In a recent telephone interview, director Peter O’Fallon reveals his experience in making “A Rumor of Angels” and compares it to his other productions.

The story:

James Neubauer, 12, (Trevor Morgan) is spending the summer in Maine. He enjoys riding his bike and trading affectionate jabs with his misfit Uncle Charlie (Ron Livingston), but he’s also dealing with a lot of hidden anger and grief. He’s emotionally estranged from his father (Ray Liotta), resentful of his stepmother (Catherine McCormack) and haunted by the events surrounding his mother’s sudden death.

James’ summer takes an unexpected turn when he crashes through a fence owned by the local recluse, Maddy Bennett (Vanessa Redgrave). Told to repair the damage, he’s at first put off by Maddy’s strong personality and offbeat candor, but eventually these two form an unlikely bond. James finds sanctuary in the darkened corners of Maddy’s hilltop house, and he and Maddy restore one another with compassion, honesty and wit. Ultimately, the relationship transforms them both, allowing Maddy to come to terms with her son’s premature death and helping James face the loss of his mother and reconnect with his father.

The director:

Peter O’Fallon has directed such films as “Suicide Kings” and “Dead Silence” (a Fox television movie) and episodes of “thirtysomething,” “Northern Exposure,” and “Party of Five.” O’Fallon has also won many awards in advertising, including the Clio, One Show, DNAD and Cannes Golden Lion Awards.

Q: What was your favorite part about making this film: the script, the actors, the location, all of the above?

O’Fallon: Getting it done, because it took 12 years to get it done.

Q: Did you encounter any problems while shooting “A Rumor of Angels?”

O’Fallon: We had a lot of problems, mainly with the people of Nova Scotia. We closed off the beach with a sign that said, “Beach Closed To All But Hollywood Types.” We had bomb threats to blow up our sets. It’s also freezing there at this time.

Q: What message would you most want audiences to get from this film?

O’Fallon: Probably that there’s hope. In the big picture, life goes on after you die.

Q: How did you make Nova Scotia feel like Maine?

O’Fallon: It’s actually pretty similar. We shot it in anamorphic [widescreen] to make this woman feel like she was isolated in the middle of nowhere. There were no power lines or anything for miles, which is rare in this day and age. It’s stunningly beautiful. When we were shooting, I called it the “god-forsaken rock in the middle of the Atlantic.” But really it was the perfect place.

Q: How do you think audiences will react to this film? Do you think it will be a blockbuster hit?

O’Fallon: I’m not sure it’s going to be a blockbuster ’cause it’s not being released that way. 2000 screens would be a big opening. We’re opening very small and on a limited budget. If it makes $20 million, which is nothing for a big film, it will be considered a blockbuster. I hope and pray that it will, obviously. The key is word of mouth.

Q: Do you believe that this is one of the highlights of your career, or is it just another project you worked on?

O’Fallon: Creatively it is, ultimately I’m really proud of the movie. The two movies and the TV shows I’ve done are pretty much exactly the way I wanted them done. Hopefully my career goes on too!

Q: Is it more challenging to direct a movie or television show?

O’Fallon: Movie. To this day I can’t figure out why, but it’s much harder to tell a story in two hours than in one. And when people are sitting in a movie theater, they’re not drinking a beer and going up to go to the bathroom.

Q: Which is more rewarding?

O’Fallon: Both are pretty rewarding. The thing that’s wonderful about television is that so many people see it. And when you’re in a dark movie theater, and you’re watching the audience laugh at the parts you thought they’d laugh at and cry at the parts you thought they’d cry at, that feels great too.

Q: Do you believe angels exist?

O’Fallon: Maybe. I believe in something. I believe there is something out there, I’ve felt it myself occasionally. There’s some presence out there somewhere.