Interview with Winning Screenwriter Fritz Mueller (ANAHNA)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Fritz Mueller: An idealistic young Inuk and his strong-willed Gwich’in
girlfriend get caught in the crossfire of rival drug factions.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Action. Adventure. Drama.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

– An inviting adventure tale that transcends familiar
stereotypes of the north.
– A positive portrait of indigenous people.
– A contemporary look at a remote landscape usually thought
to be hostile and barren, that is in reality both bountiful
and beautiful.
– Its protagonist chooses a path of forgiveness rather than
the much-more-commonly-filmed path of revenge.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

Love. Greed.

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

A toss up: The Fugitive, Witness, The Next Three Days, all
watched many times while trying to relate their screenplays
to the completed films. A favorite recent movie is I, Tonya,
a powerful character study.

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

Two years, plus a bit.

7. How many stories have you written?

Many stories and poems, and part of a novel (abandoned long
ago). ANAHNA is a first screenplay. I have two more
screenplays underway, COWBOY WALTZ and MY RUSSIAN UNCLE.

8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you
listened to the most times in your life?)

My current favorite is “Evangeline”, which I am learning to
play on guitar. What song have I listened to most? Probably
Rodrigo’s “Concerto de Aranjuez” for classical guitar and
orchestra.

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Shortage of time. Inexperience with screenplay format. Not
understanding from the beginning how powerful and
transformative revision can be.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Mountain wilderness. Guitar-building.

11. You entered the screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has
been your experience working with the submission platform
site?

All positive. The FilmFreeway site is clear, easy to work
with, seems to be very inclusive. I found the
Action/Adventure Festival on the FilmFreeway site.

12. What influenced you to enter the festival?

The promised feedback. The Canadian address.

What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

The notes were thorough, although brief. They appeared to
derive from a reading of the entire script, not just the
opening few pages, which I appreciate. Suggestions for
improvements were well thought out. I was pleased to be
invited to re-submit the screenplay

 

 

Maddie returns to her home in Dogtown, Northwest Territories, after a long absence. She reconnects with her brother, Louie. With childhood friend, Danny. And with Danny’s grandmother, Anahna, the spiritual head of the family.

CAST LIST:

Nikita (m) – Justin Hay
Waitress – Katelyn Varadi
Narration – Norma Dawn Dunphy
Danny – Omar Aufi
Maddie – Salma Dharsee

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