Ari Aster presenta Beau Is Afraid a San Cosimato!

Piccolo America

6 Jul 202420:13

Summary

TLDRIn this insightful interview, the director discusses the therapeutic aspects of filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of instinct and visceral reactions on set. He talks about the intentional artificiality of a central animated sequence, which serves to express the protagonist's fantastical musings on a life he can't comprehend. The conversation also touches on the director's love for Italian cinema, particularly the freedom in Fellini's work, and the influence of Italian horror on his film. The director reflects on the challenges of interviews and the permanence of his words, highlighting the personal journey and growth he experiences through his craft.

Takeaways

🎬 The script discusses the use of therapy and writing as a form of expression within the context of filmmaking.
📝 The director mentions the importance of balancing instinct and visceral reactions with the written script during filming.
🎭 There's an emphasis on the director's approach to live in the moment on set, rather than overthinking or trying to control every aspect of the scene.
💬 The interviewee reflects on the difficulty of living in the present moment and how this is something they struggle with.
🏆 The script includes a reference to Winston Churchill, which the director found both stupid and entertaining, indicating a desire to include such elements for their humor and entertainment value.
👩‍👧 The character Mona from 'Boys afraid' is highlighted as a unique and universal figure, not just a mother but almost a deity, showing the depth and complexity of character development.
🤔 The director admits to sometimes not fully understanding their own statements during interviews, reflecting on the post-hoc analysis of their own words.
🎞️ A central sequence in the film is described as a mix of 2D animation, live action, and stop motion, aiming to convey the protagonist's consciousness and fantasy.
🎨 The director expresses a love for Italian cinema and mentions the influence of directors like Fellini, Risi, and Antonioni on their work, especially in terms of freedom and lack of limits.
🎮 The script touches on the director's interest in video games and how they can inspire film ideas, showing the cross-pollination between different forms of media.
🎥 The director talks about the therapeutic aspects of filmmaking, suggesting that the process can be personally transformative and emotionally rewarding.

Q & A

What is the director's approach to therapy in the context of the film?
-The director suggests that therapy in the film is not just a form of treatment but also a process of writing, execution, and release. It's an integral part of the film's setting and character development.
How does the director describe the balance between instinct and the written script during filming?
-The director emphasizes the importance of being attentive on set and allowing the moment to guide the performance rather than strictly adhering to the written script, suggesting a balance between instinct and the written word.
What does the director say about his ability to live in the moment?
-The director admits that he has never been able to fully live in the moment or the instant, which is something he finds challenging.
Why did the director choose to include a quote from Winston Churchill in the film?
-The director included the quote as a playful and somewhat stupid detail, aiming to add a layer of humor and interest to the film.
How does the director view the character of Mona in 'Boy's afraid'?
-The director intended for Mona to be a unique character, not just a mother figure, but almost a divine presence, a mother to all, which adds a universal aspect to her role.
What is the director's response to being asked about his statements post-film release?
-The director expresses confusion and sometimes frustration about having to explain or justify his statements after the film is released, highlighting the difficulty of revisiting past thoughts.
What technique did the director use to create a central sequence in the film?
-The director used a mix of 2D animation, live-action, and stop-motion to create an artificial and deliberate scene that reflects the main character's fantastical experiences and internal world.
How does the director describe the influence of Italian cinema on his work?
-The director expresses a deep love and appreciation for Italian cinema, mentioning directors like Dario Argento, Mario Bava, and Lucio Fulci, and how their work has influenced his filmmaking style.
What Italian director does the director particularly admire for their freedom in filmmaking?
-The director admires Federico Fellini for the sense of freedom in his films, citing 'Amarcord' as possibly the most entertaining film ever made and a significant influence on this particular film.
How does the director feel about his films being shown and restored in the United States?
-The director feels very happy and honored that his films are being shown and restored in the United States, appreciating the opportunity to share his work with a broader audience.
What does the director find most enjoyable about the film experience?
-The director enjoys going to the cinema with a large audience and experiencing the communal aspect of watching films on the big screen, especially at film festivals.

Outlines

00:00

🎬 The Role of Therapy and Instinct in Filmmaking

The speaker discusses the concept of therapy in the context of filmmaking, suggesting that writing and acting can serve as therapeutic processes. They mention an interview where they were guided by the moment on set, balancing instinct and visceral reactions with the scripted material. The speaker admits to not being able to live in the moment and leans towards focusing on factual events. They also touch upon the inclusion of a Winston Churchill quote in the film, hinting at the layered and sometimes playful nature of the film's content.

05:15

🎤 Reflections on Post-Film Interview Challenges

This paragraph delves into the speaker's experience with post-film release interviews, where they grapple with recalling their statements and intentions. They express the difficulty of reconciling their words once spoken and the actions taken during filming, which cannot be undone. The speaker also reflects on the intentionality behind their words, especially when trying to engage the audience, using the character Mona as an example of a unique and universal figure, designed to attract viewers and provoke thought.

10:16

🎨 Integrating Animation and Live Action in Cinematic Expression

The speaker describes a central sequence in the film that combines 2D animation, live action, and stop motion to create a theatrical and fantastical experience. This sequence is meant to reflect the protagonist's consciousness and their struggle to understand their desires and aspirations. The speaker explains the deliberate artificiality of this scene, which contrasts with the character's reality, and how it was intended to give the audience insight into the character's feelings and experiences.

15:20

🇮🇹 Celebrating Italian Cinema and Its Influence

The speaker expresses their love and admiration for Italian cinema, mentioning directors like Dario Argento, Mario Bava, and Lucio Fulci. They discuss the influence of Italian cinema on their work, particularly highlighting the freedom and creativity found in the films of Federico Fellini. The speaker also mentions other Italian directors and the joy of having their films shown alongside restored classics in the United States, emphasizing the rich legacy of Italian cinema.

🎮 The Impact of Film and Video Games on Creativity

In the final paragraph, the speaker shares their passion for both films and video games, noting how elements from video games can inspire cinematic ideas. They mention a specific reference in the video game 'Elden Ring' to the film 'Midsummer', although they acknowledge uncertainty about the nature of this reference. The speaker also reflects on the therapeutic journey of filmmaking, suggesting that it can be a transformative experience for both the filmmaker and the audience.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡therapy

Therapy, in the context of this video, refers to a form of healing or coping mechanism. The speaker mentions 'scritttura, esecuzione e poi uscita' which could be translated as 'writing, execution, and then release' as a form of therapy. This suggests that the creative process of writing and making films can serve as a therapeutic outlet for the characters or the filmmakers themselves.

💡character development

Character development is a fundamental aspect of storytelling, and in this video, it's implied that characters in the film are deeply developed, with specific mentions of 'Mona' and 'Boys afraid'. The speaker discusses the intention behind making 'Mona' not just a mother figure but a universal one, almost divine, which shows the depth and complexity given to the characters in the narrative.

💡instinct

Instinct is mentioned in the context of balancing the visceral, gut reactions of an actor with the premeditated actions as written in the script. The speaker talks about finding an equilibrium between following one's instinct and adhering to the written narrative, indicating the importance of both in the filmmaking process.

💡animation

Animation is brought up as a technique used in the film to represent the protagonist's consciousness and the world around him. The speaker describes a central sequence in the film that combines 2D animation, live action, and stop motion to create a theatrical and artificial moment that reflects the protagonist's fantasized life.

💡Fellini

Fellini, referring to the famous Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini, is mentioned as an influence on the film. The speaker appreciates Fellini's sense of freedom in filmmaking, particularly in films like 'Amarcord' and '8½', which are seen as having an influence on the film's first section.

💡Italian cinema

Italian cinema is a recurring theme in the script, with the speaker expressing a deep love and appreciation for its history and legacy. The speaker mentions directors like Dario Argento, Mario Bava, and Lucio Fulci, indicating the rich tradition and influence of Italian cinema on their work.

💡freedom

Freedom is discussed in relation to the filmmaking process and the influence of Italian cinema. The speaker admires the freedom in the works of Italian directors, especially Fellini, and how it has inspired a lack of limits in their own film, allowing for creativity and expression.

💡interview

The concept of an interview is present throughout the script, as the speaker reflects on the process of being interviewed and the questions asked by journalists. The speaker contemplates the meaning behind their own statements and the impact of their words once spoken.

💡2D animation

2D animation is one of the techniques mentioned for the central sequence in the film. It is used alongside live action and stop motion to create a unique visual representation of the protagonist's consciousness, aiming to convey his emotions and desires to the audience.

💡stop motion

Stop motion is another animation technique discussed in the script, used in the film to blend with 2D animation and live action. This technique contributes to the artificial and theatrical feel of the central sequence, enhancing the film's exploration of the protagonist's inner world.

💡journalists

Journalists are mentioned in the context of film promotion and the challenges of answering questions about the film. The speaker reflects on the journalists' tendency to ask about fears, referencing the film's title 'Boy is afraid', and their own approach to engaging with the press.

Highlights

The importance of therapy and its role in the film, with writing and execution as part of the therapeutic process.

The director's approach to filming, emphasizing instinct and visceral reactions over strict adherence to the script.

The director's inability to live in the moment and his focus on factual elements in film.

The inclusion of a quote from Winston Churchill in the film and the director's playful approach to it.

The character Mona in 'Boy is afraid', portrayed as a universal mother figure, almost a deity.

The director's candidness about not always understanding his own statements during interviews.

The central sequence in the film, which is both a pivotal moment in the story and a key part of the film's structure.

The innovative use of 2D animation, live action, and stop motion to convey the protagonist's consciousness and fantasies.

The artificial nature of a particular scene, deliberately so to reflect the protagonist's fantastical life.

The director's love for Italian cinema and its influence on his work, including the freedom and lack of limits in Fellini's films.

The director's appreciation for Lucio Fulci and the legacy of Italian cinema, which he considers invaluable.

The director's enjoyment of watching movies on a big screen with a large audience, especially at film festivals.

The director's thoughts on the therapeutic aspects of filmmaking and how it may have changed him.

The director's experience of being interviewed and the challenges of reflecting on his own statements post-film release.

The director's view on the influence of Italian filmmakers like Dario Argento and Mario Bava on his work.

The inclusion of a possible reference to 'Elden Ring' in the film, showing the director's interest in video games.

The director's excitement about the restoration of Italian films and his pleasure in seeing his work projected alongside them.

The director's final thoughts on the film 'Boy is afraid', its impact, and the experience it offers to the audience.