For InFocus Film School Film Production graduate Drew Forster, going the indie route felt like a perfect move. He embraced the freedom to tell his stories, his way. Not long after graduating from the program he co-directed and starred in Negligence, it’s Child and His First Shot at Mortality, a film about a teenager’s personal campaign against contraceptives and the effect it has on his sister, best friend and Christian girlfriend. Following up from his 2024 short, Foster is stepping back into the Producer’s chair and acting spotlight with his new film The Hermit.
The Hermit is a reflection of lived experience, a creative exhale after emotional hardship, and a call for audiences to choose compassion over judgment. Structured in three powerful vignettes and made in collaboration with fellow InFocus Film School alumni, as well as siblings Leopold and Isadora Vieytes, The Hermit is a deeply personal piece of independent cinema that highlights the strength of artistic community and the bold spirit of DIY filmmaking.
Drew worked as a Producer and Actor in the film. In this interview, Drew opens up about the story behind the film, the importance of InFocus connections, and why going indie has been the most rewarding path.
The Hermit is a deeply emotional film exploring themes of isolation, addiction, and societal disconnection. What inspired you to tell this particular story at this moment in your lives?
It was about one year prior to filming The Hermit this past February that I witnessed siblings Leopoldo and Isadora Vieytes, my best friends, roommates and everyday co-creators go through the events of the film. Afterwards, we started pouring this into a script, something that not only healed that hardship, but moreover, reminded us why we do what we do; film, and hence The Hermit. We were burning to do it, emotionally it felt necessary to tell the story now rather than later.
The film is structured in three vignettes. What was your intention behind this format, and how does it help us understand Miguel’s character?
Although the film is edited to a linear beginning, middle and end, we wrote and shot the project in a way that allows for the viewer to watch any of the three parts in any order for the purpose of being able to interpret their own beginning, middle and end for the main character Miguel and his personal struggle.
You describe The Hermit as leaving viewers to “choose judgement or compassion.” What conversations are you hoping to spark with audiences?
We’re inviting audiences to follow someone they might not adore, or who they might feel sorry for. That’s the fun part, it will depend on the audience member. What do you resort to upon instinct: judgment or compassion?
BTS of The Hermit
You mentioned that The Hermit wouldn’t have been possible without the involvement of fellow InFocus alumni. How did these collaborations come about?
The film of course wouldn’t have been possible without every single person involved in the project, but yes, as for the InFocus alumni on board, I cannot stress their importance enough. They’re all incredibly talented, down to earth, hard-working and best of all, very fun to work with.
We worked with Emma Campbell (1st AD) on a previous set and were immediately drawn to her work ethic, so we told her about the project and the rest is history. She ran the set with such efficiency, is very driven and is a incredibly talented filmmaker herself.
We also worked with Meghan Robinson (Sound Mixer) on a previous set. We told her about the project, saved her contact, etc. She is one of a kind, super knowledgeable about sound in every aspect, very passionate about her work, and, always the first one to set and the last one to leave.
Vadim Venedyukhin (Editor, Colourist) is the go-to. Him and I have been in contact since I was at InFocus. He’s won a few awards, is seriously creative, and is fluent in every software. We were very lucky to have him on board. Isa, one of the directors, said the colouring Vadim did on the film was verbatim to what she had in mind from the very beginning.
KaronhÍ:io Delaronde (Day 1 of 3 Unit Stills Photographer/BTS Videographer) is a current student, and is the nicest person you’ll ever meet. KaronhÍ:io is a current student we met at the InFocus Holiday Industry Party. Always offering to help, eager to create in every regard, even stepping into another role when we needed someone to fill in. KaronhÍ:io also has great stories to tell, and is already putting out very impressive projects at InFocus.
InFocus Film School graduate Emma Campbell
Since graduating, you have taken more of a DIY indie route, which we love. How did your experience at InFocus Film School prepare you for the realities of independent filmmaking?
It feels amazing to be the creator of our own realities, the ones in charge of achieving our desires. And I think most alumni take this approach, which yes, is really special. Every project is built purely on passion, and everyone brings their own unique touch on the project. And that’s exactly what I got from InFocus; the opportunity to learn about every department. Even if I wasn’t as focused on for example, lighting, as I was with producing, when I graduated and began making films I was well equipped to understand other aspects of filmmaking, and therefore am always getting better at co-creating with other filmmakers. We all help each other, it’s really cool.
What would you say to current students about the importance of building strong relationships with their peers while in film school?
Connections and contacts are everything, of course. The people I created with at InFocus were the same people I created with after graduating. Enjoy every second too, that may feel challenging in some moments, but there is something about learning everything about film for the first time that I wish I was more present for. It’s such a cool thing, so let it flow and learn everything you can. And, rather than worrying about making every project perfect, I suppose my advice would be to enjoy making any mistakes you make, you’ll learn a lot more from them.
The film deals with emotional isolation, a theme many young people and artists relate to. How do you personally find connection and community as emerging filmmakers?
We’ve all got something special to share and hearing that from anyone, let alone another artist (especially in the form of a story), is just as special to hear as it is to speak it, make it, and watch it. Collaborating and creating with everyone off-set is just as awesome as the on-set fun.
What’s next for The Hermit? Are you submitting to festivals, or planning to make it publicly available?
“The Hermit” is on its way to festivals. We just last week submitted to 30+ festivals across Canada, as well as internationally. So, we’re really excited about this, and for the cast/crew that made it possible.
