5 Questions with Kristian King
1) Can you talk briefly about your background, and how you first got interested in filmmaking?
Growing up, I had always been obsessed with film, but didn’t know any filmmakers and it didn’t seem like a “real” career. My original life plan was to be a doctor. During my undergrad at Duke, I spent most of my time studying Biology and working in a Breast Cancer research lab. Exposure to other film obsessed classmates and a large film library broadened my understanding of film beyond Hollywood to Independent and International cinema. It also showed me the myriad of pathways to becoming an artist and that it was indeed possible. I finally picked up a camera for the first time, made a bunch of shorts that won’t ever see the light of day, and now here I am.
2) What was the initial idea for this project and how did it evolve from there?
I knew I wanted to tell a Southern Gothic story in the vein of Flannery O’Connor and the film “Eve’s Bayou” by Kasi Lemmons. As I developed the story, I realized that there was an opportunity to combine my love of science with storytelling. I had always struggled with incorporating science, because I prefer science be left out rather than done poorly (scifi being the exception). So this project grew into a gothic fable with an element of science realism in it.
3) What was the biggest challenge in making this film? And the easiest part?
It was a creative decision to shoot the film on a plantation in Georgia and I was totally invested in that but being in a place of ancestral trauma was more difficult than I expected.
The easiest part was working with my cast and crew who really came together as collaborators, gave their hearts to the project, and made it all happen. I learned so much from working with them and they helped me continue to grow as a filmmaker and storyteller.
4) What’s a film you’ve seen recently, new or old, that you really loved and why?
“Me Without You” directed by Sandra Goldbacher. It’s a British film from 2001 starring a young Anna Friel and Michelle Williams. It follows a friendship from childhood to adulthood and the inevitable shifts and changes that you go through. As I get older and my own friendships evolve I found comfort and commiseration in the truly joyful and painful moments that come and go in every relationship.
5) What’s next for you?
I’m in post for my next short film, Twice as Good. I’m grateful I got to wrap production on it in February before the shutdown. I’m also currently writing my first feature based on the same project (hopefully it’ll be Twice as Good).
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www.kristianking.work | IG: @_kristianking