Just in time for the holidays--the season of many potentially strained family dinners--comes "Winning Dad," a movie that aims to ease the generational divide over gay rights through humor and understanding.
Already an audience favorite (and one of my Top 5 at this years SLGFF) at more than a dozen film festivals around the world, "Winning Dad," will soon be available, according to a press release, in the US exclusively through Vimeo-On-Demand on December 1st.
Set in Seattle and its surrounding forests, “Winning Dad” tells the story of Colby, an out gay man whose conservative father only begrudgingly accepts his sexual orientation. This quiet denial of Colby’s lifestyle means his dad doesn’t know about his new serious love, Rusty. Colby is convinced that, given the chance, his father and his boyfriend will get along great. He just needs to find the right way for them to meet and bond...
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to grant marriage rights to same sex couples, the movie explores how the narrative of the LGBT struggle in America is evolving. It tackles the lingering generational gap that divides the country's attitudes on issues of LGBT equality, and also bridges the cultural divide embodied in today’s partisan politics.
The film takes the risk of allowing its audience to empathize with the homophobic father. "Winning Dad" tells a tale of generational misunderstanding in a whole new way: fresh, surprising, and moving, it employs a gentle touch to encourage everyone to embrace their own complexity and the complexity of others.
Arthur Allen: Thank you. It came to me as I was painting my ceiling. I just had this image of two dads running away from their sons' gay wedding, getting drunk in the forest, and complaining. Many drafts later it became a different film, which became Winning Dad, but that's how it started.
MK: You film some amazing backdrops out in Beautiful Washington, how long did it take and was there any rustic issues?
Arthur: The whole shoot was about 21 days, I can't remember how many days we were outside, but all of that took place at the end, when the crew was substantially smaller. The actual camping scenes we did in the backyard of the house we filmed at. The only rustic issue we faced was a storm during our climactic scene. It wasn't in the plan, but it ended up adding atmosphere to the moment that money can't buy.
MK: To Win your boyfriend's Dad, you end doing something pretty extreme, do you think it backfired or do you the think the visualization helped overall?
Arthur: In a strange way it succeeds and fails at the same time. That's life, I think. Nothing ever happens as we plan. That old Russian joke: "How do you make God laugh? You tell him your plans". That idea runs throughout the film.
MK: Where did you find your other actors?
Arthur: They're all from theater. Everyone except Chuck, I've seen their theater work, but he comes from theater as well, though he retired from it decades ago. We had to persuade him to get in the ring again, and we're very glad we did. He steals the show.
MK: I heard that your originally screened this in Paris, what was the connection and what the reaction?
Arthur: It was a private screening of our rough cut. We were selected by an intercultural program hosted by the Champs-Elysees Film Festival. It was received very well, and was probably the most satisfying part of this project's journey. It's a very special feeling to know that the first film you've ever made is seen by other human eyes for the very first time literally 100 feet from the Arc de Triumph.
MK: What's Next?
Arthur: Next I need to refill my coffers and write my next script, which I can't say much about yet. I'll also make some shorts to keep my teeth sharp, which you can see as they come out on my social media channels: @moviemensch on both Twitter and Instagram
MK: Acting or Directing or both?
Arthur: Three actually: Acting, Direction, and Writing. I realize we divide them per convention, but my experience of them has been simultaneous and I see it as one activity: storytelling. Whichever one I'm doing, the other two are informing it over my shoulders. Even while I'm acting, I'm directing my actors from within the scene, and even, in a sense, re-writing as inspiration strikes. It's a holistic approach to storytelling for me that is a supreme pleasure.
MK: Will you continue to be based in Seattle or is Hollywood in the cards?
Arthur: Neither, most likely. I know I want to retire in Seattle (it's home, and the mountains drag me back each time I leave). But for career purposes, I'm open to relocating and even repatriating. I think every artist has a city that calls to them. It's a matter of matching kinks and idiosyncrasies. Seattle has changed a lot, and I'm not sure it's in the direction I want to go. But for the next few years, yes, I'll be here.
For more info on Winning Dad, please check their website HERE. Winning Dad will be available on Vimeo On Demand , Tuesday, December 1st.
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