“WHISKEYPRIEST, EPISODE ONE” INTERVIEW
Jun 07 | Author: Mike Plante
R. Walker lives on a farm.
His new film, WHISKEYPRIEST, EPISODE ONE, is also playing at CineVegas very, very soon….
Tell us briefly about the film’s story, and what it means to you.
…Former Episcopalian priest who practiced in a handful of churches throughout the Pacific Northwest, was ejected from the church for reasons unknown, continued to perform confessional duties for people of all faiths on his own and without the permission of the church, known as a local recluse, went missing for over 15 years, rumored sightings in Alger, Marblemount, Sumas (WA), maintains the moniker W.P., or “Whiskey Priest,” originating from Graham Greene’s novel “The Power and the Glory” (1940), continues to receive confessions by way of a PO Box…
Why did you use the short film format to tell your story?
Each episode of WHISKEYPRIEST is a different length. Some episodes run 5 minutes, others 45 minutes. The duration of a film isn’t something I typically think about. Don’t know why. It just doesn’t occur to me.
Have you seen your film with an audience yet, and how was the reaction?
Once. Confusion.
What do you think the role of a film festival is?
It’s a place where artists can smile and shake hands and congratulate each other on films that they haven’t seen.
That’s far too cynical. Sorry. How about this:
Ideally, a film festival can provide a forum within which there can be an exchange of ideas and expressions; where programmers with balls can take a chance on a remarkable film that isn’t easily marketable or designed for mass consumption. For this reason, and from a cultural standpoint, film festivals that consistently demonstrate courage in their programming (like CineVegas) are invaluable.
Do you gamble?
All the time. But not necessarily with my own money.
WHISKEYPRIEST screens with Shorts Program 2: “Hugs Not Drugs”:
Friday, June 12 – 10:30 PM
Sunday, June 14 – 5:30 PM
See also:
