Johnny Walker, the new film by director Kris De Meester (Four Roses), was awarded as ‘Best Feature Film’ at the Push! Film Festival in Bristol (TN/VA -USA, June 12-14).
Johnny Walker is an adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Notes from the Underground, and tells the story of a Hollywood director who’s way past his prime. Can a man who attempts to find enjoyment in the very feeling of his own degradation possibly have a spark of respect for himself? These and other considerations weigh heavily on the mind of the main character Johnny, played by newcomer Hank Botwinik.
Using confused and often contradictory memoirs, he tries to explain his alienation from modern society. He lives isolated from the outside world, and kills time wandering in the forests surrounding his castle. He fantasizes about death, even longs for it. According to him living longer than sixty years is a matter of bad manners, vulgar and immoral.
Besides Hank Botwinik, the cast of Johnny Walker consists of Eric Godon (In Bruges), Astrid Whettnall (Yves Saint Laurent), Mieke Daneels (Four Roses), Christelle Cornil (Deux jours, une nuit), and Udo Kier (Blade) as the voice of Fyodor.
It recently won the Best Feature film at the Push festival Bristol on the 16th of June 2015. The inaugural PUSH! Film Festival is a celebration of the cinematic and visual arts in the heart of the twin cities of Bristol, the festival showcases the best regional and international filmmakers.
Johnny Walker was previously selected for the Author International Film Festival (Los Angeles, US), the Los Angeles Cinefest, the Hollywood North Film Festival (Trenton, Canada), NewFilmmakers New York, and the Salon Internacional de la Luz (Bogota, Colombia), where it was awarded with the ‘best cinematography’ award on May 17th 2015.
Completed feature films:
Johnny Walker – Director & Producer: Kris De Meester, Associate Producer; Raj Kosaraju
Live Life Dearest by Juan Diego Escobar Alzate
Menthol by Micah Van Hove
Por Las Plumas by Neto Villalobos, Associate Producers Kris De Meester & Raj Kosaraju
Four Roses by Kris De Meester
Smothered (Gesmoord) by Mieke Daneels
Vessel by Adam Ciancio
