An Interview with Chris Milewski, Director and Star of The True Story of the Christ's Return

by Mike Haberfelner

February 2024

Chris Milewski on (re)Search my Trash

Your new movie The True Story of the Christ's Return - in a few words, what's it about?

The True Story of the Christ's Return tells of the true story of the christ's return! It is an experimental short film, with slight hints of sci-fi and horror, put together in the style of experimental art films from the 1970s. There is a relatively simple and clear narrative, but as with many of my films, some parts are left open to interpretation. In a nutshell, the film briefly follows the Christ as he continues his mission to fulfill the prophecy of the bible, though he's doing so several centuries too late. He is ultimately mugged by a seemingly common criminal, causing plans to change. It's important to remember that it's a true story.

You've dedicated The True Story of the Christ's Return to Italian filmmaker Giulio Questi - so what can you tell us about Questi's influence on your movie, and on you as a filmmaker in general?

While Giulio Questi's Death Laid an Egg is one of my favorite films, that is not why The True Story of the Christ's Return is dedicated to him. For those unaware, the bulk of his last films - several short films produced in the 2000s, many of which released as a two DVD set called By Giulio Questi - were a one-man show. He portrayed the characters himself as he filmed them himself. This was a big source of inspiration for me. While there are several names in the credits of The True Story of the Christ's Return, interestingly enough, none of which my own, the not-so-secret secret is that I did everything myself. And that means everything. Incidentally, I did a similar solo project in 2015 titled The World of Shadows that featured narration by the legendary Franco Garofalo, though I very much prefer The True Story of the Christ's Return.

Given the film's theme, I just have to ask, are you a religious man at all, and how has your religious belief or lack thereof informed the film?

I am not religious in the slightest, nor am I a believer of any such concepts or ideas. I am more interested in the workings of the human mind - which, of course, has an integral part in religion as well as a host of other things; good, bad, or otherwise. With The True Story of the Christ's Return, I didn't initially set out to create any religious-themed film. The reason it came to be was more pragmatic. I wanted to film something experimental without the headache of anyone else being involved. While a recent film of mine, La Fleur Du Diable released in 2022, had no live actors, this time around, I wanted a little more action. That means I'd have to play the part of any characters in the story. Unfortunately, my physical appearance is not conducive to any films I typically would want to shoot. As it turns out, people often say I look like Jesus. So, if I have to play the part in this film idea, why not play Jesus? I of course also play mugger, but I am pleasantly hidden behind a 1970s 4-hole ski mask that looks great in the film.

With all of that said, there must be some kind of subconscious Jesus influence going on because he appears, in one form or another, in two other films I produced over the years. The first, 2015's Help Me Have No Human Ways, was based on the Next Level teachings of Ti and Do (of Heaven's Gate) and again featured the narration of the great Franco Garofalo as well as Miss Italy 1966, Daniela Giordano. The other film in which Jesus appears, 2018's Destination Orion, was re-titled Astrophilia and released as part of Philia, and anthology film produced by Trash Arts and distributed by Darkside Releasing.

Other sources of inspiration when writing The True Story of the Christ's Return?

Besides the idea of looking like Jesus, the story - in the film and in reality - began with the dredging operation that appears in the opening credits. There has been ongoing dredging in the river near to where I live. Every time I passed by and saw the equipment, barges, etc., I thought to myself, "I need to make some kind of film involving river dredging." This went on for many weeks. Then, one day, I decided I should film some b-roll before the dredging project was completed and I miss out on the opportunity. So I did, and literally, from that footage, I developed the story. I only regret not including more shots of the operation in the film, but I feel the way is was presented was fine as is.

Maybe it's just me, but I found quite some irony in The True Story of the Christ's Return - would you at all agree, and if so, could you elaborate on that aspect of your movie for a bit?

Yes, there is indeed some "theatrical" irony which becomes clear at the end of the film. I'll admit, I am not a fan of the handwriting style, but it deliberately done as it was the only way I could make it clear as to what was happening! Ultimately, there are also some minor details with hints of irony that, while intentional, were not critical to the narrative itself.

What can you tell us about your directorial approach to your story at hand?

As noted, my vision was to make an experimental art film from the 1970s, but more specifically, styled as some on those that were 16mm film. While digital, The True Story of the Christ's Return reflects that style. As a whole, the film is slightly more artistic than my previous works, but I can say that it still has my usual flare - namely some Fulci-esque cinematography at times [Lucio Fulci bio - click here]. This project also incorporates a fair bit of b-roll, as I do love filming and including b-roll, but in this case, it helps carry the story.

You also play the lead in The True Story of the Christ's Return - so do talk about your character, what did you draw upon do bring him to life, and did you write him with yourself in mind from the get-go? And how does one even prepare to play Jesus Christ?

I despise acting. I never want to be in front of the camera as I very much prefer to be behind it working on production. Though, it's worth noting that for practical reasons, I actually appear in many of my other films but no one would ever notice. It might be just my hand, feet, or I'm working a shovel in a closeup and the like. The problem is that my personality is very blunt and honest. I find it very difficult to be fake. For that reason, I simply can't act! With that said, I have heard no complaints, so what I came up with must have been at least acceptable. It also helped that I definitely do not play a "traditional" Jesus. I am a Jesus in blue jeans and a sweater! Considering I was going for 1970s art film, the lead, if not in a turtleneck, needed to be in a sweater. As for actually preparing for the part, there was no preparation! I hit the record button on the camera, tried my best to figure out where to position myself, and gave it a go! I kept telling myself to channel my inner Klaus Kinski, but most of the time, I forgot.

On The True Story of the Christ's Return you handled pretty much all in-front-of- and behind-the-camera duties - so what kind of a strain was that, and was it maybe also liberating? And which jobs did you enjoy the most, which could you have done without?

I am used to it because I typically take care of everything in all of my films, save for acting or voiceover. In fact, unless my memory is failing, I can't recall ever having help from anyone except for music or maybe an extra hand from someone who was around to work some kind of effect. I take care of writing, directing, lighting, working the camera, setting up the effects, editing, sound design, and many times, the music too. But back to your question, in terms of The True Story of the Christ's Return, it's no problem filming b-roll and the like, but with filming myself, it's more work. There's a lot of running back and forth and test shots because you can't see what you're doing. Setting up the lighting and focus is most problematic. Another thing that bothers me slightly about filming myself is that I cannot move the camera. I dislike static shots. It's a movie. There needs to be movement. I try to move the camera - albeit often sloppily - as much as I can in my films. But if I am filming myself, I obviously can't move it.

The hardest part of this project, without question, was recording the narration. In my opinion, spoken English is not conducive to any sort of atmosphere. I feel it's an ugly language. The film should have been in Italian - a language that can be wonderfully diverse in emotion, sound, and atmosphere. The film needed the voice of Franco Garofalo, but he's no longer with us. I felt, considering I did everything else, it was only appropriate that I do the voiceover as well. What a challenge for me. I did like a hundred takes. Unfortunately, not only is English an ugly language, I am not a master of elocution. I have a terrible voice with terrible cadence and diction. At least I can admit it! To combat this, I attempted to do my own rendition of the semi-exaggerated dubbing found on English versions of foreign films. A comment on the YouTube video noted that the narration was reminiscent to the dubbing Jess Franco's A Virgin Among the Living Dead. That was music to my ears. I take that as a great compliment, so, like the acting, I guess I did a well-enough job!

And speaking of music to my or anyone else's ears, I also did the music for this film. I am quite happy with it. As Alva Blanc, a nod to the 1920s-30s actress Alice White, I attempted to channel my inner Ennio Morricone (and Bruno Nicolai, though they're almost one and the same) with some abstract, improv jazz. That was a new style for me and I think the result was quite effective for this film. I can't help but laugh when I note that no instruments are even in time with each other.

A few words about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere?

The on-set atmosphere was great. It was focused with no dilly-dallying. I was alone at all times and free to do my thing without interruption. Still, they're good bit of talking out loud to myself or laughing at how silly the whole thing was. I can imagine the few random people who passed by while I was working on some shots probably thought I was crazy.

The $64-question of course, where can The True Story of the Christ's Return be seen?

As with most of my films, The True Story of the Christ's Return can be viewed for free on the Filmiracle Productions YouTube channel. The direct URL for the film is https://youtu.be/mfiEAixecWc. Be sure to like and share if you enjoy it! It will also be part of the upcoming Nightmares from Beyond DVD collection which will feature many of my short films.

Anything you can tell us about audience and critical reception of The True Story of the Christ's Return?

From the limited reaction I've received thus far, it seems to me the film is a success. Everyone seems to dig it, which is always nice as it lets me know I am at least doing something right. The problem I'm having with this film, being that I typically deal with horror, is that I am a bit out of my element and finding it difficult to promote effectively. But it is what it is!

Any future projects you'd like to share?

The last I was asked, I was working on a horror film called Beyond the Lake of Tears. Unfortunately, that project is almost certainly cancelled and destined to never be finished. A good bit was completed, and it did come out nicely, but I got to a point where I stopped "feeling it." I am not sure what happened. I do think it would be nice to pick it up again at some point so that it can be finished, but I feel that will never happen. This wouldn't be the first time I've done this. I started several film projects over the years, only to throw them away. Such are the ways of the creative mind! Anyhow, I just started outlining a new story for another short film called In the Dreams of Those with Unblinking Eyes.

Your/your movie's website, social media, whatever else?

Feeling lucky? Want to search any of my partnershops yourself for more, better results? (commissions earned)

The links below will take you just there!!!

Find Chris Milewski at the amazons ...   amazon.com   amazon.co.uk   amazon.de Looking for imports? Find Chris Milewski here ...   eThaiCD.com Your shop for all things Thai

The Filmiracle Productions YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/c/filmiracleproductions. If you dig the films, like and share them to help spread the word! For anyone interested in a little more information on the films, photos, etc., have a look at the rather rudimentary Filmiracle Productions website at https://filmiracleproductions.blogspot.com.

Anything else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?

Nothing beyond many thanks for your interest and for the interview! I greatly appreciate it!

Thanks for the interview!

© by Mike Haberfelner

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