Review Fix Exclusive: Daniel Ringey Talks ‘Dirty’ And More

Review Fix chats with “Dirty” director who discusses the film and what makes it a special one. In the vein of “Se7en” and Oldboy,” it’s a gritty mystery noir experience that thinks fans of the genre will love.

For more on the film, click here.

Review Fix: What was the inspiration for this film?

Daniel Ringey: My inspiration for the film: To make a dark, gritty, crime revenge movie that leaves the audience in shock. I was always such a big fan of those kind of films like Se7en or Oldboy even The Departed. After you watched those movies it left a stamp on you, you couldn’t wash off. One theme I really wanted to deliver was to make a movie, that’s so dark, everyone in the entire film was bad. There are no Good people in this movie.
 
Review Fix: How did you feel when you first read the screenplay?

Ringey: I first read the screen play back in 2013, Ben Alexander told me that he wrote it very fast, and promised me I was going to love it, and I did. It was everything I grew up watching. It was funny, and scary, and sad. It had AMAZING characters, and it flowed very very quickly. After I read it, I told him that we had to make it.
 
Review Fix: Who’s in the cast? Why are they special?

Ringey: We have a great ensemble with some new faces and some very familiar ones.
 
Roger Guenveure Smith: We wanted to cast our Detective Berg with a character actor, who wanted to bring that commitment to the leading man role. We ended up reaching out to one of the best Character actors Roger Guenveur Smith. He can be funny, and menacing at the same time. Berg is a lovable sociopath who has the street smarts to be the best DIRTY cop in LA – Roger plays him very well.
 
Paul Elia: is one of the smartest actors in Hollywood. He is a up in coming and playing the co-star Detective Jackson. Paul brings so much thought and honesty to every scene, every look, and every moment. If it’s him just being quiet listening in the back ground, or saying a monologue, he is honest. Jackson is a young detective who is being lead down the wrong path, and in the film you watch the good in him disappear with every scene…    
 
Adrian Gaeta: Adrian is one of those actors that you love to watch, he is friendly and kind, and really brought the CHRISTOPHER character to life. We talked about how with 1 scene, we had to fall in love with Christopher, and Adrian delivers. With the Help of Jason Stuart playing Christopher’s asshole boss, it just helps the audience feel for this person. Adrian was so committed to the role of the innocent man, down on his luck and framed for murder – he lost 30 pound in our 15 day shoot. But every scene he is in, He draws you in and forces you to watch him. He is truly amazing.
 
Chaz Bono- Chaz Bono plays the role of Jerry, the Crack addicted hoarder who is also Detective Jackson’s Criminal Informant. I was very hesitant to bring Chaz in to read for the role, I wanted a very experienced actor for this part, it being so strange, I needed someone who would play it straight and real. At this point chaz had never been in a film, and just started doing some plays, but mutual acquaintance of ours asked us to give chaz a shot at the audition, and we did. Out of the 40+ people we saw for that part – Chaz was the best. He came in and did such an amazing Job, I couldn’t not see Jerry in my brain unless chaz was playing him.
 
Chaz ended up giving an amazing performance, that’s almost animal like. He is funny, and scary, and makes you fell nervous, and uncomfortable. All the characteristics of Jerry the Hoarder.   One of my favorite scenes in the film, is Chaz Bono playing Jerry the hoarder.
 
He has the acting chops to be a star.
 
Review Fix: How has this film made you a better director?

Ringey: This film educated me about how every actor is different. Like how everyone learns and takes in information differently, to get the right performance out of actors, they all work differently. And a good directors adjusts to them, and works with their style so you both can collaborate.
 
Another big lesson I learned is that you do not need to over direct. Talk out the scene. Take that time for everyone to understand where and what they want out of it, and you’ll be surprised how many great ideas come from everyone just talking about it. The collaboration is the key component in the film making process.
 
Your crew is your best friend on the film. you need everyone to know how important they are. If one piece of that crew isn’t in your corner 100% it will hurt the project. As a director, you have to keep your vision alive and keep them apart of it. From pre to post production. Your crew is your foundation.

Review Fix: How do you want this film to be remembered?

Ringey: I want this film to be remembered as one of those movies, that you don’t know who to root for, because everyone is evil.

Review Fix: Who do you think will enjoy this film the most?

Ringey: People who will enjoy this movie are people who have a love for crime films, dark comedies, and who are fans of movies with sex, blood and violence.

Review Fix: Bottom line, why should someone watch this film?

Ringey: The movie has a great story, fantastic acting, twists and turns, the whole way through. It’s a great revenge story.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Ringey: I really want to do a comedy next.

I have a bunch of projects in development right now, from comedy to dramas even a TV show that Ben and I are excited about. I love all aspects of filmmaking, and story telling. But after coming off such a dark movie like DIRTY I want to put smiles on peoples face. It looks like my next film will be a comedy.