5 Questions with Alex Warren

1) Can you talk briefly about your background, and how you first got interested in filmmaking?

I really love my grandfather. When I was young, we went to the theater to see ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS. There’s a scene at the very end where Robin is trying to get into Maid Marion’s panties which are made of iron. It's a chastity belt with a lock on it. I don’t remember what happens at that moment -  like, I think he's using a jackhammer to try to unlock it?  

Anyway, my grandfather and I looked at each other, a little incensed. We couldn't tell if this was genius or dumb as hell. I shook my head to say "hmm, what do we feel here?" and he did the same.  I didn't understand what the joke in the movie was getting at -- but it was funny anyway. Maybe that was the first time I shared a cheeky laugh with an adult. Like, "ain't life weird?" kinda thing. 

Something unlocked in me at that moment. 

2) What was the initial idea for this project and how did it evolve from there?

I wanted to make something with few elements that had the potential of ending on an echo. 

Kate Adams is a dear friend and I’d imagined writing something for her for a few months. I sent four or five things for her to read. She responded well to a few of them but really liked the BAR SNAKES script, so doors began opening and we shot it a month or two later. 

3) What was the biggest challenge in making this film? And the easiest part?

Easiest part was collaborating with good artists. The shoot itself was relatively easy.

Least fun / most challenging aspect was having a minor asthma attack moments before cast / crew arrived to set. 

4) What’s a film you’ve seen recently, new or old, that you really loved and why?

INSIANG (1976) by Lino Brocka. Watched last week, first time seeing a Lino Brocka film and I loved it.  Melodramatic without soap-opera — Altman-style camera, at times — weird music edits — nice performances and a baroque ending. 

BORAT (2020) by Sasha Baron-Cohen / Jason Woliner. I mean, he has to do the scripted stuff to get the thing made and folks get hung up on the weak narrative / plotting. The movie itself is okay, but the bits are incredible. I want to state to everyone that he’s a genius. No one has the gumption he has. I live for his pranks. When he interrupts Pence at that one rally I was cackling. 

BAXTER, VERA BAXTER (1977) by Marguerite Duras. Shit is wild. There’s an island-sounding diegetic musical loop that happens throughout the film (spoiler). It’s hypnotizing, it’s annoying, and at times it’s euphoric. By the end, it felt like I’d been swimming in a cold ocean. 

5) What’s next for you?

I'd love to write a film about the Mississippi River's worst Riverboat tour guide - someone who believes that alligators to be generally friendly - chaos ensues. 

A few new short films we made will be released in the coming months. 

I'm starting a video label called Club Stereo (@club_stereo). 

Recently, I acted in a new film by Kristoffer Borgli, which I think comes out soon. 

I was just cast in an upcoming John Cuscack film. 

I hope to shoot some new things in December / January.

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www.jaw.work | IG: @alex_warren_4 | Twitter: @alericanflag