We’re showcasing a variety of films this week on BEHIND THE LENS as we welcome BRIAN JOHNSON who discusses his film POPULATION PURGE. Plus, my exclusive interview with ASIF AKBAR talking BONEYARD, and you’ll get my mini-review of HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA – CHAPTER 1.
First up, I can’t help but talk about one of my favorite films of the year. A truly epic masterwork from Kevin Costner, HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA – CHAPTER 1. Co-written by Costner and Jon Baird, Costner’s love of the Old West and man’s ever-evolving attempts to tame it, settle it, develop it, cherish it, even destroy it, is once again evident here. Authenticity reigns supreme from costuming to set dress, as do the Utah locations in this emotional tale of a journey that begins in 1859 two years before the start of the Civil War, and over the course of the anticipated four chapters will span a total of 15 years.
With an omnipresent eye on the “horizon” by all throughout this film, we are treated to varying perspectives and experiences of families, friends, varying social classes, wagon trains, mining towns, “big cities”, Native Americans, and more. Thanks to a perfect marriage of John Debney’s exquisite score and award-worthy imagery and lensing courtesy of cinematographer J. Michael Muro we are swept into this world with the film’s first frame and are craving more by the last. Miklos Wright keeps the editing tight while appropriately lingering on the beauty of the horizon and all that entails, literally and figuratively, yet moves along smartly leading to a powerhouse rapid-fire third act finale, so don’t fear the three-hour length of the film. You won’t feel the length.
Casting is exemplary starting with Costner, followed by Sienna Miller and Sam Worthington with a sizzling chemistry to rival the heat of the desert sun. Also on hand are, among others, Luke Wilson, Michael Rooker, Scott Haze, Jena Malone, and Giovanni Ribisi, as well as some of Costner’s “Yellowstone” co-stars, Danny Huston and Will Patton, also a long-time Costner collaborator.
HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA – CHAPTER 1 is a “must see” film and now that it’s hitting digital on July 16th in addition to playing in theatres now, there’s no reason not to check it out.
Then we switch gears and you’ll hear my exclusive interview with director ASIF AKBAR talking about his new thriller BONEYARD, inspired by the true life, and as yet unsolved, crimes known as the West Mesa Murders. Boasting solid production values and a superb cast (Mel Gibson, Curtis Jackson, and Brian Van Holt to name just a few), Asif talks about not only his approach to this film and the challenges inherent to a reality-based story but also his responsibility to the victims of this serial killer and other missing women and girls the world over. A wonderful and interesting interview.
BONEYARD is in select theatres and available on VOD.
Rounding out the show, we go from expanding and building the American West to dystopian destruction of the United States as writer/director/cinematographer/camera operator DP BRIAN JOHNSON joins us, discussing his new thriller POPULATION PURGE. Listen as Brian talks about the genesis of the story, how he crafts a story around his selected locations, the abandoned locations used in the film (so visual and so cool), casting, directing and doing the lighting and lensing in some unforgiving spaces, and much more. Plus, he gives us some tidbits about his upcoming project.
POPULATION PURGE is now available on digital platforms.
