Filmmaker: Kyle Pahlow
Film: Bucephalus Build, 1st annual MFF Short Film Official Selection, 2013
Q: What is the name of your film in the MFF, and what’s it about?
A:The name of my film is: Bucephalus Build. It explores and documents bike builder, Kevin Dunworth of Loaded Gun Customs as he prepares to build a bike that has been many years in the making. It captures Kevin’s passion for building motorcycles and his uncanny knowledge for what has come before him and what exists presently. Bucephalus is the culmination of efforts among many people who believed in this project.
Q: What inspired you to make this film?
A: It really came down to how well Kevin and I hit it off over the phone. I admire the fact that he is grounded and not concerned with being cool or popular, yet he has a refined knowledge of old and new. In my opinion he has the perfect balance of modern technology coupled with style and allure of the past.
Q: How did you find the MFF?
A: I was looking at places with my girlfriend, and I stopped into Union Garage with a broker who knew I rode and wanted to try and sell me on the fact that there was a bike shop right around the corner from where I would be living. Chris was such a kind human and when he found out I was a cinematographer and that I had just finished a film about a motorcycle he encouraged me to check out the Motorcycle Film Festival.
Q: Have you ever made any other films? If so, is there a common theme throughout your films?
A: I am a working cinematographer, so many of the films I’ve made haven’t been my own, but instead a collaboration with directors who bring me along for the ride. I directed a surf film a couple of years ago that had global distribution and received a good many accolades at home and abroad but I wouldn’t say that the films have a common thread; I greatly enjoy working on different things with varying subject matter.
Q: Do you ride a motorcycle? If so tell us a little bit about what you ride and why.
A: I’ve surfed since I was seven years old and it has always been an extremely important part of my life; so when I rode a motorcycle for the first time I felt a lot of commonalities between the two sports. I bought a Harley originally and quickly felt like it didn’t suit my riding style, so I sold it and bought a Triumph Bonneville. I love the deep and colored history of the Bonneville. That said, not a week goes by where I don’t miss the frenetic rumble of my Harlely.
Q: As a filmmaker, what about the MFF and motorcycle films in general speaks to you?
A: I greatly appreciate people gathering and watching films that have cult following. I enjoy meeting people that are passionate about things; things that they dream of while they are at work, things that they will do until the day they die. It doesn’t have to be motorcycles, it could be hot-air balloons or fishing, I just love passionate people. My all time favorite are the older folk that have lived their lives and glow at the chance to share stories about riding.
Q: Have you had a chance to attend the MFF yet?
A: I am proud to say that I attended the first year.
Q: What is your favorite bike movie?
A: As a kid, before I even rode motorcycles, I can remember watching, The Dirt Bike Kid repeatedly. I loved the magical component of a bike that was somehow alive and use to pretend that my bicycle was a dirt bike. Perhaps it speaks to the relationship people have with their bikes… magical and deep in many ways. Currently I’d say that, Why I Ride is a favorite of mine. Simply great bites that sum it all up.
Q: What is next for you as a filmmaker?
A: My goal every year is to raise the bar of who I collaborate with and the work that I turn out. I just want to continue to evolve.