This episode of BEHIND THE LENS is a fascinating conversation with director LISA HEPNER and director of photography GUY MOSSMAN talk about their new documentary – THE HUMAN TRIAL. Plus, my exclusive interview with writer/director MALI ELFMAN going in-depth talking her feature directorial debut, NEXT EXIT.
Joining us live during National Diabetes Month are director LISA HEPNER and director of photography GUY MOSSMAN talking about THE HUMAN TRIAL. Herself a diabetic, this is a very personal project for Lisa. Already an established producer, Lisa moves into the director’s chair to take us into the up close and personal world of human clinical trials for a treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. Listen as Lisa and Guy talk about the 7+ year journey of making this documentary, starting with researchers and a biotech company in San Diego, then filming the arduous roller coaster ride of the first two patients in the clinical trial with the good, the bad, and the heartbreaking pain and tears, while also travelling around the globe with the biotech reps seeking much-needed funding to continue research. Listen as Lisa and Guy discuss the challenges of making this documentary, not the least of which is the length of time involved in order to follow the patients in the clinical trial. And Guy has some pretty fun global anecdotes for us as well!
But first, you’ll hear our exclusive interview with writer/director Mali Elfman as we discuss NEXT EXIT! I have had the privilege and pleasure of knowing Mali for about two decades now. It has always been her goal to “make movies” versus “cover movies”. For some years now she has been producing projects that range from episodics to shorts to anthologies to features; she’s written some shorts and directed a few shorts and episodics. Always consistently honing her craft, she now makes her feature directorial debut with NEXT EXIT. Also written by Mali, the story has powerful themes surrounding grief, life, and death, that give rise to thought and discussion and even some interpersonal reflection, all showcased within a road picture setting (and the road trip in the film is real) boasting wonderful performances – and humor – courtesy of Katie Parker and the scene-stealing Rahul Kohli. An award-worthy first feature, this is a film and a conversation you don’t want to miss as we hit the road into the “making of” NEXT EXIT.
When a research scientist (Karen Gillan) makes national news proving she can track people into the afterlife, Rose (Katie Parker) sees a way out and Teddy (Rahul Kohli) sees his chance to finally make it. These two strangers, both harboring dark secrets, race to join the doctor’s contentious study and leave this life behind. While Rose is haunted by a ghostly presence that she can’t outrun, Teddy is forced to confront his past. As these two misfits humorously quarrel their way across the country, they meet people along the way who force them to reckon with what is really driving them. A supernatural road movie directed by Mali Elfman and starring Starring Katie Parker, Rahul Kohli, Rose Mciver, Tongayi Chirisa, Tim Griffin, Diva Zappa, Nico Evers-Swindell, and Karen Gillan.
