Friend of the World
An eccentric general and a young filmmaker take refuge in a ravaged bunker after a catastrophic global war.
Interview with Writer/Director Brian Patrick Butler
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
“Friend of the World” was born out of a feeling of isolation I needed to express combined with a growing anxiety nearing the 2016 election.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Our film covers a lot of fun genre territory: from gross-out practical effects to tasty monochromatic noir set pieces filled with absurdly funny and thought-provoking dialogue from two strong personalities. A timely adventure that touches on everything from lunatics in power to isolation caused by a catastrophic pandemic-esque infection, all behind the veil of camp genre fun and with a disturbing existential arc.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
As a filmmaker, I am familiar with the feeling of pouring your heart into a project for a year, and then have maybe 10 people watch it and maybe 2 of them care. This is my connection to the lead character, who meets an antagonist who seems to represent all her fears and desires simultaneously. This dissonance creates a tension between her personal growth and concurrent resistance to evil throughout the film.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
It started as a 15-20 page short, and after workshopping it, I expanded on the Beckettian elements of it by fleshing out the middle act - where the two leads become inexplicably trapped in the almost complete blackness of an unknown corner of the bunker. This is where the themes between the characters are no longer avoidable and Diane’s ambiguous perception of good and evil begins to grow.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We have received tremendously positive feedback - of our many reviews, seven of them have acquired us a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Luckily, there has still been lots of criticism to keep us learning from our mistakes or appreciating elements that work for some audiences and not for others.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I was actually surprised how well it was received and how so many of the critics seemed to get it, especially the more understated elements of the movie. The criticism we have received has all been valid, but for a 50 minute black and white absurd existential sci fi, I am surprised and thankful for how well it has been received!
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I hope more people get to see it! I was unsure how well it would do with audiences, and the reactions and praise we are receiving has made me more and more excited for new viewers to discover our film and these crazy characters.
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 currently streaming on Tubi as well as a few other services, but at this point, it would be wonderful to find more distributors or sales agents who are interested in the project. We are confident this would be a popular film for our audiences, should they have the means to find and watch it!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I’d like people to walk away from our film not with answers, but hopefully feeling a profound connection with the characters’ search for meaning and identity. And hopefully people will identify a sick feeling of uncertainty at the end that I wanted to capture.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What is the relationship between self-preservation and evil, and how does this affect the characters as they navigate their world? What does the protagonist learn about this puzzle through the choices she ultimately makes?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I have recently teamed up with some of the actors and crew on two more features that are both in post-production: “Fruitful Mold” and “Hemet, or The Landlady Don’t Drink Tea”
Interview: September 2021
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
Friend of the World
Length:
50:27
Writer/Director
BRIAN PATRICK BUTLER is an actor, writer and director who has starred in films such as "The Gools," "South of 8," "Zach King's Day Off" and "We All Die Alone." He previously wrote and directed two short films, "Hatred" and "The Phantom Hour."
Producer
KERRY ROSSALL is a stunt coordinator, actor and producer who has worked in the film industry for over four decades. He has worked with some big names on projects such as "Apocalypse Now," "They Live" and "Ocean's Eleven."
Key cast:
Nick Young (Gore), Alexandra Slade (Diane), Michael C. Burgess (Berenger), Kathryn Schott (Eva), Kevin Smith (Thin man), Luke Pensabene (Ferguson)
Looking for:
journalists, buyers, distributors
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FOTWmovie
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FriendTheWorld
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/friend_oftheworld/
Hashtags used:
#FriendoftheWorld
More info:
https://charybdispictures.com/friend-of-the-world/
Made in association with:
Where can I watch it now?
Tubi; Plex; Vimeo