David Cronenberg Talks Rob @ Queen’s University Lecture
Oh I can hear the cynics already claiming Cronenberg is setting the scene for Cosmopolis’ potential failure due to Rob’s leading role. Yeah yeah I can hear it already, but it just shows me that they don’t get what Cronenberg is all about. Anyway, David made a guest appearance during a lecture for the Interdisciplinary Studies department course 210, Art and Society at Queen’s University, Canada. Here’s what the fortunate students apparently heard him say thanks to the Queen’s University Journal:
“Film is a demanding art form, he said, and it’s necessary to understand economics, psychology and technology and have a deep cultural background to be successful in the field.
“Perhaps there’s some super film school that gives you all that, but I doubt it,†he said.
Despite his modest beginnings, Cronenberg’s films have gone on to achieve commercial and critical success.
His film Cosmopolis, based on the novel by Don Delillo, is in post-production. It stars Robert Pattinson as a Manhattan millionaire.
The film was shot in Toronto, a favourite shooting location of Cronenberg’s.
“I’ve never shot a foot of film in the U.S., even though a lot of my movies are set there,†he said.
Toronto also provided a refuge for Pattinson’s international celebrity, he said.
“When we were shooting on the streets, [Pattinson] had a lot of fans crowding around, but he could go to bars and clubs in his street clothes and people didn’t recognize him,†he said.
Cronenberg said Pattinson has a deep knowledge of cinema with a talent that stretches beyond what is shown in the Twilight Saga franchise.
“He’s a very serious actor. He wants to be great and takes the trouble to try and be great,†he said. “What he does in [Cosmopolis] will lay that question to rest, which a lot of people who are skeptical of Twilight are asking.â€
Pattinson wouldn’t be the first actor to be recognized for his talent in a Cronenberg film.
William Hurt and Viggo Mortensen were nominated for Academy Awards for their respective roles in 2005’s A History of Violence and 2007’s Eastern Promises.
But winning an Oscar isn’t one of Cronenberg’s personal goals, he said.
“You’ll kill yourself if you do that. In Hollywood, the Oscar is like a religious icon — it’s like the Holy Grail,†he said. “The Weinstein’s are famous for spending millions of dollars to get that Oscar … but that isn’t the game I’m playing.†[Maria: cue the cynics]
The Weinstein Company is a U.S. film studio founded by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, who previously founded Miramax studios. [Maria: They forgot to mention that Miramax was sold to Disney for a gazillion dollars *giggles* ok maybe not a gazzillion but close]
In Hollywood, a movie’s budget often determines its content, Cronenberg said.
“It would be naive to do a $200-million film and expect to be an extreme, radical filmmaker,†he said. “You just know you’re going to have to be much more conservative because you need that huge audience … which is why I continue to make indie films.†[Maria: Praise the lord for that – I personally loathe blockbusters]
Many filmmakers are swayed to make their art appeal to the masses, at the expense of its quality, he said.
“As an artist you have to try and ignore the outside pressures, not just in terms of violence, but with sex or anything that’s taboo,†he said. “If you’re distributing your movie all over the world … the fears of one country aren’t at all the fears of another country.â€
Violence and sexually-explicit content are prevalent throughout Cronenberg’s films, but he insists all his movies feature deliberate comedic moments.
“I don’t think I need to do something that’s classified as a comedy, but I wouldn’t do anything that didn’t have some humour.â€
If you want to read the full article please click on the link above.
PS. Vertigo – you might be interested to hear there’s a potential Eastern Promises 2 in the pipeline …
PSS. Jules the photo choice is for you – I know how much you love Rob in a sharp suit!
7 comments on “David Cronenberg Talks Rob @ Queen’s University Lecture”
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Michelle
I just LOVE hearing David talk about Rob. Always speaks the truth – gives him the praise that he so truly deserves. Cannot wait to see Rob & David together for the promo.
Me too Maria, loathe blockbusters. Always have. Give me an indie film any day! Those are where the quality is. Thanks for sharing Maria.
Rob in a suit 😀
Jules
Ooooh, I loved reading this. Thanks so much for posting Maria. So good to read Cronenberg’s comments about Rob and thoughts on his process of making films.
And oh my sweet, sweet joy – Rob in a sharp suit looking confident and yeah, like sex personified. I’m thinking I need to have that as a theme for a future post of mine 😉 *le sigh* Sweet dreams for me tonight. 😀
Sue
Great article, always good to hear what Cronenberg has to say about ANYTHING, but especially Rob. (I think I need to go find Jules’ ‘ray of sunshine’ edit again after this!).
165 days to go for this one …… what an amazing year ~ so good to have the 2 countdowns to motivate us!
lise-lou
God bless Cronenberg! Can’t wait to see Rob as Eric. So excited!
Vertigo
Love this Maria – thanks for the link. I love Cronenberg’s honesty about the biz and Rob’s work. And yes, it IS exciting to see he is trying to get EP2 made with a commitment from Viggo. 😀 wheeeeee!
Carmel
I love David Cronenberg! I love when he points out one of the best things about Indie films is they don’t have to pander to a mass audience – ‘the fears of one country aren’t at all the fears of another country’. Keep following your heart David (as if he needs my approval).
Vicky
When David Cronenberg talks I am sooo happy to listen especially when he’s talking about Rob!!! Thanks Maria.