Finding Flash: An Interview with Director Lisa Downs
The British documentarian on her film about Sam J. Jones, the actor who portrayed Flash Gordon in the campy sci-fantasy.
Documentary filmmakers are Hollywood’s unsung heroes. They dedicate years of their lives to a single project, despite knowing the finished film is unlikely to become a box office hit. For every celebrity documentary filmmaker like Michael Moore, there are countless others toiling away on what can only be described as labours of love. Their passion and dedication is a testament to the story they want to tell with their work.
Such is the case with first-time documentarian Lisa Downs. Her debut is the result of four years of hard work, focusing on the career of actor Sam J. Jones after he played Flash Gordon in Mike Hodges’ 1980 movie.
I interviewed the UK-based Downs, who revealed it was by a chance connection she found the story she wanted to tell in Life after Flash.
Lisa Downs: “It was just fortuitous that a friend of mine had worked with Sam on a UK show. We just got talking one night and she mentioned that she had worked with him and I was obviously a massive fan of Flash Gordon and we just started talking about what an interesting documentary it would be to find out what happened to him.”
While Flash Gordon wasn’t the box office success Universal Pictures was hoping for, the film grew a large cult following for its corny approach to the 1930s comic-strip and serial. The quest for answers that Downs embarked is one many a fan will also be willing to take. When they watch the film, they might be surprised to see and hear from Flash himself. Even though his acting career didn’t involve decades of leading man roles and he’s now in his sixties, Jones still looks like someone who could save the universe.
Lisa Downs: “It’s ridiculous how fit he is. He’s like six foot something and he just feels like a superhero when you meet him. So I was very taken back about how larger than life he was when I met him. [Downs recalls her first meeting with Jones in Laredo, Texas] I thought maybe he’d have an ego but as you’ll see from the film, he used to but now he’s kind of reigned it in and he’s an incredible man.”
While Jones has a gregarious personality nearly as large as his physique, not all of the film is lighthearted. To help the audience understand why Jones’ career fizzled after Flash Gordon, Downs had to get Jones to a place of transparency and vulnerability. Not just with her but ultimately with the all the Flash fans out there.
For his part, Jones owns up to his mistakes — both personally and professionally. Those confessions of infidelity, drinking, and unchecked ego certainly don’t paint a glowing picture of the younger Jones. But Downs believes it’s this candour that gives Life after Flash its heart.
Lisa Downs: “I think you really appreciate him more and respect him more for being so open and honest about it.”
Downs also pointed out that it’s important for us to remember on-screen heroes are real people with real flaws and problems.
Lisa Downs: “I think it’s good to realise that these people you see on the screen are human and they have stories and they have troubles. It’s not all glitz and glamour.”
Interacting with fans during the filming of Life after Flash, and while presenting her film at various festivals over the past year, Downs has witnessed the fervour for Flash Gordon and Sam J. Jones firsthand. But it was more than just fanboy love that really stood out to her.
Lisa Downs: “I have really enjoyed when fans come up to me and have said through this film or meeting Sam how similar their stories are … it’s nice when people come up and have that deeper connection. I would love people to see this as like the sequel that Flash Gordon never had. And I think if you can take something away from Sam’s message as well … so if there is anyway people can be inspired by his story.”
‘Life after Flash’ is available on VOD from 26 Feb 19 (USA) and 5 Mar 19 (worldwide) • Blu-ray & DVD released 5 Apr 19 (worldwide).
Header image © Lisa Downs, 2018: showing FLASH GORDON actors Melody Anderson and Sam J. Jones with Lisa Downs herself at ‘Beyond Fest’.
