Flickerfest - Through The Haze
When a hazing ritual at a construction site goes horribly wrong, things quickly spiral out of control.
Interview with Writer/Director Kieran Wheeler
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you. I was inspired to make this film after hearing numerous crazy stories about the fascinating and at times equally disturbing phenomena of hazing rituals. Hazing rituals are universal, all over the world tradies, white collar workers, doctors, vets, college kids, sports teams, both men and women, all engage in different forms of initiation. It’s something innate, something we just do, it’s a rite passage, entry into the tribe.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Because it’s a fun ride. I love short films, but at times, and I’ve been guilty of this in the past, I feel like they can be too introspective, too navel gazing, which is fine if that’s what you want to do, but I think you’ve also got to remember that films are entertainment. They should be fun.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I generally find that in the personal you find the universal. Through The Haze is a story about male relationships and young men cajoling and coercing each other in to doing things that are questionable and also things that are just downright wrong.
There is a quote that I drew from whilst making this film and it served as the thematic structure to the story; “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing"
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script changed greatly. No one writes a good first draft. But you keep on polishing, you get as many people to read it as you can, you listen to all the feedback, some of it you take on board, some of it you leave and hopefully you eventually have something worth shooting.
The final version of the film is very close to the shooting script. We didn’t cut much out or make any big alterations in the edit.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
So far it’s all been really positive. But the best feedback has been in the screenings. You can feel the energy of the audience and the greatest joy I’ve taken from this film has been watching and listening to the audiences reacting to it in the cinemas.
Certain films you don’t hear much from the audience and afterwards they can go and discuss what worked and what didn’t on a subjective level. But the sort of films I like to make, you know if it’s working, cause you hear it in the cinema. If you don’t hear it, it’s not working.
Hearing the collective gasps, laughs and people at times literally saying stuff like, “Oh no!”, it’s the best the feedback you can get.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I have been surprised in a good way and truly humbled by some of the feedback I have received. I spoke with another filmmaker at length after a screening at a film festival and it wasn’t even that it was all positive, it was just that someone was interested enough in my little movie to talk in such depth, and for close to an hour, about the themes, characters and craft. It was really cool.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
To be honest, nothing really. When I was approached to talk about my film I just thought it would be fun.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
At this point, Through The Haze’s, festival run is coming to an end. I travelled with it to numerous festivals last year, met some great people, saw some amazing films and I’ve had an absolute blast. Shortly after Flickerfest I’ll be releasing it on Vimeo.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I just hope people get a kick out of it and have fun.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Through The Haze is about a hazing ritual at a construction site that goes horribly wrong and the main characters are left to make a decision as to whether or not they do the right thing and call it in, or cover it up and save their own skins.
Often when we watch films or hear stories on the news about people doing bad things or not doing good or brave things, we’re too quick to say, “Well I would have done the right thing.” But the truth is that we never truly know what we would or wouldn’t do until the situation arises. So I think looking inside our selves and questioning the darkness or the weakness in our character is a great question and will always lead to an interesting conversation.
Would you like to add anything else?
Just a big thank you for reaching out and showing an interest in my movie.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
My producer, Rob Mackenzie, and I have just finished up a new short film, once again starring Andrew Faulkner, from Through The Haze. It will be coming out soon, hopefully at a screen near you!
We’re also working towards getting a feature film off the ground, but then again, who isn’t?
Interview: January 2018
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIQ+, scifi, horror, world cinema. 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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Through The Haze
When a hazing ritual at a construction site goes horribly wrong, things quickly spiral out of control.
Length: 10:47
Director: Kieran Wheeler
Producer: Rob Mackenzie
Writer: Kieran Wheeler
Key cast: Christopher Millington, Andrew Faulkner and Roby Favretto
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Flickerfest, January 13th.