Interview of Alyson Moon re: "Circus"

This spring,my dear friend, Alyson Moon agreed to sit down with me and subject herself to another interview. This lovely and talented filmmaker/actress is is in the midst of catapulting upward...as far as her projects go. Her first full length feature film is on the horizon and today we will discuss the motion picture Circus.

CJZ: Yes! A full length feature film. Many of your fans, like me, who have watched your short films, are cheering. Making a 90 minute film, instead of a 15-20 minute short, is quite a jump. There is much more involved than just letting the camera run longer. Can you tell us what it took, and what had to be in place, in order to film a full length feature instead of a short feature?
Alyson Moon: I decided Circus had to become a long movie because there were so many things to tell, and in a short film, it was not possible to condense everything I wanted to say. At this point the choice was easy. Now Circus tells the story in a complete and exhaustive way, going into some aspects that it was a pity they were merely mentioned in the short. In addition, new characters have entered this mechanism, making this story even more interesting and intriguing.

CJZ: Circus is steeped with imagery and metaphor, and plenty of social commentary and points of conviction for the viewer. The subject matter alone seems to scream for a full length feature, in that sense, did this project present an ease that might not have existed in the short version?
Alyson Moon: On the contrary. Circus becoming a feature film represented a more difficult challenge, and this was the best part, because as we all know, when the road is more difficult...the victory is sweeter. This is also true in this case.

CJZ: Setting up funding, producers, and securing guarantees has to be a lot mor perilous of an endeavor in embarking of a 90 minute film. Did you find people you trusted and who really believed in you? Knowing you, Alyson, I know you did...can you tal a bit about those people?
Alyson Moon: It's true, I've found someone I trust, and who believes in me. He is a great friend and a wonderful person, gifted with great humanity and professionalism. I'm talking about Rocky Karlage...who with his contribution made possible the realization of this film.

CJZ: Even in the past couple of months, the metaphor and imagery of Circus holds relevant and incredibly poignant. Does the timeless nature of Circus' themes make this film so much more important to do well...flawlessly?
Alyson Moon: Excellent question. I can tell you that the metaphors enclosed within the movie can be read precisely as metaphors, or, perhaps in a more daring a hypothesis, one could say that reality is a metaphor, and you have to find out what's behind this. Circus is not only a horror film, but much more: It is a page of history and literature brought to exasperation until it becomes almost matter that you can touch with your hand, as if it were a story see, touch, and breathe. It is nice to think that a Shakespearean tragedy can become current to the point of becoming almost a news page. Now the question that arises is: Is Circus a horror film or a history film? I like to think that it is both, a mixture composed of 50% fear and 50% literature. That's why Circus is not the classic horror movie with the usual mechanisms we all know.

CJZ: Watching your previous works, you pull in an almost Gothic or medieval imagery into modern settings...will we see any of this here, either in the sets or in surreal character imaginings?
Alyson Moon: Absolutely yes. Once again you will see Gothic atmosphere while watching this movie you will feel as though you were inside the pages of a Shakespeare work, as those pages were never proposed. This is not a film set in the time of Shakespeare, and its not Shakespeare's biography, but much more: It "IS" Shakespeare, with all the destructive and driving force of his masterpieces. Just as it happened with the other movies, once again the viewer will be able to enjoy these pages of literature as if the two worlds, the present one and the Shakespeare one joined together becoming one. The movie is full of quotes and aphorisms, each with its own why, and each placed at the right time, during a precise action that exacerbates the already exasperated tones of the comedy. Titus Andronicus, The Scottish Play and other "pieces" take shape, becoming real, current, and absolutely contemporary. And the magic begins.

CJZ: Any festivals on the horizon. Mastering the "festival game" or "festival politics" can be quite a feat. Artistically, your work is of an incredible standard. What hurdles will you have to overcome for having Circus screened and distributed?
Alyson Moon: For now it is premature to think about festivals. After the promotion and after observing the public reaction, it will then be possible to think about the next step. I am a bit superstitious!

CJZ: Tell us about future projects...upcoming soon and on your "wish list"?
Alyson Moon: The "wish list" must remain secret. It is a matter of superstition, and as you well know, in this environment we are very much! Instead, about the projects, they are many: new movies, of which two are already in production, including Tili Bom, a story based on an ancient and creepy Russian legend. If you would like to join us in financing this film, please visit our site by clicking this link: Help Tili Bom be Made ...Thank you very Much!!!!

CJZ: Thank you, Alyson. Both you and Rocky are class acts all the way. I so look forward to talking to both you again. Please don't be a stranger.