When tackling intense and raw themes, like the ones we find in Bryant T Griffin’s film Young King which explores a veteran’s struggles to return home and cope with the scars of the Iraq war, it can be tricky to find the right cinematic tone and voice to tell such a story.One of the standout films at this year’s Austin Film Festival, Griffin and the team behind Young King were able to bring a documentary, true-life quality to a film that is presented in a very personal and sincere way.To achieve this style and tone the team took a unique approach to capture the “imperfect and raw” nature of the story. Here’s our interview with the writer/director Bryant T. Griffin, Producer Selena Leoni, and DP Vittoria Campaner on how they were able to pull it off—plus how you can try to unlock the same sensitivity and approach in your projects.No Film School: What was the inspiration for Young King?Bryant T. Griffin: Young King was inspired by true events. I have a childhood friend that served in the second Iraq war post-September 11th. When he returned home from combat in 2005, he struggled to reintegrate into civilian life as he dealt with undiagnosed PTSD. Over the years, his mental health continued to decline until a tragic event occurred. When I heard about the tragedy, I was in shock, and I just couldn’t make sense of it.Years later, while in the MFA directing program at UCLA, I knew I wanted to make...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Tuesday, 12 November