I was intrigued when I first heard that David Strathairn was starring in The Sensation of Sight, a low-budget indie drama about a middle-aged man who after facing a tragedy in his life starts going door to door selling encyclopedias and searching for the meaning of it all. I haven’t been able to get enough of Strathairn after seeing his Oscar-nominated performance in Good Night and Good Luck – and I’ve always loved films that deal with the meaning of life. So, this seemed right up my alley. Then I saw the trailer (which you can watch at the end of this article) and I loved what I saw. The winner of the Best Feature Film at the New Hampshire Film Festival and Best Cinematography at the Durban International Film Festival (where it was hailed “An instant American classic”), The Sensation of Sight has been receiving great reviews so far and some are saying Strathairn’s performance is one for the ages. I was fortunate enough to have the chance to chat with the film’s director Aaron J. Wiederspahn, who is making his feature film debut with this, and if his passion for the film carries over onto the screen, I think we’re in for something really special here.

Jonathan B.: Being your first feature film, what was it like trying to get The Sensation of Sight off the ground?
Aaron J. Wiederspahn: It was a bit like trying to swim across the ocean, madness mixed with euphoria, just hoping to make it to the other side.

JB: How did David Strathairn become interested in the film?
AW: My producing partner, Buzz McLaughlin, had known David back in the mid to late 80′s, when they worked together at a theatre company Buzz had founded in New Jersey. They hadn’t been in contact for over ten years, but we felt David was perfect for the role, so Buzz contacted and re-connected with him, and we sent him the script. Once he read it, he loved it, and said, yeah, I’d love to do this.

JB: It’s great to see that despite his success, Strathairn is still taking on character roles like this. How involved was Strathairn in the creation of his character Finn?
AW: The role was already created and very clear, as far as who the character is, when David attached himself to the project. But, once we started working together, it was definitely his subtlety and nuanced embodiment of Finn that brought this character to full actualization. It became all that I had imagined.

JB: There’s an impressive supporting cast too: Ian Somerhalder, Daniel Gillies, Jane Adams, Ann Cusack, among others. How did they all get involved? Were there auditions or did you have certain people in mind already?
AW: We held castings in New York and L.A. This is where we came across most every actor involved in the film. I was very fortunate to have such an amazing ensemble surround me. Very fortunate.

JB: How long was the shoot?
AW: 18 days of principal photography. I still can’t believe we were able to pull it off in that limited amount of time.

JB: What made you decide to start your filmmaking career in New Hampshire? I think it’s fantastic and it seems to have worked out very well, but it’s certainly an unconventional place to start.
AW: I fell in love with New Hampshire. Most of my friends in New York or L.A. think I’m crazy for trying to start a film career and company in the New England woods. But, I love it here. It was more about the quality of life and peace of mind, than trying to make it on some kind of who’s who list, that made me want to live here.

JB: The stuff I’ve seen gives off an old-fashioned vibe and it seems like it’s not really a movie that is too worried about the box office take.
AW: I’m not one who’s really concerned with making the hit of the summer. For me, filmmakers like Tarkovsky or Bergman or Bresson are where it’s at. Throw in some classic Chaplin, some Jacques Tati, some Welles and Preston Sturges, and that’s where I’m happy. It’s all about trying to find your own voice, be true to it, and then hopefully there will be an audience who appreciates it. But, it definitely doesn’t have to be the Titanic or Spider-Man 10. That’s not what I’m after.

JB: The praise for the film has been phenomenal so far. What went through your mind when you won the Best Feature Film award at the New Hampshire Film Festival?
AW: It’s always nice to be recognized, but then it’s back to the work. It’s all about the work.

JB: Are there any specific movies that were an influence, that you often had on your mind in creating this film? From what I’ve seen, I can’t help but being reminded of Hal Ashby’s Being There.
AW: Not really. Maybe some Jarmusch films and some Samuel Beckett plays, in a very loose way. The main inspiration for this film was actually a dream I had about a man selling encyclopedias.

JB: So, a man going around selling encyclopedias came from a dream you had. When did you first start thinking about turning this idea into a film?
AW: The dream happened three times. I figured there must be something to it. So, I started writing, attempting to figure out the “why” of it all.

JB: It’s fair to say that it’s a very personal movie then. As the writer and director of the film, how open were you on the set? Was there room for improvisation, whether from you or the actors, or did it follow the script very close?
AW: Everything was in the script, and followed relatively close. But, there was definitely an openess and much discussion. Everyone was intent on getting into the skin of these characters. We did a bit of philosophizing about it all.

JB: Would you always want to write the films you direct?
AW: Preferably, but not always. I like to stay open, because you never know what may come about.

JB: Do you have any other projects you’re working on or would like to do?
AW: Yes. I have a few others that I have written, plus an adaptation of a play that was written by Buzz, my producing partner.

JB: Here’s a totally ‘out there’ question, but have you ever thought about directing a western? They’re getting hot again, you know.
AW: Actually, yes! I’ve always wanted to do a western. I grew up in Wyoming. My family still lives there. I enjoy the mythology of the West. So, who knows, maybe one day it’ll happen.

JB: I’m crossing my fingers. Lastly, do you have any advice for aspiring filmmakers?
AW: It’s like the Nike slogan… Just Do It. Then, most importantly, be true to your voice. The individual voice is the only thing differentiated from the crowd. It stands alone. And to me, that’s interesting, that’s something worth taking a look at.

For more information on The Sensation of Sight and where it is being screen, check out the film’s official MySpace.