By definition, “vanquish” means to “defeat thoroughly” and that’s exactly what we see unfold in VANQUISH. Written and directed by GEORGE GALLO, we see this tale of vanquishing unfold over the course of one night in the life of reformed Russian drug courier Victoria whose strings are being pulled by a retired cop named Damon who is now holding Victoria’s young daughter Lily hostage. With five stops and five cash pick-ups to be completed, Victoria is forced to call upon every skill in her arsenal and then some to satisfy Damon’s demands, save her daughter, and keep herself alive in the process. Fueling the fun along with the high-rolling usual suspects are dirty cops, dirty FBI agents, and a dirty governor, all who want the vanquish someone this night.
Stylish, glossy, polished yet ruthless high octane adrenaline action, VANQUISH is a non-stop edge-of-your-seat thrill ride. Starring Ruby Rose and Morgan Freeman along with, among others, veterans Patrick Muldoon, Miles Doleac, Nick Vallelonga, and Julie Lott, Gallo keeps us on our toes with both story and visuals, upping the visual ante tenfold by shifting visual tones with color and light thanks to the work of cinematographer Anastas Michos and production designer Joe Lemmon. Rapier editing by Yvan Gauthier keeps the energy level high, while Aldo Shllaku’s score and the film’s sound mix serve to intensify the viewing experience.
Gallo, perhaps best known as screenwriter for “Bad Boys”, “Midnight Run”, and “Wise Guys”, among others, as well as directing films like “Columbus Circle”, “Middle Men”, and “The Poison Rose” which starred Morgan Freeman, soars with VANQUISH.
Already a longtime admirer of GEORGE GALLO and his work as a writer and director, speaking with him in this exclusive conversation was, to say the least, fun. He is passionate while feeling like a kid in a candy store with his excitement about making this film. Finally making the action film he “always wanted to make”, with VANQUISH “it was fun….it was liberating. I didn’t have to rely on [dialogue] to push these themes. I could rely on imagery and motion.” And he does.
TAKE A LISTEN as GEORGE GALLO talks about the making of VANQUISH, about all the fun, creating frenetic energy, breaking established filmmaking rules with cinematography and editing, playing with production design, score, and more.
by debbie elias, exclusive interview April 7, 2021
