RED RIGHT HAND, Cash (Orlando Bloom) is trying to live an honest and quiet life taking care of his recently orphaned niece Savannah (Chapel Oaks) in the Appalachian town of Odim County. When the sadistic kingpin Big Cat (Andie MacDowell) who runs the town forces him back into her services, Cash learns he’s capable of anything — even killing — to protect the town and the only family he has left. As the journey gets harder, Cash is drawn into a nightmare that blurs the lines between good and evil. RED RIGHT HAND has the kinds of characters who leave an unforgettable imprint on you.
Genre: Action, Mystery & thriller
Original Language: English
Director: Eshom Nelms, Ian Nelms
Producer: Mike Gabrawy, Basil Iwanyk, Zak Kristofek, Michelle Lang, Erica Lee, Ryan Donnell Smith, Jason Tamasco
Writer: Jonathan Easley
Release Date (Theaters): Limited
Release Date (Streaming):
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.1K
Runtime:
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Exclusive Interview with Actor Scott Haze
Q: This film had a lot of twists and turns. What was the trigger point that made you tackle this project?
Scott Haze: This was a great script. I wanted to work with the Nelms brothers. I know how talented they are. They had a clear vision for this film. The script had everything that you wanted in a fun, action-packed thriller that has a lot of crime and family drama. I feel fortunate to be asked to be part of this film.
Q: For the past couple of years, you’ve appeared in “Jurassic World Dominion,”“The Seedling” and “Sound of Freedom.” They’re all different types of films —from a studio film to an experimental indie. What were the elements that led you to decide that this should be what you should do next?
Scott Haze: I think it was what we were going for with my character specifically. What we’re facing in this country is really horrendous when it comes to addiction. I’ve been around a lot of alcoholics and seen a lot of drugs. Drug addiction ruins families and I felt a duty and honor to show that in a truthful way. That’s what triggered me to dive all in.
Q: This film is totally against stereotypes for example, with Orlando Bloom’s character Cash. Bloom has been considered to be one of Hollywood’s pretty boys but he’s unrecognizable here. With Andie MacDowell, you don’t think of casting her as an organized crime boss. Talk about your experience with the casting process?
Scott Haze: That’s the Nelms Brothers. They had a vision and knew who they wanted. They found such amazing talent with Chapel Oaks — she’s going to be a star. She did such a great job. I was so proud of her and she was pleasant to work with. She’s really going to do a lot in her career. We’ve never seen Andie MacDowell like this in a film. Orlando gives the performance of a lifetime. He crushed it. Garrett and I, we did our thing and I think that we made a pretty good film that a lot of people are going to like.
Q: This is with Chapel Oaks’ first film. Talk about creating an on-screen family dynamic between your character Finney and Chapel’s Savannah.
Scott Haze: This being her debut, I got to really support her the same way a dad would support his daughter in real life. I was able to give her behind-the-scenes advice on the film-making process. I was there for her in that role in real time, and in real life, which really played into our dynamic. Between Orlando and I, he feels like family to me. He feels like somebody who would be my brother. It was the same kind of dynamic.
Q: Talk about working with the Nelms Brothers. How did they work together on a set and collaborate with each other? How did they direct cast members to smooth out the working process?
Scott Haze: Their dynamic is really special. They both do different things. Esh is more vocal, but they’re both so talented and both bring the same skillset. I don’t want to give away too much. One of the brothers focuses on one lane a little more than the other, but they meet in the middle. They trust each other in that each brother is watching this element and the other brother is watching that element. To watch them work is a fascinating case study. It’s beautiful.
It’s like a dance and there’s no ego. They communicate really well. They know each other. They don’t hurt each other. A lot of times, brothers in real life, can look at each other in the wrong way. Then, all of a sudden, they hate each other for the day or something like that. But these brothers are really as professional as it gets and know what they want. I was blown away by how they communicated to everybody on set.
Q: What conversations did you have with your directors about building your character Finney? Did they give you a whole backstory for him?
Scott Haze: They brought me into the film because they trusted me. We had some great conversations, a couple of dinners together and really got to know each other. They really let me go to town, which is what good directors do — they see what you want and it was just a great collaboration. I think that I was prepared, they were prepared, and we worked really well together.
Q: This film was shot in Kentucky. What kind of preparation did you do for those sequences with the horses?
Scott Haze: Anytime you’re working with animals, you have to show them respect. A horse is a very powerful animal that can kill you. You have to really physically approach them with care and consideration. Understanding about what you’re about to do, it’s serious. So working with a horse while it’s on the ground is something that’s a big deal.
Q : What about shooting in Kentucky? The atmosphere played well in this film. How you guys get in touch with local people to film those scenes.
Scott Haze: I went to Kentucky well before we started filming and would go to local bars and meet people. If somebody had a certain voice that was native to the area it came generationally, so I would ask them to go to my car and read some of this script for me and, I’d say, “I’ll buy you a beer.” Some thought I was either hitting on him or was a psycho looney tunes guy running around town.
But that’s how I did it. I would hang around in local bars, meet locals and figure out people whose voice I wanted to record. It was a fun process if you’re fortunate enough to have time to go to the location. I remember for “Child of God” I went there six months before and I ended up living in a cave. I guess that kind of stuck with me. I still go to the local area and then try to immerse myself in the role and the culture.
Q: So with each film you actually went to the places for at least a couple of weeks, sometimes months, to prepare?
Scott Haze: Yes, if I can.
Q: That’s amazing. Not many people have the time.
Scott Haze: On some films, you do like “Child of God.” I know I was doing that eight months before we were on set. I knew for “Antlers,” I had plenty of time to lose that weight. It is just how much time you have.
Q: When you immerse yourself into those situations, what other things did you find out about Kentucky that surprised you and was added into the meat of these characters?
Scott Haze: Some cities I’ve gone to and, no matter how long I’ve shot there, I never could enjoy living there. Certain cities you think, I’m not going to enjoy for some random reason, and then they end up being some of my most favorite cities in the world. You can’t say Louisville, you have to say “Lowee-ville.”
That’s how they say it. It was so special. There’s a park there that was made by the same guy who created the Central Park in New York and it’s just fabulous. It’s like an enchanted forest in the middle of the city. I loved the downtown nightlife. We were in there when the Kentucky Derby happened. It was pretty amazing and, during that Derby, Drake and Jack Harlow did a little video during it. It was a really fun time.
Q：Andie MacDowell showed such a great range in the film. After seeing her performance, what did you take away from it?
Scott Haze: I did a movie with her called “Only the Brave.” I remember meeting her and then seeing her in this film. It was like I met two different women. She is such a star, a phenomenal actress. She’s an amazing woman. I was just blown away by her transformation in this film. If you’re an Andy McDowell fan, this is one you can’t miss.
Q: What are you working on now?
Scott Haze: I’m producing my first big film right now but I’m not going to comment on that production right now. I’m in the middle of shooting this movie with Kevin Costner called “Horizon.” There’s four films, we’re putting two in theaters this summer. One’s in June, the other in August. I got to work with one of my heroes and it’s one of the most amazing projects I’ll ever be part of. “Horizon” is one of a kind, it’s epic and remarkable. I’m so grateful to be part of that project.
Q: Talk a bit about working with Kevin’s — what did you learn from him?
Scott Haze: I’m telling you, he was in so many movies that shaped my life’s trajectory in becoming an actor. I remember I told him this –= that’s kind of ridiculous — but I got my action figure for “Jurassic World” the same day I met him. The first action figure I ever had was of him as Robin Hood. I thought that was a really cool moment because here I am having an action figure meeting with the guy who inspired me to one day pursue this. It’s just humbling when you work with somebody that you really respect. Kevin’s put everything into this project. People will be blown away.
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Here’s the trailer of the film.