While waiting for Christopher Nolan to appear on the red carpet at SBIFF 2011, I stood with my buddy Ted Mills, fellow filmmaker/journalist, and we interviewed newcomer filmmakers as they made their way down the red carpet. Director Nick Brandestini speaks to us about ‘Darwin'.

ME: Can you tell us about your film ‘Darwin'?

NICK: It's a feature documentary about a small town in the middle of nowhere in Death Valley. It's about why those people live there and how they got to Darwin and what kind of stories they have because there's all kinds of different topics you know like family and relations, or people who have troubled backgrounds like criminal pasts and they all share their past and history with the audience.

ME: Okay and what made you want to call the film ‘Darwin'? Is there any association with Charles Darwin?

NICK: No, but that's an easy answer. The town is called ‘Darwin'.

ME: Okay, a real town!

NICK: Yeah, but it's funny because even people who've been to Death Valley don't even know about it. It is on the map but you have to have a good map to see it. Otherwise you just drive past and you don't see it.

ME: Well, it's a great title.

NICK: It is a great title. That's why it should have been another town but the title was one of the deciding factors.

ME: So how does it feel to be your first time on the red carpet?

NICK: Yes, exactly. It's exciting.

ME: Well, we look forward to seeing your film.

NICK: Thank you. I have this for you... (hands me a postcard
of the film).

See ‘Darwin' (2011) by newcomer director Nick Brandestini.

Interview by, Vanessa McMahon SBIFF 2011, January 30, 2011

read about 'Darwin' in this article by The SB Independent: http://www.independent.com/news/2011/feb/01/emdarwinem/

Nick Brandestini: Darwin