Survivor 9
A refugee takes justice into her hands when she becomes convinced that a war criminal drives a taxi on the streets of Los Angeles.
Interview with Director Roy Hurst
Why did you make your film?
As an artist, I don't have an answer for that. I woke up one day many years ago with a need to make it. This fictional story is inspired by a true story that I worked on while producing a show at NPR. That story was about a young African woman serving as the sole nurse at a hospital in a war-torn part of her country. For various reasons, I was not able to get her story to air. But the young woman's narrative moved me, and a different tale began to form in my head.
Why should I watch this film?
Hopefully the film is entertaining, unpredictable, and provokes thought.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Guilt invades the empathetic soul. That is the idea behind this “revenge" movie. The film grows out of my fascination with notions of guilt, empathy, heroism, fear, and forgiveness. I am astounded and horrified by man's capacity for cruelty. Even as a child I was conscious of the impact heinous acts of violence and waves of terror have on witnesses and survivors – especially women and children. Bravery can be elusive under such circumstances. In that sense, Survivor 9 is concerned with healing wounded spirits among the innocent.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Survivor 9 is about as independent as they come. It was made with about 5K of my own money. I very consciously wrote a story that I could afford to produce on my own. I confined my imagination to what was possible within that budget constraint and then set out to squeeze out as much quality as possible. The film was imagined, written and shot. Except for issues surrounding locations, it hardly deviated from what was on the page. Because we had very few resources, it was important to be extremely organized. For example, 90% of the film was story boarded. And while there are three or four scenes I wish I could have another go at, it is pretty much what I set out to make.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I've been blown away by the response. People seem to be genuinely moved and surprised by the film. At least, that's what I've heard. However, a part of me never really believes them. I always think that they are just being kind.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
No. People seem to be getting the messaging that is coded into the film. This is very gratifying.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible?
One of the toughest things about making a short is that so few people ever see it. The more people know about it, the more people will give it a chance. Maybe wearemovingstories.com can help with that.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
All of the above. I'm grateful to for any interest.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like Survivor 9 to have a healing effect on those dealing with similar issues expressed in the story.
What’s a critical question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What is a hero? What is a villain? What does it mean to be swept up in a wave of terror? How do we purge guilt?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am currently developing what I believe is an unusual documentary series looking at the lives of whistleblowers.
Ane Crabtree (co-producer) is the extraordinary costume designer of "The Handmaid's Tale. " Eva Ndachi (Yana) co-stars in her first feature. A South African film called "Beautifully Broken" due out in August. You'll find Bechir Sylvian (Fundi) all over TV. He is a well established commercial actor.
Interview: July 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
Survivor 9
A refugee takes justice into her hands when she becomes convinced that a war criminal drives a taxi on the streets of Los Angeles.
Length: 21:57
Director: Roy Hurst
Producer: Roy Hurst and Ane Crabtree
Writer: Roy Hurst
Key cast: Eva Ndachi, Bechir Sylvian, Taeho Kay, S. Pearl Sharp, Dawain A Perry.
Looking for: sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors
Facebook: Roy Hurst
Twitter: Roy Hurst