Stephanie Soechtig is an award-winning writer, producer, and documentary film director. Her films “Fed up” and “Under the Gun” were previously nominated for Sundance’s Grand Jury Prize. Soechtig has also directed political campaign commercials, short films, and viral videos for various nonprofit groups.
“The Devil We Know” premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival on January 21.
W&H: Describe the film for us in your own words.
SS: It’s the story of what happened when a farmer and a gym teacher took on one of the largest chemical corporations in the world.
I describe it as a eco-thriller because the story unfolds like a true mystery. It ultimately reveals how this chemical got in the blood of 99.7% of Americans, how the world came to know about it, and its health effects.
W&H: What drew you to this story?
SS: When I made my first film, “Tapped,” I learned that there is no independent regulatory body testing chemicals for safety before they go to market. The government instead relies on the very industries that stand to profit off these chemicals. As a result, there are tens of thousands of chemicals in our everyday household items — from our food wrappers to our makeup — that have known carcinogens in them.
Since “Tapped,” I’ve been wanting to do a deep dive, character-driven film on the topic. When I heard about the people of Parkersburg, West Virginia, I knew I had found my entrée.
W&H: What do you want people to think about when they are leaving the theater?
SS: I hope people leave motivated to become more engaged in the issue of environmental health, but also in anything about which they feel passionate.
People care, but there’s a feeling of hopelessness that there’s nothing we can do to change the status quo. The people of Parkersburg show us how powerful our voices are and how effective we can be when we take a stand.
I also think it’s important for people to be skeptical about the intentions of large corporations. The modern American is stretched thin and pulled in so many different directions; we have a tendency to instinctively trust that consumer products aren’t harmful.
The truth is, we need to question the safety of everything to which we’re exposing ourselves and our children.
W&H: What was the biggest challenge in making the film?
SS: It sounds so cliché to say work-life balance, but as a mother of two young sons — one of whom was born during production — it really is a daily struggle to feel like you’re giving 100 percent to both your career and your home life.
W&H: How did you get your film funded? Share some insights into how you got the film made.
SS: The majority of our funding came from individual donors and investors. We had the great fortune of being invited to present our film at the Sundance Institute’s Catalyst Forum, and we were connected with many generous partners there.
It’s always wonderful to have the financial support of people who believe in your vision, but when those people believed in you when your film was just a pre-production concept, it’s an even more meaningful relationship.
We were also honored to receive some finishing funding from Chicken & Egg and Women in Film, two organizations for which I have a great amount of respect.
W&H: What does it mean for you to have your film play at Sundance?
SS: There is no better possible outcome! This is literally the dream festival to premiere one’s film. It’s just so validating when you find out Sundance’s incredible programmers thought that your film was worthy of one of the few slots available at the festival.
W&H: What’s the best and worst advice you’ve received?
SS: Best advice: “Surround yourself with people smarter than you.”
Worst advice: “It can’t be done.” It can always be done.
W&H: What advice do you have for other female directors?
SS: Surround yourself with women who are smarter than you.
W&H: Name your favorite woman-directed film and why.
SS: It’s impossible to pick just one favorite. I’m really fortunate that the documentary genre has so many amazing female directors, so I could never pick just one favorite.
W&H: Hollywood is in the midst of undergoing a major transformation. Many women and some men in the industry are speaking publicly about their experiences of being assaulted and harassed. What do you think of the recently announced anti-sexual harassment Commission made up of industry leaders? Do you believe that it will help make systemic change? What do you think needs to be done to address this issue?
SS: The Commission is a great first step, but changing Hollywood’s culture is what’s most imperative. When brave women speak out about their experiences and there are real, tangible consequences to the careers of male perpetrators, this will create a sea change, in my opinion. Zero tolerance will become the norm.
More importantly, it’s so heartening to see the women of Hollywood band together to start the Time’s Up movement. We need to use our voices to support women in every industry, empowering them to fight back against workplace assault, harassment, and pay disparities.
