From Academy Award winners to well-known character actors, the number of guests featured at the Milwaukee Film Festival this year was astounding. The closing night of the MFF promised plenty fun this year because of the announced appearances of esteemed actors such as Sean Astin and Chris Mulkey. The final screening on Oct 9 was of the world premier of “The Surface,” a feature length film shot in Milwaukee.
Among those in attendance was Milwaukee native screenwriter Jeff Gendelman, director Gil Cates Jr., and cinematographer Jimmy Sammarco. Astin (Lord of the Rings, The Strain) and Mulkey (Captain Phillips, Twin Peaks) were a delight for the press and audience because of their impressive Hollywood credentials. Audiences had the pleasure of interviewing Mulkey about his time in the Midwest shooting “The Surface,” and what he plans to do next in his career.
Mulkey was at a cancer benefit when he received the script for “The Surface.” He only had two hours to meet with director Gil Cates Jr to discuss the role of tough-skinned “Kelley” character.
“I basically told him, If you don’t hire me, hire a guy who’s not a whimp…I knew this was going to be a really rough shoot,” Mulkey said.
Mulkey enjoyed filming in the Midwest. He previously filmed “North Country” and “Patti Rocks.”
“The Midwest has a decency about it,” said Mulkey. “The Surface” was shot in summer 2013, mostly on waters of Lake Michigan. The shoots were long and strenuous; the cast and crew would always come back dehydrated and with windburns.
One of Mulkey’s more prominent roles was as Hank Jennings in “Twin Peaks,” which Showtime has revived for a new season in 2016. Mulkey is more than ready to return to his fan-favorite role.
“I would be prepared to come back now…like tonight,” he joked.
He informed us about a new CBS drama role for the series “Scorpion.” He hints that the character is worth tuning in to.
“If you don’t like it, I’ll buy the pizza,” Mulkey said.
We were soon ushered into the sold-out theater to see “The Surface.” Artistic director Jonathan Jackson warmly welcomed the crowd and thanked the dozens of staff members that helped in making this years festival a great one. After, screenwriter Jeff Gendelman took the stage to introduce his 19-year journey to making the film possible.
“The Surface” details a sunken man named Mitch (Astin) who is deeply struggles with depression, he soon takes his father’s boat out to commit suicide. He comes upon a hurt plane crash victim, Kelley (Mulkey), in the deep waters of Lake Michigan. After the motor on the boat breaks, Mitch must put his problems aside to nurse someone who is in more physical pain than he is. The two work together to save themselves, physically and mentally, in this poignant exploration into the dark waters of depression.
After the film, there was a brief Q&A session with the filmmakers and actors.
“If you’re an actor looking for something to dig into, that doesn’t take more than a second to say yes to,” said Astin when asked about his decision to be in the film. All you can hope for, as an actor, is to do something where there are good ideas. I just love that this was a way to dig into big ideas.”
There wasn’t as many questions asked by the audience than there was praise to the filmmakers and actors for their honest portrayal of depression and suicide.
“If you’ve been touched by depression or suicide in your life, relationships, or family, it’s just no joke,” Astin said. “That’s the hardest part. It’s confusing.”
The Q&A ended with an announcement that Marcus Theatres with open “The Surface” in select theatres on Oct 24. The Milwaukee Film Festival will return next fall to host even more celebrated guests, events, and great films.