EDGE Interview: Marco Calvani Premieres Ptown-Set Queer Romantic Drama 'High Tide' at SXSW

Filming in Ptown

Marco C.: We were the first film crew ever who was allowed to shoot in the marshes of Provincetown, which is the National Seashore. That was really a gift. Shooting in Provincetown is as amazing and easy as it is challenging. I have to say it's like two miles of a town that has very narrow roads; everything is managed and organized by the community itself. So if they didn't embrace the project, and they didn't feel they were a part of it, it could have been a disaster.

Everybody [who lives in Provincetown] was so excited and wanted to be part of it, not just be on camera, being an extra in it, but just wanting to contribute to it. So it was kind of easy and it felt like it was really meant to be there and not just for us, but for everybody in the whole town. I really hope they like the film. I just wanted to honor the town and the spirit the town really embodies.

On what the cast and crew hope audiences take away from "High Tide":

James B.: I think the beautiful thing about being queer is that often we get the opportunity to create our own family. Unfortunately, so many of us deal with rejection from our biological family. So we look for the warmth from the family that we choose and friends. I can definitely say that this film has given me those family members.

I look at the Marcos as family now. The real life connection that we were able to create and the bond that we formed just off the bat. I feel like working with Marco and being his love interest that the bond was immediate. It wasn't something that we really had to work through. It was organic, and for me, it just felt divine. It felt like I was supposed to be here. I felt in full alignment with the universe being a part of this film, and I'm so grateful that the universe gave me these people as family members.

This interview is an edited transcript. Watch the complete interview in this video.