You can email me direct at editor@donnetempo.com –

Jacquie Kubin
Editor
Donne Tempo Magazine
http://www.donnetempo.com
editor@donnetempo.com

I can’ t thank you enough for sharing your thoughts. I love movies … and love having a blog to share my views with readers. But I hate that some of my less flattering reviews will be seen by the folks who make movies. It’s not my intention to be cruel or unsupportive of those who make movies today.

Your comments are thought-provoking and shed a brighter light on your film. It would have been so very easy to attack me or this site for disagreeing about your film. But you stated your case eloquently and like a gentleman. If only more online conversations were so respectful.

I’m an avid supporter of independent film – and wish you all the best with this film and future projects. And I plan on seeing “Saint John” again at some point … perhaps what you shared here will give me a new perspective on your work.

Christian, WWTW

First, thanks for seeing the film. I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it. But film reactions are visceral, and I’d never try to dissuade you from your impression. If you are interested, I do think I can add color to some of your points. If not, don’t post this response. It’s your blog.

You’re right – Dinklage is an outstanding actor. We made the conscious decision to only shoot him from the waste up, because we wanted to feature his talents, not his height. He genuinely appreciated this, and in the end-of-credit bows he preferred the same style of shooting.

The militant nudists were inspired by Dante’s Inferno (as were most of the characters.) In the sixth level of hell, Dante and Virgil come across the city of Dis. The inhabitants, all naked, have set fire to the city in defiance of God. Hence, militant nudists. From the outset I was interested in exploring themes from The Inferno. I was urged by my friend and Dante scholar Robert Hollander to not try a literal adaptation, but to use the material as it inspired me. And what inspired me about The Inferno was that Dante stops and talks to the sinners, giving them voice. In my film, John not only encounters marginal people, he relates to them. John does not judge the militant nudists. He notes that they, by wearing hats, are being untrue to their own principals.

As far as what the character Jill sees in John, Sarah Silverman said it best: “She sees him as a fixer-upper. He’s troubled, but you can look right into his eyes and see this beautiful soul.”

Lastly, it’s too early to predict whether indie audiences will trust this film. The two audiences at the Denver Film Fest seemed to enjoy themselves. Both sold-out screenings were filled with laughter. The festival director was amazed that for the last film on the last night, the post-film Q&A attendance was much larger than average for the festival. Who knows how the film will do theatrically, but the people who sat through the film, the credits and the Q&A got something out of it.

Again, I’m sorry the experience was a disappointment for you. But if I’m fortunate enough to make another film, hopefully it will resonate.

Best,
Hue

In Ohio we call that “Friday night.”

The star of “Precious,” Gabby Sidibe, delivers a brilliant performance in her new film. But her considerable weight may make it harder to find leading roles in future films.

I’m speechless.