An in-depth exclusive interview with co-writers/co-directors MATTHEW G. HILL and LANDON JOHNSON discussing the compelling and emotional RESISTANCE: 1942, a story about members of the Resistance and Jews in hiding during WWII, all who give hope to others thanks to the courage of one man and his short wave radio, and another man who risks everything to help them.
SYNOPSIS: 1942. France is under Nazi control. The Allies have been pushed off the continent and their defeat in North Africa seems likely. Germany’s victory is nearly absolute. Under this dark shadow, a man named Jacques (Cary Elwes) uses a radio to broadcast a message of hope. He hides in an attic with his daughter Juliet (Greer Grammer) and a small group of fellow survivors (Judd Hirsch, Mira Furlan), playing a deadly game of cat and mouse with the German occupiers. The world becomes too dangerous when the Gestapo send Captain Klaus Jager (Sebastian Roche) to catch Jacques. As Klaus closes in, Jacques and his small group make a desperate bid to escape their pursuer, trusting themselves to the help of enigmatic Andre (Jason Patric), a Swiss banker. In the end, that trust may turn out to be the very thing that leads the hunter to his prey.
Written and Directed by Matthew G. Hill and Landon Johnson, RESISTANCE: 1942 stars Cary Elwes, Jason Patric, Judd Hirsch, Greer Grammer, and Sebastian Roche.
At its core, RESISTANCE: 1942 is a film about morality and shining a light in the darkness of the world. In many respects it is as timely and topical in today’s world as the story we see unfold on the screen in 1942-1944. Impeccably structured by Hill and Johnson, the duo take the unique approach and use the short wave radio as a character in the film and entre into the gravity of the world at large, with the radio being almost celebratory as a beacon of hope to the faceless. Do they hear the brief signals and messages of encouragement?
Dealing with various themes, including a key one of religion, we see and feel the differences, but more importantly, the commonality and similarity between people and their religious beliefs which provide a moral compass for our protagonists. Not shying away from many of the issues and tenets of the Third Reich, we see and feel seething hatred, thanks in large part to a chilling performance by Sebastian Roche, while we cringe at dinner table discussions of the Nazi elite talking genetics and breeding and cultural inferiorities. But we also see and feel joy and the hope of freedom thanks to cinematographer Spencer Hutchins and composer John W. Snyder. Visual metaphor is strong as observational montages set to Snyder’s flowing score convey tone and mood as we move through the story and the lives of the characters. A stunning film on every level.
Speaking with MATTHEW HILL and LANDON JOHNSON about RESISTANCE: 1942 was a pure joy. Both passionate about their work and the telling of this story (some 8 years in the making), it was no holds barred as we dug into:
- story and inspiration
- themes
- visual tonal bandwidth
– cinematography and working with Spencer Hutchins
– visual grammar with camera work & color
– visual metaphor
– tonal shifts through lighting
– use of montages, i.e., creating an observational exposition - score
– tonal shifts within score
– working with composer John Snyder - editing
– pace and tension - casting and standout performances of Jason Patric, Judd Hirsch, and Sebastian Roche
- and so much more!
TAKE A LISTEN. . .
by debbie elias, exclusive interview 11/15/2022
