Worried about his impending death, an elderly man sets out in search of a miracle. After enlisting the help of a for-profit preacher, the old man winds up as a babysitter for a gang that kidnaps children.

Interview with Writer/Director Matthew Stolarik

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

It stemmed from a need to make sense of the absurdity of the world, both physical and metaphysical.

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

Welcome to Sugartown is a film for film-lovers. Through practical effects, dozens of mirrors, and homemade lenses, we worked hard to create striking surreal imagery to match the esoteric themes of the movie. Treating film as an artistic medium, Sugartown defies expectations with every edit and scene. It's a wild ride, that spices its religious debates with a bit of ultra-violence.

Welcome To Sugartown -Getting a lecture from for-profit preacher Roman (Dave Gamble) as the world (and it's reflection) slowly slips off-kilter.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

How one fits into the world (and beyond) is a question every person living has pondered at one point.

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

The first draft took place over 15 years, the final film takes place over a few days.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Mostly positive, it's a fairly dense film, but I have been presently surprised by the post-screening discussions. Viewers have been debating and discussing various interpretations of the film's theme. Usually calming the film confirming one's own existential outlook despite having very different ideas of what that outlook is.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

There are people who did not like the film, but I expected that.

Welcome To Sugartown - Heading out to play some 'practical jokes', the gang patrols Sugartown's wastelands.

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

The more people who watch the film the better!

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

Sales agents, buyers and distributors. At this point the rights are still available, as the film has mostly been used as a calling card. Journalists and Film fest directors looking to include a great film in their next festival!

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

In a perfect world, it is viewed as a poignant look at religion and philosophy in an early 21st century window.

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

Famed 19th century philosopher Soren Kierkegaard laid out 5 paths any of us can take once we realize the world is an absurd place. Each of the main characters represents one of those paths, who did you associate with?

Welcome To Sugartown - Gramps (Robert Keiper) struggles to understand one of his more unfortunate realities.

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

We have one musical feature in post production now, and have two additional features and two additional shorts in the works.

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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Welcome To Sugartown

Worried about his impending death, an elderly man sets out in search of a miracle. After enlisting the help of a for-profit preacher, the old man winds up as a babysitter for a gang that kidnaps children.

Length:

97 Minutes

Director:

Matthew Stolarik

Producer:

Jonathan Arturo, Lindsey Arturo, Ben Bartell, Matthew Stolarik

Writer:

Matthew Stolarik

About the writer, director and producer:

Matthew Stolarik is an award winning filmmaker from Virginia, currently residing in Los Angeles.

Key cast:

Robert Keiper, Dave Gamble, Maxwell Cosmo Cramer, Matt Palmer, Sarah Paust, Kaleb Dunlap

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

Sales agents, buyers, distributors, and film fest directors looking to include a great film in their next festival!

Funders:

Mostly self-financed, small grant from the state of Virginia

Made in association with:

Virginia Hucksters

Where can I see it in the next month?

At this point it is still available on the Erie International Film Fest page. Future viewing information at vahucksters.com