From successful director to lonely wanderer

Hi, my name is Kris De Meester (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2146620/). I'm an indendepent filmmaker. 'Johnny Walker' (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2567688/) is my second feature film as a director. Besides being a producer (Por Las Plumas, Menthol, Smothered, Vessel) my day-to-day job is casting director. Credits include Nymphomaniac (Lars von Trier), Ex-Drummer (Koen Mortier) and Me & Kaminsky (Wolfgang Beckers).

My first feature film 'Four Roses' was selected in over 15 international and independent film festivals worldwide. Awards include 'best film' at the Memphis International Film Festival and 'best no-budget film' at the Cannes Independent Film Festival. Four Roses was also theatrical released in Belgium and The Netherlands where it became an indie box office success (7 weeks in the major cities). Most critics see the film as ‘an early Jim Jarmusch’.
Four Roses is a black and white feature film that tells the story of 12 characters who’re stuck in their hotel rooms with nothing but time to kill.

JOHNNY WALKER, Finishing funds

Principal shooting is done. We shot the film on an Arri Alexa during a course of only six days. In the beautiful surroundings of Lake Warfaaz in Spa, Belgium, which creates the ideal environment for the main character, who kills time walking in circles around his stately castle. 

We need money for post production and film festival promotion.

Jim Stark (producer Coffee and Cigarettes, Factotum, Mistery Train, ...) on the project

"With the success of his debut film FOUR ROSES, Kris De Meester firmly put himself on the map of new and promising European filmmakers. His latest project, JOHNNY WALKER (loosely based on Dostoevsky's NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND, and with references to classic American indie films) promises to be even better."

Story

Johnny is an American filmmaker who was once very successful and respected. These days, however, he is well past his prime, and battling with depression. He is married to Sharon, a famous actress, whom he met on the set of his last movie. She is the reason that he moved to Belgium. Unfortunately for Johnny, she would rather spend her time on set than at home. In contrast to his wife, Johnny doesn’t have any great expectations left of life. He is busy with a new project, but it seems doomed to fail. Cut off from reality, he lives in a castle on the border between Flanders and Wallonia – a place which will cause linguistic confusion and is surrounded by staff that barely speak English. One day an unknown pregnant woman shows up unexpectedly at Johnny’s door. Their meeting heralds a new beginning for Johnny.

Production approach

What will set Johnny Walker apart in today’s competitive movie world is its minimalistic production approach and low budget. Just like Four Roses, the movie will cost a fraction of a regular film budget. Despite the budgetary restrictions I found an incredible cast/crew and was able to shoot on Arri Alexa. Even though this is a low budget film it was important to me that every person involved in the making of the movie was adequately paid. This meant that the movie had to be filmed at one location and in only six days. That made for a small-scale, high-quality cooperation between cast and crew with much mutual respect.

Executive Producer Christine Kunewa Walker (Howl, Life During Wartime, American Splendor)

Crew

My crew includes DOP Joel San Juan who previously worked on film such as Captive with Isabelle Huppert. Still Photographer is Kris Dewitte, an “insider” on many international movie sets. In the past he has taken photos of David Lynch, Tilda Swinton, Willem Dafoe, Gael García Bernal, Johnny Depp, Tim Roth, Halle Berry and Steve Buscemi, among others. Tomas Leyers (Lost Persons Area, Blue Bird) is my associate producer. His name is synonymous with success within alternative cinema. His films have been selected and awarded at film festivals in Toronto, Cannes, Venice and Berlin. Also on board is co-producer Martin Dewitte who recently co-produced Emmy Award Nominated Parade's End.

Cast

The American actor Hank Botwinik makes his cinematic debut in the role of Johnny, while Astrid Whettnall plays his wife. Whettnall became known for her role in Au nom du fils by Vincent Lannoo. Mieke Danneels, who previously had the starring role in De Meester’s first full-length film, plays the mysterious pregnant woman. Eric Godon (In Bruges), Michel Schillaci, Piet De Praitere and Steven Mahieu star as the four officials who end up embroiled in a typical Flemish-Walloon debate about the land on which Johnny’s castle is built. Furthermore, Christelle Cornil (Miles from Anywhere), Bruce Geduldig, Dimitri Brusselmans and Jean-François Brion also star in important roles.

What We Need and What You Get

Other Ways You Can Help

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Become a part of an extraordinary independent film production and help us finish this film.
Thank you for considering helping my project!