Danny Boyle & Darren Aronofsky on making films
I just got the heads up about an interview conducted between Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) and Darren Aranofsky (The Wrestler). Fox Searchlight turned the interview into a series of webisodes that can be viewed on YouTube.
The interviews can be viewed by navigating the embedded Play list below or visiting the Fox Searchlight YouTube channel here.
Essentially these are promos for their latest offerings; Slumdog Millionaire and The Wrestler but this series is really about two talented directors chatting about making films; development of stories, technology used and actors. This is truly an exceptional chance to gain insight into the minds of creatives at the top of their game.
Both directors are at similar stages in their career and I suspect that their latest offerings will take them from acclaimed and talented filmmakers to leading the field.
The Wrestler a film by Darren Aronofsky starring Mickey Rourke Part 2
Mon 5 December 2008, early evening Leicester Square, London. The producers opted for a low key UK premiere for The Wrestler with a celebrity audience as well as Mickey Rourke in attendance. Meanwhile just around the corner at the Curzon Soho an intimate audience of around 250 people gathered at the Curzon Soho to view a special preview of The Wrestler and participate in a Q&A session with the film's leading man Mickey Rourke.
I was keen to gain some insight into the man I had held in a revere, pertinent questions such as; how did he feel about his career in light of the buzz around The Wrestler? Did he dig deeper for this role than others? Did he have to undergo any physical conditioning (apart from wrestling training) for the role? Did he contribute to the storyline (and location choices)? What's next for Mickey Rourke? What was the latest with Sin City 2? Would Marv be back?
Rourke has clearly been left burned and disillusioned by the politics behind Hollywood. But after hitting rock bottom "living on fumes", he is trying to change what "he did not understand needed to be changed". Up until the post production process of The Wrestler he was unaware of his next steps or what his next job might be. He is grateful for the kudos received for the Wrestler and is hopeful for the future. In spite of his his troubles Rourke is still very much his own person.
He really wanted to work with Aranofsky and had developed a bond after Aranofsky put his backing behind Rourke for the role. Although Aranofsky set the
His training regime allowed him to gain 34 pounds of muscle for the role. In the film he looks every bit the professional Wrestler. He underwent Wrestling training intense enough to shift him from thinking that Wrestling was on par with pantomime to respect for the sport and the sportsmen that participate in it. He sustained several serious injuries while filming.
Rourke's next projects include:
A remake of "13 Tzameti" directed by the Géla Babluani who wrote and directed the original.
My initial thoughts on seeing 13 were: Mind blowing little film that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Has all the trademarks of a first time film school production (lighting, black & white, metaphors, etc.) but all comes together in a gritty tale. Hopefully the remake starrring; Jason Statham, Ray Liotta, Ray Winstone, and 50 Cent will stay true to its roots.
Twenty-two-year-old Sebastien leads an impoverished life with his immigrant family constantly struggling to support them. While repairing the roof of a neighbor's house, he overhears a conversation about an expected package which promises to make the household rich.
First look at Mickey Rourke in "13"He is also in Bret Easton Ellis's The Informers and Elmore Leonard's much delayed Killshot which will also be released in 2009. He is also rumoured to be in Stallone's "The Expendables" and cast as "Whiplash" a villain in Iron Man 2.
In private discussion he was tight lipped about Marv's possible return in Sin City 2. I did not found out what the significance of the fun fairs was or if there was indeed any. Hopefully Mickey's talent will be recognised and his path ahead is less bumpy than the one behind hm.
The Wrestler opens in the UK on January 16th.
The Wrestler a film by Darren Aronofsky starring Mickey Rourke Part 1
Something's burning white hot in freezing London tonight and it's Mickey Rourke's seethingly intense performance. Part 1
Mon 5 December, early evening Leicester Square, London. The producers opted for a low key UK premiere for The Wrestler with a celebrity audience as well as Mickey Rourke in attendance. Meanwhile just around the corner at the Curzon Soho an intimate audience of around 250 people gathered at the Curzon Soho to view a special preview of The Wrestler and participate in a Q&A session with the film's leading man Mickey Rourke.
The Players
Darren Aronofsky 39 year old film director. Lauded as the second coming with his debut feature film Pi (1998), critical acclaim continued with the bleak Requiem For A Dream. In 2006 finally opinions divided with The Fountain. The 2006 Hugh Jackman starring mind melting /time travelling /sci fi feature also starred Aranofsky's wife Rachel Weiszs and was seen as self indulgent by many.
Aronofsky has followed up the high concept Fountain with a pared down, back to basics, handy-cam shot story of a man past his prime. So far the The Wrestler has won critical acclaim, been nominated for countless awards, garnered a Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and there has been much talk of Mickey Rourke deserving an Oscar for his performance.
Aronofsky's films are studies into the human condition - Pi (Paranoia & technophobia), Requiem for a Dream (old age, drug dependency & lust), The Fountain (Loss of a loved one). He tends to explore the issues that are part of life but ignored by any filmmaker that wants a paying audience to view their films. With The Wrestler Aronofsky explores the world of an ageing professional athlete; his post prime career, his relationships and socio environment. Think more Requiem For A Dream than The Fountain.
To carry both the gruelling physical and mental weight of the leading role, Aronofsky called on the man whose own career could have easily been the blueprint for The Wrestler had he taken a different path. Allthough Aranofsky's choice, Rourke's casting was not a sure thing as Nicholas Cage almost sealed the deal at one stage.
Phillip Andre Rourke Jr. aka Mickey Rourke aka. Sir Eddie Cook aka 'Boogie', Marv, Harry Angel, Harley Davidson, The Pope or Motorcycle Boy started off as a boxer before embarking on a promising film career.
Rourke studied method acting at the Lee Strasberg Institute under Sandra Seacat. In 29 years he has built an impressive resume with some standout performances. He has worked with some greats including Spielburg, Michael Cimino, William Hurt, Levinson, Ford Coppola, Alan Parker, Robert De Niro, Gene Hackman, Nicolas Roeg, Faye Dunaway, Barbet Schroeder, Bob Hoskins, Christopher Walken, Steven Sean Penn and Jack Nicholson.Somewhere in the early 90s Rourke's hell-raising lifestyle overshadowed his talent and he was blacklisted by Hollywood. Rourke started producing films from material he had written but ultimately he was forced him to take some questionable roles as he says "to pay for his lifestyle". "The 90s were bad!"
Even in the most dire of productions Rourke's performance does not falter, sometimes misguided and out of place - he has remained his own man and true to ensuring his performances are solid. Somwhere in the early 2000s Rourke rebooted his career he started taking on small roles in rated films a handful of loyal friends keeping involved in bigger projects such as Stallone's Get Carter, Robert Rodriguez's Once upon a time in Mexico & Sin City and Tony Scott's Domino & Man on Fire.
The Wrestler has many similarities to Rourke's own life but more to his self penned 1988 offering Homeboy. In this little known classic Rourke plays a ageing past his prime boxer that never quite lived up to his promise.
Even one of Rourke's favourite settings a Fun Fair features in one of The Wrestler's most bittersweet scenes. Fun Fairs at Coney Island were used in Angel Heart, 9 1/2 Weeks and Bullet - a film that Rourke wrote and produced. The Wrestler and Homeboy had scenes shot at Asbury Park.
Aronofsky's low fidelity visuals, sometimes barren soundtrack combined with quality performances from the cast that includes Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood and Rourke's gritty performance compliment the stark subject matter to create a crescendo of angst that will have you cringing, smiling and possibly bringing some strong emotions to the fore. Rourke's performance will possibly overshadow the rest of the cast, but mention should be made of the braveness of Oscar winner Marisa Tomei's performance and role.
As favours to Mickey Rourke both Guns n Roses and Bruce Springsteen contributed to the films soundtrack at minimal cost. Their music sets the tone for scenes in which they bleed into.
The Wrestler opens in the UK on January 16th.
Black Tide playing a Secret Gig in London
Black Tide have announced that they are to play a free show for BBC Sound at 1pm, January 15th at a secret London location.Anyone interested in attending should send an email to switchguestlist@monkeykingdom.com with Black Tide in the subject. You will also be required to add your name, age and how many tickets to the show you would like.
Screening of Quantum of Solace at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Soak up the special atmosphere that makes a film at the Philharmonic unique. If you’ve never been to a film in the beautiful art deco surroundings of Philharmonic Hall then you’re in for a treat... The Hall houses the only working Walturdaw Cinema screen in the world, rising from the stage accompanied by resident organist Dave Nicholas, an institution in his own right.
Beginning minutes after the closing moments of Casino Royale, with the elusive killer Mr. White in the boot of Bond's Aston Martin and a breakneck pursuit; Quantum of Solace plunges 007 into a revenge-displacement grudge mission, infiltrating the mysterious Quantum organization to thwart an eco-crime cartel involving the oil and water reserves of South America.
Director Marc Forster, 2008. 106mins
Starring Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Judi Dench.
Tuesday January 13, 2009 at 7:30pm
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Hope Street
Liverpool, England L1 9BP
Superman Returns - the IMAX Experience
Superman Returns - the IMAX Experience
Another chance to see Bryan Singer's 2006 blockbuster, with 20 minutes of footage in IMAX 3D.
The Man of Steel returns to Earth and in an attempt to protect the world he loves from destruction, embarks on an epic journey of redemption that takes him from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of outer space.
Fri 23 Jan 21:00
Sat 24 Jan 20:15
Sun 25 Jan 17:50
Imax Theatre, London
Charlie Chaplin Walk
London, England SE1