I agreed to interview brilliantlove director Ashley Horner before I was able to see the film, a decision that has to be made often at film festivals because schedules are so hectic. After I saw the film I was faced with an interesting dilemma-- an interview with the director of a film I totally hated (read my review here to find out how much).
I could have cancelled the interview, but I was actually interested to hear Horner talk about some of the biggest problems I had with the film, namely that the idealistic central characters Noon and Manchester were utterly unbelievable and irritating, and that the film's central focus on sex seemed like shocking for shock's sake. I didn't want to lay into Horner for all the reasons I didn't like his film, but posed my questions in a way I hope was respectful, questions coming from a genuine interest in the film despite the fact that I wasn't wild about it.
It was an odd experience, and I'm not entirely sure it was successful, but you can watch it all play out for yourself below. Horner talked about how the film, about two young artists caught up with a wealthy patron, started as a parody of the art world, his goals in including so much graphic sex, and whether or not he thought the idealistic love at the center of the film was realistic. Take a look at the interview below.
