Category Archives: interview

2022, film, interview Leave a comment

Soviet Bus Stops – An interview with star Christopher Herwig – VIFF 2022

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20 years ago, photographer Christopher Herwig took a picture that would change his life. The subject? A bus stop. His new film, Soviet Bus Stops, documents his passion for these unique structures and their fascinating artistic, political, and historical significance in the former Soviet Union.

ILT’s Nicholas Lay caught up with Christopher at VIFF 2022 to discuss his roots shooting Soviet bus stops, his epic journeys across the region, and how a hobby evolved into a feature documentary.Follow ILT on twitter @iltfilm
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The Grizzlie Truth – An interview with director Kat Jayme – VIFF 2022

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When the Vancouver Grizzlies NBA franchise left the city in 2001, the fans wanted answers. 20 years later, local super fan Kat Jayme has finally revealed the whole Grizzlie Truth.

ILT’s Nicholas Lay sat down with Kat at VIFF 2022 to discuss her epic behind the scenes journey, the reaction from the fans, and what it was like to chill with multiple former NBA stars.Follow ILT on twitter @iltfilm
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Bones of Crows – An interview with director Marie Clements – VIFF 2022

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In the wake of the true horror behind Canada’s residential schools – a century long system that forcefully separated Indigenous children from their parents in the name of cultural assimilation – Dene/Métis director Marie Clements‘ Bones of Crows is a soul-searching educational asset that comes at the right time to remind us that the past cannot be forgotten.

ILT’s Nicholas Lay connected with Marie at the 2022 Vancouver International Film Festival to discuss her multi-generational lead character, her star Grace Dove; and what it was like to shoot in the same buildings where Indigenous children lost their rights, their dignity, and in many cases, their lives.Follow ILT on twitter @iltfilm
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2021, film, interview, review , , 1 Comment

The Beta Test – An interview with co-directors Jim Cummings & PJ McCabe

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Having cracked the crowdfunded code with Thunder Road, writer-director Jim Cummings returned to his indie investor hive in 2019 with the ambitious aim of blending a conspiracy-laden erotic thriller with stark post-Weinstein Hollywood satire.

One pandemic later, and The Beta Test is finally out in cinemas.

Nicholas Lay caught up with Jim and co-director PJ McCabe to discuss how the project came about, the online indie revolution, and what it’s like to make a movie with your best friend.
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2021, film, interview , , 1 Comment

Handle With Care – An interview with writer and star Joey Haywood

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Following two era-defining VHS mixtape releases in the early 2000s, Joey Haywood and Vancouver’s the Notic gained popularity on the international streetball scene as masters of their art. Not long after, the crew broke up.

Now their legacy has been revived by Handle With Care: The Legend of the Notic Streetball Crew, a new documentary focusing on the group’s rise, fall, and rebirth.

Nicholas Lay met with Joey at VIFF 2021 to discuss how the film came about, the global evolution of streetball, and his continued passion for a culture he helped define.
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2020, film, interview , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Special Actors – An interview with director Shin’ichirô Ueda

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After bursting on to the festival scene in 2018 with the much lauded zombie comedy One Cut of the Dead, Shin’ichirô Ueda is back with another skewering of cinematic norms: Special Actors.

Nicholas Lay caught up with the writer-director at VIFF 2020 to chat about how his latest idea came about, what influences his style of comedy, and the lessons he’s learning as a feature film maker.

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Akilla’s Escape – An interview with co-star Donisha Prendergast

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Having grown up in show business as part of Jamaica’s legendary Marley family, actor and aspiring filmmaker Donisha Prendergast is stepping out on her own.

Nicholas Lay met with Donisha at VIFF 2020 to discuss her role in Akilla’s Escape, the heavy Jamaican influence on the film, and what it’s like growing up as part of a famous artistic dynasty.

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2020, film, interview , , , , , , , 1 Comment

The Wolf of Snow Hollow – An interview with director Jim Cummings

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After taking the indie scene by storm in 2018 with Thunder Road, Jim Cummings is back behind and in front of the camera with his delicious black-comedy-horror The Wolf of Snow Hollow.

Nicholas Lay caught up with the maverick director to discuss his rapid ascent, the evolution of his filmmaking process, and working with the late screen legend Robert Forster.

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2020, film, interview , , , , 1 Comment

There Is No Evil – An interview with director Mohammad Rasoulof

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When it comes to suffering for one’s art, Mohammad Rasoulof is the real deal. His latest effort, There Is No Evil, which focuses on the death penalty in his native Iran, was shot in secret due to an ongoing filmmaking ban imposed upon the director.

Nicholas Lay sat down with Mohammad at VIFF 2020 to discuss the project and find out what keeps him going in the face of adversity.

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2019, film, interview , , Leave a comment

The Twentieth Century – An interview with director Matthew Rankin

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Winnipeg filmmaker Matthew Rankin is making waves on the national festival scene with his debut The Twentieth Century, a darkly amusing gut shot to everything Canada.

Nicholas Lay sat down with the writer-director at VIFF to find out what drove him to take the piss so emphatically out of his nation’s identity. Continue reading →