A superhero loses his powers after turning forty and must adjust to a new life.

Interview with Director Duane Andersen

Watch Superpowerless here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

This is a very personal film that is autobiographical in many ways. My lead actor, Josiah Polhemus, and I have known each other since the first grade. When we were little we would make Super 8 movies together and dream of making real movies one day. We both have stuck with that dream. Josiah as an actor, and me as an independent film producer. Eventually though, I wanted to direct something that starred Josiah in the lead. When I finally came to a place when I was determined to do that, I tried to think of a role that would best suit him. The thought of a super-hero who's lost his powers almost immediately came to mind.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

If you love superhero movies, you'll love how we subvert the genre of superhero films, making a personal story grounded in reality... about a superhero. If you hate superhero movies, you'll love how we subvert the genre of superhero films, making a personal story grounded in reality... about a superhero.

Duane Andersen and Josiah Polhemus in an early film circa 1977.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The film is about growing up. It's about how at some point we all have to become adults. This is something that I have personally dealt with, but something we all have to deal with sooner or later.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

I wrote the film as an autobiography about Josiah and his wife (and our lead actress) Amy Prosser. I then gave it to my writing partner, Dominic Mah, who rewrote and re-wrote it and made it even better.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

We were hugely pleased with the reaction from the audiences at Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal where we just had our world premiere. The audiences there were amazing.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Many questions that the amazing Montreal audiences asked in the Q&As kind of blew my mind. They asked "what my definition of power was" and "why I felt the world was suddenly embracing superheroes." They are both questions that I am not entirely intellectually equipped to answer.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

We're a small movie but we feel audiences everywhere will connect with us. We're sure every bit of exposure will help get our baby out into the world.

Behind the Scenes - Josiah Polhemus and Director Duane Andersen.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Film Festival programmers, distributors, journalists.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

Positive!

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

What powers have you lost, or given up? How can you regain them?

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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

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Superpowerless

Length: 80 minutes.

Director: Duane Andersen

Producer: Duane Andersen, Yukie Hashimoto, Alun Lee

Writer: Duane Andersen, Dominic Mah

About the writer, director and producer:

SUPERPOWERLESS is Duane Andersen’s feature film directorial debut. Previously he produced and edited Dave Boyle’s films DAYLIGHT SAVINGS, SURROGATE VALENTINE, WHITE ON RICE and BIG DREAMS LITTLE TOKYO. He also helped produce and served as the production manager on Boyle’s Spirit Award nominated MAN FROM RENO. He helped produce the award-winning documentary AN HONEST LIAR about magician James “The Amazing” Randi, directed by Tyler Measom and Justin Weinstein.

Other films that he’s helped produced include CONGRATULATIONS by Juan Carderelli and Eric Levy; A PICTURE OF YOU by J.P. Chan; YES, WE’RE OPEN by Richard Wong; MUST COME DOWN by Kenny Riches; and LAST KIND WORDS by Kevin Barker. Duane directed the short film THE LEMONADE TRADE, which has played at family film festivals throughout the world. He currently has several projects in various stages of development, including the drama FACING EAST, which he co-wrote with SUPERPOWERLESS co-star Guinevere Turner (AMERICAN PSYCHO, GO FISH, THE NOTORIOUS BETTIE PAGE). Duane writes the popular micro-budget filmmaking blog “Low, Ultra-Low and No” and teaches film production at Utah Valley University.

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):

Release date: World premiere July 24, Montreal, Canada (Fantasia International Film Festival)
Duane Andersen
Producer
Brainwave Films
(818) 429-4238
dandersen@brainwavefilms.net

Please support my movie Superpowerless
World Premiere: Fantasia International Film Festival, Montreal, July 24, 2016

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“Fantasia is the most important and prestigious genre film festival on this continent.” – Quentin Tarantino