AN INTERVIEW WITH DAVID FINDLAY

Despite these difficult times, it has been quite the year for Canadian directors who have made an impressive splash in the film festival circuit.  Director David Findlay has turned many heads already having been chosen for his short film Found Me recently at the Toronto International Film Festival and now making waves at the Sitges Festival in Spain.  The film Found Me centers on Mitch who finds himself and becomes alive in the underground world of wrestling.  The way director David Findlay tells this story is rather unique and hip and has much impact on the audience like a wrestler delivering a pile driver.  We spoke with David Findlay as to why his film Found Me is flying from the top ropes.

FERNTV:  Can you tell us why were you inspired to make this film Found Me?

David:  “Found Me,” tells the story of Mitch whose life takes a turn after unwittingly stumbling upon the world of underground wrestling – all in the foggy, twilight, arctic, dead of winter of Quebec City. I myself discovered this community about 2 years ago and was astounded. I couldn’t believe this existed in my town and the energy was so electric. I was totally taken. That was the beginning. Then I’d always known my friend Mitch could be such a good actor but he’d never done it before. I felt he, in that universe, could be really interesting. Then a year after that, a year ago, my favourite band Men I Trust released a new album on which I heard the song Found Me. I sort of became obsessed with it and that’s where it all clicked.

FERNTV:  What was it like to direct a film with minimal dialogue?

David:  It was nice. It was never a challenge or anything I set out for myself. Mitch’s face is so expressive I knew it could simply carry the entire film.

FERNTV:  Why did you want to explore the world of underground wrestling and what did you find fascinating about this world after putting this film together?

David:  I think the wrestling was just a pretext for this character to want to realize his full transcendent self in the least obvious way. I aimed to show that no matter how small, big, normal or totally bizarre one’s desire for self-expression maybe, that it is worthwhile pursuing.

Director David Findlay

FERNTV:  You put this short film together almost as if it were a music video.  Can you explain to us why you did it that way?

David:  Coming across the song Found Me by Men I Trust was always a pillar for this film. I couldn’t see a film without it. When listening to the song I could see the film and simply wouldn’t have done it without it.

FERNTV:  How has your work as a producer helped you become a better director and do you feel that most directors should start as a producer?

David:  Not necessarily. I think it just helped me know exactly what I look for now in a producer, which is a yes-man (or woman), a cheerleader. Someone who you connect with and feel comfortable spending a lot of time with problem-solving essentially.

FERNTV:  What was the biggest challenge in making this film?

David:  Technically, it was the wrestling scene. I had never worked on a scene that had so many people and action.

FERNTV:  Tell us what is it like to be at TIFF this year?

David:  Well it is a shame that we can’t all celebrate the film together as a team but also it opens up TIFF to many more people, which is lovely.

www.davidwfindlay.com