Alumnus’ film focuses on desolation

For Andrew Kightlinger, a 2008 Augustana graduate, dealing with intense heat, rattlesnakes and crumbling rock is all in a day's work.

Now a film production graduate student at Boston University's College of Communication, Kightlinger spent nine days in June shooting his movie You Don't Know Bertha Constantine. Kightlinger himself wrote and directed the film.

Set in the Badlands, the challenges of producing a film in rugged terrain were offset by a striking landscape to mirror the film's mood.

"The Badlands represent South Dakota at its most savagely finest," Kightlinger said. "And it proves to be a strong metaphor for the toll that death and grief can take on the human soul. It was awe-inspiring."

The title character and grieving widow, Bertha Constantine, is played by former Augustana theatre professor Julia Bennett.

As an actress, Bennett also enjoyed the film's setting.

"I look at a cut of the film, and I am blown away by the beauty of South Dakota,"  Bennett said. "I enjoyed the surroundings, and I enjoyed the company. For my character, it was hard, often sweaty and dirty work - and I loved it."

Bennett credits Kightlinger for drawing her to the role of Bertha.

"He asked me to consider doing a role that'd he'd like to write with me in mind," Bennett said. "I happily agreed. The bonus was and is that the role is amazing - a strong woman in her middle age who is also smart and full of life."

After accepting the role, Bennett began the process of bringing Bertha Constantine to life. This included discussions with the director and physical conditioning.

"I wanted to be sure that I was strong enough to meet the physical demands of the role," Bennett said. "That included dragging and carrying a body, as well as a good deal of climbing and hiking over uneven terrain in the Badlands."

Along with the physical demands, Bennett also needed to connect with the character emotionally, which on some levels, she did automatically.

"While I have not been widowed, I have suffered, like many people, great losses," Bennett said. "Bertha is my age, she's passionate, she's funny, she's emotional and loves those she chooses deeply - these are all qualities I can relate to."

Weather also determined the pace of filming.

"We might have to wait for light, or rain to pass, or for any number of variables that can only be anticipated, never predicted," Bennett said.

The crew faced hard work in transporting heavy equipment by foot through the Badlands.

Production days began early and ended late for the director and producers.

"It was a harrowing workload but it yielded fantastic results," Kightlinger said.

As the director Kightlinger focused not only on storytelling, but also on the business aspect of film-making.