“Women Who Kill” has emerged as one of the resonant movies at the Tribeca Film Festival.
It’s not every day you get to take in a film that has roots in both thrillers and dark comedies, but director, writer and star Ingrid Jungermann weaves both genres seamlessly, in a way that feels just as authentic as the characters themselves.
Against a Brooklyn backdrop, Jungermann exposes her own idiosyncrasies that touch on the human condition and the psychology behind our actions when fueled by fear.
In the film, Jungermann plays Morgan, a podcaster of true-crime stories whose desire to get beyond her own personal insecurities in maintaining a relationship lands her into a potentially murderous situation with her new girlfriend.
We spoke with Jungermann about women in film and our obsession with true-crime podcasts. Also, she weighed in what NYC and the Tribeca Film Festival, where her film premiered on April 15, mean to her. “Women Who Kill” has repeat screenings at 10:30 p.m. April 17, 3:30 p.m. April 20 and 8:30 p.m. April 22.
Do you feel like the industry has progressed in its inclusion of women storytellers, or do we still have a long way to go?
I think it’s both. In the independent world, there are many female filmmakers making films. As far as studio films, they have a while to catch up. The diversity conversation, now that it’s finally reached a mainstream conversation, things are going to start changing. It’s also the people working for these companies. It has taken a little while for the women who are working for men to move up and start making decisions.
What was the incentive behind shooting this film in Brooklyn? Did it lend character to the piece?
I lived in Park Slope for a few years, and that’s where I got the inspiration. Living in Park Slope, surrounded by families, and being someone who doesn’t want children, and being a lesbian, I just felt like a total outsider in this world. Not a lot of people talk about that, so I think the horror element comes from me feeling like an outsider.
Which fueled the idea for the premise?
I wanted to make a movie about relationships. I found that I was struggling with my own. I was trying to figure out why I had issues with vulnerability and intimacy. I think around that time I was obsessed with “Serial,” so I thought, they should be true-crime podcasters.
Why do you think pop culture is obsessed with crime-based podcasts?
It’s kind of similar with a web series. I think people are looking for content that makes them feel represented. People want to hear and see themselves. The true- crime element, we all kind of have a sickness where we’re all interested in the dark.
What does the Tribeca Film Festival mean to you?
It means I get to premiere my first film in the first city that felt like home. Going on 11 years and I never want to to leave. New York is my family — sometimes we fight, but eventually I know we’ll make up.
Has New York City inspired your work in any way?
It is my work. I can’t escape it. I make work based in New York, for New Yorkers, with New York cast and crew.
What’s your favorite restaurant in NYC?
Franny’s in Brooklyn. My closest friends and I go there every time we have something to celebrate. Sometimes we have to borrow money from other friends to go, but it’s worth going into debt for their appetizers alone.
Yellow cab, Uber or subway?
Subway. Or cycle.
Why should Tribeca audiences see your film/project?
Because I wrote some jokes specifically for a New York audience. I think the comedy will play anywhere, but New Yorkers get an added inside joke bonus.
