Jeff Bridges, alongside scientists, looks under the “hood of humanity”, exploring ourselves, and our past, providing the keys to a better future.

Interview with Director/Producer Susan Kucera

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

We have so many challenges facing humanity, Jeff Bridges and I want to make a different kind of environmental film. One that does not go the reductionist route but brings something ‘new to the table’. We wanted to “Look under the Hood of Humanity” as Jeff likes to say.

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

This film is full of interesting concepts about ourselves and how these play out to create the physical world we have today We look at emergence and ecology and evolution and entropy, optimal foraging theory and more! How might we use this knowledge to redirect the ‘Superorganism’ we have created.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Connectivism.

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

Jeff Bridges and I collaborated on the film for almost 3 years until we were satisfied with the result.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

We have won numerous awards including a Gold Medal from the UN. Many schools have made the film part of their curriculum.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I think people are happy to see a film that is more interactive. It’s a film that allows us to really think rather than just giving us information to consume.

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

We are always happy to share our enthusiasm for our film

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

The film has received wide distribution including National Geographic this spring. We love to have teachers sharing the word.

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

I think this film allows us to see how the complexities in our system work and what part we have in it. The cinematography is beautiful and part of it was filmed in Hawaii. I love to film here, being both director and cinematographer and living in Maui.

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

It takes energy to get energy.

Would you like to add anything else?

Marine Biologist Ruth Gates from University of Hawaii is featured in the film and we lost her to cancer this year. She was an amazing woman and we were lucky to work with her.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Jeff Bridges continues to work on films and the Director Susan Kucera are teaming up to create a second documentary as well as an educational outreach program and curriculum for schools so if you are a teacher, please contact us at livinginthefuturespast.com.

Interview: January 2019

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

Living in the Future’s Past

Jeff Bridges, alongside scientists, looks under the “hood of humanity”, exploring ourselves, and our past, providing the keys to a better future.

Length: 84 minutes

Who is being interviewed for this article?

Director: Susan Kucera

Producer: Jeff Bridges, Susan Kucera

Writer: N/A

Key Cast: Jeff Bridges, Dr. Piers Sellers, Wesley Clark, Oren Lyons, Dr. Timothy Morton, Bob Inglis, Dr. Rich Pancost, Dr. Ruth Gates, Dr. Renee Lertzman, Dr. Leonard Mlodinow, Dr. Bruce Hood, Dr. Mark Plotkin, Dr. Amy Jacobson, Daniel Goleman, Dr. Stephan Lewandowsky, Dr. Nathan Hagens, Dr. Joseph Tainter, Dr. Ugo Bardi, Paul Roberts, and Dr. Ian Robertson

Facebook: Living in the Future’s Past

Twitter: @LITFPfilm

Instagram: @livinginthefuturespast

Funders: Jim Swift

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? It’s available on all major VOD sites online and will be released on DVD in late January.