Revenge in Super 8: Inside Chris Ihlenfeldt’s ‘Grumpy Old Man’

Welcome Chris, we are very excited to have you today with us to discuss about your work.

Who is Chris Ihlenfeldt and how did the passion for creating begin?

I began my love of movies as a child, going to the theater with my dad to see Lawrence of Arabia in 70mm. The incredible images and Peter O’Toole’s performance made me believe I could tell stories through movies.

Can you tell us a bit about your previous work?
I worked on and off as a freelance Production Assistant and Runner, spending years on true-crime shows and American Ninja Warrior. Over eight years, I slowly gained the skills and confidence needed to produce and direct my own projects.

“Grumpy Old Man” feels like a wonderfully odd, tongue-in-cheek experiment. What first inspired this revenge story about a man and his mole hills?

Who likes mole hills? Everyone hates them. They mess up your yard and make a mess of everything. I came up with the idea after dealing with the “mole devils” for years. So I made a student short about it. And of course—no moles were harmed in the making of this picture.

CONVERSATION ABOUT: '‘Grumpy Old Man''

The film’s DIY, black-and-white aesthetic gives it a raw, nostalgic energy. How intentional was that look and what does the lo-fi approach add to the storytelling?

I used a Super 8 camera because I love its look and the history behind it. Super 8 once dominated the film industry and paved the way for where we are now. I try to stand out and avoid the typical filmmaking approach, and the lo-fi aesthetic helps create something different and memorable.

Revenge over mole hills is delightfully absurd. What role does humor play in your storytelling?

Everything. The whole idea is crazy to begin with, so you have to have fun with it. In the real world, you could never get away with this kind of revenge. But in the Grumpy Old Man’s world, you can—though it comes with a cost.

Did your background on large-scale productions influence how you managed the intimacy and minimalism of “Grumpy Old Man”?

Even though I’ve been on large-scale sets with Disney and Netflix, I’ve always considered myself “not Hollywood.” I prefer to stay independent and keep my ego out of the way. Smaller productions feel like family—everyone’s close, and you can build relationships more easily.

What’s your secret to surviving a “grumpy day” on set?

No egos. A willingness to work. And most importantly—have fun and stay passionate.

In future projects, do you plan to explore similar genre intersections, or are there other genres you're eager to explore?

I’m currently producing four projects, two of which are in the puppet genre. As for directing, once I get a decent budget, I want to take on the action genre.

What emotion or thought do you hope lingers with viewers after the credits roll?

Enjoyment—and hopefully a few good laughs.