Whistler Film Festival 2018 - In God I Trust
Redemption, violence and faith define a young black man, a reckless white nationalist and a pair of traveling vacationers during a random encounter within Northern Idaho, in this suspenseful thriller by Maja Zdanowski.
Interview with Co-writer/Director/Producer/Editor Maja Zdanowski
Watch In God I Trust on Plex and Prime Video
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
The inspiration of the script In God I Trust sprung out of my love of character driven stories and the interesting people my co-writer/producer Paul St. Amand and I had met while working south of the border. My favorite type of film has to be character driven, a film that gets you emotionally attached to their story. We shaped the characters in the film around people we had met and combined their stories with the social issues that were affecting them directly. A lot of the subject matter we touched upon was inspired by true events.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
The story is very raw, real and leaves you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Whether you are a believer or not is something we all deal with or experience on some level. The choices our characters make in our story can be directly effected by their personal beliefs. Racism is at the forefront world wide. In God I Trust delves deep into the relationship between racism and how it relates to gun violence in America.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
At conception of the script I had no idea Donald Trump was considering a run for president. As it turns out, the film is very relevant to what is happening in America and around the world in terms of racism and divisiveness. The first draft of the script was completed a year before the 2016 presidential election. When we watch the film today it kind of takes us directly into a mind set of the different view points people seem to have. This film has really taught me that religion, and of course the way you are raised, truly determines how you operate in the world. It affects our everyday decision making process.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback we have received has been incredible. We recently screened the World Premiere of In God I Trust at the Whistler Film Festival, where audience members went as far as to say it's one of the best Canadian Independent Films they have seen. While at the festival we were approached by people who where at the screening, describing how the movie stayed with them for days later and was a topic of discussion amongst their families and friends. It garnered tons of buzz!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The reception and feedback from the film has far exceeded any expectations. It taught us that the true-to-life nature of the characters and the story really had an effect on people who have maybe experienced similar things in their own lives.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We want to get your film out to as many people as possible.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We are looking for world wide distribution for our film.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
The impact this film has had leads to discussion about uncomfortable topics in our society today. It sticks with you long after you see it.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How does faith, or the lack of it, effect the decisions you make in your everyday life?
Would you like to add anything else?
I was nominated for the Alliance of Women Film Journalists EDA award for best Female Director at the Whistler Film Festival. Our lead actor Marc Senior also won the Stars to Watch award.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Now that I have my first feature under my belt I have the confidence to go out and make another one. I hope to produce and direct another feature I co-wrote for 2019.
interview: December 2018
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, 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
In God I Trust
Redemption, violence and faith define a young black man, a reckless white nationalist and a pair of traveling vacationers during a random encounter within Northern Idaho, in this suspenseful thriller by Maja Zdanowski.
Length: 98:00
Director: Maja Zdanowski
Producer: Maja Zdanowski, Paul St. Amand, Jesse Norsworthy
Writer: Paul St. Amand, Maja Zdanowski
About the writer, director and producer:
MAJA ZDANOWSKI (director) has worked as a producer on two previous tv movies, the 2008 ENIGMA: EXORCISM and the 2013 ONE FOOT IN HELL. Her extensive background has been as co-editor on a large number of service productions shot in the Vancouver area. Her editing skills are put to the test in this accomplished first feature where pacing and giving the proper weight to each story is so important.
PAUL ST. AMAND (producer / writer) has credits including IN GOD I TRUST, TV series THE STAR TREATMENT, TAKING POSSESSION, ENIGMA, O.F.I.H, THE TWILIGHT’S, and TELESCOPE 3D.
JESSE NORSWORTHY's producing credits include IN GOD I TRUST, O.F.I.H, and THE TWILIGHT’S
Key cast: Marc Senior, John Cassini, Steven Roberts, Melissa Roxburgh and Bilal
Looking for: Distributors, Film Festival and Journalists
Facebook: In God I Trust film
Twitter: @InGodITrustFilm
Instagram: @ingoditrustfilm
Funders: Private and Telefilm Canada
Made in association with: Telefilm Canada