Vuk Lungulov-Klotz is a transgender filmmaker, cinematographer, and director of short films such as Still Liam and River Fork. Vuk’s feature film, Mutt, premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. The film’s leading actor, Lio Mehiel, won the Special Jury Acting Award at the festival. The film is set to release in theaters across the United States starting August 18. 

In this episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with director Vuk Lungulov-Klotz and actor Lio Mehiel to discuss: 

Why Vuk included a few jokes early on in the story

The frustrating process of finding actors 

How Lio immediately related to the script 

Bonding at a summer camping festival before shooting the film

All the difficulties of shooting a film in NYC

The process of finding locations and what they should have done differently

Coordinating ADR sessions during edit

The surreal feeling they felt at the world premiere

Feeling stressed and anxious by people hyping up the movie

The difference between screening a film in the US versus Europe

Working alone as an actor versus working with an agency



Memorable Quotes

“It was the perfect vehicle to showcase the portrait of a trans man today.” [3:55]

“If you can’t laugh about something, then we’re really screwed.” [6:48]

“I have never read such a beautiful slice of life that represents this experience.” [10:00]

“Anytime you can get practice in front of the camera, do it.” [39:58]

“By the end of the film, I could hear the theater crying.” [46:12]



Resources:
Mutt

More No Film School coverage on MUTT

In the Summers




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