I’ve always looked to films for an escape, and that’s especially true now. But in this era of superhero movies and Oscar contenders that’s often hard to find. Especially if what you’re looking for is a romantic comedy where you know things will work out all right in the end.
Enter The Space Between, the debut film from a former superhero - Amy Jo Johnson (Power Rangers, Felicity, Flashpoint). In this heart-felt movie, small town Mitch finds out that his long longed-for daughter is not his own. He bolts from his family and goes in search of the man who tore it apart. Along the way he finds backwoods burlesque shows, uses a funeral home as a thrift store and befriends a broken young woman. And he learns, as we all do, that life happens in the spaces between — those moments between the large tragedies that propel us outwards.
After I watched the film, I got a chance to speak to Amy Jo Johnson about it. The interview has been condensed for space and clarity.
Q.: Where did you get the idea for this film?
AJJ: The idea came from a seed that was planted in my first short film Bent. The lead character was pregnant by a red head that was not her husband and my character wished for her to have a bald baby... anyways... It sparked an idea that I thought was interesting to explore.
Q.: You are the writer, director and producer of the film. You are also a character in it. How come?
AJJ: I cast myself in the film because we raised half our funding on Indiegogo through crowd funding and it was the generous support of those people who had followed my acting career that helped me make this film. I thought it would be nice for them if I was also in the movie. I made sure my role was small so I could focus on directing.
Q: What do you think the main themes of the movie are?
AJJ: Love and truth is ultimately the only way to heal and help sort out the darkness of our secrets.
Q: What was the hardest part about making the film?
AJJ: I guess figuring out to play properly with everyone in the sandbox. That's what filming is like, a bunch of kids playing in a sandbox. I really was faced with the lesson of letting go and letting other people bring their talents and vision to the table.
Q: What was the best part of making the film?
AJJ: Everything! I truly loved making this film from the writing stage to the gathering of the finances to the filming and then the editing and now the festival run. It was such a learning curve for me and I can honestly say as I look back I truly love the art of filmmaking and am deep into the writing phase of my second feature My Heart Is in My Head.
Verdict: see it.