Remember Whit Stillman?
“From now on, if I undertake a new project, I’m going to try to know how I can do it with almost no money. I don’t want this financing thing to stand in the way of making the movie. I’m trying to think of subjects that can be done small, in addition to a bigger version. I want to take responsibility for the financing and production of the film in some ways” - Whit Stillman
In 1990, Whit Stillman made an indie splash with his debut film Metropolitan. He then completed his trilogy with Barcelona in 1994 and The Last Days of Disco in 1998 before disappearing from the cinematic landscape.
On the occasion of Metropolitan turning up for free on the ever-expanding Hulu, IFC’s Stephen Saito talks to the director about where he’s been and where he’s going. Read what he has to say about potential upcoming projects Dancing Mood, Red Azalea and Little Green Men.
[UPDATE: Karina Longworth at SpoutBlog had a nice chat with the director yesterday as well]
Filed under: Interviews, Video
Tags: Metropolitan, Whit Stillman
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MY GOD, Craig. How extraordinarily insensitive …
*pouts and flips blonde mane around*
Don’t you know that hulu is only available in *ahem* certain areas?
I should turn you over my god damn knee.
Oh, scratch that. You might really enjoy it….
Yeah, I actually DO remember WHIT STILLMAN. He’s a bloody good director with a lot of talent.
I saw THE LAST DAYS OF DISCO ten years ago in a theatre. I also viewed METROPOLITAN on TV. He makes wonderful films.
He’s very much like WOODY ALLEN in that they’re certainly NOT what you would call blockbuster fare that would appeal to the masses. There’s always a great deal of dialogue and it’s intelligent, perceptive and dryly humorous. He made motion pictures about privileged upper class Americans - and, in this day and age, that doesn’t really sell.
(But did it ever…?)
Most people that live in the US (or abroad, I imagine) are not particularly fascinated by the problems and dilemmas of a group of individuals that have entirely too much money.
But I’m glad he’s back out there doing it again. I wondered what had happened to him.
I did not know Hulu was only available in the US….really? That sucks. I’d demand to talk to the people in charge. You’re being denied some cool free stuff.
As for Stillman, I agree. I updated the post with an Karina Longworth interview that’s actually a little more informative.
Thanks for the update with Ms. Longworth, babe.
As for the other….
OH, YEAH. That’s DEFINITELY happened before - with hulu and other stuff. Poor Nicky’s complained plenty - and with good reason. Generally I try to be cool about it. This is the first time I’ve ever pointed it out.
For the record, here is the message I see. DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. (More or less…)
“We’re sorry. Currently our video library can only be streamed within ______. For more info on hulu’s international availability, click.
If you’re within our range and believe you’ve received this message in error, please click.”
So you’re CRUEL to post those things when I can’t look at them, Mr. Kennedy. Savagely mean.
Oh, the humanity…
*Breaks down in uncontrollable sobbing*
I had no idea. Typical blind American…
Naw, I like American boys.
I have a strange feeling I’m going to marry one some day.
Or several…
Famous or not…
Throughout Vicky Christina Barcelona, I kept thinking about how much better a film Barcelona is. Metropolitan is his best, though.
I read an interview from a couple years back with Stillman. The interviewer asked, “Do you realize Terrence Malick has made two films since your last one?” He said, “Yeah, I know. It’s really terrible.”
How good was Chris Eigeman in Metropolitan? A favorite performance of mine.
I think every movie website has to have a Whatever Happened to Whit Stillman post in order to be taken seriously.
Hah…does this mean I’m finally legitimate?
Bad news about VCB, but I’ll see for myself this weekend.
VCB is not bad.
“VCB is not bad”
Yeah, this is an opinion that seems to be running hot right now. When will Craig be seeing this? Evan issued a modestly favorable 3 and a half of 5 star review, saying that i’s sensuously beautiful, but narratively and thematically problematic.
I might catch it tomorrow. My expectations are pretty modest. As I’ve said before, I’m not insane for Woody.