Lynn Shelton’s feature credits include “Humpday,” “Your Sister’s Sister,” and “Laggies.” Her work has screened at festivals such as TIFF, Sundance, Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, Slamdance, SXSW, and Deauville. The two-time Indie Spirit Award winner has directed a number of television shows, including “Mad Men,” “The Mindy Project,” and “GLOW.”
“Outside In” will premiere at the 2018 SXSW Film Festival on March 10.
W&H: Describe the film for us in your own words.
LS: The film is centered around the relationship between Chris (Jay Duplass), a 38-year-old ex-convict, and Carol (Edie Falco) his former high school English teacher, and the person who became his emotional rock during the 20 years he spent in prison.
The story begins the day Chris gets out of prison, and explores the beginning of his re-entry into mainstream society, and how he copes with his strong feelings for Carol, who is married, and has an 18-year-old daughter, Hildy (Kaitlyn Dever).
W&H: What drew you to this story?
LS: The relationship between Chris and Carol is what drew me to this story — the 20-year-long development of a completely non-physical yet very real intimacy between two human beings who, on paper, should not be able to fall in love with each other, and yet do.
W&H: What do you want people to think about when they are leaving the theater?
LS: That humans are complicated, and that sometimes we fall in love with people we’re not supposed to, and that life doesn’t always go as planned.
W&H: What was the biggest challenge in making the film?
LS: Staying warm and dry throughout all the exterior scenes we had to shoot in the foothills of the Cascade mountains in upstate Washington in October and November.
W&H: How did you get your film funded? Share some insights into how you got the film made.
LS: I pitched the idea of the story, and the role he would play, to Jay Duplass, and right after he said “yes” to taking the role, he asked if “The Duplass Bros” could produce it. And then, as if by magic, they did.
W&H: What does it mean for you to have your film play at SXSW?
LS: A lot. I haven’t been here since 2009 when “Humpday” played here, and I’ve missed it. I really love Austin and I really love this festival.
W&H: What advice do you have for other female directors?
LS: The same advice I have for all directors: Don’t wait for permission to tell your story. Just go out and make it. You really have no excuse not to at this point.
W&H: Name your favorite woman-directed film and why.
LS: Kimberly Peirce’s “Boys Don’t Cry” leaps to mind. Not only because it’s beautifully executed but because it’s incredibly bold and groundbreaking, especially for its time, and it’s a project that was driven by pure passion — Kim had to make that film, and it was a long road but she got to the end of it with sheer, dogged determination.
I would argue that the uncompromising nature of her passion is what earned the incredible success of that film. If she’d given in, had made the film any more “palatable” or less edgy or authentic, it wouldn’t have achieved the well deserved attention and awards that it did. And that’s a great lesson for us all.
Also, I believe that no one but Kim could have made that film — it’s a completely singular vision, and that’s another takeaway: Don’t emulate others or try to make something you think “the audience” will be pleased by. Please yourself, and make something that is uniquely you.
W&H: Hollywood and the global film industry are in the midst of undergoing a major transformation. Many women — and some men — in the industry are speaking publicly about their experiences being assaulted and harassed. What are your thoughts on the #TimesUp movement and the push for equality in the film business?
LS: I think it’s wonderful.
