Hilarity ensues in this exclusive interview with director JAMES KAPNER, writer/actor CHRIS BAKER, and actor GREG FINLEY as they talk about the delicious batshit brilliant ridiculum of THE ESTATE.
Making his feature directorial debut with THE ESTATE, with script by CHRIS BAKER, and starring Baker, GREG FINLEY, and Eliza Coupe, with Eric Roberts and Heather Matarazzo serving as the icing on the cark comedic cake, Kapner delivers a rapier-witted, biting, high gloss production that boasts exemplary cinematography from Mike Simpson and gorgeous, eye-popping production design courtesy of Matthew Ellis Siltala.
THE ESTATE is the tale of George, a narcissistic son with an unparalleled sense of entitlement, and who craves a life of luxury thanks to his father’s millions. Unfortunately for George, his father doesn’t agree with him. Dad also doesn’t agree with George’s stepmother Lux, Marcello’s latest trophy wife who also believes in a sense of entitlement to Marcello’s wealth. With no funds at their disposal, the solution to their financial problem becomes obvious – eliminate Marcello. With the help of a handsome hitman named Joe, not only does a psychosexual love triangle develop with George, Joe, and Lux, but tables turn, alliances shift, and a 55-gallon drum of hydrochloric acid turns out to be a pretty handy thing to have around.
Wild and witty with rapier humor, THE ESTATE is delectable campy fun. A perfect blend of humor and horror that is visually sumptuous, it is impossible to look away…or stop laughing at Baker’s keenly written script or the delicious performances by all.
I spoke with director JAMES KAPNER during the film’s festival run and took advantage of the opportunity to speak with him again now on distribution about the technical aspects of the film – particularly the cinematography and use of color and light, with CHRIS BAKER and GREG FINLEY joining the fray midway into the interview, resulting in one of the most entertaining conversations to come around in awhile. The chemistry among the gentlemen comes through just in a conference call interview, with each building upon the other, delving into the making of the film as well as diving into the respective characters of George and Joe, and the appeal of a story like this for an actor.
TAKE A LISTEN. . .
by debbie elias, exclusive interview October 14, 2021
