IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, 14min., UK, Drama
Directed by Billy Klotsa
A father and son spend a day at the beach. Bobby’s father wants to share some of his wisdom with his son by taking him away from the city, to reconnect with nature. The two engage in a meaningful conversation that illustrates their strong bond but also the difference of generations and personal experiences as Bobby is a trans ‘millennial’ man and his father a typical ‘baby boomer’. Bobby’s father tragically drowns as the two swim in the ocean. Bobby is left paralysed and disorientated without his validating figure and enters a surreal journey to find his father in the afterlife composed of an intimate childhood flashback, and facilitated by a trio of angels.

Get to know filmmaker Billy Klotsa:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
As a filmmaker coming from a fine arts background, my practice naturally evolved towards a more narrative structure. During the pandemic one of my main anxieties was the mortality of my parents and the void this loss would birth. I made this film to fill the void with love.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you
to make this film?
From writing the script to the final edit, the process took around a year. I was lucky enough to work with an amazing team, notably Rosie Taylor the immensely talented cinematographer, who was so generous in sharing her knowledge working years in the industry, Nigel Barber and Pete MacHale the incredible actors, and Anne Duffau the composer who created the beautiful score that tied the work together.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Emotional Type

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Securing the budget is always an obstacle, luckily Arts Council England supported the project.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking
about your film in the feedback video?
I was touched by the generosity of the feedback which reflected the generosity of all the crew involved in making this film possible.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
When I watched the opening credits of Hocus Pocus aged around 5 and flew for the first time.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula 1992 (my parents had the VHS)

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other
festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking
career? Any support in securing funding for future projects.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your
experiences been working on the festival platform site?
No complaints.

10. What is your favorite meal?
My aunt's french fries

11. What is next for you? A new film?
Currently in pre-production of a short film continuing the collaboration with cinematographer Rosie Taylor that deals with love and loss to be shot in Wales in March.