Overview
Ari Aster and Bill Hader discuss filmmaking influences, creative process, and share stories about movies, directors, and their own experiences in the industry. Their conversation explores themes of artistic inspiration, authenticity, risk-taking, and personal growth.
Notable Film Commentary and Influences
- Soderbergh's commentaries are praised for their honesty and director-writer dynamic.
- Early Soderbergh films and directors like Richard Lester, Spike Lee, and Emma Thompson inspired both hosts.
- The evolution and impact of the Mission Impossible franchise and its acclaimed writers/directors are discussed.
- Directors such as David Lynch, Polanski, Ford, Spielberg, Curtis, and Greenaway are acknowledged as major influences.
- The Coen brothers’ style and their reference movies frequently inform Bill Hader’s work.
- Ari and Bill discuss formative films like Evil Dead, Clockwork Orange, Taxi Driver, and Aguirre, the Wrath of God.
- Comic artist Dan Clowes is highlighted as a creative inspiration and friend.
Creative Process & Personal Projects
- Ari Aster describes an intuitive, impulsive, and personal writing approach, often refraining from editing ideas prematurely.
- The development of "Edington" involved repurposing an old script, personal experiences, and extensive field interviews in New Mexico.
- Bill Hader notes the challenge of confidence after criticism and how seeing "Edington" motivated him to revisit a shelved project.
- Both value authenticity and the risk of presenting unresolved problems in their work over providing easy solutions.
- Genre is used by Ari Aster as a way to shield deeply personal narratives.
Reflections on Collaboration and Recognition
- Bill expresses admiration for Ari's newest film, calling it a masterpiece and an inspiration.
- Both reflect on personal interactions with admired filmmakers, noting the pressure to gain their approval.
- Experiences working with actors and directing specific scenes—such as the emotional scene in "Beau is Afraid"—are shared.
Television and Comedy Discussion
- The tone and evolution of "Barry" are examined, with Ari praising its increasingly experimental and bleak trajectory over seasons.
- The comedic influence of Chris Morris, "Blue Jam," "Brass Eye," and "Four Lions" on their own comedy sensibilities is discussed.
Decisive Artistic Approaches
- Ari: Prioritizes intuition and honesty over strategic thinking in his creative process.
- Bill: Plans to revisit and pursue personal projects inspired by Ari’s example.
Recommendations / Advice
- Value originality, personal experience, and risk in creative work.
- Let genre be a tool for personal expression, not a constraint.
- Draw inspiration from a wide range of sources—film, literature, and comics.
Questions / Follow-Ups
- Will Bill Hader's previously shelved horror project move forward?
- What will be the public and critical response to "Edington" upon release?