KS Pictures released action thrill-ride, "The Refuge", follows a getaway driver who finds himself in harm's way when he gets caught up in a job involving casino heist. The film comes from acclaimed filmmaker Keith Sutliff, who wrote, directed and starred as the film's lead. "The Refuge" released theatrically this past June.
A Los Angeles resident since 2012, Keith Sutliff is originally from Tampa FL. After starting production company, KS Pictures LLC, he has gone on to produce, write, and direct multiple short films before making his first feature film in 2016- "The Mason Brothers". Now Sutliff has returned with his most recent action thriller, here is what he had to say about his filmmaking process and inspiration.
ASOUTHERNLIFE: Where did the inspiration come from for "The Refuge"?
KEITH SUTLIFF: I always wanted to create a driver film for years. A getaway driver film to be specific. There has been so many great getaway driver films over the years. This has been a type of film I have always loved growing up. Also I wanted to create the sensation that the audience is in the backseat with this getaway driver doing jobs around town at night. A lot of the film is shot from the back seat. Like the old Back To The Future or Transformers ride at Universal Studios. You are in the back seat of this car driving around town (Los Angeles). The video game Grand Theft Auto is kinda like this too as the main character is doing all these jobs around town in a car. I wanted that video game type story line.
ASOUTHERNLIFE: Was this a passion project?
KEITH SUTLIFF: For sure! All my films are. Touching base more from above. I have always loved driver films growing up and Grand Theft Auto the video game.
ASOUTHERNLIFE: As the film's director what was the hardest part of filming?
KEITH SUTLIFF: Balancing all the jobs. Directing while acting in the film as the lead, managing the project as a whole from a producers stand point even while on set, filming at night around Los Angeles at many locations.
ASOUTHERNLIFE: Did you go into the creative process with complete understanding you would play the story's lead?
KEITH SUTLIFF: Yes for sure. I always wanted to play the role of a getaway driver since moving to Los Angeles about 7 years ago. I didn't believe anyone would give me that opportunity to act in such a role so I made my own role and film of it.
ASOUTHERNLIFE: Did knowing you were going to be the film's lead make it easier or harder both in writing the script and directing?
KEITH SUTLIFF: And which do you enjoy more, the acting or the directing? I think it made it easier. Because I knew what I wanted for the character when writing it and also what shots I wanted to show the story on screen as a director. I enjoy them both a lot. But I think I like directing a lot because the director is the overall vision of the film and how it will be displayed on screen.
ASOUTHERNLIFE: What can fans expect with "The Refuge"?
KEITH SUTLIFF: They can expect a cerebral type thriller film centered around a getaway driver at night in Los Angeles. A film that is centered and told through actions on screen carried out by music with not a ton of dialogue in scenes. Kinda like 2001 A Space Odyssey by Stanley Kubrick or some of the older classical films from the early 1900s. The film shows a lot of the behind the scenes of this getaway driver preparing for jobs. It is not a car chase action movie and was not supposed to be. It really focuses on the music and actions on screen as mentioned before.
ASOUTHERNLIFE: What other projects do you have in works, both starring and directing?
KEITH SUTLIFF: Yes I have a few. Suitcase City is my next feature I am working on and plan to do. It is a Action/Crime/Sci-Fi film based in the future around this martial arts tournament and gang leader of this city. I don't want to spoil more. People will have to check it out when it comes out in the future!
KEITH SUTLIFF: I always wanted to create a driver film for years. A getaway driver film to be specific. There has been so many great getaway driver films over the years. This has been a type of film I have always loved growing up. Also I wanted to create the sensation that the audience is in the backseat with this getaway driver doing jobs around town at night. A lot of the film is shot from the back seat. Like the old Back To The Future or Transformers ride at Universal Studios. You are in the back seat of this car driving around town (Los Angeles). The video game Grand Theft Auto is kinda like this too as the main character is doing all these jobs around town in a car. I wanted that video game type story line.
ASOUTHERNLIFE: Was this a passion project?
KEITH SUTLIFF: For sure! All my films are. Touching base more from above. I have always loved driver films growing up and Grand Theft Auto the video game.
ASOUTHERNLIFE: As the film's director what was the hardest part of filming?
KEITH SUTLIFF: Balancing all the jobs. Directing while acting in the film as the lead, managing the project as a whole from a producers stand point even while on set, filming at night around Los Angeles at many locations.
ASOUTHERNLIFE: Did you go into the creative process with complete understanding you would play the story's lead?
KEITH SUTLIFF: Yes for sure. I always wanted to play the role of a getaway driver since moving to Los Angeles about 7 years ago. I didn't believe anyone would give me that opportunity to act in such a role so I made my own role and film of it.
KEITH SUTLIFF: And which do you enjoy more, the acting or the directing? I think it made it easier. Because I knew what I wanted for the character when writing it and also what shots I wanted to show the story on screen as a director. I enjoy them both a lot. But I think I like directing a lot because the director is the overall vision of the film and how it will be displayed on screen.
ASOUTHERNLIFE: What can fans expect with "The Refuge"?
KEITH SUTLIFF: They can expect a cerebral type thriller film centered around a getaway driver at night in Los Angeles. A film that is centered and told through actions on screen carried out by music with not a ton of dialogue in scenes. Kinda like 2001 A Space Odyssey by Stanley Kubrick or some of the older classical films from the early 1900s. The film shows a lot of the behind the scenes of this getaway driver preparing for jobs. It is not a car chase action movie and was not supposed to be. It really focuses on the music and actions on screen as mentioned before.
KEITH SUTLIFF: Yes I have a few. Suitcase City is my next feature I am working on and plan to do. It is a Action/Crime/Sci-Fi film based in the future around this martial arts tournament and gang leader of this city. I don't want to spoil more. People will have to check it out when it comes out in the future!
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