Directed by Rice and co-written by Rice and John Nodilo, UNSULLIED is a suspense thriller that follows Reagan, a track star, who is kidnapped by a pair of sociopaths after her car breaks down on a deserted road. Trapped and afraid, Reagan soon realizes her captors love the thrill of “the hunt,” and she is the hunted. Reagan must use her wits and physical prowess to escape her tormentors and find her way to freedom, while putting together the pieces of a horrifying puzzle. Read what Simeon had to say about his new film which hits theaters on August 28.
Q: How did the film come about?
A: As I was writing the script I was watching movies similar to the kind of film I wanted to write. Then I had to put pen to paper and get in the process. This all started after I watched the film “No Country For Old Men”. I wanted to create a film that left people on the edge of their seats. I love the way that film created anxiety and suspense and I wanted to follow suit and do something similar.
Q:What was the biggest challenge you faced bringing the film to life?
A: Managing people. Dealing with people who have a task and haven’t done it. Getting clearance and working with the business side of things is really the most difficult part of bringing a production to life.
Q: How would you describe the film in three words?
A: An adrenalin rush!
Q: What do you think viewers will take away from watching the film?
A: I think viewers will think it’s an unbelievable film and they won’t believe I did it. Mostly that’s what i’ve begetting so far; people say “how did he do that?” just within the minds of people you’re only living and doing one thing. Thats how people encaved you based on what you do. Once you notice someone being an athlete and thats all they ever are once they get in to a different vocation or career and not only just do it but do it how you’ve done it on the football field and you put on a different hat and it’s all psychological. Based upon what we now about athletes we usually come with a line “dumb athletes”. And when you do something like this that’s spectacular then people look at it differently because they don’t know how to departmentalize it; they don’t know how to put it in a box. They are left asking the question “why?” There is no cheatsheet in this game it is real.
Q: If you had to choose anyone to be an additional member of your cast, who would it be?
A: If I could cast anyone for an additional scene I would probably cast Viola Davis.
Q: How was it working with the cast?
A: It was great! It was exciting and enthusiastic. They’re actors so their kind of the temperamental if you know what I mean but all and all it was a fantastic ride. When you’re doing 23 days of shooting and putting your best art out there, I just had so much fun shooting with them.
