Set in a grotesquely decadent world, 12 legal officials are presiding over guillotine executions that go bizarrely wrong when the prisoners have an unexpected reaction to death. The officials have to then come to terms with the unbelievable horror they witness.

Interview with Writer/Director Stephen Winterhalter

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you! I made Other People’s Heads because I was fascinated by this idea of what would happen if people could no longer be killed. This idea led to a very satirical scenario where the last group of powerful people on earth is trying relentlessly to restore power with a guillotine. I thought this last stand to assert dominance was very dark but hilariously entertaining. I wanted to see this idea come to life.

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

Hopefully the audience will enjoy watching the film because it’s meant to be allegorical and they will find a personal and unique way of relating to the film. Also, the aesthetic of the film has kind of a cartoon flare and I think it will be entertaining.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The absurdity of bureaucracy is something the film is satirizing. I imagine most people can relate to this idea in someway on a daily basis.

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

The script started out as a 2-3 page one-note joke about a guillotine execution council that is unable to kill people. Eventually the script became a 13-minute story about a man named Wilbur who has the terrible job of facilitating these failed executions.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The feedback has been very encouraging. Most of the viewers seem to respond to the aesthetic of the film first and then become engaged.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

When the film is not seen as a satire I’m always surprised.

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

Hopefully more festivals will become interested in showcasing the film. Also, I hope it reaches more filmmakers that have similar taste and interest and may want to collaborate in the future.

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 directors and journalists would be fantastic.

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

I’d love for people to see the film and discuss what it means and how it relates to the society around them.

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

Why has the execution council lost the ability to kill?

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I’m searching for a next project. Hopefully I’ll land on it soon.

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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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Other People's Heads

Length: 13:01

Director: Stephen Winterhalter

Producer: Stephen Winterhalter

Writer: Stephen Winterhalter

About the writer, director and producer:

Stephen Winterhalter is a filmmaker based in Chicago, IL. Other People’s Heads is his first film since completing a Master’s degree in Cinema Production at DePaul University.

Key cast: Mark Ulrich

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

Release date: March 7th, 2016