Julia Hart is a writer/director who began her film career working for Stephen Fry at Sprout Pictures in the U.K. Her first short film as a director, Emma, Change The Locks, won a New Talent Award at the British Film Institute’s 10th BFI Future Film Festival in 2017. Julia’s work has screened at festivals around the world, including the Toronto International Film Festival. Julia’s latest short as a writer/director, 23 Red, premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in 2018. She is currently developing her first feature, The One Hundred Nights of Hero, based on the acclaimed graphic novel of the same title by Isabel Greenberg (producer Julia Nottingham). In 2018, Julia was one of five directors selected for a bursary to attend the CFC Directors’ Lab in Canada.
Samantha Kaine is a film, television and theatre producer, writer and actor. Her producer credits include Offbeat Roads (2013), a television series with Blue Ant Media that has sold internationally; the Toronto mainstage theatrical play Sheets (2017), by Salvatore Antonio; and two short films, Willing to Lie (2017) and The Women of Alpine Road (2017). Kaine is currently in development on her first feature film and a webseries. She is a strong advocate for unique, boundary-breaking stories that empower women.
questionnaire:
– where were you born, where did you grow up, where do you live now?
Julia: Edmonton, Alberta. London, England.
Samantha: Runaway, Bay – St. Anne’s, Jamaica. Ottawa & Toronto, Ontario. Montréal, Quebec.
– first film you made, and where and when?
Julia: Emma Change The Locks, 2015, London
Samantha: The Runaway – Los Angeles- 2003…ish.
– latest film you made, and where and when?
Julia: Forgotten Principals, London, 2019
Samantha: – Quinte West-Ontario. 2017
– describe your current living space
Julia: I’m in lockdown in an apartment with two housemates in East London. It’s a quiet old flat with lots of windows and wood floors (most UK places have carpet and I’m relieved not to!)
Samantha: It’s a large one-bedroom condo in Old Montréal. I have a juliette balcony, with wonderful sunlight all day. A shared garden below with a pond, so I get to hear the sound of water all day. It’s so peaceful.
– what Canadian would you challenge to make an isolation movie?
Julia: Cadence Weapon – Amazing rapper and former Poet Laureate in Alberta
Samantha: Bruny Surin – One of Canada’s greatest athletes!
– In the history of cinema whose isolation movie would you want to see?
Julia: Agnès Varda
Samantha: Andy Lau
– worst thing about being in isolation?
Julia: separation from loved ones
Samantha: not being able to touch another person
– best thing about being in isolation?
Julia: priorities become clearer
Samantha: lots of time for self reflection
– favourite book to read in isolation?
Julia: Weather, by Jenny Offill (although Samantha’s title is very intriguing!)
Samantha: My Sister, The Serial Killer: A Novel
– favourite music to listen to in isolation?
Julia: Dounia
Samantha: Anything by Jorja Smith
– favourite movies to watch in isolation?
Julia: Corpo Celeste, Witness, Woman At War
Samantha: Shaolin, Mulan, Knives Out, Joker, The Shawshank Redemption
– favourite meal in isolation?
Julia: Baked Sweet Potato with any filling
Samantha: Thai Shrimp with rice noodles
– what’s the last best thing you cooked?
Aubergine and Coconut Curry
Butternut Squash Curry
