[Interview] Zac Efron, Max Joseph, Emily Ratajkowski, Them Jeans (We Are Your Friends)
Header via R.M.T. / WENN
While the current EDM scene has only been in mainstream prominence in recent years, it has more than its fair share of detractors and controversy, specifically focused on the wild partying, drugs, and the criticism that comes with any and all forms of music. However, writer/director Max Joseph attempts to offer an honest in-depth look at the EDM scene with his film, We Are Your Friends, using the scene and community as the setting for this coming of age film starring Zac Efron and Emily Ratajkowski.
During the press circuit for the film, I had the chance to partake in a roundtable interview alongside other Chicago-based journalists to discuss We Are Your Friends with Efron, Ratajkowski, Joseph, and DJ consultant Jason Stewart (AKA Them Jeans). Read along as we discuss EDM, the film, the actors' DJ names, and more!
[SXSW Interview] Jim Murphy (Lava)
[This interview was originally published during our SXSW 2015 coverage. It’s being re-posted to coincide with Inside Out's theatrical release.]
Video by Elijah Alvarado
Pixar is renowned for their ability to tell captivating stories that can not only appeal to a large audience, but do so by tapping into very real emotions. Lava, the new short by first-time director Jim Murphy, tells the story of a volcano who yearns for someone to love as millions of years pass. In this short clip from our interview with Murphy during SXSW, he discusses the inspiration behind Lava and even performs a part of the Lava song, as well. Prepare to have the song stuck in your head for days!
Lava will premiere in front of Inside Out when it comes to theaters June 19th.
[SXSW Interview] Paul Feig and Melissa McCarthy (Spy)
Video by Elijah Alvarado.
To coincide with the film's theatrical release, we are re-releasing our Spy interviews from this year's SXSW.
Paul Feig has risen up as one of Hollywood's best directors for comedies thanks to films like Bridesmaids and his penchant for creating strong female characters in a socially-aware landscape that asks for such positive depictions. It's this specific point that I wanted to hear more of from both Feig and Spy lead actress Melissa McCarthy (who also played a supporting role in Bridesmaids). I got the chance to do exactly that during a roundtable interview with Feig and a short red carpet interview with McCarthy ahead of Spy's SXSW premiere on March 15th.
[Video Interview] Kim Shaw, David Dastmalchian, and Collin Schiffli (ANIMALS)
[Ruby Hornet will be covering SXSW from March 7th to March 16th. Follow along as we bring you exclusive film reviews, photos, daily features, and interviews with filmmakers, actors, and musicians!]
ANIMALS holds a special place in my heart. The dark drama details the story of a couple, Bobbie (Kim Shaw) and Jude (David Dastmalchian), addled with opiate addiction while living in Jude's car in Chicago. During this year's SXSW, I had the chance to talk to Shaw, Dastmalchian (who also served as the film's writer), and ANIMALS director Collin Schiffli about the film, any semblance to real life events, and how important of a role Chicago played, both as a setting, but also as a narrative piece. ANIMALS won SXSW accolades for Special Jury Recognition for Courage in Storytelling for Dastmalchian's writing, so it's not just my personal bias speaking out about how amazing this film is.
You can watch the video interview below and expect a full review of the film super soon.
Steven Piet, Erik Crary, John Ashton (Uncle John)
Photo by Emily Reas
Uncle John was one of my favorite films from SXSW this year, as is not-so-subtly hinted at in my review of the film, because of the film's invitation to explore its characters. And what better way is there to discuss a film than meeting with its writers, directors, and lead actor? Just a short period of time before Uncle John's premiere at SXSW on March 16th, I sat down with the film's co-writers and co-directors Steven Piet and Erik Crary, as well as Uncle John himself, John Ashton. Read on as we discuss the film's story structure, inspirations, and more!
[SXSW Interview] RKSS (Writers/Directors of Turbo Kid)
[youtube id="6iaej16hryc"]
Video by Elijah Alvarado.
If you missed my review of Turbo Kid, I highly recommend reading that soon. It was, hands down, my favorite film out of SXSW 2015, and one I'll have no problem championing and supporting in the upcoming months as it begins to play across the rest of the country. It's been such a long while since a film's hype and buzz was lived up to, making Turbo Kid that much more enjoyable.
During SXSW, we had the chance to sit down with Yoann-Karl Whissell, Anouk Whissell, and Francois Simard, the writers and directors behind Turbo Kid that collectively go by the name RKSS (short for Roadkill Superstar). Watch our video interview where we discuss the influences behind the film, the struggle to make Turbo Kid tonally sound, and more!
[SXSW Red Carpet] Get Hard Premiere
Video by Elijah Alvarado
With a big name comedy like Get Hard set for a wide release in a short couple of weeks (March 27th), it only made sense for Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart to bring the film over to SXSW for its world premiere. The comedy, directed by Etan Cohen, stars Ferrell as a framed accountant sentenced to ten years for fraud. Desperate to "get hard" for maximum security prison, he turns to his car washer (Hart), whom he mistakenly assumes has spent time in jail, to prepare him for jail.
Just before Get Hard premiered, we had the chance to work the film's red carpet and speak to Cohen, Ferrell, and Hart about the SXSW experience and the film itself. Check out our Get Hard SXSW red carpet video interviews below.
Bert Marcus (Champs)
Watching boxing when I was little was kind of a bonding experience between my parents and I. We used to watch every major heavyweight bout during the '90s, so it's no surprise to say that Mike Tyson was one of my favorite boxers growing up. Recently, the man formerly known as Iron Mike has experienced a renaissance of sorts with his various ventures in entertainment. One such venture saw Tyson produce Champs, an exceptional documentary that explores the socioeconomic issues that plagued Bernard Hopkins, Evander Holyfield, and Tyson during their boxing heydays.
I had the chance to speak with Bert Marcus, the writer/director/co-producer of Champs, where we discussed the documentary's focus, working with Tyson, his production company's plans for the future, and more. Read on for the full interview, and keep an eye out for our review of the documentary later.
Champs is in theaters, on Demand, and on iTunes today, March 13th!