Interview: Albert Birney – Obex (Work in Progress)

After popular (co-signed with Kentucker Audley) feature film projects of Sylvio (2017) and Strawberry Mansion (2021), for his latest solo effort (away from animation), Albert Birney finds himself in front of the camera alongside small critters in cicadas and a larger critter in a pooch for what could be an homage to the past and a certain nostalgia to gaming of a different time. Produced by filmmaker Pete Ohs and Emma Hannaway, we can certainly feel that some of the cool quirks in the Baltimore-based filmmaker’s Obex (which could land in 2024 or 2025) that we can witness in his filmography. I had the chance to speak to Albert Birney in Wroclaw.

While the eco-system remains inherently delicate, the American micro indie film scene thrives, and IONCINEMA.com will highlight this vitality in our comprehensive interview series. We will trace the journey of films through in-depth conversations with the filmmakers and producers responsible for their creation, focusing on the eight projects chosen for the 2023 U.S. in Progress, a part of the American Film Fest in Wrocław. Throughout our year-plus coverage, we’ll delve into the evolution of these original works, from the post-production phase to picture lock and ultimately to their premieres at film festivals. Among the class of ’23 we find Tyler Taormina‘s Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point, Cutter Hodierne‘s Cold Wallet, Sarah Friedland‘s Familiar Touch, India Donaldson‘s Good One, Edson Jean‘s Know Me, Albert Birney‘s Obex, Morgan Krantz‘s The Water is Always Warm and Anu Valia‘s We Strangers.