Mumblecore Filmmakers Take on The Bard

NEW YORK - Nov. 3, 2014 - PRLog -- Imperfect Films, a Brooklyn based independent film company founded by Josh Wick (Francis of Brooklyn, Wendell and the Lemon), has signed on to executive produce Ambition’s Debt, an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Devin E. Haqq (The Assassin) is set to direct this modern interpretation of Shakespeare’s play.

Josh and Devin have collaborated on several projects, including Alyssa & Sara (2005), and The Assassin (2007). Their most recent collaboration, Francis of Brooklyn (2012), won several awards during the 2012 – 2013 festival season, including Best Feature at the 2013 DIY Film Festival, as well as, Best Director and Best Actor recognition at the 2012 Bootleg International Film Festival in Toronto.

This latest venture, Ambition’s Debt, is set against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic world, and follows the downfall of Rome’s most honored citizen, Marcus Brutus, as he conspires to assassinate Julius Caesar in order to forestall tyranny and preserve democracy.

It’s rare to see indie filmmakers tackling The Bard. Ready Set Go Theatre Company produces a guerrilla-style web series, that presents Shakespeare’s stories in short installments. There have been others, but they are few and far between. And almost all film adaptations of William Shakespeare’s work are shot on location in real environments, either in a contemporary setting or as historically authentic fiction.

Ambition’s Debt is looking to turn this convention upside down. It is Shakespeare meets Lars Von Trier meets Mad Max. Shooting in an open space, with minimal props, and the quasi-futuristic concept, the filmmakers’ intention is to create a highly theatrical experience for their audience. Aiming to preserve the essence of a live performance, and the feeling of watching actors tell a story, while at the same time, create an amazing visual journey through dynamic cinematography. George Lyon (A Cool Dark Place – 2014 Cannes Film Festival) is attached to be Director of Photography.

Haqq’s vision is to secure a large Industrial Warehouse/Factory type space, most likely in Brooklyn or Queens, and shoot the entire film inside this facility. The production design, created by Haruka Kawasumi (Audible), will be abstract expressionistic; think Dogville meets The Road, with a set that can be manipulated to represent the various locations of the story.

The filmmakers have an amazing ensemble of actors engaged with the project at this stage of development. Some of the notable names include, Colman Domingo (Lincoln, The Butler, and Selma) in the role of Brutus, Dan Butler (Crazy Stupid Love) in the role of Cassius, Pernell Walker (The Butler, The Leftovers) in the role of Cinna, and Nathan Darrow (House of Cards) as Mark Antony. The film is set to go into production in late March of 2015.

http://youtu.be/CKgj3tW9ww0



Ambition’s Debt is currently a project on the crowdfunding site, Kickstarter. With less than three weeks left in their campaign, the filmmakers have already reached 54% of their 75K goal.The campaign ends on Saturday, November 22 at 2:45pm. For more information visit the Kickstarter Home Page for this project.

To learn more about imperfect films visit:

http://imperfectfilms.com/

For more on Devin E. Haqq visit:

www.devinehaqq.weebly.com