From the other side of the pond comes this quick Q&A; with British director, Lawrence Coke. Lawrence has been making films since 1997; his first film, the feature-length mini-DV offering MC, was loosely based on Romeo and Juliet. His award-winning films include Melvin: Portrait of a Player (2003), Morally Speaking (2005) and One Day at a Time (2006), all of which will be screened at the trinidad+tobago film festival/09. Lawrence will be present at all screenings, thanks to our partnership with bfm in the UK
What was the first film you remember seeing?
Star Wars
What was the last great film you saw?
Let the Right One In and before that the Lives of Others
Which matters more: having the proper budget or having complete creative freedom?
Having complete freedom
What is the most important thing you’ve learned about life from filmmaking?
Nothing is what it seems
If a Martian came to Earth and asked to be shown a film, what film would you recommend?
Schindlers List (shows the best and worst of humanity)
What’s the best piece of filmmaking advice anyone’s ever given you?
When you’re absolutely certain you’ve cut enough, cut some more.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about making films?
Being talented is enough
What film have you seen more than any other?
Toss up between Blazing Saddles and Dune
Which is more challenging: making a feature-length film or a short?
Making a feature
If you could go back in time and be a part of any era in the history of cinema, which would it be?
Late 70s early 80s, before cinema became self aware
