Screenwriter and producer Philip Kalin-Hajdu spoke about the new psychological thriller “Mom,” starring Emily Hampshire and François Arnaud.
The film was directed by Adam O’Brien and written by Philip Kalin-Hajdu. It was released in select theaters on February 11th, and it is available on digital and VOD as of February 11th via Uncork’d Entertainment.
What inspired you to co-write “Mom”?
I was inspired by my wife’s work as a nurse. Earlier in her career, she worked closely with couples both in pre and post natal phases of life and there were some stories that were heartbreaking and shocking.
When we had our two sons, I distinctly remember the fatigue, the anxieties and the never-ending colic that took over our lives.
My wife was incredible, and we loved being new parents despite the hurdles – but it provided me with a perspective I had not considered before having kids.
I wanted to explore blending our personal experience with exhaustion, with some of the more harrowing stories I’d learned about – including a husband that thought he was doing his best, but was actually making it worse.
It was meant to be when Adam and Albert (who shares story credit) approached me to write a contained horror with a person haunted by something internal.
What was it like working with Adam O’Brien as director?
Adam has a determination that is contagious. He is open and collaborative on the creative while staying true to his intention.
This was his first feature and had the normal bumps one expects on a small film — but he handled them in stride and made a film on which we are proud to have worked.
What was it like working with Emily Hampshire and François Arnaud as the two leads?
They are both professional, intelligent, kind and very very hard working. I had Emily in mind while writing, and was a fan long before “Schitt’s Creek,” she is so unbelievably talented and magnetic. The first meeting Adam and I had with her made it very clear that she was the one.
The “Meredith” character needed a certain kind of strength to be in such denial. Emily knew how to play her so that we feel for her, without shaming her. We are angry and frustrated by her actions, but see how she had no support.
She also took her role as EP seriously and was quite protective of the film and the process.
We admired François’ excellent work in “The Borgias” and his many films, so we were thrilled when Emily suggested him to play Jared and reached him directly. François puts a tremendous amount of work into his characters.
The “Jared” character is quite layered, needing to be a realistic portrait of a husband we all can recognize. He can be both supportive and judgmental; kind but expert at micro-aggressions; a good dad but clueless about mental health.
He is the guy everyone around him loves, but don’t really see what’s happening at home.
What did this screenplay teach you about yourself?
That’s a great question. I have been working in genre as a writer and producer for a while, but this process gave me the first opportunity to dive deeper into something more naturalistic (even though it toys with the supernatural). I learned to mine a bit more into the personal.
There’s horror in a monster, but there’s perhaps something scarier about leaving a baby alone for just that moment longer on a change table. There’s the horror of not listening and seeing when someone is in distress.
How does it feel to be a part of the digital age? (Now with streaming, technology, and social media being so prevalent)
I feel young, but this question made me realise that I remember being on the AD team training on film sets while still in University and physically gluing strips of the schedule onto a giant poster board.
Streaming, new technologies and social media are all blessing and curses. And the opinion changes depending on the year.
At first, streaming felt like a chance to rejuvenate the indie films scene I loved in the 90s and early aughts, but that is not always the case. I hope that more streamers take a chance on new filmmakers.
While I do love streaming and all I can discover online – nothing beats going to the cinema.
Movies are meant to be shared. Laughter, sadness, fear… they are all contagious and spark meaningful conversation. Movie are about the art of the visual as well as the written word, and the visual cannot be felt or celebrated the same way on a computer screen.
It’s like looking at the Mona Lisa as a stamp and saying it’s just as great as seeing it in the museum. That being said, I know the next few movies I have in my queue will be enjoyed in the comfort of my bed.
Social Media can make or break a movie like critics used to be able to… Sometimes this creates amazing opportunities and happy accidents where social media drives huge audiences to movies that otherwise would have been missed.
However, in today’s world if something is not on social media, it’s as if it doesn’t exist unless there is a massive campaign surrounding it in other ways.
That’s also not a great thing because not everyone can access that world or knows how to do it well. And, there is also the fact that social media makes everyone a critic, and I miss the art of well-written and thoughtful film criticism.
What is your advice for young and aspiring filmmakers?
Make stuff. Technology has allowed us to make things with ease. Find your people and tell your stories.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
I’m still trying to figure that one out. Filmmaking is hard. It’s slow. It’s filled with hurdles. Right now, and it may change, I see success as being able to work in the film industry.
Sure, more money, more awards, more opportunities are all great – but when I am reminded that I turned a love of movies into a job, I feel successful.
As for personal goals — I strive to produce movies in an environment that makes crews feel supported while serving the story. I strive to write honest, poignant and well-spun lines of dialogue.
What would you like to tell our readers about “Mom”? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
Ha! No matter what this movie feels like, I love (and loved) having my amazing kids. Joking aside, I think this film – like many horror films — explores guilt.
I would like the audience to come away thinking also about how we treat ourselves and each other when we are at our worst and need help.
To learn more about Philip Kalin-Hajdu, check out his IMDb page.
Read More: “Mom” review.
