Director Eldar Rapaport on the set of "August" with actor Murray Bartlett. The indie drama screens on Sat., 6/2 at 8pm.
Palm trees. Hazy bars. Latin guitars. Complicated men. No, they aren’t just the mirages of some ethereal LA dreamscape—all shape the mood of the indie drama August. When an ex re-enters the life of another, temperatures rise between all involved in this observed take on modern day relationships.
Saturday, June 2 @ 8:00pm AUGUST (watch the trailer!)
Plays with STRIP : Actors (incl. MY SO CALLED LIFE ALUM.) and Dir. in attendance)
We caught up with writer-director Eldar Rapaport, by way of another sun-bleached city: Tel Aviv.
Where are you right now? LA? Tel Aviv?
I am splitting my life between LA and Tel Aviv at the moment.
For those not familiar with your short “Postmortem,” how similar is it to August? Why did you decide to continue exploring it as a feature?
“Postmortem” essentially is at the beginning of August. I made a conscious decision to take it from that point on. That’s what was interesting to me the most how the meeting affected their lives. And I think since “Postmortem” was so well received it was just so natural for me to develop it into a feature.
Is reconnecting with an ex ALWAYS a bad idea? Any advice for those who are entertaining the thought?
LOL. Most times yes! But I don’t know, maybe in the long run it resolves many issues. In August it’s mostly about the mythological ex. Much more powerful stuff. No advice that I can think of. I think it doesn’t matter what one says. It’s the heart that makes you act here against any rational reasoning.
Tell us how you found the music for the film. To me it sounded both antagonistic and vulnerable, which spoke perfectly to all three characters.
Music is a great part of it. It all started when I heard a Middle Eastern Jazz band play in the Lower East Side of NYC. I had to write something to it and “Postmortem” was born.
What’s the most memorable audience feedback you received from August?
Memorable? Someone asked me why I didn’t include any scenes in the gym, since they all look so good they must go to the gym. Best? I have many people write to me saying the film is so honest. That’s most important to me.
What’re you working on next?
I just finished Little Man that I shot in Wales last Summer produced with the Iris Prize, so you’ll see it around soon I hope. And now I’m back to writing something for Tel Aviv. I feel that’s what I need to talk about next.
