Soft Lad our interview with Leon Lopez

Soft Lad – Leon Lopez Interview

Many people will instantly recognise Leon Lopez from his stints on Brookside and Hollyoaks but the actor has made a move behind the camera and is bringing his first feature film Soft Lad to selected Vue cinemas next week as part of the Poutfest Tour.

Canal St caught up with the director to discuss the film.

1. Tell me about Soft Lad

It is a story about a young guy who has an affair with his sister’s husband. It comes to a head when he tries to end it when he falls in love with someone else. The husband is in denial and caught up in what society wants of him and realises that he’s in love. He’s had experiences before but with no emotional connection.

2. What has feedback been like?

Feedback has been good, I just want people to enjoy it. I had a few remarks from reviewers that the HIV element of the story has been seen before which shocked me. I find it hurtful that there are negative comments on the relevance of HIV. It’s fine if you want to pull the plot apart but we should be championing LGBT cinema.

3. Where did the idea come from?

In 2010 I was doing a play called Elegies, set in the 80s and was monologues from people who had died of AIDS with songs interwoven from survivors. The remarks were largely that it was really sad back then, I find films dealing with AIDS tend to be retrospective and we need something set in modern day. It looks at people being selfish and affecting other people.

4. The film shows how repression can cause us to make certain choices, is this something you have witnessed?

Not so much me. I came out to myself when I was 20 then told my best friends and family when I was 22. I have had lot of friends who have gone through the whole system of conforming though.

5. Do you feel with things like Grindr, it makes it easier for people to live under the radar yet take more risks?

It has brought it out into the open but people have always done it like cruising in toilets and forests. It’s more like McDonalds now.

6. This is your first feature, how daunting was it?

I never thought about it. I never planned to release Soft Lad, it was always written as a play. It was simple to make with few characters and limited locations. I worked out if I shot it over seven days I could pay everyone minimum wage. I have been very lucky.

7. People will know you from in front of the cameras, how has this helped you to direct?

Working in TV gave me a lot of help. I have seen how other directors work and how it feels to be a directed. I can see what actors have to offer and how to guide it. My passion for directing came from being an actor. Also working with bad directors means I have seen them making mistakes. I learnt how to do all the technical aspects like camera work and editing so that I could speak to the crew as well as the cast.  A lot of directors can either do one or the other but it’s important to do both.

8. It is a solid cast, how did you go about filling the roles?

I worked with Daniel Brocklebank on a film so I showed him the script and he loved it. He was one of the first. Craig Stein, who plays Sam, is one of my best friends and I wrote the character with him in mind. I originally set the film in a non-specific town but when it became clear it was going to be set in Liverpool, the only actress I considered was Suzanne (Collins). I’d cast her in everything. Jonny (Labey) was on tour and when I met him, he looked just how I wanted the character to look like.

9. How nervous are you for the various Vue premieres?

Not nervous as such but I will be nervous watching the film. I was shocked when the Vue screenings came about. I just want people to come and see it.

10. What is next for you?

I am starting an MA in Film-making at the University of East London. I’ve stopped acting in shows and I really want to start honing my craft and keep learning. I have two scripts out there, one I am applying for funding and one that I have written with Craig which looks at a gay couple moving to Cornwall and explores male rape.

Lopez and the cast will be attending a special screening with Q&A at Salford on 30th September. To book for this or other screenings, please visit http://www.poutfest.co.uk/softlad/

By Chris Park for Canal-St Online

Published: 27-Sep-2015: (3323)