In Hunting in Packs, director Chloe Sosa-Sims follows a trio of women politicians from across the political spectrum — the UK’s Jess Phillips, Canada’s Michelle Rempel Garner and American Pramiya Jayapal — to explore what they do, how they do it and why. We posed our Qs à la mode to Chloe, and here’s what she shared!
If I had to describe my film using only five adjectives, they would be: “Spicy, absurd, inspirational, challenging, rebellious.”
The thing that surprised me most about my film’s subject(s)/topic was: “The way in which political offices are run in a very DIY fashion. I always thought politicians would have to follow the same rulebook. But, for example, MP Jess Phillip’s constituency-office structure is based on what she learned working in charities. She answers the phone herself, and constituents walk in and out of the office freely with various problems, from garbage pick-up to legal battles. She knows most of them personally, often offering them a cup of tea. And this is all by choice.”
My favourite moment/scene/sequence in my film is: “When Michelle Rempel Garner breaks out into song. She sings, “Give me the money, give it here I need it. These bitc*** need it. Give it to me.” It was so natural. And even though it sounds weirdly greedy, it’s actually the opposite. She’s teaching her political mentees how to fundraise. I can’t say I’ve ever burst into an original song.”
The toughest part of the whole shoot was: “I flew to Seattle for less than 24 hours (after missing my connecting flight) to film with Pramila Jayapal the day before the U.S. election, which was also deep into the pandemic. When I got back to Toronto, I had to quarantine for two weeks alone! But it was worth it.”
My go-to, get-me-through snack of choice for long shoots or epic editing sessions is: “Popcorn obviously. The popcorn of fruit is probably grapes, so that’s also a perfect snack, with no sticky fingers smearing your keyboard. And then peanut butter all the time, on everything. But PB is neither convenient or clean – so I recommend a peanut butter Larabar for shoots.”
Another Hot Docs 2022 film I’m excited to see is: “SHABU! The trailer has a playful, observational approach that feels like narrative. I love documentaries that have a strong sense of style and aren’t so earnest in their POV.”
Want to check out Chloe’s film, or learn more about it?
Get the scoop, and your tickets, here!
