Meet the 2013 SXSW Filmmakers #13: Matt Anderson Searches for Global Answers in ‘Fall and Winter’
In 2008, Canadian filmmaker Matt Anderson decided to abandon his production company in order to investigate the global catastrophic risks facing the human race — a journey he captures in his film “Fall and Winter.” Anderson told Indiewire that when he was 6, his family moved to a small island with no roads and no stores where they used solar panels for electricity and drank rainwater. At 19, Anderson moved to New York City to work in motion graphic design, and ended up DJ’ing so “I could drink at bars.” After working at a number of graphic and web design studios, he started his own video production company called Obelisk. This is the start of his journey which he beautifully captures in compelling visuals. Ironically, he says, it led him to wanting to live in a way that he did when he was 6.
What it’s about: ‘Fall And Winter’ is a hypnotic voyage into the heart of our global crisis. It is a psycho-spiritual survival guide for the 21st century.
What else do you want audiences to know about your film? “Although the film is not so much a ‘journey’ film, “Fall And Winter” is the story of what I discovered driving 16,000 miles around the country. This was a quest to understand how humanity will survive, transcend and evolve through the catastrophes ahead. In 2008 I spent an entire day visiting with Martin Gashweseoma, the last traditionalist Hopi elder. Since then I’ve been experiencing something of a rite of passage in making this film. Fall And Winter is my attempt to turn the theater into a Kiva; I’ve tried to use the medium of film to simulate a psychological transformation I believe modern humanity must collectively experience to evolve.”
What he hopes audiences will walk away with: “If this helps to engage people to think a little deeper about the world around them, then that’s all I could ever ask for. I hope that people discuss and debate anything in the film that they are passionate about. What I get from the film (and I hope others do too) is a reminder to work with the power of nature, not against it.”
On films that inspired him: “The earliest film I can remember seeing is “Brazil” by Terry Gilliam, which is permanently burned into my brain. My grandfather and I watched “W.C. Fields” and “The Blues Brothers” on repeat throughout my childhood. I think I still get a lot from those films in my adult life.”
Indiewire invited SXSW Film Festival directors to tell us about their films, including what inspired them, the challenges they faced and what they’re doing next. We’ll be publishing their responses leading up to the 2013 festival.
Keep checking HERE every day up to the launch of the festival on March 8 for the latest profiles.
