We were lucky to catch up with Julien Wagner recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Julien, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience is deeply rooted in a challenging past that has shaped who I am today. At a pivotal moment in my life, when faced with immense difficulties, I discovered that film wasn’t merely a choice for me; it was a calling. It became the medium through which I found my voice, a way to navigate and make sense of the hardships I encountered. Film provided more than an escape; it gave purpose to the adversity I experienced. It became a means to translate and share my journey. Whatever difficulties I went through, I could turn them into stories that resonated with others. This transformative process allowed me to find strength in vulnerability and authenticity.
I was barely seventeen when I wrapped my first short film (that was truly awful and not seen by anyone ever), but I still remember that sense of pride when calling “cut” for the final time. I was working in Germany at the time and planning on staying for a while. However, we just finished returning the camera equipment when I got a call from my dad. It seems that my mother had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and my stay in Germany would have to be cut short. I returned home to Switzerland to help my father look after my siblings while my mother was going into therapy. It was a long damn two years, to say the least. I was writing a ton and working on small sets whenever I got the chance. In the end, my mom lost her battle, and we had to let her go. I was planning on returning to Germany, but it would seem that someone moving the pieces had another fun surprise in store. Three months after my mother passed, our house was broken into, and my father was shot and killed before the eyes of me and my siblings. I ended up fighting a long-ass custody battle over my then 9-year-old sister that I did end up winning. As far as I was concerned, my life in film was over. However, one of the rather fun aspects of trauma is something called PTSD. It’s great fun in everyday life but especially awesome when you’re trying to sleep. That being said, I was awake most nights and suddenly had time to pick up the metaphorical pen. That’s how September Babies was born. Just a sleepless night, standing over the kitchen sink, wondering: What the actual fuck just happened? I finished the script more for myself than anyone else really, but did end up passing it to a few of my friends that had been working on short films with me here and there. And before I knew it, we had assembled a team and a cast. To this day, it’s honestly mind-blowing. The lengths people went to make this happen is quite beyond me. It really wasn’t for money or accolades; everyone was there for the film and, in extent, for me. It took a lot to get here, but in the end, I suppose I learned that we are at our best when we are not scared to be painfully authentic. I have met adversity with humor and received September Babies in return.
In the end, I believe my resilience stems from the fact that people somehow believe in what I’m doing. Giving meaning to everything that ever happened to me. Be it good or bad. Above all else, I think we all eventually arrive at the same conclusion: It’s not really about us. None of it. Any of it. Now isn’t that sort of comforting?
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I sort of grew up in film. For as long as I can remember I was able to stand behind the scenes of various German productions. My father used to work for a rather large media conglomerate so I suppose I was lucky to have access to that industry early on. I just remember being fascinated by all of it. Every aspect, every person, all that passion. It’s such a collaborative effort, so many moving parts, all for one vision. Having made a few films myself, I never ceased to be amazed by the process. A film really is nothing short of a little miracle. It’s the closest thing to real-life magic.
Of course, as we all know, things are seldom as rosy as they seem. But I like to believe that when I look at the inception of a movie, I still do so through childish eyes.
I started as an actor, eventually transitioning into writing and directing. Having completed a number of short films, I finished my first feature Film: September Babies last year. It is set to premiere at the iconic Chinese Theater in LA on the 29th of February. If anyone wants to join, feel free to send me a DM 😉
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. The ability to learn It may sound stupid, but just being able to absorb information is probably the single most important skill you need as a filmmaker. Interacting with the world is the only way to feed a story. Film will always be the attempt to depict aspects of shared humanity. Therefore we must understand this phenomenon that is the human condition. There is no other way to do that but to be really eager and absorb everything in your path. Really goes back to my favorite quote ever, one by Miyamoto Musashi: “If you know the way broadly you will see it in everything.”
2. Humor
You will face adversity. Everyone does. Not really a question of “if” but of “when”. When hardship arrives on your doorstep, just fucking smile. The only other option you have is to be defeated and turn cold. That is NEVER a good choice. Whatever it may be, just laugh first, and deal with it later. Don’t take anything too seriously. Least of all, yourself.
3. Find balance
No one is really ever just one thing. If all your work is physical, find a mental playground to decompress. And vice versa. Your physical self and inner world is more connected than you think. You can surely have a six-pack while metaphorically, you’re standing at the gates of hell. But honestly, what’s the point? Gotta find out what works for you. Investing in that aspect of existence surely is never a waste of time. It is crucial.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
They taught me to be proud of the good days, and forgive myself for the bad ones.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thehubfeatures.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjulstar/?hl=de
- Other: https://julienwagner.com/ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8204913/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
