Director And New Berlin Native Debuts First Film: Report

NEW BERLIN, WI — Tony Hall's first feature film, Lonesome, debuted this year. The film was shot in Milwaukee from 2018-2020, and since its debut earlier this year, it has picked up steam and praise from multiple film festivals.

Hall, who is now based in Milwaukee, also happens to be native to New Berlin, Greater Milwaukee Today/Waukesha Freeman reports.

Hall wrote in a statement that he wanted his first feature film to be shot on the cheap with natural lighting and a handheld camera. The film was shot in black and white with a bare minimum cast and crew and a minimal budget. French New Wave is cited as a heavy influence for the film.

"Many first time directors have the goal of trying to make the next 'no budget' feature that can become a cult hit, and 'Lonesome' was made in this spirit," Hall wrote in his statement. "Along with the 'low budget' shooting concept, I felt the story of 'Lonesome' had to be a simple story as well."

With influences from Jacque Demy and Wong Kar-Wai, Hall wrote that his taste has veered toward romantic narratives. Lonesome reflects that in being a simple love found, love lost story, he wrote. The film was almost made silent, but Hall opted to include dialogue that he wrote feels like improvisation.

"I wanted to play around with different genres, so it was fun to have the film be partially silent, partially a musical and to be dramatic with comedic moments. Ultimately, we were trying to achieve a romantic narrative that would fit the genre of Art-house or Indie Film, and still have that classic cinema look," Hall wrote.

Hall told the Shepherd Express in an interview that "Lonesome is really supposed to be a kitchen sink, everyday type of story. So, it doesn’t necessarily have to take place in Milwaukee. However, I still wanted Milwaukee to look like the city that I know it to be—one that has an unnoticed romanticism about it."

The film has already debuted at a host of film festivals across the globe. Learn more about Lonesome and find out how to watch at the film's website.

Hall did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment in this story.