How did you come up with this concept?
I was a corporate attorney for 22 years and quite convinced that would be the end of my biography until late one night in August, 2023, I got into a very spirited debate with my best friend over the future of AI, which my friend was quite convinced was going to mark the end of all goodness and individuality in humanity and that we were doomed to be zombies and this was the end.
Well I had heard quite enough of all that and kindly asked him to stop talking and defended us as species, positing that humankind was made of tougher stuff than he gave us credit for, and that even if AI caused the apocalypse and even if it happened to every type of human personality, even if it happened to the Breakfast Club, and that even if the Breakfast Club had the worst jobs in the world, even if they worked in logistics in suburban Omaha, Nebraska, they would still find a way to do the right thing.
And I was so convinced I was right I took out my phone and I wrote my argument in my Notes app so that the next morning at the breakfast table the guests at the house would hear my argument and tell me I was right and I did and they did and they also told me that was a hilarious sounding story and I should right a movie about that.
10 weeks later I finished my first screenplay which has now won over 130 international awards.
What are you hoping for the audience to take from this story?
That humanity, no matter what archetype, no matter what position or personal history, even when faced with oblivion, can still choose to do the right thing. It is in our nature.
The script deals with several real-life concerning challenges from AI and Covid to terrorism and even religious elements. Was it difficult to cover all of them into a single script?
The script was originally longer and had to be cut down for time. The amount of concepts involved also inspired me to create The Parables anthology and make four films.
All of these topics have become life-changing events. Do you think humankind will be able to handle them?
Yes. Humanity is made of tougher stuff than I think we give ourselves credit for.
To which films would you compare this project?
A range. It has elements of Don’t Look Up, as well as episodes of Black Mirror.
Finally, are you working on any more projects?
I finished the prequel to Good and second installment of The Parables, Mecca, in November, and will begin working of Part 1 of Hi, the finale of The Parables, next month.
What is your vision of post-Covid cinema?
Film post-Covid is far more liberated.
Much like all of us had time to reflect, self-introspect, and come out surer of ourselves and what we want, (original) film emerged richer, more daring, and more willing to further and farther to express the human spirit.
From the sublimely ridiculous Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, to the seriously daring Barbie and the universally emotional Inside Out, film has become free to dare all of us too look deeper within and let all of us enjoy not only the silver screen, but all that connects us in that enjoyment.
I for one, could not be happier by that development, and only hope that I can contribute to that trajectory.
BIO
Biography of Monte Albers de Leon
Monte Albers de Leon was born in 1977 to a Guatemalan immigrant mother and a blue-collar Texan father who were both divorced and met at a singles party in Twin Peaks, San Francisco. Monte grew up in the rural hills near Napa, California, leaving at the age of 18 to earn a bachelor’s degree from Claremont McKenna College, and then a law degree from Harvard and a master’s degree in real estate from NYU. After taking the typical route of joining big law for a decade, Monte started his own law practice 12 years ago.
Monte was quite secure that would be the end of this bio until one very late night philosophical debate, some heavy IOS Notes scribbling and an introduction to Final Draft later, GOOD was born, and Monte’s 22-year legal career seems to have abruptly, universally and unexpectedly (Monte’s hand’s up too) come to an end.
Monte could not be happier.*
*We would also like to tell you that Monte’s family produces delicious olive oil, he is a husband and father of two beautiful boys and summers in the Hamptons.
