Review Fix chats with 400 Days director Mat Osterman, who gives us the inside track on what makes the film from SyFy films, which opens in theaters today, so special.
About 400 Days:
Written and directed by Matt Osterman (Ghost from the Machine), 400 DAYS centers on four astronauts sent on a simulated mission to a distant planet to test the psychological effects of deep space travel. Locked away for 400 days, the crew’s mental state begins to deteriorate when they lose all communication with the outside world. The feature film stars Brandon Routh and Caity Lotz (who also star in the upcoming Arrow/Flash spinoff series DC’s Legends of Tomorrow), Emmy® nominee Ben Feldman (Mad Men), comedian Dane Cook (Detention, Mr. Brooks), Tom Cavanaugh (The Flash) and Grant Bowler (Defiance).
Review Fix: What was the inspiration for this film?
Matt Osterman: I was originally inspired by this crazy experiment in Russia a few years back called Mars500 where six astronauts went into a fake spaceship for over 500 days. After they got out with their sanity mostly still intact, I decided let’s take that idea and make something cinematic out of it. It really took off from there.
Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself and your cast through directing this?
Osterman: I learned that they’re all amazing people that I miss dearly. Creating a film is like going to summer camp and forming all these tight relationships, only to go home after and rarely see those people again. It’s tough, but just part of the business. I also learned that as challenging as this shoot was, I can’t wait to make another.
Review Fix: What was it like to work with someone like Tom Cavanagh?
Osterman: Tom is the best. Like literally the best. He is such a gentlemen and is so incredibly talented that I was in complete awe half the time. It’ll one my missions in life to work with him again.
Review Fix: What was the atmosphere like on set?
Osterman: As a director, I find it’s my number one job to create an environment conducive to creativity and respect. Everyone has a voice and I find you get better work out of people when you’re cool and calm and try to toss in a little fun once in a while. With all that said, we didn’t have a huge budget or a long shooting schedule, so we had to be pretty disciplined to get the film done on time and on budget.
Review Fix: How did you feel the first time you saw the completed film?
Osterman: I had a large role in the editing process, so I probably saw a version of a completed film at least a few dozen times. I can say, however, that watching the film with an audience in a theater for the first time was absolutely magical. The film is a bit of puzzle and is inspiring a ton of conversation and theories, so getting to have those conversations with fans has been a blast.
Review Fix: How do you want this film to affect people?
Osterman: Not sure this is the right answer, but I was tired of “paint-by-number†narratives and wanted to do something a bit more challenging. Something that encourages the audience to actively participate and see if they can solve the puzzle. I would love for it to create a conversation amongst the audience once the film ends. I think people that watch it alone will be frustrated because they don’t have anyone to bounce their ideas off of.
Review Fix: Who do you think will enjoy it the most?
Osterman: I don’t like to stick to a specific genre and the film plays in a bunch of them, so if you’re a person that needs to put a film in a descriptive box, then this one might not be for you. The people that will enjoy it most are those who want something a bit different. Those that don’t mind a good puzzle will love it.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Osterman: I have a couple things brewing, the foremost being a really fun artificial intelligence idea. I’m really excited by it and hopefully we can get it made soon.
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