We spoke with writer/director and former Dallas native Conor Allyn about his work on this captivating new feature from Saban Films. In the Fire is an affecting story, one that walks more than one direction; it’s a spiritual movie, heavy on drama/suspense, and even touches on horror so it will certainly keep you questioning it until the end. But it’s also surprising how captivating the film can be with just three leads.
One element which elevates the intensity of the film is the cinematography and set design. Set in and amongst some gorgeous and nearly otherworldly backdrops of Italy and South America, Conor talks to us about location shooting as well as trusting his pair of directors of photography to give certain scenes intentional spiritual auras.
In the Fire has some surprising depth as it touches on themes like identity and morality. We go into the film’s the subtext (fun fact: it’s no coincidence that Amber Heard’s character is named Grace!), and Conor also shares some lessons learned, including hurdles he overcame in the seven years it took to bring this to audiences.
A doctor from New York (Amber Heard) travels to a remote plantation in the 1890s to care for a disturbed boy who seems to have inexplicable abilities. She begins treating the child, but in doing so ignites a war of science versus religion with the local priest who believes the boy is possessed by the Devil and is the reason for all the village’s woes.
Saban Films will release In the Fire in Theaters, On Digital and On Demand on October 13th, 2023.
