(MK SCOTT) MK chats with the Director of the FALLS, coming to DVD on December 11th!

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by MK Scott

One of my TOP Films from this year's Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival was a locally produced film centered around Religion and Forbidden Love. 'The Falls' set in Portland, follows 2 missionaries as they set out to recruit new members for the Mormon Church, as the 2 young men connect to the point that they doubt thier committment to the Religion and Passion takes over and that becomes more important. I had a chance to chat with the director, Jon Garcia, just before the film's December 11th DVD Release.

MK: What Inspired you to telling this Taboo story?

Jon: I was inspired to tell this story after speaking with a few men who lived a story similar to that in "the falls." I was writing a different script at the time, but after meeting these individuals, i changed the direction of the script entirely. It was originally about small town life in Idaho Falls through the eyes of a closeted young man.

MK: Did you have any experience with the Mormon church? 
 
Jon: I went to an LDS church while i was writing "the falls." I started to attend a ward in southeast Portland and meeting with a couple of missionaries once a week. I also did a lot of research and read all of their doctrines. I knew little about The Church of Latter Day Saints until I started to write the story.

Lake Productions 

MK: It was very well researched, and you can see why the 2 Leads, would have doubts on recruiting, and Chris' monologue towards the end was beautifully written and acted. How did you find the cast?

Jon: Thank you, I found the cast through a tight knit group of actors and film friends in Portland. Nick was in my first film, "Tandem Hearts"

MK: When compared to Like, 'Latter Days', 'The Falls' seems less self-loathing and more compassionate, any other differences?

Jon: I wanted this film to inspire hope and raise questions. I didn't want to offend anyone, I felt the movie would reach more people that way and have an overall more positive effect. I actually didn't watch "later days" till a year after i'd shot "the falls." I really liked it.

MK: What is your Next project?

Jon: I'm working on a film called "Web Cam Gir"l about an Amish girl who becomes a webcam model on her rumspringa. And i'm working on a follow up to "The Falls."

MK: Many Thanks, Jon!

Jon: Thanks, MK!

For more on 'The Falls', check out more here.