AFI Film Festival

Simon Killer: AFI Film Festival

Written by Meredith Alloway Friday, November 09, 2012, 6:14 PM

When a group of young filmmakers emerges on the scene, it’s exciting. Keep your radar close on the three boys of Borderline Films. Sean Durkin, Antonio Campos and Josh Mond comprise the up and coming Production Company. They’ve already brought us festival favorites Afterschool in 2008 and Martha Marcy May Marlene in 2011. They have a knack for illuminating young talent (Ezra Miller in Afterschool and Elizabeth Olsen in Martha) and Brady Corbet in Simon Killer is no exception. Their films are raw, fearless and an exploration in the power of the camera. 

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Interview: Jack Black as "Bernie" - AFI Fest

Written by Meredith Alloway Friday, November 09, 2012, 4:16 PM

Anthony Breznican, senior writer at EW, sat down with the multi-talented Jack Black at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel to discuss his role in the indie feature Bernie. The film is written and directed by School of Rock’s Richard Linklater and features a star-studded cast with Matthew McConaughey, Shirley MacLaine, and Black playing the title role. In the Q&A he discusses what it was like to play a real-life criminal, the challenges he faced and how he got his big break in the biz. Here are some highlights from the chat and, oh, he’s just as hilarious in person. 

Breznican: This film is based on a true story. Where did you start with trying to become this character “Bernie?”

Black: I read the script and I was nervous about it when I first read it because I’ve never played a murderer before. I usually play it safe being the likeable character. I was intrigued by the idea of a lovable killer. I really like, did you ever check out, this TV show Dexter? I that love aspect of crime, you know, drama…

Breznican: Where you’re invested in what would otherwise be the bad guy?

Black: Exactly, the grey areas. I guess the first question I had when I read [the script] was, ‘Why did he do it? Why didn’t he just leave?’ He’s clearly in this abusive situation. That was the first question when we actually went to the prison to meet Bernie. The sense I got, it’s just not that simple. People get in co-dependant relationships and that’s what happened there. They needed each other in some way.

Breznican: When you go in to talk to someone you’re portraying in film…is it awkward? How do you break the ice in conversation?

Black: It was very awkward. It was necessary though. You’re playing someone real, you’re telling their life story. You want to get their blessing, even if they’re a murderer. You want to say, ‘Hey, I don’t want to make a mockery of your life or anything. And see if you can pick up some clues and hints on how to portray it accurately. I was worried he’d say, ‘I do not approve of this. I don’t want this project to happen!’ But he was ok with it so I’m glad we made the pilgrimage to the maximum-security prison.

Berznican: Tell me about the challenges of playing a different entertainer [Bernie], than what comes naturally to you?

Black: (After singing a few lines from The Music Man) In high school I was Pippin! So I’m no stranger to that world. We had some similarities. But I did have to suppress my devil inside…my mischief. With Bernie, there was no pre-mediation for the murder. I look back and sometimes I may have let it slip, that devil.

Breznican: What was it like working with Shirley MacLaine?

Black: Shirley MacLaine likes to channel the character, to inhabit. She spent time imagining. I’m more of a rehearsal guy. I would do rehearsals alone, see what happened on the day.

Breznican: With Bernie, were you looking for something other than a “Jack Black” role?

Black: Well, Tenacious D is buffoonery added to the real me. Bernie was a breath of fresh air. It opened up stuff.

Breznica: What makes you want to try new things?

Black: I get sick of playing me. With School of Rock 2, I didn’t want to mess with [the original film]. And Rock is so dead right now. Who’s the King of Rock? School of Jazz! I have a new jazz album out…mention that…

Black continued to answer some audience questions discussing his first commercial for Smurfberry Crunch Cereal. Don’t get your hopes us. He guaranteed, “I’ve destroyed all copies of it.” But perhaps the best insight Black gave was about the beginning of his career. He laughed when discussing “these 25 year old kids” coming up to him asking how to get an agent or, “should I get new head shots?” He assured, “It doesn’t end at 30!” He didn’t get his big break till he began creating his own material with Tenacious D. He urged, “Write the kind of thing you want to be in.” Note taken, Black.

Bernie is currently out on DVD! Check it out!

Interview: Starlet's Director Sean Baker

Written by Meredith Alloway Friday, November 09, 2012, 6:10 AM

One of the most talked about indie films from this year’s AFI Film Festival is Sean Baker’s Starlet. The film centers on young porn star Jane, who ignites a friendship with an older woman after finding a large sum of cash at her garage sale. Baker’s previous films, Take Out and Prince of Broadway both found extensive success in the festival circuits, Broadway taking home the coveted “Best Dramatic Feature” prize at the Los Angeles Film Festival in 2008. He also created the IFC series Greg the Bunny and MTV’s spin-off Warren the Ape. I sat down with Baker at AFI this week to discuss his motivations behind making Starlet, what inspires him and his fascination with the unexplored parts of culture.

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Starlet: AFI Film Festival 2012

Written by Meredith Alloway Thursday, November 08, 2012, 9:19 PM

People have pre-conceptions of most everything, especially when it comes to infamous cities like Los Angeles and infamous industries like porn, But Sean Baker’s new film Starlet is set on changing those conceptions. Perhaps Hollywood isn’t what it seems.

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Dustin Hoffman: Q&A Directorial Debut

Written by Meredith Alloway Wednesday, November 07, 2012, 4:05 PM

It’s a special treat when a director accompanies his film at a festival. Most of the time, the filmmakers will introduce the premiere and leave. But when Hoffman sat down after a screening of Quartet at the Egyptian Theater Sunday night, I was ecstatic. The film is his directorial debut and an exciting moment in the evolution of his legendary career.

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