Vuk Lungulov-Klotz is a transgender filmmaker, cinematographer, and director of short films such as Still Liam and River Fork. Vuk’s feature film, Mutt, premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. The film’s leading actor, Lio Mehiel, won the Special Jury Acting Award at the festival. The film is set to release in theaters across the United States starting August 18.
In this episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with director Vuk Lungulov-Klotz and actor Lio Mehiel to discuss:
- Why Vuk included a few jokes early on in the story
- The frustrating process of finding actors
- How Lio immediately related to the script
- Bonding at a summer camping festival before shooting the film
- All the difficulties of shooting a film in NYC
- The process of finding locations and what they should have done differently
- Coordinating ADR sessions during edit
- The surreal feeling they felt at the world premiere
- Feeling stressed and anxious by people hyping up the movie
- The difference between screening a film in the US versus Europe
- Working alone as an actor versus working with an agency
Memorable Quotes
- “It was the perfect vehicle to showcase the portrait of a trans man today.” [3:55]
- “If you can’t laugh about something, then we’re really screwed.” [6:48]
- “I have never read such a beautiful slice of life that represents this experience.” [10:00]
- “Anytime you can get practice in front of the camera, do it.” [39:58]
- “By the end of the film, I could hear the theater crying.” [46:12]
Resources:
Mutt
More No Film School coverage on MUTT
In the Summers
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