David Robert Mitchell on his ambitious, divisive, long-awaited new movie,Under the Silver Lake.
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
Will I explain any of them?
The goal was to make a bold statement, he says.
Its an intentional shot across the bow, a bit of a fuck-you.
Im sure there will be a range of reactions.
A few thought it wasmisogynistic, but others saw abiting prosecution of straight white male privilege.
For certain types, it might by now be more anticipated than the newAvengersmovie it will share theaters with.
Silver Lakeisnt for everybody.
We realize gradually, or at least were supposed to, that Sam is not the most dependable narrator.
(I like your shirt, says one woman at a party.
Its a pit-stained Hanes undershirt.)
Maybe Sam is less an underdog hero than an avatar of toxic male entitlement.
Sam could continue reaching for things, but hes given up, says Mitchell.
Even being able to buy a house, for our generation, is like a near-impossible task.
So how do you process that?
Maybe you go looking for meaning in strange places.
I was like,Oh God.
Mitchell calls me a week after Cannes, describing the premiere as wonderful and difficult.
I just so strongly disagree.
For people to imagine that were celebrating it is just disappointing.
Who knows how long that loophole will stay open, though.
He admits the territorys not so friendly nowadays for those looking to do anything idiosyncratic.
Take, for example,Under the Silver Lakes twice-delayed release date.
What was that about?
Youd have to ask A24, he told me a few weeks ago.
If it were up to me, I wouldve loved the film to have come out last summer.
(A24 declined to comment.)
Since then, hes been writing full-time.
From the looks of theUnder the Silver Lakesub-Reddit, a cult movie has found its cult.
(Nobodys gone there yet, or at least gone there and survived to report back.)
That I dont know about, says Mitchell in a tone that implies he does.
But its nice to hear people are seeing some of the layers.
