I think in the beginning it was more of a friendship, and I was a sounding board for them. Then, as they started to gain their independence and be in the world more, I would step back a bit and capture their journey. It was fairly organic. They’d tell me about an outing—when they went to the beach for the first time, for example—and I’d ask to come along. Being able to capture those first encounters was really beautiful, and it also enabled me to look out for them.

What do you make of the fact that under such unpromising circumstances, the boys accessed this incredible creativity?

I think there’s a resilience that goes hand-in-hand with creativity and the power of imagination. They were building these worlds to deal with their situation, and playing roles where they had power and were able to exercise it. And I think that eventually, that was what gave them the courage to walk out that front door.

How did you end up feeling about Oscar, the father? He was controlling and abusive, but he also introduced the kids to music and movies, and nurtured their creativity.

I think there are many different shades to everyone’s personality, and I don’t believe in absolute categories of good and bad. Early in the process of putting the movie together we were doing test screenings, and one person said that Oscar needed to be more of a villain. But that’s not the film I wanted to make. I think there’s a new wave of documentary filmmakers making more character-based pieces, and that’s what this is. It’s the story of a family—a very unusual one, to be sure!

The movie has gotten a lot of press. How has the family adapted to its newfound fame?

The brothers are still very close. They all have their friendships with each other, and there seems to be a bond that can’t be broken. Govinda has moved into his own place, which you see at the end of the movie. The parents are still together, but Suzanne is exercising independence, doing things she was never allowed to do before. They’re all separating themselves from Oscar, and he’s having to deal with it.

And the boys are launching their own film company, Wolfpack Pictures. Can you see yourself collaborating with them on future projects?

Definitely! I’ve been helping them along the way, and if I’m writing something, I’m always thinking of them as being a part of it in one way or another. This movie, and these relationships, are what I care about most. I’ve never been so passionate about anything in my entire life.