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| SXSW '08 Interview: "IBID" Director Russell Friedenberg |
by Erik Childress
The “IBID " Pitch: Me and Lionel escape from a mental institution believing we’re sent on a mission by god (Don) to write the new commandments before the world comes to an end.
How did this film get rolling at the beginning? Give us a brief history from writing to production to post to just last night.
RUSSELL: Ibid was originally written in 7 days as an experiment toward my own creation myth. Though the roots of those 7 days remain the story took on a larger trajectory when I threatened myself into making it. The writing, production and post-production of this particular project was like none other I’ve ever experienced. It was made by a handful of talented and committed mental patients.
The description of your film involving mental patients and the holy tablets could lead some to believe you're suggesting a certain instability against the occasional follower of Christianity. Do you have any faith in the presiding religion of this country to actually use the positive rather than the negative aspects of the teachings it preaches to "save the world?"
RUSSELL: Hey, I’m not suggesting a ‘certain instability with Christianity’ I’m telling you its real. Look, in a world gone mad whose to say whose crazy? It doesn’t matter if you’re a Jew a Muslim a Christian or a Krishna, if you’re operating from some antiquated idea of what right and wrong are, if you’re living in fear and your not operating from love then your unstable. I have no faith in the presiding religion of this country to use the positive aspects of these ideas. Why? IBID man. Ibid.
So if you have a chance to add something to the Ten Commandments, but in the process you had to remove one of the current ones what would you take away and what would you add?
RUSSELL: I’d start with the first commandment. You Shall Have No Other God But Me? I mean what is that? How egocentric is that? I’d get rid of that and I’d slide in one that I wasn’t able to get into IBID.
The new first commandment: ASSASINATE SUBTEXT.
If I had a second choice I’d lose You Shall Not Make For Yourself an Idol but I think someone beat me to that already because I sometimes watch this show at night called American Idol.
Back when you were a little kid, and you were asked that inevitable question, your answer would always be “When I grow up I want to be a …” what?
RUSSELL: A rabbi.
How did you get your real “start” in filmmaking?
RUSSELL: I haven’t started yet. Can you help me?
Is this your first trip to SXSW? Got any other film festival experience? If you’re a festival veteran, let us know your favorite and least-favorite parts of the ride.
RUSSELL: Yup. This is my first trip to SXSW. I spent a weekend with Jim Lovell once in Austin but I can’t talk about that. I’ve had plenty of film festival experience as we get the Sundance Channel on the rec room TV.
Do you feel any differently about your film now that you know it’s on “the festival circuit?”
RUSSELL: Yes. Now I like it.
During production did you ever find yourself thinking ahead to film festivals, paying customers, good & bad reviews, etc?
RUSSELL: Yes. Often. But there is a great little pill called Lexapro that really helps me to go to sleep.
The Ten Commandments, as a guideline to living, aren't exactly the worst words of wisdom in the world. But the twist people get into over them being placed in schools and such is understandable. What side of the line do you fall on?
RUSSELL: I believe in a line in the sand. I mean look at the word ‘Commandments’. This is some anthropomorphic male god telling you what to do. I mean who am I to judge S & M or anyone’s trip but I would like to think that we’re shifting and evolving into a space that we won’t need to be told how to behave, what to believe, who to worship, what not to covet and to not touch your neighbors wife. That said, I think they should post THALL SHALL NOT MURDER in all the schools because it seems that’s one being forgotten lately.
Of all the Muppets, which one do you most relate to?
RUSSELL: The Swedish chef.
If you could share one massive lesson that you learned while making this movie, what would it be?
RUSSELL: I think it’s easier to escape from a mental ward to make your movie than to find financing.
What films and filmmakers have acted as your inspirations, be they a lifelong love or a very specific scene composition?
RUSSELL: Ibid is a rock-folk-road movie at its core. It’s an homage to some of the great films of the 70’s. Films like Scarecrow, Vanishing Point, One Flew Over The Cukoo’s Nest, The Last Waltz and a Clockwork Orange. Jerry Shatzberg’s Scarecrow being the most influential in terms of story and Marty Scorsese’s The Last Waltz being the most influential in terms of score.
Did you watch any movies in pre-production and yell “This! I want something JUST like this …only different.”?
RUSSELL: Yes. We watched The Last Mimzy endlessly and I often found myself yelling “This! I want something JUST like this …only different.”
What actor would you cast as your favorite cartoon character?
RUSSELL: I would cast William H. Macy as Gazoo from the Flintstones.
Say you landed a big studio contract tomorrow, and they offered you a semi-huge budget to remake, adapt, or sequelize something. What projects would you tackle?
RUSSELL: I’d like to remake The Last Man On Earth. I think it’s really timely. I also think that Mannequin could be tackled again.
Name an actor in your film that’s absolutely destined for the big-time. And why, of course.
RUSSELL: I think Cal Grant is destined for the stars. He’s not only an amazing actor but he’s building a spaceship in the basement of Trinity Psyche Ward.
Finish this sentence: If I weren’t a filmmaker, I’d almost definitely be...
RUSSELL: A phrenologist.
Charlton Heston as Moses or Charlton Heston as Judah Ben-Hur? And why?
RUSSELL: Charlton Heston as Judah Ben-Hur. Why? Well, Ben Hur was written by Governor Lew Wallace of New Mexico who gave Pat Garrett the contract to kill Billy The Kid. Charlton Heston just feels right in that context.
Who’s an actor you’d kill to work with?
RUSSELL: I’d kill to work with Val Kilmer. I hear a lot of people want to kill him too.
Have you “made it” yet? If not, what would have to happen for you to be able to say “Yes, wow. I have totally made it!”
RUSSELL: No. I haven’t made it. I will say, “I have totally made it” when I’m able to get a weekend pass and am flown to a film festival.
Honestly, how important are film critics nowadays?
RUSSELL: They’re very important. Just ask them.
What would mean more to you? A full-on rave from an anonymous junketeer or an average, but critically constructive review from a respected print or online journalist?
RUSSELL: What would mean something to me is a viewer who came up to me and said, ‘hey, you made me think outside the box.’
You’re told that your next movie must have one “product placement” on board, but you can pick the product. What would it be?
RUSSELL: Xanax.
You’re contractually obligated to deliver an R-rated film to your producers. The MPAA says you have to delete a sex scene that’s absolutely integral to the film or you’re getting an NC-17. How do you handle it?
RUSSELL: You delete the scene but swear to watch it every night for seven years.
What’s your take on the whole “a film by DIRECTOR” issue? Do you feel it’s tacky, because hundreds (or at least dozens) of people collaborate to make a film – or do you think it’s cool, because ultimately the director is the final word on pretty much everything?
RUSSELL: Tarkovsky said ‘you need to be famous so they listen’. But filmmaking is collaborative so maybe he was in the wrong medium? My team made IBID. They deserve the credit. I just yelled. A lot.
In closing, we ask you to convince the average movie-watcher to choose your film instead of the trillion other options they have. How do you do it?
RUSSELL: I would tell them that they’d die of pulmonary edema unless they watch it today. Or something like that.
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Russell Friedenberg's IBID will have its world premiere at the 2008 South By Southwest Film Festival on Friday, March 7 at the Alamo Lamar Theatre in Austin at 7:30 PM. It will screen again at the Alamo Lamar on Sunday, March 9 (9:00 PM) and Wednesday, March 12 (9:00 PM).
link directly to this feature at http://hollywoodbitchslap.com/feature.php?feature=2406
originally posted: 02/28/08 14:40:11
last updated: 02/28/08 14:46:30
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