Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- An inclusive crew of adults with disabilities and their mentors brought The Falling to life, blending authentic collaboration with innovative filmmaking.
- The film explores future therapy and AI fears through a psychological sci-fi thriller lens, paying homage to pre-Star Wars sci-fi classics.
- Josiah Polhemus emphasizes the power of limitations in independent filmmaking and the importance of passionate collaboration.
Josiah Polhemus, co-director and lead actor of The Falling, brings a haunting psychological sci-fi thriller to this year’s FilmQuest festival.
Alongside Duane Andersen, Polhemus explores trauma extraction in a dystopian future where therapy meets technology.
The film stars Polhemus himself as Dr. Scanlan and features James Mercer II, Atlantis Clay, and Ellis Mason, supported by a pioneering crew that includes adults with disabilities and their mentors.
With evocative visuals and a gripping narrative, The Falling channels the spirit of Ursula K. Le Guin and Philip K. Dick, promising an intense genre experience.
What drew you to make this film? Why this story, and why now?
Online Therapy quadrupled in lockdown and has only expanded in the past 5 years. Meanwhile technology has gotten closer and closer to implanting devices inside us. And many feel we will soon be in an AI dominated world. I wondered how we might heal past traumas in the future.
"Creating the past memory of our main character was largely a collaboration with the actors while shooting."
What surprised you most about the filmmaking process this time—creatively or logistically? Was there a moment on set or in post that completely changed how you saw the story?
Creating the past memory of our main character was largely a collaboration with the actors while shooting. We needed to believe there was a strong confrontation that would lead to an accidental trauma. Also, our set was pioneering inclusivity of a crew consisting of adults with disabilities and mentors. A 'shaky' cam moment wherein the camera was mounted to a piece of wood and run over to the main character was inspiring and also looks incredible.
Is there a moment in the film that feels the most you—something only you could have made?
I came from an acting background so I often write films where the dialogue is crucial to revealing plot points. My films have tended to succeed from combining excellent performances with nice psychological twists based on terrifying circumstances. Don't ask me about my childhood! :)
What was the hardest creative decision you made while making this film?
Cutting scenes and dialogue that worked but slowed down the story and pace. Perhaps they can be added back in to the feature film version.
What do you hope audiences take away from your film?
To go to therapy and to be very afraid of AI.
How has this film shaped or shifted the kind of stories you want to tell next?
I loved creating a dystopian society and thinking of what else could be explored in that world based on the hints given in the film. What is the therapy of the future? Isn't it in some ways the most important thing to a functioning society?
"Limitations often lead to creative solutions that carry through to other projects and even can lead to the creation of what becomes a standard in the industry."
What’s a tool, technique, or resource that really helped you during production?
It was amazing to work with an inclusive crew and to have a safe environment where everyone could be open about their, too often, hidden disabilities and have both safety and understanding.
Independent filmmakers often rewrite the rules out of necessity. What do you think is the greatest strength of independent filmmaking, and how did you lean into that on this project? Is there a lesson or breakthrough you’d share with others navigating this path?
Limitations often lead to creative solutions that carry through to other projects and even can lead to the creation of what becomes a standard in the industry. Also, crew often have to wear more than one hat, which often teaches everyone to respect what everyone else is doing. Also, if you don't have the luxury of hiding behind a bunch of effects and art production, it forces the actors and story to hold down the fort. There is nothing to hide behind. Luckily on this project we had professionals on editing, music composition, sound design, VFX, coloring and post production sound mixing. All of these collaborators worked for dirt cheap because they felt passionate about the material and the mission of working on inclusive sets. When you have passion behind your project other creatives get passionate too. It has a ripple effect.
What does it mean to you to have your film selected for FilmQuest, one of the world’s top reviewed genre film festivals?
A Sci Fi Thriller isn't for everyone's cup of tea (the first shot of our movie) so to get to have a World Premiere with people that love science fiction, thrillers and horror and to be honored as an official selection is AMAZING! We couldn't have asked for a better festival to take us on. So thrilled to share our sci-fi psychological thriller here.
FilmQuest celebrates the majesty and might of genre filmmaking across fantasy, horror, sci-fi, action, thriller, western, kung-fu, and beyond. How does your film fit within—or push the boundaries of—genre storytelling?
We are definitely a film with an homage to sci-fi pre Star Wars. Our story fits into the worlds of Ursula K. La Guin and/or Phillip K. Dick.
"To go to therapy and to be very afraid of AI."
Where do you see this film going next?
Hopefully on a streaming platform or an anthology series.
“At the core of all my work is a desire to warn the audience of possible dystopian futures while munching on bucket of popcorn."
Cast & Crew
- Peter Kangas — Producer
- Frank Perez — Cinematographer
- Micah Dahl Anderson — Composer
- David Everett Moore — Actor (Father)
- Adrian Deane — Actor (Therapist)
