Mark Kassen Explores Political Thrillers in a Modern Context in “PH-1”

In an era fraught with political tension and ideological media landscapes, Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actor and filmmaker Mark Kassen has focused his talents on the political thriller genre. Kassen aims to stimulate thoughtful discourse on the insidious role of media in his film PH-1.

Known for movies like Puncture and Bernard and Doris, Mark has built a career telling stories that challenge often unassailable systems, spotlight overlooked voices, and ask uncomfortable, but necessary questions. He co-wrote the screenplay with Cheryl Guerriero (Palmer).

In PH-1, a promising politician, Payton Burnham (Mark Kassen), is held hostage in his luxurious penthouse by a remote captor, and forced to watch his life destroyed by social and conventional media as he tries to figure out who is behind it and why.

Drawing inspiration from classics such as Three Days of the Condor and The Conversation, he explores the relationships between politics, personal identity, and media influence. In this interview, Kassen discusses his film’s intentions, the urgent themes it addresses, and the rapidly evolving media landscapes of today with Creative Screenwriting Magazine.

Intention Behind PH-1

Kassen begins by stating, “I love political thrillers. My favorite films are pretty much from the 70s.” His admiration for that era stems from its unique societal context, characterized by massive upheaval and a quest for truth amid shifting and colliding political realities. “There was a really interesting thing happening in society, in government, in media,” he explains. He believes we find ourselves in a similar situation today, albeit within a different framework.

Through his film, Kassen seeks to articulate themes that resonate with contemporary audiences. “I like films that explore the questions and the debates without telling you exactly how you should think or feel about them,” he adds. Kassen aims for viewers to engage in an intellectual journey, confronting and adjusting their own biases and beliefs. “If we’ve done our job well, you go through the experience and end up questioning your stance.”

As an artist involved in political storytelling, Kassen emphasizes the importance of maintaining a safe creative distance from direct political commentary. “I want to make sure that the art is my take on what I feel is going on right now in a fantastical way.” This approach allows him to explore various opposing viewpoints while crafting a story that appeals on multiple levels.

He reflects on how individuals often become the very influences that shape perceptions. “I want the audience to think about the interplay between politics, the characters that we play in our lives, and how we oftentimes become the thing that people respond to, and lose the thing that we cared about to become.”

Rebecca Simpson (Dina Shihabi) Photo courtesy of Buffalo 8

The Role of Media and Technology in Politics

Kassen’s film critically examines the evolving role of media in making and breaking political careers. He argues that media has become a centrifugal force in modern life, claiming, “We end up spending all this time trying to be heard… trying to use our platform for whatever we want. But in doing that, the platforms now need us to be hyperbolic.” This speaks to a broader societal trend: the tension between depth and distraction.

“It whittles us down a little bit,” he notes, emphasizing how audiences and creators alike tend to favor easier, more digestible nuggets at the expense of nuanced messages. Such tendencies can lead to dilution and oversimplification of complex issues, resulting in a public discourse often devoid of policy substance.

Furthermore, Kassen observes that the demand for sensational content diminishes meaningful examination of important issues. He admits that while platforms benefit from our attention economy, they risk losing their messages, as they become bullhorns. “In this race to be seen and heard, we risk losing the essence of genuine communication and understanding.” This theme is central to his film, where characters confront, not only external conflicts, but also internal struggles regarding their public personas.

Timeliness and Urgency

Kassen’s film carries a sense of urgency, particularly within today’s prickly political climate, which he adds, is nothing new. When asked about the lasting relevance and impact of his film post-elections, he acknowledges the transient nature of political conversations. “I started working on this five plus years ago. It evolved as I was writing it, based on my impressions while working on ‘A Starting Point’ (a civic engagement video platform he started with Chris Evans)’ and my impressions of government, my experience of watching them being affected by the media, by reporters, and some interesting attention online. PH-1 is my dramatic representation of that.”

He draws parallels between past and present, suggesting that while political influence mechanisms may change, their underlying themes remain constant. “Again, I go back to the 70s, same themes, different mechanisms. Trusting government, messaging, righteousness, the greater good, skipping over certain people for the benefit towards the greater good — these are universal themes.” He asserts these questions will endure regardless of specific political contexts.

Payton encounters many political road blocks in PH-1 when he tries to pass a water bill through the congressional minefield. But real solutions are expensive and difficult to explain to voters and legislators. Compromises must be made. He misses some important steps which leads to his political downfall. Who is to blame? Probably everyone in a political ecosystem governed by supporters and donors.

Public officials change their stances in order to stay in office. “Their musculature changes in terms of how they communicate, because they start to become the characters that people expect of them to keep their role in governing them. That is in part because that’s what the media demands of them,” Kassen expands.

Moreover, Kassen warns that the rapid evolution of technology complicates these discussions. What may have been relevant a few years ago might not hold the same significance today. “I don’t have a feeling that that’s going away. It’s been exponential growth in the last 10 years… What will happen in two years, we probably can’t quite imagine.”

Monica Hall (Vinessa Shaw) Photo courtesy of Buffalo 8

The Challenges of Political Misinformation

Kassen highlights the ease with which unchallenged and unverified misinformation spreads in today’s digital age. This immediate access to conflicting information can create confusion, leaving individuals struggling to discern fact from fiction. Voters chose to watch media which aligns with their political beliefs and charges their emotions.

This saturation of information presents considerable challenges in constructing informed opinions. Kassen. He emphasizes that the overload of information necessitates critical engagement with the content we consume. “We need to engage with the content we consume,” he asserts.

The Artistic Responsibility of Truth

As Kassen navigates these complex themes in his film, he feels a profound responsibility to be truthful as an artist. His aim is to ignite critical debates rather than dictate a singular narrative. “I think that now, more than ever, that’s useful,” he adds. He believes artists have a responsibility to create works that challenge audiences to reflect deeply on societal issues.

Kassen’s film reflects his investigation of a world where personal character, media representation, and political maneuvering converge and clash. He is acutely aware that the characters he portrays are engaged in a larger dialogue about identity, allegiance, and integrity. “What is righteousness? What is the greater good?” he asks, bringing attention to the moral ambiguities that characterize contemporary narratives.

Emotional Resonance and Personal Connection

Despite the weighty themes underpinning his film, Kassen emphasizes the importance of emotional resonance. “I want the audience to feel something, to connect with these characters on a human level,” he shares. By delving into universal experiences — fear, hope, love— he aspires to create a story that resonates deeply in a polarized world.

Kassen believes emotional engagement is essential for prompting meaningful reflection: “When people care about the characters, they care about the issues.” By grounding his story in relatable human experiences, he aims to bridge the divide between politics and personal connection, allowing viewers to see themselves in the characters’ struggles.

by Staff Writer

From our in-house editorial team.