Summary: THE RETRIEVAL The Retrieval, beautifully written and directed by Chris Eska, is one of only two films I was able to see at SXSW 2013. I have to say, if I could do it over again and could see only two films, I'd see the same two films in a heartbeat. The other film I saw at SXSW 2013 was the equally impressive This Is Where We Live. I'll defer talk about that outstanding film until the next episode of Actors Talk Podcast which will feature my interview with the writer, co-director and star, Marc Menchaca. Screening At the Phoenix Film Festival April 5, 6 and 7 2013 A CIVIL WAR DRAMA Here's a log line for the film as taken from IMDb: "On the outskirts of the Civil War, a boy is sent north by a bounty hunter gang to retrieve a wanted man." The boy, Will, is played with skill beyond his years, by newcomer Ashton Sanders. Will is led in his errand by Marcus, who has traded his soul for survival in a strong supporting performance by Keston John. Their task is to go north into Union territory and retrieve Nate, a freedman with a bounty on his head. Marcus and Will are sent on this 'errand' by Burrell, the villain of the piece, played with a disturbing ease by well-known horror film star Bill Oberst Jr. Tishuan Scott as Nate delivers what will surely be a breakout performance, a performance rewarded the special jury prize for acting at SXSW 2013. As the story unfolds, Nate is duped into believing that his dying brother has asked Marcus and Will to find him and bring him home. That, of course, is a lie designed to coax Nate to take the journey back where he can be turned over to Burrell for a reward. It's a simple story of trust, betrayal and survival. Two black men sent to retrieve another black man for a white man's bounty, set against the backdrop of war, circa 1864. Not so simple after all. The Retrieval clip 2 from Chris Eska on Vimeo. KUDOS TO WRITER/DIRECTOR CHRIS ESKA With a script, direction, cinematography, editing and performances that are all first rate, The Retrieval achieves that which other films with far greater budgets can only wish for. This is a story, a film that never veers off course and for that writer/director Chris Eska and producer Jason Wehling and the entire production team must be congratulated. Imagine the challenges: a period story, a young actor in one of the crucial roles, shot almost exclusively in exterior locations, a Civil War battle as one of the set pieces and all this on a low-budget SAG contract. The result, a very fine film. The kind of film that all indie filmmakers should look to for inspiration - for validation that great work can be accomplished where great talent is brought to the task. The Retrieval is a welcome reminder that in filmmaking, money may make things easier, but talent makes them possible. Tishuan Scott wins Special Grand Jury Prize for Acting at SXSW 2013 from Arts+Labor on Vimeo. AN ATP FIRST - AN IN PERSON INTERVIEW I've know Tishuan Scott for a couple of years now, introduced through common work in SAG-AFTRA actor's conservatory events. I've known him to be an outspoken proponent for union actors in our right-to-work state, not always an easy task. When I learned that Tishuan was in one of the SXSW narrative film selections, I made it a point to get to a screening. Good decision on my part! I was so blown away by both his performance and by the whole film, I set out secure an interview with Tishuan for ATP. In person, Tishuan Scott is a rather gregarious presence with a booming bass voice. The voice is not quite James Earl Jones, but not far from it. Dennis Haysbert...that's certainly in the ball park. Be prepared to hear this voice coming from a radio or television or movie screen for a long time to come. That great voice is a gift and as Tishuan Scott tells it, he doesn't remember exactly when it came but : "I just sort of woke up with it one day.
