Interview by Best Actor & Director Awards – New York
Interview with the actor Joel Van der Molen, Outstanding Performance Award Winner for the Short Film ‘What the Fact’
Hi, Joel! Thank you for granting us this interview and sincere congratulations on your ‘Outstanding Performance’ Award! You played the lead character in the film ‘What the Fact’. What should the audience expect to see?
What the Fact follows the life of Edward Knut. He is a conspiracy theorist who has a successful web series where he shares his ideas about a ruling elite’s agenda to enslave humanity and reduce the world’s population.
His wife Claudia thinks lockdown should last 2 years, that her husband is crazy, and her cat has coronavirus.
Tell us more about your character. What is his personality like?
Edward is a good person who believes there is injustice in the world, that the media’s depiction of what is happening is fictitious, and the virus is the biggest hoax ever to be pulled on the unassuming public. Sometimes he feels very alone with his theories and that no one wants to listen.
What did you do to prepare for the role? Where did you get the inspiration from in order to give depth to your character?
The character is a reflection of the conversations happening in many households. Everyone knows somebody who is questioning the mainstream media’s version of events. My focus on the conversations happening around me brought depth and understanding.
The actor Joel Van der Molen with the official poster of ‘What the Fact’ – www.vandercomfilms.com
Without giving anything away, what is your favourite line and why?
My favourite line is Edward’s response to Claudia’s line:
“The fact that the vaccines have been developed with such speed is a dream come true” and then Edward reply’s; “Yeah, because you’d have to be asleep to believe it”.
You also wrote, co-produced and directed ‘What the Fact’. What did you enjoy the most about working the film and what did you find more challenging?
I loved every minute of production, and I would get very exciting writing it and visualising the scenes. It has its challenges, but ultimately, I get to do what I love, which is to produce, direct and act in my own film. I was surrounded by a very talented cast and crew. Hearing the actors speak and perform my lines was something I was really stuck by.
Do you ever take inspiration from your own story when writing a script?
Ricky Gervais said write about what you know, and I think this is true. I look at my own life, my family and friends and bring this to the screen. Ultimately, this is a true reflection of what everyone is going through and questioning in 2021.
Is there any fun facts from the shooting you would like to share?
Laila did the casting which included her daughter, her husband, her cat and her dog! I could not stop laughing every time I was acting with Tartan McLaughlin. He did a really great job and deserved the award for Best Supporting Actor. His scenes took many takes because of me laughing.
The co-star often has a crucial importance in telling the story. How was it to play beside your co-star Laila Banki? Did you know her before, or was this your first time working together?
Without Laila the production would not have been possible. She did everything to make this a reality, bringing people and locations together. It was our friendship and sharing of ideas that brought the film to life.
What is the message that ‘What the Fact’ and/or your character convey?
The message of What the Fact is asking people to look at both sides of any information presented to them and to ask questions about everything they are being presented with. This is the most important time in human existence, and it is essential that we make our choices and decisions by listening to our inner knowing.
What are you currently working on? Is there any upcoming project you would like to share?
I’m very proud to announce my new project, which is the life story of Alfie Best. Alfie is a hugely successful and well-known Entrepreneur who recently appeared on the hit UK TV show, ITV’s ‘Undercover Big Bosses’. Born in a caravan on the side of the road in Leicester, England, to a poor gipsy family, Alfie rises to become a billionaire. It’s like Rise of the Foot Soldier meets the Wolf of Wall Street. I will be writing, directing, producing, and, of course, acting.
Connecting to Joel Van der Molen:
www.instagram.com/joelvandermolen22/
www.facebook.com/JoelVanderMolen22/
www.linkedin.com/in/joel-van-der-molen-5672bb14/
Company Website: www.vandercomfilms.com
