Julia Eringer’s latest directorial endeavor, “Fire Fucking Fire,” is set to ignite the big screen with its West Coast premiere at the LA Shorts Film Festival. Co-directed with Rachel Paulson, this provocative short film has already created a buzz at the Tribeca Film Festival. Known for its raw exploration of modern relationships and unfiltered emotional depth, “Fire Fucking Fire” stands as a testament to Eringer’s fearless approach to storytelling.
The conception of “Fire Fucking Fire” traces back to a whimsical idea during the filming of “Good Kisser,” where Eringer and Paulson played lovers. “Rachel was on Raya, and a famous rockstar slid into her DMs, inviting her to a show,” Eringer recounts. “We imagined a wild scenario of what might have happened.” This imaginative spark led to Eringer writing the first draft, shaping a narrative steeped in anxiety and the tumultuous pursuit of love.
The film’s core emotion is anxiety—a reflection of the modern quest for love and the uncertainties that come with it. “We always talk about the movie as an anxiety dream,” Eringer explains. “It’s about the anxiety around love—wanting it but not knowing how to get it or if it will be reciprocated.”
Casting was a meticulous process. Rachel Paulson was a natural fit for Ally. “Rachel has a distinct voice—funny, direct, yet vulnerable and sweet. This role was perfect for her,” says Eringer. The role of Meg required a real rockstar, and Calico Cooper, frontwoman of Beasto Blanco and daughter of Alice Cooper, embodied the character’s essence. “Calico had everything we needed—on-stage experience and access to people who live this lifestyle.”
The title “Fire Fucking Fire” was a spontaneous creation. “Initially, we called it ‘Rockstar,’ but that had to change. One day, ‘Fire Fucking Fire’ just came out of my mouth, and it stuck,” Eringer reveals. The title encapsulates the film’s central theme—what happens when red flags are ignored. “Red flags burn hotter when suppressed, eventually creating an explosion where someone gets burned.”
The film explores empowerment and self-discovery, themes dear to Eringer. “Empowerment and self-discovery are crucial to me. Ally, the protagonist, knows what she wants but struggles to be direct. It’s about learning to stand up for oneself,” she notes.
Visually, “Fire Fucking Fire” is striking. Eringer worked closely with DP Tamara Santos to create a visual style that mirrored the narrative’s de-evolution. “We used long lenses and soft light at the beginning to illustrate Ally’s idealistic vision of Meg. As the story progresses, the visuals become more saturated, reflecting the intensifying red flags.”
Music played a pivotal role in setting the film’s tone. “Rachel and I curated the soundtrack with our editor Alexandria Bombach,” Eringer says. “The opening song by Buglet is a sweet love song, mirroring Ally’s feelings of hope. Beasto Blanco’s ‘Out of Darkness’ was perfect for the chaotic party scene.”
Eringer’s approach to capturing the protagonist’s transformation involved intensive rehearsals. “I like to do relationship exercises with actors, improvising previous circumstances to develop their characters,” she explains. “Trust is paramount. I want my actors to feel comfortable and safe to take risks.”
Audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. “People have said it’s a ‘full experience’ and ‘works on multiple levels.’ It’s described as almost a thriller with twists and turns,” Eringer shares. “We set out to make a fun ride, and it seems we achieved that.”
Eringer hopes viewers take away a message of self-reflection and empowerment. “I hope audiences think about projecting fantasies onto others and focus on being present in their real lives,” she concludes.
As “Fire Fucking Fire” makes its West Coast debut at the LA Shorts Film Festival, it promises to resonate deeply with viewers, leaving them with much to ponder about love, anxiety, and the power of self-discovery. Julia Eringer’s fearless storytelling continues to challenge and captivate, proving that sometimes, you have to embrace the fire to find your truth.
