Indie-comedy Love In Kilnerry opens in Eagan, Saint Michaels, White Bear Lake and Woodbury theaters on June 3.
I had a chance to learn more about the move in this interview with Daniel Keith.
Where did you get the inspiration for your film?
As my grandmother was getting older I used to call her and try to make her laugh and remind her how young she was. I could make them laugh until they cried. I started thinking about how society treats people at a certain age like they’re children and more as a burden rather than a treasure. I liked the idea of creating a town in a bubble away from public opinion, social media, and public opinion being pushed in their face and creating a situation where they would think they had no choice but to give into a ridiculous situation. And when they do, they realize it was inside them all along. They just needed a little push. It was fate that the film should be released after a pandemic where people remained mostly isolated for two years. Everyone I know is in some existential crisis and this film seem to be a gentle reminder of listening to your heart.
What was the biggest surprise as you were working on the film?
I really expected a lot of push back from Portsmouth, finding crew members, and even older people to be in the film. I was not expecting the opposite. When we did the orgy scene gone bad, I was told we’ll never get a dozen seniors to be on film in halloween masks in their underwear. We had three dozen show up, some wanting to do it nude. We had to turn most of them away and remind them NOT to remove their clothing. This wasn’t that kind of film. It was people’s generosity and loving spirit that really shined through in strangers for the last seven years. And every town the film goes to we get emails and comments that remind me of why I wrote the story to begin with.
What do you hope people will take away from seeing it?
Age truly is in your mind. Roger, who plays my father in the film, is 81 years old. He plays on a softball team, dances, and is more active than I am. Sybil, who plays Aednat, runs all over New York. Eat healthy, sleep a lot, reduce stress, be grateful to those around you, tell those close to you that you love them, and run toward anything that scares you or things you think will embarrass you. We really only get one go at this and worrying about what others think is a waste of energy. Everyone is in some kind of existential crisis right now. Whether it is for their jobs, their lives, struggles with family, or even money. My God…money right now. We’re all in it. We all feel it. Some of us just don’t talk about it. But money isn’t what binds us together. Its not what’s attracts us to people we just met or those strangers we cross paths with that make us smile or laugh. Its love. There’s enough messages of hate and judgement surrounding us on social media and the news. Its a choice whether to give into that or live a life with love. That is the heart and soul behind KILNERRY.
As my grandmother was getting older I used to call her and try to make her laugh and remind her how young she was. I could make them laugh until they cried. I started thinking about how society treats people at a certain age like they’re children and more as a burden rather than a treasure. I liked the idea of creating a town in a bubble away from public opinion, social media, and public opinion being pushed in their face and creating a situation where they would think they had no choice but to give into a ridiculous situation. And when they do, they realize it was inside them all along. They just needed a little push. It was fate that the film should be released after a pandemic where people remained mostly isolated for two years. Everyone I know is in some existential crisis and this film seem to be a gentle reminder of listening to your heart.
What was the biggest surprise as you were working on the film?
I really expected a lot of push back from Portsmouth, finding crew members, and even older people to be in the film. I was not expecting the opposite. When we did the orgy scene gone bad, I was told we’ll never get a dozen seniors to be on film in halloween masks in their underwear. We had three dozen show up, some wanting to do it nude. We had to turn most of them away and remind them NOT to remove their clothing. This wasn’t that kind of film. It was people’s generosity and loving spirit that really shined through in strangers for the last seven years. And every town the film goes to we get emails and comments that remind me of why I wrote the story to begin with.
What do you hope people will take away from seeing it?
Age truly is in your mind. Roger, who plays my father in the film, is 81 years old. He plays on a softball team, dances, and is more active than I am. Sybil, who plays Aednat, runs all over New York. Eat healthy, sleep a lot, reduce stress, be grateful to those around you, tell those close to you that you love them, and run toward anything that scares you or things you think will embarrass you. We really only get one go at this and worrying about what others think is a waste of energy. Everyone is in some kind of existential crisis right now. Whether it is for their jobs, their lives, struggles with family, or even money. My God…money right now. We’re all in it. We all feel it. Some of us just don’t talk about it. But money isn’t what binds us together. Its not what’s attracts us to people we just met or those strangers we cross paths with that make us smile or laugh. Its love. There’s enough messages of hate and judgement surrounding us on social media and the news. Its a choice whether to give into that or live a life with love. That is the heart and soul behind KILNERRY.
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