EP. 1661: Filmmaker Johnny Thames (ALWAYS AND FOREVER)

Always and Forever, 22min., USA Directed by Johnny Thames An obsessive, controlling teenager kidnaps her boyfriend to play a bizarre, self destructive game. But things become complicated when the boy demands a stop. The film comments on how trauma if not confronted and resolved will lead to co-dependent and potentially destructive results, while providing enough empathy toward accountability. https://www.instagram.com/alwaysnforever_film Get to know the filmmaker: What motivated you to make this film? In all honesty, it was a couple of things: the main reason was the way we perceive trauma survivors and the way media depicts these types of stories. We either view them as calm and composed or emotional messes. Additionally, many stories often depict survivors as infantilized victims needing help or as inherent monsters. The point of the film was to show it’s not black and white, it’s usually somewhere in the middle of all of this. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? From development to post-production, about a year and a half on and off. How would you describe your film in two words!? Empathetic critique What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? The biggest obstacle was the casting of Jennifer Baufour as Janice: When I first saw her tape, it stood out to me; I thought she understood the character, so I opted to cast her. The only issue was that the role wasn’t fully realized. In response, I wrote the epilogue that plays over the credits, leaning into the nuance the film was going for. Writing the monologue was almost instantaneous, showcasing a woman who had gone through the effects of unresolved trauma and was now trying to make up for the consequences while being the parent she should’ve been years ago. ———— Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod