Review Fix chats with filmmaker Pat Campo, who discusses his award-winning film, “Swiss Cheez Brain†at this year’s Queens World Film Festival.
Review Fix: What was the inspiration for your film?
Pat Campo: Volunteering at convalescent homes, I talked to a few patients with early onset Alzheimer’s. The ones whose condition was not as extreme told me their life story. And that inspired the foundation of the movie.
Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself while making?
Campo: I learned that I can rely on myself much more than I thought I could. That I don’t need a huge budget to see my idea come into fruition. And that there are an endless amount of resources through extensive research and asking good friends
Review Fix: What was the most challenging part of making it?
Campo: The actual filming itself. I have a full-time job as well as a part time on top of that. It made it difficult to find time shoot the movie. Any downtime in between jobs were an opportunity for the camera to roll.
Review Fix: How do you want it to be remembered?
Campo: I want to move people through normalcy and regularity. I want people to see my stuff and say “that was so simple, but I’ve never seen it in that way before.â€
Review Fix: How does it feel to be a part of the festival?
Campo: Wonderful! Katha and Don were the two most extraordinary, warmest, kindest people I’ve ever met. They also put on a festival with great purpose and structure. Other festivals need to take notes from this festival to see how it’s supposed to be really done.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Campo: Collaborating with a friend on a full feature script, as well as working on a 13-episode thriller comedy project.
Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?
Campo: Humility is underrated.
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