He is the man behind King's short story I've Got to Get Away.
SKSM: What is your occupation?
Kamran Syd: I am a student at the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television. SKSM: Did Stephen King personally grant you the rights? Kamran Syd: Yes. His lawyer then mailed a contract to me and I eagerly signed on the dotted line. SKSM: Why do you want to be a filmmaker? Kamran Syd: I love movies. Every week I look forward to Friday, so I can see that week's new movie release. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to sit in a dark movie theatre, with a bucket of popcorn, free of cell phone reception and watch images unfold on a beautiful, white canvas. It excites me. I want to give that same wonderful experience to audiences everywhere. And I don't know of any better way to do that, than to make movies of my own. SKSM: Why did you choose to turn Stephen King's "I've Got to Get Away!" into a film? Kamran Syd: : I like its message: Don't give up. Seek out freedom. Think outside the box. The same way that King's story reaches off the page, grabs me by the throat, and amazes me, I would like it to jump off the movie screen and enlighten audiences. SKSM: Apart from being a science fiction story, is your film intended to address contemporary society? Kamran Syd: Yes. This story, like other science fiction films - Terminator, Blade Runner, The Matrix etc. - engages contemporary anxieties over the body, consciousness and society. Although "I've Got to Get Away!" unfolds in the world of science fiction, its underlying themes and concerns do not address the future or the unknown, but instead tackle present-day concerns with technology and other modern day issues, such as human rights, body image and the working class. That is what science fiction films do the best, they attempt to offer audiences a glimpse into the future, without sounding too preachy, by delivering commentary on the present. SKSM: Who will star in your film? Kamran Syd: That is a secret. I will let you know at a later date. SKSM: What is your favorite Stephen King movie? Kamran Syd: The Shawshank Redemption. SKSM: If you could adapt one Stephen King book into a feature length film, which one would it be? Kamran Syd: Dark Tower. SKSM: Who are some of your favorite film personalities? Kamran Syd: Steven Spielberg. Robert Zemeckis. James Cameron. I certainly admire, appreciate and applaud their awe-inspiring achievements. Every time I watch one of their films, it makes me want to go out there and make movies of my own. Their body of work is so vast, insightful and majestic. Often I wish Spielberg, Zemeckis, and Cameron would release a film every week. That would be my idea of heaven. SKSM: When will your film be completed? Kamran Syd: 2005. SKSM: Where can millions of Stephen King fans see your film? Kamran Syd: Look for it at film festivals: Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Venice, Tribecca, Telluride and a theatre near you. SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to your fans? Kamran Syd: - |