‘Highway’ Is A Suspenseful Desert Odyssey
In the vast, desolate stretches of the Utah desert, where the sun casts long shadows on lonely roads, filmmaker Douglas Alan Cunningham brings to life the suspenseful short film, “Highway.” In this exclusive interview, Cunningham delves into the origin of the story, the casting process, and the highs and lows of bringing this gripping tale to the screen.
“Highway,” is a twelve-minute rollercoaster full of suspense, drama, and action. Cunningham shares that the story was conceived with a dual purpose — to showcase the unique talents of lead actress Lindsey Hawkes and to fulfill his long-standing desire to create an action-packed neo-noir with western elements. Drawing inspiration from iconic films like Spielberg’s “Duel” and the Coen Brothers’ “No Country for Old Men,” Cunningham weaves a narrative that blends toughness with emotional vulnerability.
Cunningham elaborates on the casting process, revealing that both lead roles were crafted with specific actors in mind. Lindsey Hawkes, discovered through Instagram, impressed Cunningham with her powerful screen presence.
“She has a unique look and style that suit her very well, and I knew I could put together a story that would bring out both her toughness and her emotional vulnerability as an actress. So, in a way, the story originated from a place of wanting to display Lindsey’s range as a performer and her unique screen presence,” said Cunningham.
Cherie Julander, known for her compelling performance in “Living in the Gap,” was an easy choice for the role of Sadie.
“Her acting really blew me away in that short. About a year later, I was working as an extra on another short that eventually went to Sundance, I Have No Tears, and I Must Cry (2023), directed by Luis Fernando Puente. I met Cherie in person on the set of that film, and she was so friendly and kind–and so talented. I didn’t see her performance in I Have No Tears until after we had shot Highway, but she is downright frightening in I Have No Tears (in which she plays a cold and heartless U.S. Customs and Border Protection bureaucrat).”
“I was amazed when I finally saw Luis’s film at Zions International Film Fest, and I couldn’t believe the Cherie I saw on screen was the same Cherie I knew. We were so lucky she agreed to play the part of Sadie, which, as I already noted, was written specifically for her. I can’t wait to see her acting/co-directing effort, I Be a Witch (2023), in which I also have a role as an extra. As of this writing, the cast and crew screening is only a few days away. I know it will be absolutely fantastic!”
As a filmmaker, Cunningham reflects on the impact of creating “Highway” on his current approach to filmmaking.
“Highway is my second short film, and I’m very proud of it, but there are a lot of things I would definitely do differently. I have a very long list of lessons learned.”
As a film history and theory professor turned practitioner, Cunningham finds the experience both thrilling and humbling.
“I think, chiefly, the experience of Highway has taught me the importance of persistence and never giving up on my individual vision for a project.”
Cunningham also shared his favorite and most challenging aspects of making “Highway.” His eyes light up as he described the joy of witnessing the film come together, attributing its success to the unexpected contributions of the cast and crew.
“As both writer and director, I’d have to say my favorite part of this project has been seeing the film come together, both the things I envisioned and the happy surprises I never imagined. Sometimes workarounds for certain problems end up being the best new additions to the film, the meaningful moments one could never have anticipated. Also, the performers bring their own interpretations of their characters to the film, and the flourishes they add are so thrilling. I can think now of several moments both Lindsey and Cherie added to their performances that are just so perfect for the film. It’s a rush to see those moments happen and know that you’re working with truly talented and gifted people, both in front of, and behind, the camera. I was truly blessed with a remarkable cast and crew.”
However, he doesn’t shy away from the harsh reality of filmmaking — the perpetual struggle for funding. Cunningham expresses gratitude to those who generously supported the project, highlighting the challenges of crowdfunding and the necessity of individual contributions to bring his vision to life.
“I am so thankful to all those kind and generous souls who chipped in to make this project possible. We couldn’t have made Highway without you! Raising funds is never easy. I’ve always tried to avoid asking anyone for money for anything. The thought of doing so has always been horrific to me. I learned very quickly, though, that if I wanted to get this film made, I had to get over that fear–and fast”
In a final note, Cunningham invites audiences to follow his filmmaking journey on social media platforms such as Instagram @vertigodac and Facebook @doug.cunningham.77, and Linktree at https://linktr.ee/dougcunningham offering a glimpse into his future projects and endeavors.
As “Highway” continues to gain attention, Cunningham’s passion for storytelling and dedication to the craft promise more thrilling cinematic adventures on the horizon.
About Doug Cunningham
Doug Cunningham is an independent filmmaker, painter, and professor of film history at several colleges and universities in the Intermountain West. He is the writer, director, and producer of HIGHWAY, a short action-suspense thriller.
His previous short film, LISTEN, DARKLING, played at festivals in 2015 and 2016. In addition to his creative work, Doug has also published several books and essays on film history, including the book THE SAN FRANCISCO OF ALFRED HITCHCOCK’S VERTIGO: PLACE, PILGRIMAGE, AND COMMEMORATION (Scarecrow Press, 2011).
About Warren Workman:
Warren Workman is the founder of the Utah International Film Festival. Workman’s passion is to share the stories of the filmmakers behind the movies and to encourage the next generation of filmmakers. Workman provides these services through ReelVibe PR.
