“Chili Finger,” co-directed by Edd Benda and Stephen Helstad, premiered Saturday at the Zach Theater during South by Southwest. The film’s real-life inspiration came from a 2005 incident where a San Jose woman claimed she found a human finger in her Wendy’s chili. Judy Greer stars as the central character, Jessica Lipki, Sean Astin as her husband and partner-in-crime, Ron Lipki, John Goodman as the fast-food franchise owner, Blake Junior, and Bryan Cranston as Junior’s friend and recruit to investigate the “chili finger.”
The Daily Texan lined up along the SXSW red carpet to get the chili “scoop.”
Stephen Helstad
The Daily Texan: How much of the (film) is based on the true story?
SH: The story was certainly inspired when I saw that headline: “Woman finds finger in Wendy’s chili.” But then it was really fun to just come up and imagine the rest from there. What would inspire a character or motivate someone to do something like that? What could be some of the chaotic events that happen afterwards? The rest of the story is completely functional and has nothing to do with that incident, but it is a great jumping off point. Oh my gosh, that sounds like a dark comedy.
DT: How are you enjoying South by Southwest so far?
SH: It’s been great. I’ve never been to South by (Southwest), it’s my first one. Yesterday, we did a chili truck activation where we handed out free chili. … Honestly, the chili truck was the only thing that could go wrong.
DT: What did the people that came by think of it?
SH: A few people found fingers in their bowl, the chili, which were just like cut up hot dogs. … John (Goodman) served some chili as well.
DT: Did you try the chili?
SH: I did. It was good. There weren’t any real human fingers in it. Solid chili. Highly recommend it.
DT: What three words would you use to describe this film?
SH: Absurd, unpredictable…, funny. We think it’s funny. We’ll find out.
John Goodman:
DT: I heard you were serving chill yesterday. You did that with a broken arm?
JG: Yeah.
DT: Can you describe “Chili Finger” in just three words?
JG: Good American fun.
DT: What advice would you give to someone who is an aspiring actor?
JG: Don’t give up. When you’re not working, work on something, work a machine. Read plays all the time.
Edd Benda:
DT: I love this finger tie (you’re wearing).
EB: My sister Nancy made this and then I built the look around it. I was like, ‘what does one do with a finger bolo?’
DT: Does it look much like the finger in the movie?
EB: It’s a little bolder, but watch the movie, find out.
DT: Do you have three words that you could describe this movie with?
EB: Silly, rambunctious and sincere.
Judy Greer:
DT: What drew you to playing this character?
JG: The desperation of the character. That’s always a fun thing to play. Anytime the stakes are really high, I’m naturally drawn to it.
Producer, Jo Henriquez:
DT: Do you have a favorite memory from filming?
JH: The day we burned down a real barn. That was nuts. … I don’t know if I’m allowed to say that. Maybe I just did a little spoiler. Put a spoiler alert on the interview.
DT: Can you describe “Chili Finger” in just three words?
JH: Finger in chili.
