SOULSPEAK: Interview with Ben Stewart

How and when did your interest in film-making begin ?

For most of my life I was born and raised Catholic, and something along those lines didn’t sit right although most parts did.There was confusion to some specifics with the way I was raised, and I started asking a lot of questions. At the age of 12 I got into the Eastern Philosophies, Taoism was a big one, at that time I was doing a lot of reading, just generally learning without any true ambition of what I was trying to learn. I’m also a musician so around 5-6 years ago I got into the Math behind music notes, and I saw how certain things like sound have been kind of skewed and perverted. I started realizing that there were hidden types of information that we’re not able to find in a mainstream sense. I realized there was some sort of conspiracy. But the more I searched the more I felt uplifted instead of feeling scared of a lot of things going on on mainsteam media on a large scale. But yes, it was music that got me into creating my first movie—Esoteric Agenda. Back then I was seeing a lot of videos and read books on subject and I wouldn’t see much explanation or understanding of the solution both scientific and spiritual. I saw many of them talk about fear and love a lot. I found that all very interesting but I wanted to show more of the raw data that proved that.

What inspired you to create the movie “Ungrip”?

My inspiration was Rob’s life really. I saw that it was such a great analogy for the struggle on slavery and freedom, I wanted to show a reflection of what’s inside all of us that feels enslaved. I’ve always had an inspiration for that thing that is always free. Some do it for religion, philosophy, … I do it for art. I see art as the vehicle to freedom. Everything I do is a journey to freedom, and there is a necessary lesson on freedom with slavery.

You mentioned “Love” a few times in the movie …. so let me ask you this: What is LOVE?

Love is a presence that we all have within us in which we build walls and armor around because we believe it is limited. It’s not something we give or receive, we accept. We embrace, and after all is said and done, we have too much to keep to ourselves, but only if it’s authentic.

I’m sure by now you are aware of all sorts of feedback , particularly the criticism that arise upon the release of your movies… that’s all a part of every creative venture like this, how do you prepare yourself for all of it?

I don’t prepare for it. Only because I don’t see criticism as a reflection of me. The intent of my art is to encourage people to look into the mirror and see the message that comes out of that. When we look into the mirror we do not blame it for the blemishes. So I don’t fear people’s responses. My hope is that when people criticize my work it brings about a truth in them.

What’s the biggest thing that you have UNLEARNED from this experience?

I realized that there is no certain point that I am trying to reach. It’s not about moving to one path. It’s all about shedding the illusions —unlearning everything I thought I needed was power. Where we’ve always been, is where we are traveling, and there is no plus sign to me, it’s always just a minus sign.

Occupy Wall Street is a very important subject right now because it touches some the big issues raised on your movies – although interpretation varies. What are your views on this movement?

The Occupy movement can be scolded or praised, but they at least have our attention… and attention is the single most important element to any movement. People like seeing protests on television because it gives them permission to protest their inner dependency on the system. Our generation has a culture unlike most because we’ve fallen in love with having a voice. So I expect to see more protests in the future that outgrow the need for a name, let alone a party affiliation. So I don’t mind that it has the name of Occupy and the icon of Wall Street as outlets for our boredom with the current paradigm. I sense that this generation is growing up and realizing that the parent role that the system plays, is now to be parented. It’s like mythology playing itself out today. The Olympians overthrowing the Titans.

On a slightly different topic, I’ve always thought of asking you this: What’s your current view on all the stories and discussions surrounding us today that talk about end-time prophecies and theories?

I think it’s beautiful that there are so many of them, many of us don’t buy them but we do read them, so they do awaken a certain truth in us. I like how there are portions of these philosophies that allow us to ‘die’ in a certain fashion. Majority of these philosophies have a spiritual edge to them. If you take a look at them it’s not just about one comet hitting the earth. There is a revolution of consciousness being spoken of that leads us to a place where the ego cannot go to. The effect is a huge awakening, where people begin to psychologize, and experience a death to the ego. I think all these theories bring about a healthy construct of the mind. Just like a child let’s say, that quits a sport he hates because it’s difficult and then moves on to do something he loves and then excels on it. Just like a tree falling, just like fungus growing, or just like the breaking of things. Destruction is needed in order for new life to emerge.

Having said that, what was born into you out of all the films you’ve done? 

Realizing that the idea of freedom, the ideas of right or wrong that I used to have is something I can no longer relate to, and that it’s important to look at life through different lenses and constantly challenge my own perspective in order to get rid of all the noise, go within, seek out my purpose and understand who I am.– So the only thing I can honestly say was born into me was the thread of inspiration that leads me through all of the mirrors in my life that show me what I am.

Life is movement…what’s next?

The Hanged Man Project is in the process of a face change. The website is being rebuilt and since the art and presentation of this project is the actual soul of it, this new website will mark a transition in it. What is being built through the Hanged Man Project is more of a culture than a following. Those who come to the forums aren’t there because of myself or the films. They’re on those forums because they have permission to say what they like without judgement as long as there’s a level of mutual respect. So that’s what I look forward to adjusting the website to accommodating.

Your ONE MESSAGE to the world.
Seek inspiration. It’s unlimited in its power.

For more information on Ben Stewart , visit his

WEBSITE
www.talismanicidols.org

or his FACEBOOK Page

www.facebook.com/talismanic.idols