Interview: Julian Shaw (Use Me)

“From award-winning documentarian Julian Shaw (Darling! The Pieter-Dirk Uys Story, Cup of Dreams), the director plays himself, alongside real-life “mental humiliatrix” Ceara Lynch in her feature length film debut, as an ambitious documentary filmmaker who discovers the darkest parts of himself when he turns his camera on a beautiful woman who humiliates men for money. The film also stars Jazlyn Yoder (A Dark Place, “Chicago P.D.”), Joseph D. Reitman (Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, “Happy”) and Sarah Armanious (“Fighting Season,” “Cleverman”).”

HI Julian, How are you?

Julian- I’m doing good. Thank you for asking.

So tell us about the Use Me and how the idea manifested?

Julian- I thought it was going to be a documentary about Ceara, a TV documentary that I was making for Australian television. So I went and met her, filmed her and I realized there was something bigger here. I thought there was a tension between what’s real and what isn’t real. I hung out with her and I wrote a screenplay, it was changing and developing.

Was it challenging considering you wrote, directed and you act in this movie?

Julian- Oh my god, it’s the hardest thing ever. (Laughing) It was brutal. It is my lifelong dream come true but, it was exhausting. You need honest people around you. You have to throw yourself into the scenes with all the emotion.

What do you want to say to people who will be watching Use Me? What do you hope they take away or something from your perspective? I think Ceara and you did a good job with this project. It was sort of empowering yet also there is a lot of heartbreak. There is a story here.

Julian- Well honestly I am kind of more interested in your perspective and if is there is some female empowerment aspect to it, I am so happy to hear that. I mean that’s my take on what Ceara does. I feel like she is a self-made woman. She dove into this industry which is the adult entertainment industry which has been dominated by men. Women had been so used and abused by this industry and Ceara controls everything she puts out. She owns that and is an entrepreneur. I think the film is sex positive.

What was it like working with everyone?

Julian- The people who had acting experience, I would just give them the screenplay and the scene. They bring it to life. With Ceara we had to use a few different techniques. She gave the most amazing performance in this film.

Do you have a favorite moment from Use Me? I guess without giving away spoilers or even a moment from being onset?

Julian- Okay, let me just think about that for a moment. I don’t want to say filming it but I really am proud of the sex scene. It sets up the whole narrative arch of the film. It was challenging to shoot and to get it right. I felt proud of that scene. That is the point in the film where everything changes.

What are you working on next?

Julian- I am actually working on a documentary with Joe Reitman. He’s in the film and he plays Luke. He’s exploring whether he could become a fetish star. I am doing a fun little piece and it’s a follow up to Use Me. I am looking to pursue more acting opportunities.

You and Ceara did a great job with Use Me. I thank you for taking the time to talk with Horrornews.net

Julian- Thank you Janel.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2740648/
@JulianRShaw on Twitter
@julianrshaw on Instagram

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