Austin Film Festival - Lavoyger
El Tule ranch is a private playground for Texas oil barons and powerful politicians like the Bushes but the manager, Lavoyger Durham, has discovered over 20 bodies of people avoiding a nearby border patrol checkpoint.
Interview with Director Rachel Bardin
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you. I made this film because I was curious about Lavoyger’s life and how he stood at the confluence of the very different experiences people were having on this land in Texas. For the ranch owners and their guests, it is a fun and leisurely place. For immigrants, they are risking their lives to cross. I wanted to investigate how this particular man reacted to and navigated those situations.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you’ve never been on a quail hunt in Texas with millionaires, you should watch. It’s like golfing with guns. But really, watch because Lavoyger is a one-of-a-kind. His thoughts are formed by experiences most of us will never know. He is a true cowboy born and raised on the King Ranch and that way of life is quite rare now.
But also watch because there are important issues at the heart of this film that haven’t gone away.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Nature, survival and self-preservation are what I thought about most while making this. I wrestled a lot with trying to understand the world and ultimately, it made the most sense when I saw it as ecology.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
Although as a documentary there was no script, the structure changed based on what unfolded and through editing. The film shifted from a simple portrait of Lavoygerinto a tour of a place and time with him as the guide.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
People have a lot of questions. It was very interesting to hear the difference in audience reactions. In Texas, there was a lot of laughter which makes sense because Lavoyger is a funny guy and I consciously includedmoments of levity. But it’s a fairly serious film. In Minnesota no one laughed. I was very worried about that but it was fine. The Q&A session there was very thoughtful and positive.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The most challenging feedback in a helpful way came from my peers and professors at the University of Texas at Austin. But what challenged my point of view the most was just getting to know Lavoyger and considering his experiences and opinions in an open-hearted way.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I found other interviews featured here insightful and inspiring and now have a lot of films to look for. Being a part of that is a great opportunity. Perhaps someone will stumble upon this film and be interested. But even if that doesn’t happen, it is worthwhile simply for me to think deeply about the film and put those thoughts in writing.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
The film is waiting a few festival responses but I would love to screen more or discuss distribution with people who connect to it.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope that people learn something and that they are challenged to think about the borderlands and this area’s history in a complicated way.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
There are many human invented concepts — class, race, nationality, borders, etc. How did we come up with such ideas and why do people prosper or suffer because of them? And where does compassion play into that?
Would you like to add anything else?
Thank you for taking the time to include the film.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I’m directing three episodes of a series with my friends at Animal Facts Club. It’s called the Biodiversity of Texas and involves art, puppets, dancing and science education.
Interview: January 2017
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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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Lavoyger
El Tule ranch is a private playground for Texas oil barons and powerful politicians like the Bushes but the manager, Lavoyger Durham, has discovered over 20 bodies of people avoiding a nearby border patrol checkpoint.
Length: 24 minutes
Director: Rachel Bardin
Producer: Rachel Bardin, Mira Lippold-Johnson
About the writer, director and producer:
Rachel Bardin is a director, cinematographer and MFA candidate at UT Austin. Her work centers around the relationships between humans and the natural world.
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Any or all are welcome!
Funders: Austin Film Society, Moody Foundation
Made in association with: The University of Texas at Austin.
Where can I see it in the next month?
There aren’t any screenings scheduled in the next month but hopefully later in the spring it will play again.