© 2011 Christopher Radcliff and Lauren Wolkstein | design
Director, Writer and Editors’ CHRISTOPHER RADCLIFF and LAUREN WOLKSTEINhave created a mysterious short film that will be at SXSW in a matter of weeks. The duo chatted with PSD for a two-part look into their careers and their latest film, The Strange Ones.
The film’s short synopsis sets the stage quite well, A man and a boy, traveling to an unknown destination, find respite in a motel swimming pool. On the surface all is normal, but nothing is quite what it seems to be. Indeed Lauren and Chris have sculpted an eerie look at a wandering man and boy. I began our conversation, with the talented duo, about their recent graduation from Columbia University’s Graduate Film School and with Honors for both!!
Lauren talked about her days at Duke University and the smaller but important film program.
Both Lauren’s previous work, in particular their Graduate films were personal tales that showcased their immense talent starting to figure itself out. Lauren’s film was Cigarette Candy, which won Best Narrative Short at SXSW in 2010, and went on to screen at film festivals worldwide garnering multiple awards (http://www.cigarettecandy.com). We’ll talk more next week about the SXSW experience, for now Lauren explained how she grew because of Cigarette Candy.
Chris discusses the reason why him and Lauren have been able to work so well together and also hints at his own short film success.
Chris’s Stranger, was selected for Faculty Honors in 2009 and also won the IFP Audience Choice Award and Entertainment Partners Best Producer Award at the 2009 CU Film Festival, and has since gone on to screen at numerous festivals across the country.
When I broached the subject of The Strange Ones, and I called it a really well down Horror short. The horror line got them talking about the tone of their film and thus about the labeling of the short.
Inspiration wise the two directors point to one film from an legendary director.
The film started to take off with the casting of actor David Call.
Lauren and Chris rounded out the talented cast of three with young Tobias Campbell and actress Merritt Wever who was also in Lena Dunham‘s Independent Spirit Award winning film TINY FURNITURE.
Next Monday, we’ll have our long conclusion with Director, Writer and Editors’ Christopher Radcliff and Lauren Wolkstein. The short will begin its SXSW 2011 run on Saturday March 12th at 11am at the Venue Alamo Lamar A ,1120 South Lamar Blvd. Enjoy the trailer to this mysterious and haunting tale.