After posting our story on the film "Let Him Be", several people told us they really loved the film. So, to give a little more background on it, we asked filmmaker Peter McNamee to answer a few questions by email, which he does here and for which we thank him.
Q: What was the inspiration behind the film?
Peter McNamee: My initial inspiration was to make a 80 min. film, which would be longer than the 30 sec commercials I usually make. It's my homage to John who after all he gave us deserved better. "Let Him Be" is a "beautiful illusion" of how I would have liked his life to have ended.
Q: We thought the use of the documentary style of filmmaking was a novel idea and it worked well. Why did you do that rather than a straight film?
Peter McNamee: The movie was produced within the realm and abilities of this young filmmaker. It was deliberately not meant to be perfect. This "reality TV" approach is what draws the audience in. It would never have had the same impact as a slick 35/16 mm film. Oh and like Tim's character that was all I could afford to do:)
Q: Why do you think the story line of the film appeals to Beatles and Lennon fans?
Peter McNamee: After screening it to hundreds of regular movie goers and Beatle fans and doing countless Q&A's and email comments received etc., my sense is people would have loved for John to have ended his life the way its portrayed in the movie. I have never met anyone who does not feel that his murder was one of the greatest crimes and losses of our generation.
Q: Where was the story filmed?
Peter McNamee: The movie was filmed in and around the greater Toronto area. Noel's house is about 2 hours north of Toronto and all the little towns are in the same vicinity.
Q: How did you cast Tim, Kathleen and Noel?
Peter McNamee: I cast Mark Staycer as Noel first. I found him online (www.imaginelennon.com). He not only had all the critical prerequisites to play our ol' John he only lived about six hours away from Toronto in Traverse City. Mark was amazing in many many ways. His performance is a testament to his talent. Tim and Kathleen were called into audition. I knew the minute I set eyes on Kathleen she was "my girl" . As we had two contenders for Tim's part, I let her choose her boyfriend. I had every confidence in her decision and she made the right one. I was blessed with an incredible, dedicated, talented cast and crew. Without whom none of this would have been possible.
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