Screenplay: GOOD
Writer: Monte Albers de Leon
Hello Monte! Welcome to SIFF!
1. What were your thoughts when you were writing this screenplay?
Initially, I was going to win the argument handily with my best friend. As it became clear that this was something more, I wanted to make sure that this was something worth sharing; that it was accurate, believable, and entertaining, so much so that one would be forgiven for not noticing that there was a lesson hidden underneath.
2. Who is your favorite character out of these six characters?
John/Kwesi. Eva is no doubt the heroine and will be back later in the anthology in a big way. But I loved what John brings to the story. Not only does he take the cliché of the shy black immigrant character and completely blow it away, he is able to do it while introducing themes of post-colonial Africa that really have not been shown in mainstream cinema – and they’ll be back.
3. Which character do you relate to, and why so?
Probably a blend of Leo and Lisa. I’m plenty smart, but I am much too loud, a little clueless, and I definitely curse too much.
4. Do you think there are people like GOOD in this world?
100%. The 6 main characters are based on the cast of the Breakfast Club – and I infused them with attributes from people I know from life. Lisa Moore is a carbon copy of my best friend from law school – literally one phonetic sound changed in her last name. Her chief of staff is also one of my closest friends.
5. Do you find EVA just clever or GOOD too?
Well that was the test, wasn’t it? Can humanity, no matter what the odds, no matter what kind of person they are, choose to do the right thing? Can they be good no matter what? Good posits that the answer is yes.
6. What is the definition of GOOD according to you?
Freely choosing one’s better nature.
7. Do you think that this is your best work, or do you expect that you would have done better with this screenplay?
I brought this story to life, but I can’t say it’s my best work yet—mainly because it’s incomplete. The narrative only starts here. I decided to write five more and make it an anthology so I could bring my best to the series overall. Good is only the beginning. There’s so much more to come. My manager would hurt me if I didn’t plug the website – go to theparables.net to learn more.
8. What are your thoughts on the international situation related to ISIS and the US?
It’s not over. Other things are just garnering global attention more. And so long as there are historical and contemporary grievances of US policy sufficient to recruit and radicalize members, ISIS will not go away; the US and its allies will continue to be targeted and innocent others will be impacted by the conflict.
9. Are you politically inclined or more interested in screenplays and moviemaking?
I used to be. I guess I now feel that storytelling might be a more effective way of communication.
10. What was your inspiration for writing this screenplay?
A stubborn conviction in the resilience of humanity’s better nature.
11. Did you love working with us, because we surely did?
You convinced me to quit law and become a storyteller full time.
