TCFF Spotlight: In This Gray Place
Over the course of the 2018 Twin Cities Film Fest, we'll chat with some of the filmmakers behind the 125+ films that will showing during this year's festival.
Film:
In This Gray Place
Showtimes:
Friday, Oct. 19 - 9:45 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 26 - 12:15 p.m.
Q: Tell us about 'In This Gray Place.'
IN THIS GRAY PLACE is a single location drama/thriller that follows Aaron, a small time criminal. After a robbery gone wrong he barricades himself in a rest stop bathroom and quickly finds himself in a standoff with the police. Battling blood loss, dehydration, and a dying cell phone Aaron must conceive some kind of a plan to hide the money and escape.
The whole film is built on commanding performances by Aleksander Ristic, Angela Nordeng, Phil LaMarr, Nick Moss and Marcus Johns; and explores themes of fate, choice, and love.
Q: What festivals has the film played at, and how did you wind up at the Twin Cities Film Fest?
We’ve had a fantastic festival run! Most notably we’ve played at Dances With Films, Kansas City Film Festival, Glendale International Film Festival, and many, many more! The same weekend we play at the Twin Cities we are also playing Orlando Film Festival and the Polish Film Festival in Los Angeles, followed by St. Louis International Film Festival a few weeks later! We were honored to be included at Twin Cities Film Festival by Steve Snyder. I was very surprised when he reached out! I’ve always known Twin Cities to play the cream of the crop; so to be included alongside all these brilliant filmmakers is humbling.
Q: Where did the idea for the project come from?
Most of my work has a core philosophical question. For IN THIS GRAY PLACE that question boiled down to, “Do our choices really matter, or are we predestined to some sort of fate?” With our extremely limited resources I knew we would only be able to explore this question in a single setting, so it was a matter of finding an interesting and visual location. Then came the fun part; making the story entertaining and engaging for audiences! After several drafts I finally landed on a small time criminal in a stand off with police. It’s a great setting that keeps the story intense but allows the audience to really get to know the character Aaron.
R.D. Womack II
Director
Q: Who from the film will be attending the screening?
We’ll have two of the core team at the festival! Angela Nordeng, the Lead Actress who plays the role of Laura and also narrates the film, and Naeem Seirafi the Director of Photography, the man responsible for making a single location film beautiful and visually captivating!
Q: If someone is only going to see one film at the Twin Cities Film Fest, why should 'In This Gray Place' be the one?
With equal parts commercial thriller and art-house drama, IN THIS GRAY PLACE will keep you guessing to the very end. Striking visuals and brilliant performances are sure to make it a memorable movie going experience. Come for the action, stay for the art!