Alex Russell (Chronicle) recently wrapped up five weeks chilling with his friends and family in Australia, and then he went on to hang out in New York promoting his new film Believe Me. Russell plays the character Sam, one of four broke college friends who come up with a cheeky, inventive way to raise a little cash.
Probably one of the most fun roles Russell has portrayed thus far, he tells us a little bit about his character as he sees him. “Sam is a person who seems to be a really good guy. He spreads a lot of joy and lives by a set of principles. One of my favorite major takeaways for me from the film is ‘are you practicing what you preach or are you just going along with the crowd‘. I think Sam says he lives one way, but he actually lives another.”
This was a different experience for Alex when shooting this production. “I was working with a lot of very funny people. It was new for me to do so much improvisation. So that was a fun and new challenge for me.”
A day on the set. “Hysterical. I have never corpsed so hard in my life. Corpsing is when you crack in the middle of the scene. I am not sure if that is an Australian phrase, or if you guys use it here, but yea, you just crack in the middle of a scene. I remember the first time it happened. Zack Knighton and Miles Fisher were just going at it toe to toe in this scene improvising. Their characters had just met each other and they don’t like each other. It was just outrageously funny.”
“There was also a scene with Nick Offerman and … man … I couldn’t hold it together. I really could not hold it together. I did my utmost. I was really, really trying … but there was no saving me.”
For fans who enjoy the tongue-and-cheek in the film, looks like we may have a nice blooper reel to look forward to on the DVD! Russell enthusiastically chimes, “I am certain there’ll be great blooper reels on the DVD and wherever else.”
His favorite part(s) of movie. “The scenes that I enjoy most are sort of in the fun and games section of the film because it was just really, really fun. You know, the boys just being sort of ludicrous. Having bags of money flying down, preaching, holding the crowd in the palm of your hand and playing these guys that are doing this really bad thing. It can be fun to sort of live vicariously through the characters. And I think the audience does that too.”
He continues, “I really, really loved preaching to the crowd, that was very fun. There is serious conflict toward the end of the film, and I think that is what is going to end up satisfying everybody (audiences).”
As far as overall message interpretations of the film … “This movie holds up a mirror to Christian culture, and I think it is a universally pliable message to all people religious, nonreligious … in all walks of life … are you being true to thyself. Are you really living by the standards that you set or are you just going through the motions.” Amen brother.
Russell concludes with a few final words of fondness about the film. “I am so proud of what we achieved, and I had such an incredible time doing it. I felt very privileged to be a part of the production.”
Upcoming projects. Alex has been doing some touring about in support of his role in the Australian film, Cut Snake. Hopefully we US fans will see this released here soon enough. Unbroken is another film coming out Christmas Day with a limited release and then on to a larger opening in January 2015.
Alex Russell is a pleasure to chat with. We look forward to watching all his future endeavors!
I write like I think—fast, curious, and a little feral. I chase the weird, the witty, and the why-is-this-happening-now. From AI meltdowns to fashion glow-ups, if it makes you raise an eyebrow or rethink your algorithm, I’m probably writing about it. Expect sharp takes, occasional sarcasm, and zero tolerance for boring content.
