Review by RCR Entertainment Reporter, Eddie Villanueva follow him on Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram @anticfire
When Arrow Films announced that March was going to become an early Christmas for movie fans by re-release of a 4K restored Donnie Darko, I’m pretty sure a lot of us said the exact same thing: HELL YEAH! Donnie Darko was, for many, a defining film in our cinematic experiences. A litmus test, if you will, to define those who failed to see the film for nothing more than a confusing film, and those who wanted to see how far down the rabbit hole went.
Yes, it was first released in 2001, but for many Millennials, this was a crucial time period in our lives, and thus, our generation was split by those who adored the film and what it stood for, and those who were unable to comprehend the film in its entirety. Starring a very fresh-faced Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore, Noah Wyle, Seth Rogan, and many more, the film was a launch pad for many soon to be big names in the industry.
But none of these names would’ve been recognized had it not been for the incredibly talented and twisted mind of Richard Kelly, director and writer for the film. We got a chance sit down with Richard, and pick his mind about the re-release of Donnie Darko, and his thoughts on Sci-fi today.
QUESTION: In terms of Donnie Darko, what were the initial reactions from a lot of your peers after seeing the film when it debuted?
RICHARD KELLY: I think I initially, it was very polarizing. There were people who absolutely loved it, and were passionately wanting to engage with me and discuss what it all meant. There were other people who were just really turned off by it, and looked at me with a kind of quizzical expression, like there was something wrong with me for making it (laughs). So it was really those two polarizing responses that I remember.
Q: Did you, at the time, have any idea that the effects you were using in the film would become trademarks of what was to come in terms of the future of the genre?
RK: Well, I know that we were actually the first film in a Sundance competition to have that much CGI (computer-generated imagery). And so, I mean, this was 2000 to 2001, so there was certainly plenty of CGI happening, starting with the very late ’80s with Terminator 2 and Jurassic Park. So CGI was progressing substantially throughout the ’90s, so it wasn’t that we were necessarily breaking new ground with CGI.
I just think that we were one of the first independent films -particularly at Sundance- to be able to figure out how to use it, to sort of convince visual effects artists. And we had some great visual effects artists who delivered to us at a fraction of the cost because I think they liked the script, and they thought we were doing something special. So, I think the technology was starting to reach a point where it was just becoming affordable to do, at that kind of budget level.
Q: And in terms of the content of the film and the way the film was delivered to many of the fans in the way that they understood it, did you ever anticipate that the whole mindset of the using the concept of the time Space-time Continuum was going to picked up and used in Sci-fi films throughout the 2000’s?
RK: No! I mean, I think I was probably drawing on a lot of inspirations, and certainly a lot of time travel films that have been seminal in my childhood and my youth that were very influential to me. Particularly, movies in the ’80s and ’90s. I just was following my instincts, and I always try to write the movie that I most want to see. I want to try to write something that’s pushing the envelope, but it feels fresh.
I love to go to the movie theater and be surprised, and feel like I’m seeing something new. So I’m always trying to do that, maybe for better or for worse sometimes. Because sometimes, I can maybe push too far in to the unknown, where it makes people feel uncomfortable, or it makes them feel like they’re seeing something foreign, or that it doesn’t quite work. Sometimes these things don’t work for people. But, I don’t know. I try to write what I want to see the most, and this is what came out.
Q: What are your thoughts on some of the recent Sci-fi/Horror shows and films, such as Black Mirror or Stranger Things? What are your thoughts on the way Sci-fi/Horror is being viewed now?
RK: Well, I always gravitate towards characters who are three-dimensional and who are experiencing stories that are challenging to their spiritual beliefs, religious beliefs, or their political beliefs. Those are the stories that interest me the most, and if people can use science fiction and fantasy to enhance those stories, or make them fantastical, those are the greatest kinds of narratives, to me. Certainly you would probably have to look back to Twilight Zone as being one of the most influential pieces of television to do that for the first time. To do it in a very popular way -the main stream way- that connected with the public consciousness.
Q: Is there any passion project that you would really love to adapt in the future?
RK: You know, I can’t say specifically which work of his that I think I’d gravitate towards, but it’s always been my dream to adapt Stephen King to the big screen. He’s obviously a huge, huge influence. I mean, you can see two of his novels (in the film), Donnie’s parents are both reading a Stephen King novel in the first act.
So I think Stephen King would probably be at the top of my list, and there’s many other authors, obviously. I’ve referenced a lot of other authors in my films, whether directly adapting Matheson, or even referencing Philip K. Dick in Southland Tales. I’ve taken great inspiration, and I’ve borrowed a lot from these writers. But in terms of a direct adaptation, I’d have to say Stephen King would have to be at the top of that list.
Q: Is there anything coming up for you that you can talk about?
RK: (Laughs) well, there’s a a lot of stuff, but I would probably get in trouble if I spoke too soon! You know, these movies take a long time to put together and cost a certain amount of money.
Q: Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with us!
RK: (Laughs) Yeah. I’m just a superstitious person because I don’t want to speak too soon, and have it not happen. But I’m very excited to talk about it soon, when I’m allowed.
Q: Any idea on when you’ll make that announcement?
RK: You know (laughs), I wish it could happen tomorrow, but it’s usually up to lawyers. They tend to control the world, and the business, so let’s say a prayer for the lawyers (laughs).
