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SXSW Interview: Matthew Lessner, ‘By Modern Measure’
Director: Matthew Lessner
Film: “By Modern Measure”
Category: Narrative Shorts
Site: SXSW
Screening: 11:30 a.m. Sunday; 11:15 a.m. Tuesday; 11 a.m. Friday, March 16; all at Alamo South
Film synopsis from SXSW.com: An amateur French sociologist presents his observations on a day in the life of two young Americans who meet by chance outside a Taco Bell on Oct. 8, 2006.
Is this your first time at SXSW? If not, what has your experience been like in previous years?
Yes, this is my first time at SXSW. I submitted an earlier film last year, but it was rejected in a soul-crushing blow, which actually makes my acceptance and attendance this year all the more sweet.
What are your impressions of the festival compared to others of its kind around the country, and of Austin as a film town, in general?
Since I’ve never been to SXSW, Austin or even Texas for that matter, my impressions are all based on things I learned from the fantastic MTV show, “The Real World.” From what I gather, though, both SXSW and Austin are supposed to be pretty exciting places. Apparently the entire populous is breathtakingly beautiful, and barbecue food is abundant and completely free. Even though Austin is in the middle of Texas, I somehow imagine that no one has an accent, and that all strangers hug each other upon first meeting. I’ve also heard that it’s best not to “mess with Texas” and that “everything is bigger in Texas.” I plan to do my best to heed both of these dire warnings.
What do you hope to take away from your time at the festival?
In a best-case scenario, I’ll be walking away with several lifelong friendships, a contract with a mid-sized production company, a black eye and several trophies.
Why should audiences be excited to see your film?
Audiences should be excited to see “By Modern Measure” for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it’s short, at 5 minutes and 45 seconds. After seeing it, you’re still going to have time to partake in plenty of other exciting activities. Beyond that, it deals with subject matter that I find to be fairly pertinent; it’s essentially a comment on modern American youth and their role in the current state of the world, particularly in regards to topics such as consumerism, MySpace and YouTube (hopefully without being too heavy-handed or preachy). As a young American, I’m especially concerned with the ways in which my highly self-centered, fame-hungry Generation Y is going to impact the course of history, and I think you should be too. Plus, you’re going to laugh.
Are there any other films screening that you hope to see?
I’ve spent a good part of the last eight months working on preproduction for a feature-length documentary about corn and all of its vast implications. Then just this morning a film entitled “King Corn,” which will be premiering at SXSW, was brought to my attention. I just watched the trailer, and it looks as if I might have been wasting a lot of time over the course of these last eight months. So I think it’s safe to say that I’ll be catching “King Corn,” with friendly gritted teeth.
Last year I made the acquaintance of the kindly folks who made “Silver Jew” and “Hannah Takes the Stairs,” so I imagine I will be checking out those two as well.
Any restaurants, parties, tourist locations you want to get to while in town? If you live in Austin, where do you suggest out-of-towners visit while in town?
I’m just trying to get to wherever those “Real World” cats were always hanging out. I’m looking to get black-out drunk and embarrass myself. The Hard Rock Café is pretty high up there.
When you think of Texas and the movies, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
When I think of Texas and the movies, I think of Wes Anderson, “Bottle Rocket” and “Rushmore,” in that order. Texas really suits Mr. Anderson; I think he should come back.
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