Santa Fe Film Festival - The Grind
The experiences of New Zealand Gay men on the dating app Grindr.
Interview with Director Kyan Krumdieck
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
The Grind was made as a student project at The New Zealand Broadcasting School. I teamed up with journalism student Annie Dick. We went through several ideas, each of which was deemed too risky or controversial for the school to undertake so we regrouped and I thought about the app Grindr. I met my boyfriend on the app, and knew it was a very different world that co-exists with everyone else's, but most people have no idea it exists. So we set out to get a cross section of people’s experiences through the app, from the fun, the ridiculous, the sad and the slightly scary.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I think this movie has it all. You’ll be shocked, you’ll laugh, you’ll have fun, you’ll be made to rethink some of your assumptions and you’ll be heartened by the romance as well.
If you’re Queer, it’ll be a fun celebration of experiences you’re probably familiar with. If you’re straight you’ll learn a lot and have fun while watching too. This is a fun movie but it’s not frivolous either.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I chose to use the logo of Grindr – the masquerade mask, as a symbol for the underground world. I had men wear them in normal every day situations to underline the fact that every type of man can be gay, and that the world of Grindr is all around you. The gay experience isn’t over there in the corner, it’s woven into the world everyone lives in.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
This film came about pretty much fully formed. The interviews were the main shape that dictated the form of the film. We found it surprisingly easy to find guys to tell the most lurid, fun stories. The people that were actually the hardest to get on camera were people that had negative things to say about online dating. The people that don’t like it try it, then set it down and move on and generally have little to say.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
It’s been pretty positive feedback so far. The one feedback I had while making the movie and that people have asked after making it was whether we would tackle the spread of STDs, primarily HIV through increased activity due to apps like Grindr. I made the conscious decision to not go there with this film for several reasons. The primary reason being that while yes, it is a problem that is growing, I worry about some of the punitive attitudes toward gay sex that permeate our culture. So often HIV has been used as an argument to deter or punish gay people from having sex. In the subtle ways that mainstream people talk about things like Grindr vs Tinder I’ve felt that there is still a subconscious discomfort with gay sex which people frame in terms of concern for people catching the disease.
There is so much good work being done in public health awareness in the gay community about safe sex that I didn’t feel a particular obligation to find time for that in my short run time. So I approached the film with the assumption that the audience know what best practices are, and that this film is about the fun that people get up to within the context of reasonable safe sex.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
This feedback all came about when I was asked if I had considered interviewing someone that is HIV+ and on the app, because that is a stigma that is rampant on the app. In hindsight I think that would have made a great addition to the sequence in the film talking about the dark underbelly to online dating which is the racist and prejudicial nature of people on these apps. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find a pos person to interview for the film.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I’m keen for more people to hear about and see our film!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We currently have sold distribution rights for New Zealand, and have the Show Me Shorts team as our sales agents. So I’d love to hear from any festivals or journalists interested in the film, and anydistributors interested in the short for other territories.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I’d love for as many people to see it as possible. I think it’s a real crowd pleaser.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
When you’re watching this film, you’re likely going to be shocked or feel a little uncomfortable about how far some of the interview subjects have gone in their exploits through the app. I would just challenge the audience to think about why they are uncomfortable? Everyone involved had fun, are doing what they wanted, and did it safely, so I’d just ask why you think you’ve reacted in that way?
Would you like to add anything else?
My website is at:
http://www.divisionaryfilms.com/
You can read more about my other projects and hear about updates about my upcoming films. My upcoming slate of shorts are all drawing inspiration from the success I’ve had with The Grind. Each of them is a comedic scripted short exploring a different aspect of sexuality, from bisexuality, polyamory to feminist sexual liberation.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Film Unicorn
Logline:
After Ellie and her bisexual boyfriend Tom experiment with casual three ways, their relationship is threatened when Tom falls in love with one of the men they are dating.
Length: 12 min
Director: Kyan Krumdieck
Producer: Sophia Seaton
Writer: Kyan Krumdieck
Interview: December 2016
_______________________________________________________________________________
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
_______________________________________________________________________________
The Grind
The experiences of New Zealand Gay men on the dating app Grindr.
Director: Kyan Krumdieck
Length: 8 minutes