An in-depth conversation with writer/director AUSTIN STARK on his latest feature film, THE GOD COMMITTEE, delves into “the making of” and adapting Mark St. Germain’s play for the big screen.
An important and heart-wrenching movie that examines the moral, ethical, and financial dilemmas and considerations of organ transplantation with a compelling narrative story and outstanding performances, most notably an award-worthy turn by Kelsey Grammer. Non-judgmental, THE GOD COMMITTEE opens the door for thought-provoking discussion while shining a light on the global need for organ donors.
THE GOD COMMITTEE is the story of a donor heart that suddenly becomes available at a New York Hospital. An organ transplant committee has one hour before the organ becomes non-viable within which to decide which of three patients in their hospital on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) list deserves the heart. As we meet the committee, which includes the clinical and unemotional renowned heart surgeon Andre Boxer; Jordan Taylor, a younger but equally talented cardiac surgeon; the somewhat indecisive and tentative Dr. Lau; doctor-turned-hospital-bureaucrat and head of the transplant program at the hospital, Valerie Gilroy; cardiac charge nurse Wilkes; with some added influence by Father Dunbar who appears to “speak” for the hospital board, we see first-hand what it’s like to “play God.” Does the heart go to the name at the top of the list or are there other factors to consider when deciding who will be given a second chance to live? What are the medical considerations? Is 50 pounds overweight reason enough to deny life to a man with a family and a strong desire and will to live? Is disinterest and ambivalence by a patient in whether she lives or dies grounds to deny her a second chance? And what about the hospital that needs a better success rate for its transplant program and is not above accepting bribes in order to ignore the list and give the heart to a young recovering addict with a powerful family? Adding to the process is Boxer’s endgame; a move into the private research sector which will require funding. And where does the Black Market enter into the conversation?
Expanding on St. German’s play, AUSTIN STARK runs a dual timeline – 2014 and 2021 – seamlessly jockeying between the past and present as the clock ticks down on decision-making in 2014, as well as in 2021, using cinematography, and particularly lighting and color, to not only build tension but to distinguish the time periods and where our doctors are in their own careers and personal lives. We see decisions made in 2014 and the result seven years later.
TAKE A LISTEN to this exclusive interview as AUSTIN STARK talks
- the stage to screen adaptation and the dual timeline
- his own research into organ transplantation and scientific research today
- crafting the characters, and particularly that of Andre Boxer and the complexities that Kelsey Grammer infuses into his performance to capture the conflict within Boxer
- a powerhouse cast beyond Grammer that includes Julia Stiles, Dan Hedaya, Janeane Garofalo, Colman Domingo, Patricia R. Floyd, Peter Kim and more
- developing a visual style and tonal bandwidth with cinematographer Matt Sakatani Roe and the importance of color and framing
- Sally Levi’s production design and most notably building a research facility operating room in the 2021 timeline
- Alan Canant’s editing and its cohesive meld of the timelines
- FX secrets about the hearts we see onscreen
- using the score of The Newton Brothers as an artery flowing between the timelines
- and more. . .
by debbie elias, exclusive interview June 25, 2021
THE GOD COMMITTEE is in theatres and On Demand July 2, 2021.
