Talking With Filmmaker Michael Sarrow about ‘Smile As You Kill’

This edition of Talking With focuses on Michael Sarrow, who wrote and directed the festival award winning indie crime thriller film ‘Smile As You Kill’ available in the US and Canada on major streaming platforms and DVD.

The film stars Cuban American actor Rey Goyos and international actor Michael Teh and reflects a strikingly accurate desperation some in America are facing when it comes to facing the high costs of healthcare.

It’s no surprise that the film has resonated with audiences on the festival circuit winning six ‘Best Feature’ as well as ‘Audience Award’.

To learn more, we are Talking With Michael Sarrow:

What is ‘SMILE AS YOU KILL’ all about?

Michael Sarrow: The film is about a sick man who kidnaps a slick advertising director and forces him at gunpoint to create an online campaign for treatment. SMILE AS YOU KILL is a crime thriller with a good dose of dark comedy that befits the wild premise.

Where did you come up with this story idea?

Michael Sarrow: Unfortunately, everyone reading this has probably encountered someone whose life depends on begging total strangers for money on the internet. Once I added the home invasion scenario and my personal background in advertising and marketing, I knew I had the ingredients for a story that could be thrilling, satirical, and shot on a very low budget.

Tell us about the meaning behind the title.

Michael Sarrow: The title comes from John Lennon’s iconic song ‘Working Class Hero’. The full lyric is, “There’s room at the top, they are telling you still. But first you must learn… how to smile as you kill.”

The title speaks to the themes of the film: Two characters from different class and educational backgrounds and what they do for money. It’s also a catchy title for a dark comedy thriller. I hope it doesn’t come on too strong though. The film is not a horror movie.

As a director, do you have a process for working with actors?

Michael Sarrow: This film is almost entirely a two-hander with the characters trapped together. Fortunately, we had enough time to rehearse the entire script from beginning to end. I dumped a lot of dialogue onto our actors, and I’m really proud of Rey Goyos and Michael Teh for doing such compelling work.

Do you have a favorite scene from the movie? And, was it also your favorite to shoot?

Michael Sarrow: Absolutely. The second dinner scene and the immediate sequence that follows. I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever put to film, with a lot of help from my editor Mengyao Mia Zhang. There was a specific shot (stolen from the master Ingmar Bergman) that requires little movement from the actors, so that was challenging. But the entire sequence is incredibly rewarding.

What do you hope moviegoers to take away from the film?

Michael Sarrow: As I’ve seen at our film festival screenings, the loyalties of the audience often shift from one character to the other and back again. We can judge these characters morally and ethically, but there’s a certain inevitability when people are put into life-and-death situations. Especially with a character like Rico in the film, who struggles so much with accepting his own mortality.

If you could change one thing about the healthcare system in America, what would that be?

Michael Sarrow: I tend to believe a single-payer system would be most efficient, but a full policy debate between different types of universal healthcare is beyond my capabilities. I’ve never wanted to be a politician, only a storyteller. Regardless of how we get to a better system, it’s clear that the current arrangement is leading people to desperation, which leads to violence.

What inspires you the most creatively?

Michael Sarrow: I love to explore absurd scenarios with life-or-death stakes. Then I throw well-developed characters into these situations to see how they sink or swim. This usually leads to a unique tone and premise, and hopefully that connects with people through films like SMILE AS YOU KILL.

Finally, is there anything else you’re working on that we can watch for?

Michael Sarrow: I have a script that has some momentum, but it’s a bit larger in scope than this most recent film. If people watch and enjoy SMILE AS YOU KILL, then maybe I’ll get to make that one.

Watch the official trailer for 'Smile As You Kill' here and for more about the film visit: SmileAsYouKill.com