TV Interview!

Interview with star Drew Van Acker and director Jaco Bouwer of the film “Orion” by Suzanne 10/27/25

This is a smart, twisty, psychological thriller as well as a scifi movie. If you like good scifi, or suspenseful dramas, you should enjoy this. Drew Van Acker plays an astronaut, caught up in some intrigue, and he is interrogated by a mysterious person, played by Andrew McCarthy. I can’t tell you more because of spoilers. Just know that the description below is not entirely accurate, due to the twists and turns in this movie! I really enjoyed it, especially the great ending.

The interview, unfortunately, had many technical problems (at least for me). The video came out fine, but near the beginning, the sound went mostly out, and nothing I did fixed it.  I apologize to the director, whose name I mispronounced throughout. I take full responsibility for the tech problems because I was on my phone instead of my computer. Bad choice on my part! Both gentlemen were very kind, though, as were the PR women helping me.

The movie is showing at various film festivals, so go see it if you can! ORION had its World Premiere at FilmQuest on Saturday, October 25th, and will have its International Premiere at Triste Film Festival November 1, 2025

MORE INFO: Teaser Trailer

ORION 

FilmQuest Film Festival 2025

FILMQUEST AWARDS NOMINATIONS 

Best Picture

Best Director Jaco Bouwer

Best Actor Drew Van Acker

Best Supporting Actor Andrew Mccarthy

Best Supporting Actress Debby Ryan

Best Screenplay Anne Vithayathil

Best Cinematography

Best Production Design

Best Costume Design

Best Sound

Best Visual Effects

DIRECTED BY 

Jaco Bouwer 

WRITTEN BY 

Anne Vithayathil

STARRING  

Andrew McCarthy Drew Van Acker, Debby Ryan

PRODUCED BY 

Sunil Perkash, Drew Van Acker, Elle Army, Scott Army

RUN TIME

96 minutes

LOGLINE

ORION is an intense, sci-fi thriller about a Nasa Interrogator (Jim) tasked to help an amnesiac astronaut (Apollo) recover his memory in order to determine “who” or “what” killed the rest of the crew before they crash landed back on Earth.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT BY JACO BOUWER

When I received Orion’s script, it inspired me to create a film that continually kept the audience guessing at what the hidden truth might be, and therefore, on edge – not just through narrative twists, but brought about by the tension of what is not being said.

Orion is a meditation that hinges on the delicate balance between trust and doubt, and endeavours to celebrate all forms of language – spoken, cinematic, and experienced.

I grew up in South Africa, a country with 12 official languages, where realities of communication, translation, and misunderstanding are part of daily life. A cacophony of meaning and intent – which felt so relevant in the making of this film.

Together with production designer(Mike Conte) and cinematographer(David Kruta) we were able to conceptualise, design and build the sets together and so the world building was a unique way of development for me which reminds me of my theatre work and processes, embracing the concept of single location as referenced in some of my previous work. To be able to largely shoot in continuity also really helped the actors and myself arcing out their emotional journeys. To have enough time to develop the language and score tonality was a privilege in collaboration with long-time collaborator and composer Pierre-Henri Wicomb.

Of course, the production could only be brought to full fruition with the presence of our actors, Drew Van Acker, our Apollo – who himself has invested a great deal in the project – and the sharp intellect of Andrew McCarthy, with a nuanced performance and inescapable gravity to the mysterious Jim. Debbie Ryan with all her layers completes the lead ensemble.

The film navigates those unspoken spaces where meaning is unstable, and unpredictable, the film explores how language – intended to connect us – can also conceal, distort, and betray us – even more relevant than we could have possibly anticipated, with the onset of more authentic AI models, and the advent of more believable fake news, propaganda, begging to question the agenda of a current geopolitical landscape, in social media and speech of a global community.

It is a privilege to make films in a language other than my own, and in another country so far removed from what I grew up with – the process truly resonating on a deeper level as far as the scope, comprehension, and possibilities of communication and language could anticipate.

PRODUCER STATEMENT BY SUNIL PERKASH

Orion was initially an idea Drew Van Acker and I had, based on his love of space and our collective passion for great science fiction films that both entertained and explored humanity in a clever way (Star Wars, Total Recall, Inception etc…)  We also were very interested in finding something that was all about the LANGUAGE of filmmaking. Rear Window and even Sleuth (Caine/Olivier) were two great films that relied on filmmaking  -acting, camera, lighting, sound etc…- to transcend from their sparse locations. With that in mind, we went to the writer we had previously developed a script with, Anne Vithayathil. She had lived in India and US before settling in US from high school on, and with a degree from Dartmouth and Masters at Stanford, she had studied in Eastern Europe and loved all things spy related and had studied spy tactics in the 1960s, specifically how to use words as a weapon and manipulation.

Our goal was to tell a story that played out like the Russian Mystroishka doll!

Once the script was finished and we met with a number of wonderful directors that had enthusiastic takes on the material. But when we met with Jaco Bowser, something magnificent happened. In telling us the film he saw in his head, we realized, this was no longer our film, but his film we were about to be so fortunate to be a part of.  Jaco had a knowledge of filmmaking that was impressive, as much as the most experienced directors I have worked with  but perhaps because budgets are so low in South Africa, his  approach was very humble and very specific.  Needless to say, he instantly wowed us. He closely supervised an additional draft – specifically to fit his vision and ideas for the film, always balancing the spoken word and what was left unsaid.

With our day-to-day partners, Elle and Scott Army – who were critical in helping with financing, a true labor of love for them. Raising independent financing is just impossible today, I analogize it to asking a friend for a ride to the airport for a 2am flight!

Yet…all four of us (Elle/Scott/Drew and I) were able to find collaborators who believed and were even inspired by the vision Jaco and we all had for Orion.

We sponsored Jaco’s visa and working with renowned casting director Avy Kaufman and Leeba Zakarov, we found the perfect Jim in Andrew McCarthy.  Jaco felt he had both an extremely affable and cerebral quality, crucial to mine to give Jim all the enigmatic complexities he required. Debby also connected deeply with the existential aspect of the material, and given how cherubically guileless her vibes were, Jaco also felt she would bring all he hoped to Mary, submerging the audience in a woman’s struggle to save her husband (even though…that was not at all what was going on.)

We then set out to make our film, another fortunate thing happened. By not having the mega budgets of my past Studio Films like Enchanted and Salt, it inspired all of us to find ways to stretch our budget, led by Jaco’s unwavering defiance to never compromise the story.   He always used his creativity and imagination to find solutions that seemed to always be much more inspired than had we had the mega studio budgets to solve them without that process.  And in the end,  Jaco and the entire cast and crew found themselves meticulously using the language of filmmaking to tell a story that explores the nature of language in the world we live in today.

ACTOR-PRODUCER STATEMENT BY DREW VAN ACKER

Ever since I can remember I was driven by imagination. The idea of different people, different places, and different times all coming together to create “reality”.  Movies, for me, were just that. A journey into the possible.

I’ll spare you my ENTIRE story, but a few years back, I started searching for and developing my own material through producing. It was something I had always been interested in, not just as a performer, but as a fan of story telling.

With “Orion”, I wanted to tell a story that combined my love of science fiction and my ever-present fascination with our communication as a species. It wasn’t until I saw a masterful turn in filmmaking, from a director out of South Africa, that I knew.  He had to be the one to help tell this story. That film was “Gaia” and that director was Jaco Bouwer. “Gaia” transcended what I thought a film could be at that budget range. And that was exhilarating. THAT was what I wanted to be a part of. To be challenged. Afraid. Open…

My character, Apollo, is a man living in his very own multiverse of emotions and truths. Which, I realized during this process, we all are. Each scene allows him to explore the possibility that he isn’t as righteous as he wished to believe. He’s scared, troubled and anxious to peel back the onion. He’s confronted with having to find a way to believe his own lies in order to pass them as “truth”. Something all of us deal with on one level or another.

I was blessed when given the opportunity to explore these layers alongside two selfless individuals. Andrew McCarthy and Debby Ryan. I remember walking into the set and seeing Debby for the first time. I remember watching Andrew rehearse. I was being confronted with performances that were so honest, I had to question my own. I think that was a bit of a theme for me here, not only as an actor, but as a man. Facing my fears and doubts that I had long ignored.

This film is cerebral. That’s what makes it sparkle in my opinion. That “drive home” conversation type of movie. Talking about what you just saw. What motivated the characters? Who figured it out first? Truly moved by the honesty of what you witnessed. And that is where I want to be as an artist and a producer. A small part of stories that make people think. Make them talk to each other. Make them wonder…what’s POSSIBLE??

ABOUT THE CAST

ANDREW MCCARTHY | “Jim”

Andrew McCarthy is an award-winning travel writer, a television director, and, of course, an actor. He has appeared in more than two dozen films including such iconic 80s movies as Pretty in Pink and St. Elmo’s Fire. His recent documentary, BRATS, debuted at #1 on Hulu. He has directed nearly 100 hours of television, including Orange Is the New Black and Blacklist. Andrew has been named Travel Journalist of the Year by the Society of American Travel Writers, and for a dozen years served as an editor-at-large at National Geographic Traveler magazine. He has written for the NY Times, WSJ, The Atlantic, TIME, and many others. Andrew is the author of four New York Times Best Selling books. His latest, WHO NEEDS FRIENDS will be published in March of ’26.

DREW VAN ACKER | “Apollo”

Drew has been acting for over 16 years, including starring in Cartoon Network’s first live action show, Tower Prep, as well a lead role on the worldwide hit Pretty Little Liars for 7 seasons, Devious Maids for Marc Cherry, Training Day series for Jerry Bruckheimer, and Aqualad on the hit show Titans.

He recently wrapped Bethesda for the Lewis Bros directing and starring alongside Max Martini and Brianna Hildebrand.

He also starred in Addison Rae’s 2024 smash, top ten songs Music Video, Diet Pepsi directed by Sean Price Williams (The Sweet East, Cannes Premiere) which has over 32 million views on Youtube.

His 2022 critically acclaimed film Last Survivors, which he produced and starred alongside Alicia Silverstone and Stephen Moyer, had its World Premiere at the prestige genre festival Frightfest in London, and also played at Leeds International Film Festival.

The film also reached #1 on both Hulu (US) and Amazon Freevee (UK.)  The Film also appeared on over ten “Best of” and “critics picks” lists including New York Times, Gizmodo, Screen Rant, Looper, and Collider.

He previously starred in the independent sci-fi feature Life Like, released by Lionsgate (trailer has over 14 million views) alongside James D’Arcy, Steven Strait and Addison Timlin as well as the comedy Spy Intervention with Poppy Delevigne and Blake Anderson.

DEBBY RYAN | “Mary”

Debby Ryan plays “Mary.” She has a MASSIVE fanbase: social media (15.7 MILLION Instagram followers, 11.6 Million Facebook, 7.6 million Tiktok, HUGE SOCIAL media following) and has most recently starred in  Shortcomings (World Premiere Sundance 2023,) Horse Girl (World Premiere at Sundance 2020,)  and Howdy Neighbor (World Premiered at Screamfest.) She is best known for her lead in the smash hit phenom Disney Channel Series JESSE.

She currently is in post production Famous for A24 starring alongside Zac Efron and expecting her first child with Husband Josh Dun, part of Twenty One Pilots musical duo.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

JACO BOUWER | DIRECTOR 

Jaco Bouwer is an award-winning South African director whose work spans theatre, film, and television, known for his bold visual style and radical narrative approach.

He was awarded the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Drama in 2008 and went on to win Best Director three years in a row at South Africa’s premier theatre awards, the Fleur du Cap.

His debut feature film GAIA — a visually striking eco-horror — premiered at SXSW 2021, where it won the ZEISS Cinematography Award, and was sold by XYZ Films to multiple territories, including Bleecker Street (U.S.) and Altitude (U.K.). The film was featured as part of Hulu’s “Huluween” lineup in 2022.

Jaco also directed the haunting two-hander Breathing In, adapted from a play by acclaimed South African playwright Reza de Wet, for producer Jorrie van der Walt and Kaapland Films.

In television, he directed all 8 episodes of Spinners (produced by Joachim Landau / Federation MEAC for Canal+ and Showmax). The series made history as the first African series selected for Canneseries, and went on to win Best Series at the inaugural Dakar Series Festival in 2023. It premiered on Showmax in November 2023, with Season 2 currently in production.

Most recently, Jaco directed all 9 episodes of the true-crime limited series Niggies (Cousins) for kykNET. The show became a phenomenon, breaking every viewership record on the channel during its run.

Jaco’s work blends the personal and political with bold formal experimentation, confronting controversial subjects through layered, introspective storytelling.

ANNE VITHAYATHIL | WRITER 

Anne Vithayathil is a writer with over ten years of experience as an intelligence analyst focused on Russia/Eastern Europe/Central Asia. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Stanford University, as well as a Fulbright fellow, she has traveled extensively and lived in the United States, India, Ukraine, Russia, and France. She specializes in dramatic thrillers based on spycraft, international espionage, and the military. Her script Year of the Dog, a one-hour pilot about a Chinese-American CIA agent, is currently being packaged as a TV series by Aleve Loh (Blacklight) and Mark Williams (Ozark) at Zero Gravity.

SUNIL PERKASH | PRODUCER 

Sunil Perkash is an independent producer in Hollywood.

Perkash, who holds a B.A. in economics and communications from Stanford University,  began his career in 1992 working as the U.S. Production Coordinator on CRONOS, Guillemo Del Toro’s directorial debut.  He developed a number of projects at various major studios including MGM, Sony, Tristar, Disney, Warners and Dreamworks/Amblin. The Wrap listed Sunil in their list “Producers Who Are Making a Mark on Hollywood” and Fade In Magazine named him one of the ”Top 100 people to know in Hollywood.”

His major studio films include BLAST FROM THE PAST,  for New Line, starring Brendon Frasier, Alicia Silverstone, Sissy Spacek and Christopher Walken. PREMONITION for Sony, starring Sandy Bullock, which grossed more that 85 million worldwide.  Disney’s ENCHANTED which became a worldwide mega blockbuster grossing $340million  and received rave reviews and numerous awards, including multiple oscar and golden globe nominations. SALT, a vehicle originally developed for Tom Cruise, but transformed into a female lead for Angelina Jolie.  The film also became a worldwide blockbuster in summer of 2010, grossing $300mil! And  DISENCHANTED, a sequel to the now classic ENCHANTED for Disney Plus starring Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey. The film reached #1 on Disney Plus worldwide.

His independent features include LIFE LIKE,  starring Drew Van Acker, James D’Arcy, Addison Timlin and Steven Strait, distributed domestically by Lionsgate in May 2019, the film’s trailer has accumulated an unprecedented 14 million views on youtube.

And 2022’s Last Survivors starring Alicia Silverstone, Stephen Moyer, and Drew Van Acker, was released in February 2022 by Vertical Entertainment to strong reviews.  The film had its world premiere at Frightfest in London and also played at Leeds International Film Festival last fall. The film received strong reviews and reached #1 on Hulu in the US and #1 on Amazon Freevee in the UK.  The film appeared on numerous “best of” or Critic’s Picks lists including New York Times, Screen Rant, Looper, Collider, Movieweb amongst others.

ELLE ARMY | PRODUCER

Elle began her career as a successful model – walking in NYFW, being featured in magazines such as Men’s Health and GQ, as well as working with iconic brands like Calvin Klein, Guess, Aerie and Nike. As an actress, Elle starred in Life Like along with Drew Van Acker. The trailer for Life Like has amassed 14 million views. That led Elle to playing the lead in the Lifetime movie, Fatal Fashion. Before transitioning into producing, Elle helped her husband Scott Army build Vision Hill Group; a multi-faceted asset management business in the digital asset space. Vision Hill Group was bought by Galaxy Digital in 2021.

Elle received a BA in Cinematography and Film Production and a BFA in Musical Theater from Loyola University Chicago.

SCOTT ARMY | PRODUCER

Scott Army is an entrepreneur and investor. He founded Vision Hill Group in 2017 after a 13 year career as an executive at JP Morgan. Vision Hill Group was a hedge fund and advisory platform in the digital asset space. After a very successful acquisition of Vision Hill Group to Galaxy Digital in 2021, Scott took his knowledge and investment acumen to MeetPerry in 2024 as their Head of Alternatives. His work at MeetPerry spans across alternative asset strategies, sourcing differentiated opportunities, and advising founders and portfolio companies through complex growth phases. Scott’s ability to structure funds, run a complex due diligence process and lead process-driven teams makes him an excellent partner for creating a film fund. Scott connects macroeconomic vision with granular execution earned him the trust of both institutional partners and entrepreneurial teams.

Scott received his BA from Georgetown Magna Cum Laude at Georgetown University in Business Administration double majoring in Finance and International Business.

KARIN ANN | SINGER, SONGWRITER, ACTRESS  

Described as “Gen-Z’s new alt-pop protagonist”. 22-year-old Slovakian wunderkind Karin Ann makes music with Gothic grandeur, sophisticated indie balladry and theatrical art-pop, while strutting alt-rock riffs that explode into radio-conquering choruses. Her music explores a wide range of themes including gender equality, the LGBTQ+ experience, mental health, and love toxicity.

Voted “Discovery of the Year” at the Czech Republic Music Awards 2021, Karin Ann is the first Slovak artist to appear on a Times Square billboard as a part of Spotify’s EQUAL Music Program highlighting women making a difference in the music industry.

Karin Ann has opened tours for Yungblud, Imagine Dragons, LP, Paris Paloma, and Alfie Templeman, and makes her debut appearance at SXSW in 2024.

DAVID KRUTA | CINEMATOGRAPHER

David Kruta is an award-winning Director of Photography known for his work on films such as “Concussion” (Sundance Official Selection) and “The Sounding,” for which he won the Haskell Wexler Award for Best Cinematography. Most recently, he shot “Black Friday” starring Bruce Campbell, “Agent Game” starring Mel Gibson and Jason Isaacs, and “The Last Thing Mary Saw”, starring Stefanie Scott and Isabelle Fuhrman. David is a two-time Emerging Cinematographer Awards recipient and a 2023-2024 ASC Vision Mentee.

MIKE CONTE | PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Mike Conte has been working as a production designer and art director for over 20 years in Film, TV and Commercials in LA, NY, and internationally.

As a production designer, his films have screened in film festivals such as Fright Fest, Denver Film Festival, Fantasy Film Fest – Trespassers, and won awards at Madrid International Film Fest, and NoHo Cinefest — Three Hours Between Planes. 

A well-rounded artist, Mike studied photography and sculpture at Columbus College of Art and Design, and is also an accomplished musician. Mike has worked as a composer and toured the world with his band, Early Man.

Mike is currently working in Los Angeles as the art director on I Want Your Sex, starring Olivia Wilde, directed by Gregg Araki.

NEIR ATHERTON | COSTUME DESIGNER

Neil Atherton is best known for Costume Designing Bad Shabbas, which played at Tribeca and had a very successful theatrical run grossing 1.5 million in limited engagement. He also designed the 2021 The Wheel directed by Steve Pink that had its world premiere at TIFF.

Proofread and Edited by Brenda

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