Kosta Nikas Writer/Director of “Sacred Heart” breaks down his film

indieactivity: Why this particular story, sir?
Kosta NIkas: The whole concept of theodicy has fascinated humans for millennia. I felt I had a fresh perspective to introduce. Additionally, the relationship of religion versus the State always intrigued me especially in the legal implications of the sacrament of Confession.

indieactivity: I imagine today’s newspaper headlines played muse to the script, too?
Kosta NIkas: It would seem so, but to be honest I’ve been grappling with these issues on a philosophical basis for a very long time. Admittedly, the newspaper headlines certainly confirm the topical nature and necessity of the story. Although as mentioned above the central issue was ‘theodicy’ and all the other issues are part of that story inevitably

indieactivity: Did you start writing with a cast (David Field or any) in mind?
Kosta NIkas: No not at all. I didn’t have anyone in particular in mind

indieactivity: How long did you take to complete the script? (Do you have a writing process?)
Kosta NIkas: The story was conceived in 2013. I finished the script in 2014 after twenty off drafts

indieactivity: During production, what scene was the hardest to shoot for you and the cast?
Kosta NIkas: Good question. I think shooting a two-hander in one room is in itself a challenge because it can get boring for the audience looking at something that could’ve easily played out on a theatre stage.

indieactivity: You wrote, and directed the film, how hard it is juggling a couple of roles at once?
Kosta NIkas: Writing and directing is not that much of a challenge. I produced it as well. Being Producer and the other two roles was challenging. When my producer had is on I’m thinking how to stay within budget and schedule and still get quality I need. Sometimes, you have to make sacrifices, that as I writer I might not like, but aren’t that tragic for the film, and help production in the long term

indieactivity: Let’s talk finance, How did you finance the film?
Kosta NIkas: Private investors. Not easy, but if you are honest and don’t insult their intelligence it’s easier. Eg don’t tell your investors you will make them millions!

indieactivity: How did you get Gravitas Ventures onboard? Was US distribution hard to snare?
Kosta NIkas: Our Sales Agents Devilworks secured Gravitas Ventures. I am thrilled such respected and successful outfit like Gravitas took on my indie and entered it into the world’s biggest single English speaking market.

indieactivity: Do you think the film will work just as well on Americans as it did in Australia?
Kosta NIkas: Absolutely. In fact, I think it might do better in the USA given the constant conversation that nation has with issues I raise in the film. America is not one homogenous blob. It is profoundly diverse and complex like no other nation in the world.

David Field and Kipan Rothbury in Sacred Heart (Dir. by Kosta Nikas)

indieactivity: How’s the film industry downunder? Did the film do well?
Kosta NIkas: Indie filmmaking is hard anywhere but even harder in Australia. The model in Australia is all broken. Government funds films. Government funded films in Australia are strangely called ‘independent’. That’s a misnomer. Independent is what we do…sourcing from our pockets and private investors. We need an even playing field rather than some of the industry getting government bureaucrats signing off on millions of taxpayer dollars. The first step is to make film investment 100% tax deductible. That’ll sort it and give us a more level and fairer playing field. That would be a great start.

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