INTERVIEW with Cristóbal Krusen

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First of all, we would like to know a little more about you. So that the audience has as much information as possible. 

I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida and have three siblings. I am married; have six children and nine grandchildren, Spanish is my second language. As a child, I aspired toward being a novelist or poet. While at university, however, I discovered the world of cinema, in particular international cinema, and subsequently changed my focus of study to filmmaking. 

 

How many years have you been making movies and how did you end up making movies?

Apart from the films I made as a student, I shot my first film in 1988, and with some interruptions along the way, I’ve continued as a filmmaker ever since. When I say “filmmaker”, I include television commercials and docudramas in the definition. I have also taken time to write several books.

 

Let's talk about your project. How long did it take from the initial idea to have it ready to be released?

The initial idea came to me as early as 2010, but I didn’t begin writing the screenplay until 2017. I worked on the script in intervals over the next three years and we began filming the first phase of Let Me Have My Sonin February/March of 2020. We finished that first phase just prior to the onset of the Covid pandemic and did not film again for another year. During that time, I raised additional money for production. We then filmed the remaining scenes at different times during 2021, wrapping principal photography in October 2021. The post-production process took another year.

 

Can you tell us a bit about the process you've had with Let Me have my son? Is it self-financed or were you able to get financing?

Let Me Have My Son has been financed through a number of private individuals who have believed in our project and made tax-deductible donations to Messenger Films, which is a 501c3 corporation. In addition to those contributors, many others donated of their time and labor toward the production and post-production of the film. 

 

No spoilers, but what will the public find in Let Me have my son?

They will see a film that pushes back against the stigma of mental illness; that comforts those who mourn and offers hope to the hurting.

 

Have you been inspired by any other film of the same genre?

The Sixth Sense, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Pan’s Labyrinth, A Beautiful Mind.

 

There are many creators who seek inspiration from other artists, literature, music, painting, etc. To create this work have you used references from other arts? If so, what are they? 

Painting – Vincent van Gogh (First Steps and The Sower)… Rembrandt (The Return of the Prodigal Son)… Literature – Fyodor Dostoevsky (The Idiot)… Music – Arvo Pärt and Erik Satie (minimalism) and Ennio Morricone (numerous film scores).

 

 

We would also like to know more about your film preferences. We would love to know which directors you like and which are your favorite movies.

In terms of living directors, I am a fan of Alejandro González Iñárritu (favorite film The Revenant); Roman Polanski (Chinatown, The Pianist), Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather), Werner Herzog (Aguirre, the Wrath of God) among others.

 

Favorite deceased directors include François Truffaut (Shoot the Piano Player, Day for Night), Vittorio De Sica (Umberto D.), Andrei Tarkovsky (Stalker, Nostalghia), Kenji Mizoguchi (Sansho the Bailiff), Ingmar Bergman (The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries), Frank Capra (Meet John Doe, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington).

 

There are great classics of cinema considered masterpieces, but for us cinema is subjective and we also love films that critics may consider bad. Do you have movies that are not considered masterpieces but that you could watch over and over again without stopping? Which are?

The Bourne Trilogy, Hot Fuzz, Mystery Men

 

 Your favorite black and white movie?

To Kill a Mockingbird and Paper Moon

 

Have you seen anything by David Fincher? How would you define it in one word?

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo… Introspective

 

Your favorite 2010-2020 movie or series?

The Revenant

Endeavour (series)

 

Your favorite actor or actress?

Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio

 

Changing the subject, one of the concerns of many creators is the lack of financing or opportunities that producers provide. What do you think about this?

Money has to be managed in life and in filmmaking. Pick your battles wisely and be willing to listen to other points-of-view. Look for creative solutions and ways to cut costs. Sometimes, the results are better that way than if you had all the money in the world! 

 

A very personal question, but… What are your strong points and weak points?

Among my strong points are an inherent love and respect for other cultures, languages and people. I tend to be intuitive and empathetic and this helps me capture deep feeling and emotion in my writing and directing. I can also be very persistent. I don’t give up easily (which helps me get films finished)! That being said, I can miss the boat on the technical side of things, failing to capitalize on the advantages modern-day technology provides. In truth, I am something of a technophobe.

 

Do you have experience on the festival circuit? As a filmmaker, how do you see film festivals? Where do you think they should improve?

Yes, I have experience on the festival circuit. In my view, many (if not most) festivals are overrated, though it must be said that for people not in the know, it usually seems an impressive accomplishment to have one’s film chosen for any film festival. I think film festivals could improve primarily in the area of helping the filmmaker get his work in front of a wider audience. It can be very discouraging for a filmmaker who has spent years creating a film to watch it screen at a festival in front of a handful of people.

 

Do you have any other project in mind? Can you advance us something?

I am weighing options now for the next film. I have four completed screenplays on hand and am trying to discern which should be the next one to produce. I can send loglines on request.

 

Would you like to add something else?

Are you based in Barcelona? A beautiful city.