Past Filmmakers

Jeff Bens

1. How did you come up with the idea for the film?

I love the sorts of places that time has seemed to pass by. Once I saw that big sign hanging over the door, I knew I had to go inside. I didn't have my glasses. I was squinting when Mary came out of the kitchen, in a big floral shirt, and told me I should "always wear your glasses in Fatmans. That way you'll never forget how beautiful we are." Then she turned and went back into the kitchen. After a few more visits, when I saw the community of the place, the generosity, the real feeling between Mary and Sam and their customers, I knew it was a place I had to try to capture before it was gone.

2. How long did the production process take?

We shot in six days.

3. What challenges did you experience in the creation of the film?

We arrived the first morning at 4.30 AM, to begin filming. Sam was there, opening up. As you'll see from the movie, Sam wakes Mary each morning. She went in to check on her. Sam came back and announced that Mary didn't feel like making the movie that morning, maybe we'd come back another time! I had flown Tim Orr down from New York City where he was spending the summer, and of course we had all our equipment rented to begin that day, and Mary it turns out was worried about her hair! In the end, on Sam's advise, we just started shooting, and we found Mary more and more 'sneaking' into the frame until finally by the afternoon it was like the camera was not even there.

4. What is your favorite memory from creating the film?

I have so many favorite memories: the way Sam cooked up breakfast each morning despite our protests; learning from the customers and of course from Mary and Sam; the way Mary would walk by our camera man and shake her head, saying "Timmy, Timmy, Timmy-- he may have to become my new boyfriend." Mostly just being deep into the dignity of these two women and the lives that they've touched, the way they all take care of each other.

5. When someone has finished watching the film, what do you hope they take away from the experience?

I hope they've glimpsed a place of real caring. I hope, too, that they recognize what we are losing as we sprawl our way across the land. Fatmans is decidedly not McDonalds or Applebees.

6. What type of reaction has your film received from viewers?

While some folks probably find it corny, most I think have been moved by the film. At Aspen and at Doubletake, we had a number of folks come up and tell us about little places they know that are being marginalized; about grandparents and parents who have loved them beyond measure.

7. What advice would you give to aspiring young filmmakers?

The same advice that I give to my students at the North Carolina School of the Arts: make projects that mean something to you emotionally.

8. Please tell us about the next film you plan to work on?

Right now, my first novel, Albert, Himself, has just been released. I've been so caught up in reworking that book and now in its promotion, that I have not had the time to start a new film. But I will: a new documentary and a new novel, sooner rather than later, I hope.

9. What are your thoughts on the film industry in NC?

I'm not very connected to any film industry. But I will say that the students, faculty and facilities at NCSA School of Filmmaking are extraordinary. And, of course, North Carolina is such a strikingly beautiful and diverse state.