THE APOLOGY LINE Directed By James Lees

Indie Express: Tell us about your film?

James: The Apology Line was created from a national art project I launched in the UK asking for the general public to call and leave anonymous apologies on an answering machine. People called from all walks of life and left everything from incredibly honest, moving confessions to hilarious, stubborn, non-apologies.

IE: How did you come up with the idea for the film?

J: A New York artist called Alan Bridge set up an Apology Project in 1980 and my colleague on the film, William Bridges learnt about it via a tribute site on the net. We immediately knew there was a great film to come out of something similar set up here in the UK.

IE: How did you assemble your production team?

J: I either advertised using some of the great online film networking sites or used my contacts to get introduced to the right people.

IE: How did you find your cast? 

J: I found the small cast I needed through local theatres and drama groups although due to the nature of the film I did not need any speaking roles.

IE: How long did the film take?  (From conception to final edit)

J: I would say roughly 6-7 months although we did have to set up an art project and get results from that before we could start the pre production of the film, so purely on the film - 3 months.

IE: Tell us a little about your process of directing (writing) this film.

J: It was a very organic experience. I had no idea what we were going to get from the Line and the kind of confessions/apologies people would leave, if they would leave anything at all! So the film gradually came together as the messages came in. I wanted to create this emotional rollercoaster through the film and it was a case of putting the messages together to achieve this to the correct effect.

IE: What was the most difficult part of the shoot for you?

J: Probably knocking on random peoples doors on the 17th floor of a tower block asking if we could come into their house and film out their window!

IE: Any particular moments from filming that stand out for you?

J: Probably the same as above!

IE: Tell us about the film’s festival experience so far?

J: We never expected the success the film has achieved so it has been a fantastic experience. It has been great fun traveling around with the film and hearing the responses. Highlights have been when it won the Prix UIP Best European Short at Cork in Ireland, the overall Best Short Documentary at Hot Docs in Canada and being nominated for a European Academy Award which are due to take place at the end of 2008. One of the definite highlights though, was being selected for Sundance. The attention it brought and the ten days spent in Park City were just amazing.

IE: What are you most looking forward to at the festival?

J: I just hope I can make it over! I have seriously run out of money to travel with the film! Us short film makers never have much money anyway. It is just great to have the film play at such a prestigious festival as the Los Angeles Film Festival, at such famous theatres and to such an important audience.

IE: What has been your most interesting Q&A so far?  What was your favorite question?  How was the dialogue afterwards?

J: Probably at Sundance. The out of town screenings were often the most fun as they were sold out with real local film fans who were always eager to find out more afterwards. The screening in Salt Lake City was one of the best and the Q & A really good value, there was a real interest in the process of the art project and film coming together. A great question was over whether the film should have subtitles for the American audiences as a lot of the dialogue is in very thick British colloquial dialects. A lot of the crowd said yes whilst this one guy was vehemently shaking his head. Afterwards he deplored me not to ruin it by putting subtitles on it!

IE: What films or filmmakers inspire you?

J: I find my inspiration from all over. For this film I was very influenced by some of my favourite photographers such as Jeff Wall, Gregory Crewdson and Richard Billingham. But films and filmmakers that inspire me are wide and varied. Everything from Gus Van Sant to Shane Meadows to Lucio Fulci.

IE: What made you decide to become a filmmaker?

J: I spent my youth involved with theatre and then when I discovered film I was able to marry my love of theatre, performance and staging with my love of photography and composition.

 IE: What is next for you? 

J: I am currently shooting a new short film for Channel 4 here in the UK whilst developing a narrative fiction short with Sigma Films. In the meantime I am constantly working on my first feature which I hope to be able to put into motion after these shorts.

IE: What is next for the film?

J: The film is still touring festivals around the world. The Apology Line is also now being developed into an art installation for public galleries and a possible longer format film version.

IE: If asked to give one piece of advice to a new filmmaker making their first short film… What would it be?

J: Be prepared for the work only just starting when you have finished the film! The biggest job is getting it out there, in front of the right people and a decent sized audience. Hit as many festivals as you can and take advantage of as many opportunities as possible.

IE: What question would you like to be asked about your film? 

J: How can I apologise to The Apology Line!?

IE: What is the Answer to that question?

J: If you are in the UK call 0800 9709394 otherwise watch this space, something will be making it available to you soon!