Interview with Filmmaker Luke Sargent (THE LOVE SONGS OF OEDIPUS REX)

THE LOVE SONGS OF OEDIPUS REX, 21min., Canada, Documentary
Directed by Luke Sargent
Documentary about musician Benjamin Hackman (The Holy Gasp) processing personal loss and heartbreak, through creating a massive concept album.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3303039/?ref_=fn_al_nm_2

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

-I think the motivation was fairly spontaneous. I’m familiar with Benjamin and The Holy Gasp, and he’d asked me to do some behind the scenes recordings of their album. I didn’t want to do that, but I’d asked what the album was about, and he told me. I was like “This isn’t a behind the scenes thing, this is more like a documentary!”

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

-16+ months

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

-Punk heartache… although I recognize “heartache” is a compound word.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

-Filming was a pleasure, but also a real challenge to do all by myself. I’d do things like plant the Zoom audio recorder in one room, and then shoot into that room from another room to make it feel like there was a bigger crew. Also, because we were shooting in the same studio for the whole time, I prepared by listening to the temp-tracks of these songs (which sort of act like another character in the piece) and tried to establish a visual theme for each song. That way it wouldn’t feel repetitive or boring in the edit.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

-First just really happy and appreciative of these good people who took the time to watch and listen to the film. Then I started to wonder if they had anything bad / critical to say? I’d be happy to hear those parts too.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

-Long ago in a galaxy far, far away.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

– The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. We watched it with my Dad a bunch, and then on my own. It’s hilarious, and also a masterpiece.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

-I love the social aspect of festivals, and so I’d say anything we can do to get some of these good people in the same room (sorry, Zoom doesn’t count).

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

-Fine, simple.

10. What is your favorite meal?

-Raw oysters with lime and tequila. Don’t worry, I don’t eat it every day!

11. What is next for you? A new film?

-I’m developing a kids mystery mini-series about the wealth-divide between rich and everybody else during the next Great Depression in 2038. No idea where to take it though!