Samuel Forrest is the director of Hipbeat. It was one of the last movies we tackled in 2021, so most of January 2022 is going to be spent cleaning up lingering things. Onward with the Hipbeat director Samuel Forrest interview.
How would you explain the Berlin counterculture to people that have never encountered it?
AndersonVision
It’s free and open. People are creating a new society that pushes the boundaries of what is possible by challenging the status quo, which I think is important to progress. We see what happens in the world when people in power try to turn back the clock to a more oppressive or close minded time. Berlin is a city known for protesting more than any other city in the world. People don’t hold back from making their voices heard.
Samuel Forrest dir. Hipbeat
Is anarchy naturally aligned with youth? I don’t know why, but I found my attention drawn to the protests in the film.
AndersonVision
I don’t think anarchy is naturally aligned with youth but activism is. I think there is a frustration at the system though but most fight back with peace, art, education, and unity. Also the history of true anarchism is not a violent one in its origins, it’s an idea based on holding the system and leaders accountable for their actions.
Through the 20th century there were extremists who claimed to be anarchist but were not aligned with its true beliefs. This led to a lot of animosity and conflict between the police, government, and the people. Most youth are angry at the system and disappointed at the lack of progress but resist peacefully. We have been raised with constant world crises, one after another.
The future looks bleak unless there is collective responsibility and we are proactive. We are dealing with numerous existential problems at the same time. A pandemic, global warming, nationalism, racism, gender and economic inequality.
Samuel Forrest dir. Hipbeat
It’s quite easy from Cabaret to the present to view Berlin as a sexually hedonistic city. Do you feel like Hipbeat made new gains in evolving that viewpoint?
AndersonVision
I hope so. This is something I was aware of while making the film. I wanted to show the beauty of the sexual and cultural liberation of Berlin, not perpetuate the stigmas that surround the Berlin nightlife. You meet people from all corners of the world, which makes it beautiful and diverse. There is a freedom to explore who you are and I wanted to focus on the inclusivity of the city.
Samuel Forrest dir. Hipbeat
What do you think are the differences between how American films handle LGBTQ issues vs. European films?
AndersonVision
The queer community is international. I’m not sure there is much of a difference in the approach to LGBTQIAN+ films in Europe or North America unlike some other places in the world where filmmakers are censored. There are great storytellers and artists all around the world who are honest and authentic but I have a feeling that when it comes to sexual expression in art, its embraced more in Europe.
Samuel Forrest dir. Hipbeat
What drove the inclusion of the post credits scene? I almost missed that stinger.
AndersonVision
It’s what the anarchists are hacking in the film, the websites they want to disrupt. On a deeper level I wanted to leave a statement revealing the dictators and autocrats around the world who are stopping real change from happening. A call to action so to speak that the fight for democracy and human rights is still upon us.
Samuel Forrest dir. Hipbeat
Hipbeat is now available!
Do you believe that audiences are becoming oversaturated with political movies? Or do you think that people rejecting such important social themes and turning towards child-like fantasies is more indicative of the global cultural mindset?
AndersonVision
I think there is a desire to escape from films that deal with social or political issues because we are living through such tough times. There certainly is collective trauma, which people react to by wanting to be taken to a place that is separated from reality, which is understandable. But I hope to be part of a generation of storytellers that re-awakens that curiosity and interest in films that are more real, thought provoking so to speak. To me these films are more relatable to the world we live in today because it deals with the human condition and experience. That being said, there are some prolific films being made in all genres and all stories have merit.
Samuel Forrest dir. Hipbeat
What are you working on next?
AndersonVision
I recently wrapped a film in West Africa called Voices of My Ancestors, which is currently in post production. We plan on releasing the film in fall 2022. I also have another film lined up in pre-production called Godhead, which is a film about artists following dreams in Los Angeles.
Samuel Forrest dir. Hipbeat