A boy on the cusp of puberty discovers his new world is filled with danger and excitement as an ominous driver stalks him during a weekend of self-discovery with his best friend.

Interview with Writer/Director Spencer Wardwell

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

This is a story that I've been wanting to tell for a long time.
Believe it or not, the events of the movie are largely based on my real life.
I wanted to make this film because to explore the juxtaposition of my internal and external fears growing up — how they related to each other and what one said about the other; my external fears being the paranoia I experienced based on my perceived (real?) stalker, and the internal confusion and panic I felt as during my adolescence.

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

I think, despite where it stems from — one's budding sexuality, shifting social and family dynamics, or many other potential factors — the experience of fear, uncertainty, and paranoia is a universal part of growing up.
Puberty was f*cking scary! And I think that's something that is collectively felt and somewhat repressed once we become adults.

Also, hopefully the movie, it's just a fun ride for the audience!

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Obviously, there are queer undertones between the two characters.
I think regardless of one's sexuality, many people have had experiences and/or attractions at some point in their lives similar to what the two characters in the film feel for each other.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

People are reacting positively to the film, which is great!
The feedback that's the most meaningful to me is that the film stayed with them in some way, or it has made them reflect on their own experiences during puberty that they haven't explored since that age.

I've had many men, who identify as straight, tell me that the dynamic between the two boys in the film is something they found very relatable, and have even gone into sharing their own personal experiences with me, which I'm always grateful for — I love when people react to the film with the same level of vulnerability that went into making it.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Going back to vulnerability — I wouldn't say surprised or challenged my POV necessarily, but the feedback has definitely reinforced that, for me, it's important to be vulnerable when making any kind of art.
I want to continue to have my films make me feel naked and exposed.

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

I'd just love for it to reach a wider audience, who are hopefully moved, or at the least simply entertained by the film!

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

Anyone and everyone who would like to amply the message, help it get seen by more people, and anybody who'd like to come on to help turn it from a short to feature!

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

I don't want to give away too much, but — the ending.

Would you like to add anything else?

I'd like to just shout out the wonderful work everyone did on this film:

The actors, Joshua Benard & Matt Gomez Hidaka
Our DP, Nick Vera
Editor, Lily Judge
Production Designer, Sam Neidenbach
Producer, Tanya Olsen
Composer, Chase Hawley

I couldn't be happier or more impressed with the talent and hard work everyone brought to the film

Interview: October 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

Boys of a Certain Age

Length:

14:50

Writer/Director

Spencer Wardwell

Producer

Tanya Olsen

Key cast:

Joshua Benard (Cole), Matt Gomez Hidaka (Angel)

Looking for:

sales agents, distributors, journalists, film festival directors, producers, buyers

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/spender_wardell/?hl=en

Hashtags used:

#BoaCA

More info:

https://www.liminalvisuals.com/

Made in association with:

AFI Conservatory