Meet David Quint | Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with David Quint and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Trying to accomplish something important but failing can feel bad. Not pursuing an important goal or a dream also feels bad. And while both of the resulting outcomes are painful and disappointing , they are not the same. For me the pain of a failed attempt still contains at its core the kernel of hopefulness and bravery that were necessary in taking the risk. For me, that’s a far easier feeling to live with.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
From the time I was 10 years old or so, I was fascinated by the movies. I loved getting lost in other worlds where amazing things happened and there was so much new to learn. Since becoming an adult, I’ve worked in film production and loved it! Every day is a new adventure with crazy challenges and totally unique experiences. I’ve stood under the “chins” at Mt. Rushmore during sunrise, hung out of helicopters while filming at night, met so many interesting people and seen things few have the chance to see. After spending many years working on other people’s films, commercials, documentaries and TV shows, I finally decided I was ready to make a film of my own: I took a trip with my 67-year-old father back to the orphanage where he grew up in Switzerland to search for answers. No film crew, no script, no plan. Just a deep desire to answer the questions that had been buried in silence for so long. That 10-day trip changed our lives and we ended up on the doorstep of family we never knew we had! The secrets of the past turned in to answers and understanding. More than anything, I am proud of taking the risk with my father to face the pain of the past. It transformed our relationship and family in ways I never could have imagined.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some my favorite things to do in Denver:

Spend a day at The Denver Art Museum Photography Department
Summer Lunch at Vital Root
Evening Film Screening at the Mayan with a group of people. Drinks and discussion afterwards.
Dinner at Barolo Grill.
Afternoon matinee at the See Film Center
First Friday visiting other artist’s gallery and workspaces. Or any other opening/reception/premier of another artist’s work.
Dinner at Gabby’s German Eatery in Lakewood. It’s billed as “Food like Grandma’s” Hard to top my Grandmother but it’s the next best thing!
See a film or concert at Red Rocks. I’ve filmed many concert films there over the years. Even an act you don’t love is made much better by Red Rocks!
El Taco De Mexico Chili Relleno Burrito. Period.
Bike ride up Maroon Bells Road in Aspen on a 70 degree day. A meal at Mawa’s Kitchen afterward.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Adoptees across the country and around the world have been a priceless support in making the film Father Unknown. Their stories, experiences and the heartfelt sharing of their individual journeys has been illuminating and profoundly important to telling this story and to understanding how adoption impacted my father, me and the rest of our family.

My wife , Kathy Mackechney, also and adoptee and adoption competent therapist deserves the biggest shout out of them all. I lost count of how many versions of Father Unknown she watched and gave feedback. Her support, wisdom and patience taught me so much and made the film much better than it would have been without her.

Website: https://www.fatherunknown.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FatherUnknown/