding of minds.
IE: What was the most difficult part of the shoot for you?
L: We had been given a location for our confession booth scenes that was at no cost – free is the golden word in independent filmmaking. When we scouted the location it was late in the evening, but our shoot began early in the day. Unfortunately, we discovered the space was next to a trucking center and exterior noise was unbearable. We pooled minds, ran to a rental house and blanketed the set with furny pads to muffle the noise. My dad always said if it seems too good to be true it probably is. Dad was right!
IE: Any particular moments from filming that stand out for you?
L: One moment when we were filming the final scene and we were going for a certain emotional climax. Jason, Elaine and I went behind the confession booth away from everyone on set and had the most incredible meeting of minds. As a director, getting my actors to the perfect pinnacle of performance quality and comfort was unforgettable.
IE: Tell us about the film’s festival experience so far?
L: We’ve just started the festival run with this film, but I have to say going to Cannes was INCREDIBLE. It is all the E words – exciting, exhilarating, entertaining, and exhausting to name a few. Next time I go I’m hoping to play the Grand Salon!
IE: What are you most looking forward to at the festival?
L: This is our first gay & lesbian themed festival and as a LGBT film, I’m looking forward to hearing the reaction of the audiences from this community. I’m hoping the theme of the film shines through that intolerance has dangerous consequences and should have no place in a civilized society.
IE: What has been your most interesting Q&A so far? What was your favorite question? How was the dialogue afterwards?
L: I love all questions – it shows the audience is engaged with your film, but I guess I prefer the technical ones concerning writing. My favorite on this tour was when someone commented that they noticed the story was framed with circular motifs in the photography that matched the circular motif in the story and wanted to know if that was planned. The answer is everything is planned.
IE: What films and filmmakers inspire you?
L: Orson Welles is my all time her and I am in awe of his masterpieces “Citizen Kane” and “The Third Man.” That said, I am inspired by many of the great auteurs who have defined story and cinematography like Jean Renior, Akira Kurosawa, and Lena Wertmueller. My guilty pleasures are an eclectic mix – “Shawshank Redemption,” “My Cousin Vinny” and “A Bridge Too Far.”
IE: What made you decide to become a filmmaker?
L: Corny, but true. I was eight and went to see the film “Cat Ballou” (great performances especially by the late great Lee Marvin). I was so inspired by the strong female role that Jane Fonda played that I took my allowance, bought a set of toy six shooters and pretended to be “Cat Ballou” for an entire summer. I’ve been hooked ever since.
IE: What is next for you?
L: We have several projects being considered at the moment and the first will probably be a feature that I wrote and will direct titled “Putnam County Law.”
IE: What is next for the film?
L: We’ve been made several offers for distribution and are currently mulling over the best deal for the film. On the festival circuit we’ll be playing at the Los Angeles Short Festival that runs August 15-21.
IE: If asked to give one piece of advice to a new filmmaker making their first short film… What would it be?
L: Short films are mini-movies and deserve the same elements of a feature – just in a shorter time frame, so be sure your script is great and everything else will fall into place.
IE: What 5 films currently on the festival circuit are you fans of? (This is like an I Tunes celebrity playlist)
Soy Soldado
The Pharmacist
The Frank Anderson
Entry Level
Twisted Faith
IE: What question would you like to be asked about your film? And Why? What is the answer?
L: Where can I buy a copy of your film? I think the why is obvious. The answer on my website at www.seahawkpros.com.
IE: Thanks so much for answering our questions! Have a great festival!!