Project Summer
We follow the downward spiral of Miles Otembe, a young mercenary who
returns home from bloody warfare where he lost the woman he loves, to find
his country at war with a new breed of enemy.
Project Summer tells the story of Miles Otembe, a young mercenary who returns home from bloody warfare where he lost the woman he loves, Tammy, to find his country at war with a different kind of enemy. A viral pandemic, where the country has gone into complete lockdown.
Grieving the loss of his love in isolation and unable to bury her body, we follow his downward spiral into chaos as other powers deem to erase his memory of a past turning him back into a killing machine for the next campaign. Will he falter his memories and become a weapon yet again or will true love conquer the machine?
Project Summer glistens in 80’s reminiscence under a dystopian noir veil with a kick ass soundtrack which plays homage to 80’s John Carpenter esque synth sounds and beautiful dark film grain visuals.
Interview with Andre Harrison Writer/Director/Producer of Project Summer
What is the story behind your film?
Project Summer tells the story of Miles Otembe, a young mercenary who returns home from bloody warfare where he lost the woman he loves, Tammy, to find his country at war with a different kind of enemy. A viral pandemic, where the country has gone into complete lockdown. Grieving the loss of his love in isolation and unable to bury her body, we follow his downward spiral into chaos as other powers deem to erase his memory of a past turning him back into a killing machine for the next campaign. Will he falter his memories and become a weapon yet again or will true love conquer themachine?
What should people take away, gain, realize after watching your film?
Project Summer was always intended to be about the pandemic and the global lockdown we were all under including the effects it had on our mental health. Though a fictitious story, the roots of that experience plays a big part in the film which I hope reminds audiences of that time and how blessed we are now to be out of it.
Do you think that films can change people for the better or for the worse?
For me films are subjective so can have an effect on our behaviours depending on how easily lead that person is. A film can make you, laugh, cry, make you angry and am sure can inspire you to change for the better or worse.
How was the creation of your project at the time of COVID-19?
80% of the film was filmed during the pandemic which was very difficult. We had to obey the lockdown laws of the UK and keep crew and cast minimal at all times, which resulted in a small crew of 2 to 3 people every shooting day plus the actors which we kept down to 1 or 2. But given the films subject matter and the experience I had with it I am glad we went through with it.
What creation style did you use in the production of your project? What cameraman elements did you use?
Being a dystopian style project about someone's loss of control, paranoia and downward spiral; I tried to keep the film as tight and close to the subject as possible with tight lenses (25/50) and then when he finally can breathe at the end of the film trying to distance as far as possible with wide angles to portray his sense of freedom.
How did you select the actors for your project?
I was lucky enough to know majority of the talented cast from working on other projects.
Why do you think your film should appeal to distributors?
Good question. Project Summer is a very risqué film as it doesn't sit in a particular genre but it does have a potential for a huge cult following... actually, it kind of already has.
At which festival has your film been screened?
We're still doing the circuits as we speak but most recently Lift-off 2022 and 2023, Bestlov Film Festival and 4theatre Film Festival which we won best low budget film.
How did your acquaintances react when they first saw the film?
At the first screening everyone was standing and clapping for the work ethic everyone put in to get the film going. I think this point makes people want to see it and respect it. Not many films of this quality are made on a crew of three during the pandemic.
If you could change something in your film, what would it be?
I honestly don't think I would. I'm very happy with it for what it is and is a stepping stone for the next big project.
Which movies are your favourites and why?
There are too many but my top five have always been Toy Story, The Shinning, Ichi The Killer, The Matrix and Takashi Kitano's Zatoich because they all had me watching it on repeat after I first saw it.
What topics do you like to address in your stories?
I am a huge fan of making people fall in love with a character emotionally, aligning with them, identifying with them and sympathising with them even when they do really bad things
What is your motivation in making films?
To help others escape and reflect on the rollercoaster that is life and coping with other human beings
Which contemporary filmmakers motivate you the most?
I wouldn't say anyone motivated me, but I do like the works of Brandon Cronenberg, Julia Ducournau, Park Chan Wook and Jordan Peele to name a few.
What projects do you plan to shoot in the future?
I'm currently preparing for a short sci-fi film and my next feature film, which is a drama revolving around a kidnapping and the infamous 'stockholm syndrome'
Learn more about Andre and Project Summer
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9403403/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
WEBSITE: https://www.worldisyourstotaste.com/
WATCH THE FULL TRAILER FOR PROJECT SUMMER
Project Summer tells the story of Miles Otembe, a young mercenary who returns home from bloody warfare where he lost the woman he loves, Tammy, to find his country at war with a different kind of enemy. A viral pandemic, where the country has gone into complete lockdown.
Grieving the loss of his love in isolation and unable to bury her body, we follow his downward spiral into chaos as other powers deem to erase his memory of a past turning him back into a killing machine for the next campaign. Will he falter his memories and become a weapon yet again or will true love conquer the machine?
Project Summer glistens in 80’s reminiscence under a dystopian noir veil with a kick ass soundtrack which plays homage to 80’s John Carpenter esque synth sounds and beautiful dark film grain visuals.
Interview with Andre Harrison Writer/Director/Producer of Project Summer
What is the story behind your film?
Project Summer tells the story of Miles Otembe, a young mercenary who returns home from bloody warfare where he lost the woman he loves, Tammy, to find his country at war with a different kind of enemy. A viral pandemic, where the country has gone into complete lockdown. Grieving the loss of his love in isolation and unable to bury her body, we follow his downward spiral into chaos as other powers deem to erase his memory of a past turning him back into a killing machine for the next campaign. Will he falter his memories and become a weapon yet again or will true love conquer themachine?
What should people take away, gain, realize after watching your film?
Project Summer was always intended to be about the pandemic and the global lockdown we were all under including the effects it had on our mental health. Though a fictitious story, the roots of that experience plays a big part in the film which I hope reminds audiences of that time and how blessed we are now to be out of it.
Do you think that films can change people for the better or for the worse?
For me films are subjective so can have an effect on our behaviours depending on how easily lead that person is. A film can make you, laugh, cry, make you angry and am sure can inspire you to change for the better or worse.
How was the creation of your project at the time of COVID-19?
80% of the film was filmed during the pandemic which was very difficult. We had to obey the lockdown laws of the UK and keep crew and cast minimal at all times, which resulted in a small crew of 2 to 3 people every shooting day plus the actors which we kept down to 1 or 2. But given the films subject matter and the experience I had with it I am glad we went through with it.
What creation style did you use in the production of your project? What cameraman elements did you use?
Being a dystopian style project about someone's loss of control, paranoia and downward spiral; I tried to keep the film as tight and close to the subject as possible with tight lenses (25/50) and then when he finally can breathe at the end of the film trying to distance as far as possible with wide angles to portray his sense of freedom.
How did you select the actors for your project?
I was lucky enough to know majority of the talented cast from working on other projects.
Why do you think your film should appeal to distributors?
Good question. Project Summer is a very risqué film as it doesn't sit in a particular genre but it does have a potential for a huge cult following... actually, it kind of already has.
At which festival has your film been screened?
We're still doing the circuits as we speak but most recently Lift-off 2022 and 2023, Bestlov Film Festival and 4theatre Film Festival which we won best low budget film.
How did your acquaintances react when they first saw the film?
At the first screening everyone was standing and clapping for the work ethic everyone put in to get the film going. I think this point makes people want to see it and respect it. Not many films of this quality are made on a crew of three during the pandemic.
If you could change something in your film, what would it be?
I honestly don't think I would. I'm very happy with it for what it is and is a stepping stone for the next big project.
Which movies are your favourites and why?
There are too many but my top five have always been Toy Story, The Shinning, Ichi The Killer, The Matrix and Takashi Kitano's Zatoich because they all had me watching it on repeat after I first saw it.
What topics do you like to address in your stories?
I am a huge fan of making people fall in love with a character emotionally, aligning with them, identifying with them and sympathising with them even when they do really bad things
What is your motivation in making films?
To help others escape and reflect on the rollercoaster that is life and coping with other human beings
Which contemporary filmmakers motivate you the most?
I wouldn't say anyone motivated me, but I do like the works of Brandon Cronenberg, Julia Ducournau, Park Chan Wook and Jordan Peele to name a few.
What projects do you plan to shoot in the future?
I'm currently preparing for a short sci-fi film and my next feature film, which is a drama revolving around a kidnapping and the infamous 'stockholm syndrome'
Learn more about Andre and Project Summer
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9403403/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
WEBSITE: https://www.worldisyourstotaste.com/
WATCH THE FULL TRAILER FOR PROJECT SUMMER