First Look – “Vino Veritas” Stills

vvmovie — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:06:22 +0000

The cast of “Vino Veritas” (Photo by John Beymer)

Director, Sarah Knight, and the film’s mascot, Super Pickle (Photo by John Beymer)

Carrie Preston as Claire (Photo by John Beymer)

: Bernard White as Ridley and Brian Hutchison as Phil

Heather Raffo as Lauren

“Vino Veritas” Now in Post-production

vvmovie — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:01:30 +0000

Principal photography wrapped on July 31st, and second unit wrapped this weekend!!

Stills from the film will be posted shortly…

A Statement from Vino Veritas’ Writer David MacGregor

vvmovie — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:42:29 +0000

VINO VERITAS began standing on the first tee of a golf course just off US-23 in Tyrone Township, Michigan. Twice a year, I would meet a friend of mine there, halfway between our houses. Theoretically, we were there to golf, but what we were really there to do was talk. We all have various family members, friends, and acquaintances that we deal with in various ways. Some people know us reasonably well; while others only know the version of ourselves we create for them. If we’re very lucky, we find one or two people in our lives with whom we can actually be absolutely open and truthful.

It was just such a friend I was standing with when a man came strolling up to us and said, “Hey, I’m a single. Mind if I join you?” And my friend smiled and said, “No, you go on ahead of us. We’re going to be talking about things that you would find very disturbing.” Now, we had no idea what we would be talking about, but what my friend knew was that having a stranger with us would have completely changed what we talked about and the way we would talk about it.

Based on that brief incident, I began to obsess about the idea of a film in which people would speak openly and candidly to one another. Not merely personal secrets and revelations, but the kinds of thoughts and truths that bubble up from the mother crocodile inside all of us. For all of the trappings of civilization, we’re still animals driven by our most basic fears and desires, whether we admit to them or not. The result of my desire to write a script featuring characters facing the truth about themselves and one another was VINO VERITAS.

Soon after completing the screenplay, Sarah Knight and I met in New York and discussed the prospects of turning the screenplay into a film. It was immediately apparent that she’s bright and funny and very passionate about what she does. She gave me two of her films to watch and when I did, I knew I wanted to work with her on VINO VERITAS for the very simple reason that she’s an extremely talented filmmaker.

That is one of the best decisions I have ever made. The film is almost precisely as I pictured it when I wrote the screenplay–two couples convinced they know themselves and one another until layer after layer is peeled back to reveal who they really are. The cinematography, set design, sound, editing, and the performances of the actors all come together to create a dark, funny, and often searingly poignant film.

From the moment I wrote the words FADE IN: on page one, it has been my privilege to witness the film being created through the talent and dedication of everyone associated with this project. It’s been quite a ride. And if you haven’t seen the film yet, now it’s your turn. Just be sure to fasten yourself in. Things might get a little bumpy.

David MacGregor – Screenwriter

A Statement from Vino Veritas’ Director Sarah Knight

vvmovie — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 02:29:45 +0000

It was my mother who initially turned me on to David MacGregor’s sparkling stage play, VINO VERITAS. She had seen it performed at the Nebraska Repertory Theatre and loved it so much she subsequently attended every remaining performance.

When I read the play I burned through it, captivated by its caustic, clever dialogue and complex, adult characters. I loved the idea of exploring the question of how much truth our relationships–be they marriages or friendships–can withstand.

I even ventured to Fargo, North Dakota, to see a production of the play at Theatre B. The show sprang to life onstage and instantly put me in mind of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The audience there was enthralled. Its intense reaction cemented my instinct that VINO VERITAS could translate into a gem of a film that would stand out in the current independent film market, and draw in an under-served audience seeking intelligent, mature and witty material.

When David came to New York, we met and immediately hit it off. Our shared sensibilities convinced us the best way to protect the integrity of the original material was to produce the piece ourselves as a low-budget feature. My success with this “DIY” approach on the short films, both narrative and documentary, I’ve directed and produced in the past gave me the confidence to know that I could produce this film within limited means while maintaining high production values. This will be made possible through the generous contacts I have made in the past as well as the contacts I am sure to make when going back to shoot in my hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska.

It is with great excitement that I ask you to come along and take this journey with us as we produce a film that will be touching, relevant and entertaining with a focus on great performances and impeccable quality.

Sarah Knight - Director