FILM-NOIR TRIBUTE

All the names mentioned on the film are tributes to writers and directors of the film-noir genre: Billy Cain (Billy Wilder and James M. Cain), Ray Thornton (Raymond Thornton Chandler), Burnett (W. R. Burnett) and Senator Hammett (Dashiell Hammett).

 

HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED

Like in the short story by Marcelo Carneiro da Cunha, in which the film is based, the private eye's outlandish name Hermógenes ("er-mo-jee-nees") is never mentioned, appearing only in the ending credits.

 

HOMAGE TO ACCLAIMED BRAZILIAN MASTERPIECE

The title of the film is used in the whimsical sense of "turned into stuff" as an homage to the acclaimed Brazilian novelist João Guimarães Rosa, who loved to create new words and expressions. The character of the private eye is inspired by the gunman Hermógenes from his masterpiece The Devil To Pay In The Backlands.

 

NUMBER SIX

The number six is mentioned three times throughout the film. In addition, the clock always points to the same hour at the private eye's office.

 

CASTING PROCESS

Director Gabby Egito examined 3,000 headshots and resumes to cast the actor Steven Bartlett for the private eye's role.

 

MULTICULTURAL CREW

Since Los Angeles, where the film was shot, is one of the most multicultural cities in U.S., the 50 people from cast and crew are from 14 different nationalities: Brazil, U.S., China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Russia, U.K., and Venezuela.

 

LOCATIONS & PRODUCTION DESIGN

• Almost all the interior scenes were shot on the same location, a warehouse in South Central LA (industrial area). Half a dozen walls were built to establish the office rooms.

• The elevator and roof scenes were shot in a different building, 15 minutes away from the primary location and we tried to maintain the same design/lighting style for continuity purposes.

• All the furniture was rented from Universal Studios, and it filled a 10-ton truck just for props.

• Production design highlights: The paintings inspired by Jackson Pollock's work created by the art department, and the Wassily chairs.

• The micro camera used by the private eye is a real camera bought in a spy devices store in São Paulo, Brazil.