"In the Absence of Saints" is my graduate thesis film. It is by no means a perfect film, although I'd like to think its a decent film, it is ultimately my first failed film. The Film won best drama at the Indie Jam film festival but failed to be accepted by any other film festival. I also got the job to direct "My Life Story", "Bands, and "Under Investigation" largely due to the subject matter of this film, but I can't help but to compare this film to other efforts. My previous student short "Mary" never won anything, but it was viewed in several film festivals. "Mary" also got a nice write up in a local New Orleans' newspaper.
Now when I say that the movie is a failure, I don't mean to criticize my actors or crew. Despite a few soft shots, the look of this film is very nice. Sound and score are top notch, and I have a few stand out performances from my leads. Jerry Katz (Michael) and Carol Sutton (Mother) won best actor and actress awards at the Baton Rouge Outhouse Film Festival (a dubious name for a festival but recognition is good no matter where it comes from).
So with three notable awards for this film, why do I consider this movie a failure. Simple, I didn't live up to the standard I placed for this film. I wanted to make something that would push my career forward. Everyone around me gave a 100 %, but my desire to make a feature film clouded my vision. "In the Absence of Saints" is a short crying to be a feature. A few people couldn't follow it because they felt too much information was given in too short a time. At first I didn't agree with the criticism, but now I know they are pretty accurate.
I guess the only question to ask is: Did I waste the school's money? Different audiences will no doubt offer different answers to that questions, but the answer from my heart is: No, I didn't waste the school's money. Even though I consider, "In the Absence of Saints" a movie that never found it's audience, it is a story that has shown me the light so to speak. I'm told that you learn more from your failures than your successes, well I believe this is what "In the Absence of Saints" has done for me. I learned story after this movie. I learned pacing after this movie. I learned a lot about actors after this movie. I learned to trust myself after this movie. I learned, and that at least is some sort of success.
For those interested, please check it out.
