KEITH ROENKE WINS BEST ACTOR AWARD AT THE SWEEDEN FILM AWARDS

Vicky Valdivieso

A film that is giving a lot to talk about in other latitudes is "The Family Tree" by Panamanian filmmaker Jorge Ameer. Film that is leaving the name of Panama very high, as it has won important awards at various festivals in different parts of the world.

Jorge Ameer

Most recently, Keith Roenke, the actor who played Victor in “The Family Tree,” recently won at the Best Actor Award at the Sweeden Film Awards.

Therefore, we contacted the north american actor to know more about his career and his participation in this award-winning film.

KEITH ROENKE

The character of Victor in "The Family Tree" is played by the american actor Keith Roenke, a character with various nuances that will touch people's hearts.

Keith Roenke

About when Keith Roenke started acting. The actor told us: "I did a lot of acting in school starting in middle school." Plays in church, school play's etc when I was younger. But didn't get serious about it until a little later on. I moved to Los Angeles from New Hampshire, where I grew up, in 2001. 

Toured as the drummer of a band for 7 years. When the band broke up in 2008 I dedicated myself to acting as a craft.

The first actual audition I went on was for a movie called Lapse written and directed by Danish filmmaker Marianne Hansen. I booked it and that was my first feature film experience.

D’AGOSTINO
 
We asked Keith if it was the first time he had worked with Jorge Ameer on a film and he replied that “The Family Tree”, is not my first time working with Jorge Ameer.

 

I have worked with Jorge a few times. I was one of the leads in D'Agostino which we shot in Santorini, Greece and London which came out in 2012. I also made a small appearance in Medusa released in 2015.

VICTOR vs KEITH

 
Regarding his character as Victor in “The Family Tree,” we asked Keith about his preparation to play this somewhat complex character, but one that audiences will undoubtedly love.

To which the North American actor stressed, I have been blessed with great teachers and I learned the Czekhov technqiue while studying with Nikolai Guzov in Los Angeles. I worked a lot with the physicality of Victor to find his will and purpose during his arc in the film.

 

In relation to what was the most difficult thing to play this character, Keith commented, “I'd say the most difficult part of playing Victor was to find his strength in being who he is.” There is a lot of tragedy for him. He lost his mother to early and his father doesn't want to accept the person that he is. He doesn't accept Victors life choices. Whether that be his career choice or whom he decides to love. Victors love and respect for family and for tradition comes in contrast to the actual support he gets back from his family. That is something I have to discover within Victor because my family has always been very supportive of me and my life choices.

About how similar Keith has to Victor the actor said, “I can see a lot of similarities to Victor and myself”. His love for animals. His choice to follow his bliss rather then following in his fathers foot steps. I think his general want/need to take care of and nurture those in trouble. I can relate a lot to that side of Victor.

THE FAMILY TREE

From his experience filming the film in Panama, Keith noted that Panama City was a stunning backdrop for the film. Jorge's incorporation of Panamanian holiday traditions and culture really brought something unique to the film. Every location we worked at and every one we came across were delightful and very supportive of the project ll together.

In every movie there is always a scene that is the most difficult for an actor to do and we asked Keith what it was in "The Family Tree", and he stressed that, Intimate scenes are always a lot to work yourself up to. There is a real trust that you must put into everyone involved. Your scene partner, the director, the D.P., and producers. Being able to bring the physical actions required in the scene while still maintaining professionality and class is very important.

 

"The Family Tree" is a film that takes place around Christmas time, where it shows part of the traditions of our country. But, it also involves other situations provoking various emotions and sensations in the public who will see it in movie theaters when it opens.

Therefore, we wanted to know Keith's opinion about what would be the reaction of Panamanians regarding this film and this is what he told us. 

I hope that people take a sense of community, family, and acceptance from this film. The sense of loss can be hard but for Victor I know he believes in a higher power, something that links those he's loved and he knows that divine energy is always there, still linking us to our friends and family, always.

KEITH ROENKE WINS  BEST ACTOR AT THE SWEEDEN FILM AWARDS

Since July, when the festival and awards period began for the various films this 2020, “The Family Tree”, has been selected to compete in these awards and has already won more than 10 awards, including that of Keith Roenke as the Best Actor at the Sweeden Film Awards 2020.  

We wanted to know how Keith felt when Jorge Ameer informed him that he had won Best Actor at this award in Sweden, to which the American actor commented, “It was a great honor to learn that I had been recognized for my work by the Sweden Film Awards. A “The Family Tree” has been doing very well on the award circuit which is always exciting but this was my first win for acting so I naturally felt wonderful to see someone had recognized my work.

Michael Joseph Nelson, Anaís Lucia and Keith Roenke

On the other hand, in terms of chemistry with his co-stars, Keith stressed that, both Anais Lucia, and Michael Joseph Nelson were a delight to work with. I felt we were all able to find the respect and love each character had for each other. These are three very different relationships. Victor to Alina, Victor to Roy, and Alina to Roy. I felt we found that dynamic fairly early on and were able to capitalize on that in performance.

We couldn't finish the interview with Keith Roenke without knowing if when he accepted the character of Victor he thought he would win an actor award as soon as Keith explained, “When I accepted Jorge's offer to play Victor I went in with no expectations accept to have another fun adventure and to make the best film possible”. All the accolades the film, Jorge, and our amazing D.P. James Brown have received have just been a testament of the work put in. The same goes with being recognized for my work. It means someone saw what we intended for them to see. Success! 🙂

THE PREMIERE IN PANAMA

It is important to note that the premiere of "The Family Tree" in Panama will be on December 3, as the date was separated more than a year ago. It all depends on how the pandemic progresses in our country if it can finally be carried out on the agreed date. 

In this sense, we asked Keith Roenke, if he would come to the premiere in Panama and he replied “I would love any and all opportunities to come back to Panama for the premier in December”. 

Obviously, we are in the middle of a pandemic so things are a bit harder to plan, but it was always my intention to be able to come back and celebrate in the country the story came from. 

The american actor told us an anecdote about his stay in Panama during the filming of the film. Emphasizing that, “There was wonderful little cafe right around the corner from my hotel. It became my morning ritual on shoot days to go get and early coffee and some fritters. Carimanolas I believe? But they were delicious and I got hooked, That and a cold Balboa Beer for after a long shoot day did the trick.

Likewise, he pointed out that, I had only been to Panama once before we shot. I spent only a day in Panama City and then a couple weeks in Bocas del Toro for a surf trip with some friends in 2016. “Both my trips to Panama were amazing and I would absolutely return.”

  

Finally, we bid farewell to this report on Keith Roenke with the invitation that he makes to Panamanians to attend the movie "The Family Tree" in movie theaters.

Keith Roenke: To the Panamanian public I want to thank you to opening up your home to me and to the film production. You were the most gracious of hosts and I want to invite you all to come see “The Family Tree” when it opens in theaters. Be safe and look after each other 🙂 Keith

We can only congratulate the entire team of the film "The Family Tree", for the awards they have won and we hope they continue to reap more success when it finally opens in theaters. 

We thank Keith Roenke for his time answering the questions for this interview. Many thanks to Jorge Ameer, director and producer of the film for his support and trust in our digital magazine.

Fotos: 
Cortesía Jorge Ameer