In the heart of the indie film scene, “Serious People” stands out as a testament to creativity, collaboration, and personal storytelling. Directed by Pasqual Gutierrez and Ben Mullinkosson, this project explores the raw and authentic connections we make along the way.
An Unexpectedly Beautiful Journey
The film stems from the shared dream of Ben Mullinkosson and Pasqual Gutierrez, two creative souls who set out to make a movie unlike any other.
As Ben shared, “We were roommates in downtown LA together 10 years ago, it was kind of a magic time period where we wanted to make a film, but it didn’t seem attainable at the time.”
Pasqual’s vision for the film was inspired by a dream, leading to an exciting and distinctive narrative about a doppelgänger.
“The idea about a doppelgänger replacing Pasqual came to him in a dream,” explained Ben, highlighting how their ideas organically evolved over time.
Discovering the Dork Within
As always, the pair was asked the classic Dorkaholics question: What made you a dork growing up?
Pasqual shared a heartfelt reflection, “Growing up, I grew up with a bunch of gang members. But I like to stay inside. I like to read books a lot, a lot of comics.”
Ben, on the other hand, reminisced about his gaming days, “I was really into the video game StarCraft, but then I got obsessed with skateboarding.”
Animated Conversations and Real Moments
Filming “Serious People” was nothing short of a collaborative masterpiece requiring genuine participation from everyone involved.
Pasqual elaborated, “Almost every single scene in the film is genuine to the setting.”
Whether capturing real-life moments or creatively designing scenes, the film maintains a sense of authenticity and sincerity.
Ben, reflecting on his return journey from China, expressed what fueled his involvement: “I think it comes from love, like I really love Pasqual, I love Christine, I love Raul. I think everyone is so well-spoken and hilarious and also very vulnerable and honest.”
A Day in the Life of “Serious People”
The interview wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging a significant cameo moment or two.
When discussing Pasqual’s doppelgänger, the pair revealed “Ben was on the table… and Ben has a cameo in the film, in the opening scene. He’s one of the doppelgängers that’s auditioning.”
Conclusion
“Serious People” is far more than a film; it’s a reminder of the bonds of friendship, the joy of creativity, and the celebration of shared human experiences. As Pasqual and Ben’s journey continues, their film invites us all to explore the unique, often dorky, parts of ourselves, encouraging us to embrace and express them vividly and freely. Congratulations to the entire team on the release of this heartfelt project, and we eagerly anticipate what’s next for these creative minds.
The film opened theatrically on November 14 and is currently open theatrically in Los Angeles (Laemmle Glendale) with a regional theatrical expansion to major cities, including a New York theatrical expansion at the Quad Cinema on December 12 for a full week run, and a nationwide video-on-demand release to follow on December 16.
