Cannes Q&A: Luke Kleintank

July 6, 2021

How has your pandemic year been?

The pandemic year has been extremely trying for myself and for my family. The virus took the life of my father in its early months and it still continues to weigh on the hearts of those close to me. Without loss, though, I’ve learned that we cannot experience the true beauty of life. This is not only my story but the story of many throughout this pandemic.

I’ve learned that we are creatures of community and love and without that, there is struggle and I think that as human beings, we are rising to the occasion as we make our way out of this pandemic.

When and where did the film shoot? We had the pleasure of shooting the film in Riga, Latvia during the spring of 2021.

Was it affected by the pandemic? Yes, Riga was completely shut down during filming. New protocols have been put in place on set. Now, everyone is required to wear masks at all times and actors are somewhat isolated from the rest of the crew during filming. We are also tested weekly, as is the whole crew. It feels different and somewhat distant, but ultimately still very creative.

How did the pandemic affect your work life? The industry completely shut down and work was non-existent. It has just now, in the last several months, been able to come back.

What role do you play in this film? I play the role of David in the film. He’s a young journalist who is trying to start a new life in Riga but gets entangled in a web of his neighbour Robert’s manipulations – played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers. He is thrust into a psychological game of chess that quickly becomes a roller coaster ride of twists and turns that will shock everyone.

What was interesting about working with this group of people? The most interesting thing for me was getting to work on a foreign film with an international crew, all of which had a very unique understanding and creative artistry towards the vision of filmmaking.

**Will you be at the festival this year?

If life and where we are with the COVID pandemic allows me to attend, then I would love to be a part of it.

By Liza Foreman