San Francisco Independent Film Festival - Let Me Make You A Martyr
From an interrogation room, Drew Glass recounts the events that lead to his ultimate demise.
Interview with Director Corey Asraf
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thanks! John began writing this screenplay when he was a teenager during a very difficult time in his life. I met him a few years after that and read the first draft. I had been making short films throughout my childhood and I was looking for something more, the original script was rooted in poetry and it had these sweeping, winding prose. It became our mission to tell the story as we began reimagining the film and shooting smaller projects trying out ideas. Once we realized making LMMYAM was a reality it became an obsession, we just had to make it by any means necessary.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Because Marylin Manson, duh! We took a lot of risk with this film and all parties put their hearts and souls into making it. Most of you certainly won't get what you want, but maybe some you will be pleasantly surprised.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I have always set out to leave people asking questions rather than giving them answers. The visual language is universal and cinema has a unique quality in that it is capable of transcending all political and religious ideology. Fear, love, lust, hatred, innocents and redemption are all infused into the narrative of this film.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
The original draft of the script was much different, deeply rooted in poetry with a much different structure. We began rewriting and reimagining the world, although the soul of the film and the finality remained intact. We had a lot of practical limitations and the inevitable issues during production as a result, so we were always tweaking things. Our crew was amazing and we valued their input throughout the process which also effected the film. A wise man once said, there is a script you write, a script you shoot, and then there's the film you edit.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
People are very surprised - caught off guard. Love it or hate it, it is what it is.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
More people like it than we anticipated after finishing it. I think I'm now more willing to take risks as a result.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
More eyeballs from folks with similar sensibilities I suppose.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We just signed a deal with Filmrise, so I think we are gold on this one. Moving forward you are always seeking collaborators - writers, financiers, producers, executives etc.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Hopefully it legitimizes the careers of all parties involved.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What is the value of free will in a universe that seems so indifferent to our suffering?
Would you like to add anything else?
Eat your vegetables.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
John and will be directing things individually moving forward. I'm adapting a novel as well as writing another original screenplay based off of my father's time as a criminal in 1980s Miami. John is in the process of packing his next film titled Run With The Hunted.
Interview: February 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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Let Me Make You A Martyr
From an interrogation room, Drew Glass recounts the events that lead to his ultimate demise.
Length: 104 min
Director: Corey Asraf & John Swab
Producer: Corey Asraf, John Swab, Marylin Manson, Michael Jefferson
Writer: John Swab, Corey Asraf (story)
Key cast: Marylin Manson, Mark Boone Jr, Michael Potts, Nico Nikoterra, Sam Quartin
Looking for future collaborators!
Made in association with: Actium Pictures
Where can I see it in the next month?
Expected release date in early April