Patch Town – Interview with Director Craig Goodwill

Patch Town molds a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor with a really moving look at what it means to be a parent in a fantastical semi-musical feeling feature film.  Director Craig Goodwill chatted with me about his movie that is under the great Kino Lorber umbrella.  Click through for my chat with Craig and more information on how to see this dynamic film.

Patch Town Stork

Synopsis of the Film:

In North American folklore the stork delivers babies, but in Russian folklore, babies are born in the cabbage patch. Inspired by the award-winning short film of the same name, PATCH TOWN tells the story of Jon (Rob Ramsay), who has lived a sad life as an oppressed worker at a factory where hundreds of cabbage babies are born. Work on the assembly line is a thankless task of shucking, picking, and processing newborns to go out into the world and to their new adoptive mothers.

But when Jon discovers the awful secret that he and all the indentured workers are actually grown-up and discarded toys, he'll have to take on a villainous corporation to reunite with his long-lost mother, protect his newfound family, and finally find freedom.

Director Craig Goodwill and I started out our conversation by discussing the initial spark of the story that happened nearly a decade ago.

Craig explained the process of expanding the short into the feature and even how parts of the short made the final feature film version.

The greatness of Julian Richings!

Patch Town Julian Richings

Craig talked about casting his main villain, played wonderfully by veteran actor Julian Richings.

Speaking of those villains, do you notice the white bow ties and the number plates?  Well I asked Craig about the way in which costumes can help enforce the story's arc.

The film has a lot of singing it it and I asked Craig about utilizing this device in the movie.  And yes I asked if he wants to turn it into a musical one day!

I found myself laughing throughout the film, especially with the wonderful secondary characters of Sly (Suresh John) and Kenny (Ken Hall).  I asked Craig about the humor in the film.

The film utilizes animation and I was amazed at just how many shots had animation in them.

Cabbages.

Patch Town Rob with Cabbage

Speaking of effects, I asked Craig about creating those cabbage babies.

The film is real treat with great acting.  Julian Richings owns every sinister scene he is in and the before-mentioned Sly and Kenny characters are incredibly funny.  Rob Ramsay who is the lead character, Jon, was wonderful.  He showcases so much with just his expressions and his singing is really amazing to witness.  Rob has gotten some great exposure with Blue Mountain State, but I hope people check this film out to witness a really talented unique actor.  It's not every day you see a 6'8 afro-headed giant sing like an angel and also act his ass off as the hero of the story. 

Patch Town Rob Ramsay

I ended my chat with Craig by asking him about working on projects that have a heart or can help people.

The film is out in NYC and Canada today and on VOD platforms today as well.  For more information please go, here.

We'll keep you updated if the film makes it to Texas for a theatrical run.  In the mean time go find this film, it's a real treat.

Patch Town Poster

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