Review Fix Exclusive: Jimmy Olsson Talks ‘Alive’

Review Fix chats with writer/director Jimmy Olsson, who discusses his new film, “Alive.”

Review Fix: What was the inspiration for this film?

Jimmy Olsson: I heard a story listening to a podcast and it was a bit different from this one but I thought it could be good drama when the assistant has to wait outside not knowing what was going to happen, when this dude shows up, if he shows up. Who’s fault is it if something happens. Its kind of a moral dilemma thing going on and I found that intriguing. Also its a film about prejudice. How we see and judge disabled people. That we as ”normal” people without disabilities treat and think of people with disabilities. That they are a burden of society whom we need to take care of and not caring enough what they feel inside.

Review Fix: How is it different from the other films you’ve been a part of?

Olsson:  The last time I made a film about racism and this is also a social issue film you could say so it’s not too different but I still very much like to explore the inside of people, what they feel and the subtext of a situation. I like to treat subjects that are relevant in today’s society and this is a film about the importance of not judging people. We need more love.

Review Fix: What are your goals for it?

Olsson: I’m hoping that this film will do even better than my last film on the festival circuit, hitting bigger festivals and a bigger crowd. With this film, I want to show what I’m capable of when it comes to writing and direction even more. Its a more mature work than the previous films I’ve made and I’m hoping this film will attract agents in the US and the UK

Review Fix: What have you learned about yourself through this production?

Olsson: I have learned a lot when it comes to taking a lot of creative decisions in a short period of time. I’m more confident now than ever in my filmmaking and I’m more confident now trusting the capabilities of my actors I have cast and also I have learned to be a more efficient storyteller. It’s funny though. My best works are usually the ones that I have written in a very short time. this script I wrote in 90 minutes in an airport in Germany.

Review Fix: What’s the feeling like on set?

Olsson: We made the film without any money basically and we shot it in two days and the feeling on set was very comfortable. We had a very tight crew and the planning was great and the actors were great so it was a very easy production actually. No real stress, a warm feeling.

Review Fix: Any fun stories?

Olsson: Again I have a minute part in my films. We thought since we had very little time and no money I should be the shady guy in the film, a guy with no lines and my appearance actually fits the profile of the character

Review Fix: Who will enjoy it the most?

Olsson: I think its a film for all audiences. The pace of the film is quite calm and I like the realism of it. I’m really proud of the film

Review Fix: What’s next?

Olsson: I have another short premiering at the same time also. a completely different one. It’s a mockumentary called ”whatever happened to Ms. Longstocking” Obviously a comedy and I’m hoping people who grew up reading Pippi Longstocking will like it. In September I’m shooting my first feature based on the story of 2nd class called ” to save a boy” and I’m looking for some US interest for that one actually so if someone knows any producers who liked 2nd class they can contact me directly [email protected]

Review Fix: Anything you want to add?

Olsson: Please follow me on social- regissorjimmy on Twitter and Instagram

Alive – trailer from Jimmy Olsson on Vimeo.

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About Patrick Hickey Jr. 13821 Articles
Patrick Hickey Jr. is a full-time Assistant Professor of Communication & Performing Arts and Director of the Journalism program at Kingsborough Community College and is the chairman of the City University of New York Journalism Council. He is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of ReviewFix.com. He's also a former News Editor at NBC Local Integrated Media and National Video Games Writer at Examiner.com where his work was mentioned in National Ad campaigns by Disney, Nintendo and EA Sports. Hickey was also the Editor-In-Chief of two College Newspapers before he received his BA in Journalism from Brooklyn College. Hickey's work has been published in The New York Daily News, The New York Times, Complex, The Hockey Writers, Yahoo!, Broadway World, Examiner, NYSportScene Magazine, ProHockeyNews.com, GothamBaseball.com, The Syracuse Post-Standard, Scout.com and the official sites of the Brooklyn Aces and New York Islanders. His first book, The Minds Behind the Games: Interviews With Cult And Classic Video Game Developers was released in April 2018 and is chock full of interviews with legendary developers. His second book in the series, The Minds Behind Adventures Games, was released in December 2019. His third book, The Minds Behind Sports Games, was released in September 2020. His fourth book, The Minds Behind Shooter Games, was released in March 2021. The Minds Behind Sega Genesis Games and The Minds Behind PlayStation Games were released in 2022 and The Minds Behind PlayStation 2 was published in January 2023. Hickey is also a contracted comic book writer, currently penning his original series, "Condrey," as well as "The Job," "Brooklyn Bleeds" "Dem Gulls" and "KROOM" for Legacy Comix, where he serves as founder, owner and Editor-in-Chief. Hickey Jr. is also a voice actor, having starred in the 2018 indie hit and 2019 Switch, PS4 and Xbox One release, The Padre (also serving as English language Story Editor), from Shotgun With Glitters. The sequel, The Padre: One Shell Straight to Hell was released in February 2021- Hickey also served as a Story Editor and Lead Voiceover performer. He has also done narration and trailers for several other titles including The Kaiju Offensive, Relentless Rex and Roniu’s Tale. Hickey is also the lead voiceover performer on Mega Cat Studios’ upcoming title WrestleQuest, responsible for nearly 90 characters in the game, as well as Skybound's Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood, where he voices both Dracula and Renfield, as well as several other characters. He also stars in Ziggurat Interactive’s World Championship Boxing Manager 2, where he performs the VO of nearly every male character in the game. He also worked on the Atari VCS’s BPM Boy.

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