HFF 2015 Interview: Band of Robbers Director/Writer/Actor Adam Nee

A modern day retelling of Mark Twain’s iconic books, Band of Robbers is a comedic adventure that re-imagines the characters as grown men and small-time crooks. When Huck Finn is released from prison, he hopes to leave his criminal life behind, but his lifelong friend and corrupt cop, Tom Sawyer, has other plans. Not ready to give up on his childhood fantasies, Tom forms the Band of Robbers, recruiting their misfit friends Joe Harper and Ben Rogers to join them for an elaborate plan to find a fabled treasure. But the plan soon unravels, thrusting the guys on a wild journey with dangerous consequences. Band of Robbers is a 2015 Heartland Film Festival Official Selection, Narrative Feature.

We spoke with Director/Writer/Actor Adam Nee about his film:

HF: What is your film about, and how did the project come to be?

AN: Band of Robbers is a modern day imagining of Tom, Huck and the gang as grown men, still going after the same things they were as kids. It’s an idea that has been gestating for many years but finally came to fruition through the hard work and persistence of our devoted production team, lead by John Will at Torn Sky Entertainment.

HF: What was your role in the production?

AN: I co-wrote/directed the movie with my brother Aaron Nee, and also had the opportunity to play Tom Sawyer in the film.

HF: Why did you submit to the Heartland Film Festival? Have you been to the Festival before?

AN: Everybody you ask says Heartland Film Fest is an absolute must stop on a film’s festival tour. We’ve never been but heard nothing but great things. Aaron and I are tremendously excited to experience the festival for ourselves, and will be at the film’s first three screenings!

HF: This year’s tagline is “Movies That Stay with You” – what lasting effect will your film have on moviegoers?

AN: We made an uncynical adventure movie with heart and laughs and characters that will stick in your head because of the wild things they say and do. If people don’t quote this movie I’ll eat all my damned shoes.

HF: What has inspired you to become a filmmaker?

AN: Movies!

HF: What is something that you know about filmmaking now, but you weren’t told when you started your career?

AN: Being a director is so much about being a good manager. No movie is great unless the entire cast and crew are inline with your vision and trust you. That only happens if you can inspire the people you are working with through clear communication and your own passion.

HF: What are some of your favorite movies? What’s your favorite worst movie (you know it’s bad, but still love it)?

AN: Favorite Movies – Badlands, Boogie Nights, Being John Malkovich; Favorite worst movie – Petey Wheatstraw, the Devil’s Son-in-Law.

HF: How many film festivals has your film been a part of? What do you like the most about the festival experience?

AN: Just a few, but it will be about a dozen before our theatrical release. It’s really the only time in the entire long movie-making process that you can get true, immediate feedback about the art you made. In other words, people tell you that they like your movie and it feels good. That and being able to meet other filmmakers and see new movies and voices in film.

HF: Heartland Film Festival moviegoers love filmmaker Q&As. Let’s say a Festival attendee wants to earn some brownie points—what is a question that you’d love to answer, but haven’t yet been asked?

AN: I don’t know! That’s a good question right there cause I’m stumped. I’ll tell you a weird question I’ve gotten a couple times is whether my (Tom Sawyer’s) mustache is real. That always strikes me as odd; as if it’s impossible for a 30-year-old man to have a real mustache. Or maybe it’s because they think I looked ridiculous and imagining me walking around town with that thing off of set is too hilarious to bare.