Published: July 09, 2016| 07:00 AM

Actor Michael Shannon is in high demand these days, with 16 films to his credit this year, which is clearly a time for branching out for the versatile stage and film actor and musician. He is screening the Josh Marston chamber piece Complete Unknown at KVIFF, a story that confronts an intimate group of characters with the ghost of what might have been.

What does Complete Unknown mean to you as a story?

It’s exploring an existential question of identity – whether people are meant to have a singular identity their whole lives or whether it’s OK to change. I think some people find themselves confined within themselves – are not comfortable just being themselves from beginning to end.

I think a lot of people at some point in their lives wish they could escape. I think this film kind of explores that conundrum.

Have you ever felt that way – that you want to change your life radically?

If I’ve had moments where I wanted to run away, they haven’t been lasting or debilitating. But it was interesting for all the actors working on this movie because we realized this is what we do. We create these personalities. And it gives you some respite from your own life, you know – your own mind.

You can read the whole interview in today's Festival Daily.