Sam Rockwell

JANUARY 2018

CHANTELLE BARRY CALL ME BY YOUR NAME

SAM ROCKWELL STEALING SCENES AGAIN IN THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI FOR MORE MOVIE NEWS, REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS, HEAD TO WWW.FILMINK.COM.AU REVIEWTHREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI BY PAULINE ADAMEK

Anyone familiar with the work of writer/director does not spare us any of the details. Frustrated by Martin McDonagh – in particular, his movies In the lack of police action, she sets out to provoke Bruges (2008) and Seven Psychopaths (2012) a response from the town officials and from the – will be aware of his signature style of dark townspeople themselves. She wants justice at humour, bleak storylines and use of profane any cost. But her incensed activism does have language paired with ultra-violence. a cost – on everyone, including herself and her The British/Irish screenwriter and film director high schooler son Robbie played by Lucas Hedges is also renowned as a playwright, especially (known for Moonrise Kingdom and Manchester by for The Beauty Queen of Leenane (1996), The the Sea). Despite her escalating extreme behaviour, Cripple of Inishmaan (1997), and The Lieutenant of McDonagh ensures we are in step with Mildred’s Inishmore (2001). His plays have been produced all fury throughout. over the world, including Australia. Exquisitely crafted, McDonagh’s story is set in a US His newest Hollywood film, Three Billboards Outside Midwest town small enough that everyone knows each “…ILLUMINATES THE Ebbing, Missouri, offers everything you might expect other’s business, yet large enough that not everyone and more. It delves deeper into the darkest recesses knows each other by sight – a device that allows for MULTIFARIOUS DESPICABLE of the human psyche than most storytellers dare to McDonagh to maximise his drama at every opportunity. go, and the result is uproariously funny as well as The film is populated by authentic and well- WAYS THAT HUMANS disturbing and utterly harrowing. rounded characters, from the sympathetic police TREAT EACH OTHER…” Frances McDormand is superb as the central chief Willoughby (Woody Harrelson) – the main protagonist within an equally all-star ensemble that subject of her ire – to his dunderheaded colleague, despicable ways that humans treat each other, and includes Woody Harrelson, John Hawkes, and Peter the clearly incompetent and openly racist police yet there are occasional flashes of decency offered Dinklage. Also, McDonagh has cast three of the fine officer Jason Dixon, played perfectly with on-point by way of contrast or respite. The accusatory speech actors he used for Seven Psychopaths – Sam Rockwell, character detail by Sam Rockwell. Mildred fires at the local priest forms a gratifying and Woody Harrelson, and Abbie Cornish. Caleb Landry Jones Around the one-hour mark – the midpoint – the triumphant moment – her “Crips and the Bloods” is remarkable as a key supporting character Red, the savvy movie plummets off a cliff into far darker territory speech. The “orange juice” scene in the hospital may salesman who arranges the rental of the titular billboards. than anticipated. Everything that follows is far render you gutted thanks to its unexpected grace McDormand plays Mildred Hayes. We learn that from predictable, and therefore has you squirming within a series of horrendous episodes. There’s a lot to several months earlier her daughter was raped and uncomfortably in your seat with each new outrage. admire about this film; not just its unflinching stance, murdered in an especially gruesome way. McDonagh This is a movie that illuminates the multifarious but also its crumbs of redemption. n

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With Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri winning acclaim wherever it plays, seasoned character actor Sam Rockwell sits down with us to discuss what it takes to play a bad guy on screen, some of his upcoming projects and sharing his own fan theories about recent blockbusters. BY JAMES MOTTRAM AND CAIN NOBLE-DAVIES

tarting back in the ‘90s, Sam Rockwell developed a healthy think George is a sociopath, as somebody else might be called… and I reputation for playing fun but morally dubious characters. From the think we can all guess who that is, and a narcissist. I think he’s actually self-centred president of the galaxy in The Hitchhiker’s Guide To very charming, unlike someone else that we can all think of. We all kind of The Galaxy to the weapons merchant in Iron Man 2, even his villain miss him now. You know, it’s really bad right now so we all miss him. Srole in the first Charlie’s Angels movie, the man knows how to make being bad look good. His latest turn is in the highly acclaimed Three Billboards The film kind of taps into what Trump is stirring up, in a sense. Outside Ebbing, Missouri, where he plays a racist police officer in the titular So it feels kind of timely, even if Martin McDonagh told us the small town, from writer/director Martin McDonagh (In Bruges, Seven script was written eight years ago. How do you feel about that? Psychopaths) and co-starring Frances McDormand and Woody Harrelson. You could really mine a lot of analogies out of this movie for that. Obviously, what’s going on in Charlottesville and what happened in Missouri a while You’re one of the few actors that actually dares to play totally back, but there’s a lot of stuff you can take from it. I mean, it’s really cool unlikeable people. Baddies are fun to play. But this guy [Officer Dixon] that’s what’s happening, and I hope that this film is part of this feminist is more of an antihero than a baddie, I think. He’s definitely Woody thing that’s going on. You know, with Wonder Woman, which made a Harrelson’s apostle, that’s for sure. He’s definitely the loyal deputy. bunch of money. Good movie, by the way. And maybe it’s a reaction to this whole Trump thing. I mean, watching the debates between Hillary Do you think that this racist would be useful to you when you’re and Trump, it became bigger than the presidential debate. It became a playing George W. Bush [in Backseat, opposite Christian Bale as battle between the sexes. It became feminism and misogyny, it was so Dick Cheney, due to be released next year]? I don’t think George much bigger than just a presidential debate. When you saw him mugging W. was a racist or an asshole, but he… made some mistakes. Some big behind her and all this shit. It was hilarious and tragic. And you could say mistakes. But I don’t think he realised what he was getting into. I don’t that about this movie.

WWW.FILMINK.COM.AU Do you think the people, for example, at Charlottesville, these When you meet these cops, though, and they know you’re going neo-nazis, would you say they are all potential Dixons? I mean, to play a bigoted cop, what do they think? Yeah, they knew what they have the potential in them to become someone good in a way? was going on. They might have some opinions about it. So, you know, did Yeah, they are. In fact, I just played a KKK guy in a movie called The Best Of a ride-along with a cop and he took me to some cool places and I saw Enemies with Taraji Henson, and I talked to an ex-white supremacist and he some cool things. These guys are very decent people, they were not racist now tries to pull people out of hate groups. His name’s Christian, he’s the cops, but, as we know, they do exist. This guy, he’s a great guy. So, we guy that the movie that Edward Norton did [American History X] was based got some padding, and I drank some beer and stuff. In fact, there was a on. So, apparently, it was based on this guy a little bit and his brother whole discussion…. Martin and I had a whole discussion about the hair. got killed. So, he went to jail. He pulls people out of hate groups now. I He wanted slightly longer hair and I wanted to have shorter hair, because talked with him and you know... It’s really self-hatred is what motivates a all of these cops have really short hair. It’s like military cut. So, we talked lot of these people. He said to me “You don’t hate black people, you hate about that a lot, and I really tried to convince Martin to go short with the yourself”, so that’s really the key thing there when you’re playing one of hair. I met with some burn victims too, and that was interesting. You feel these characters: it’s about self-hatred. I mean, Hitler was a failed artist, like you’re a detective. right, so he fucking hates himself. That’s really the key, I think, when you’re playing one of these people. So, you can kind of tap into that; everyone’s How do you think that the people from small towns like, say, had a bad day and if you’re hard on yourself, you can relate to that, I think. in Missouri will see the world depicted in the film? I don’t know. I mean, it depends. I think some people will think there’s too many curse You have spent your life between New York and San Francisco. Just words. There’s a lot of Bible Belt people in the United States and they’re wondering how you were informed about small town life, which is at very strange with the curse words and profanity. It’s an odd culture. I the heart of this film? I think the films I grew up on, Badlands, Coalminer’s was going to say sub-culture, but it’s not a sub-culture; it’s a big part of Daughter, Tender Mercies, Lonesome Dove, The Man Who Shot Liberty America, this Bible Belt thing. It’s not where I’m from. I didn’t grow up Valance and Tombstone; I grew up watching a lot of these kinds of films and religious, but that fundamentalist religion mentality is very strange to me. Sam Shepard and The Right Stuff and Ed Harris. So, I grew up on Westerns So yeah, there’s a lot of that. and watching cinematic hillbillies. Then, as I research it when I have to play one of these people, I find it fascinating. It’s so much fun. I went down to So, if these people get to see this movie, would they recognise Missouri to meet some of the cops and it’s great stuff. It’s really rich material. themselves in it? I think they would. I hope they would, and I hope they Not unlike if you were to play an Irish guy going to court or something and would learn from this a little bit. There’s an amazing documentary about a meeting working-class Irish people, trying to get that accent and everything. black guy, a musician, who goes around the country, meeting racists, sits It’s fascinating stuff. It’s endless; you can’t stop studying that. down with Klan members. It’s called Accidental Courtesy. It’s very good, it’s

WWW.FILMINK.COM.AU on Netflix. And he’s converted some of these people over the years, it’s very movie is so successful. He’s Tom Hanks and she’s Daryl Hannah. That’s odd. He collects their Klan hoods and it’s incredible. It’s an amazing story. why it’s a brilliant film and the fight scenes are amazing; Robin Wright kicking ass. It’s just like I thought the parallel between Django Unchained You also worked with Duncan Jones (Moon) again on Mute? and 12 Years A Slave, to me, was very significant. It reminded me of Fail- I did a cameo in his last film Mute, yeah. At one point, it was going to be Safe and Dr. Strangelove. They came out the same year, or a year apart! I animated and we were going to do that version. I was there briefly, I saw think that’s really interesting. Bring that up to Quentin Tarantino, next time my buddies Justin Theroux and Paul Rudd. We had a lot of fun. Justin, Paul you see him. I think that’s fucking fascinating, and tell him I said so. and I got a little drunk in the hotel and… yeah, we had a good time. It’s fun to see your friends and I was proud of Duncan. He’s doing great. You presumably love your comic book movies. Well, I like science fiction mainly. I did have comic books as a kid, but… I love the first Iron It must be weird because you don’t see these guys from year to year, Man. I love the second Iron Man, but I’m in it, I guess. I thought the first Iron and then suddenly, you see them for an intense, short period. Man was brilliant. It changed superhero movies. It allowed for a different Yeah, Justin Theroux and I used to see each other a lot. We had done theatre kind of humour and drama without being too outlandish. I thought it was together in Williamstown. I used to see him all the time; I don’t see him as really brilliant what they did with it. It’s a pretty good genre; I think it’s much. And Paul, I love Paul; he’s fucking hilarious. So, it’s fun, you know, to going to keep going. You know, when it’s good, it’s really good, and when see Woody [Harrelson on Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri]. Woody it’s bad, it sucks. But the first Avengers was kind of amazing, I mean… is one of my favourite people. As you get older, you feel the loss of people. here’s the thing: A lot of the good cinematographers are getting zapped up You’re more conscious of like, “I better soak this in, I better enjoy this”. for the Planet Of The Apes movies. So, what’s happening is you’re getting, like… the level of cinematography in War For The Planet Of The Apes is like You were saying earlier about Wonder Woman; what is a movie Apocalypse Now. It’s incredibly shot. Because they can afford the best DPs. that you have seen lately that you like? Oh, I love that movie. And So a lot of the great DPs, they need to pay their bills. So, what’s happening Spider-Man: Homecoming was pretty damn good; that was like a John now is that some of these bigger movies are sneakily becoming art movies. Hughes movie. And Wonder Woman, what does that movie remind you If you look at War For The Planet Of The Apes, it’s kind of an art film when of, if you think back to movies maybe twenty years ago? The dynamic you look at it. So, it’s a sneaky way to make an art film in a way. They’re between Chris Pine and Gal Gadot, when they come to the big city? Splash! getting darker and it’s better storytelling. So, it’s too bad they’re sucking up It’s Splash with violence, that’s all it is, which is brilliant. That’s why that all the good artists for the smaller movies, you know? n

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BOOK NOW AT OPENAIRCINEMAS.COM.AU CHANTELLE BARRY: NINJAS AND LONG NIGHTS With a central role in Valiant Comics’ first ever live action series Ninjak vs The Valiant Universe and a supporting part in the Aussie indie feature A Long Night, you’re about to see a lot more of performer Chantelle Barry. BY DOV KORNITS

an you tell us more about this comic book/series that you’re back from doing a super fun panel at New York Comic Con promoting the involved with, when you came on board, what it involves, show. As far as I know it’ll be released digitally early 2018… I’ve seen bits etc? It’s called Ninjak vs The Valiant Universe and it’s Valiant but I’m pretty excited to see the whole thing. Especially since I’m almost Comics’ first ever live action series. I play the series antagonist Roku. unrecognisable in long red, radio-active hair. Originally,C I did not book the role. I’d met with the directors from the Bat In The Sun team, Aaron and Shaun Schoenke a few months prior through Are you especially into sci-fi/genre films/properties, or do you prefer my friend Kevin Porter (who plays Armstrong in the series). Aaron reached other genres? I actually love action/sci-fi. I’ve always wanted to be a Bond out asking if I could put myself on tape for a part they were casting, so I girl and shoot combat scenes and do stunts, so I feel right in my element as did. Within days they got back to me saying they loved my audition but that Roku. That being said, I’ve always been drawn to supernatural, fantasy, and I I didn’t look ‘Asian’ enough for the role (as Roku is half Japanese). I am half do love a good drama. Asian, so it upset me, but I let it go for the time. Then my boyfriend told me I really needed to fight for the part and suggested he film a make-up test, What sort of challenges has this comic book/series thrown your which we did, and then the same night I submitted the test I got the call way as a performer? I think the biggest challenge for me was bringing the asking if I could be on set the next day for rehearsal. evil to this character. Roku is extremely ruthless and an expert weapons/ Cut to now, it took us a year to shoot the first season and I just got martial artist so on top of being the baddest bitch ever I also had to do

WWW.FILMINK.COM.AU combat training, which kicked my butt. Also, Valiant Comics have such a You’ve done some voice work in gaming as well, how was that huge existing fan base that there was definitely some pressure in regard to experience and is it something you’d like to do more of? VO is being the first actors to bring these characters to life on the screen. There’s something I got into through my boyfriend Scott. He introduced me to his a part of me that felt freedom to do what felt right as this character, but also voice over agents about 7 or 8 years ago and they took me on because they a part of me that didn’t want to let the fans down in how they see her. I love didn’t have any other Aussie voice actors. But the first job audition they sent a challenge though, so I relished this one. me on was with an American accent for an Invisalign campaign and I booked it… so shortly after they signed me for video game and animation too. Voice You first came into the public’s consciousness through the reality work is really fun because unlike on-camera it doesn’t matter what you look TV show Popstars, but can you tell us about your dreams growing like, and I LOVE that! It’s very liberating to stand behind a microphone and up, where and how you happened on acting/performing? Was that create a character. I’ve been so lucky to work on not only some of the best something you always dreamt of doing? Yes, definitely. My dad was productions with incredibly talented actors, but also awesome directors a musician so singing for my sisters and I was normal and by the age of 7, whom I’ve become really good friends with. Mad Max was my first video I was already performing on stage. When I was in primary school I had an game experience where I got to actually use my own accent, but I recently awesome music teacher from America who believed in me so much that did a game where I play a French woman, so I get to play a lot and explore he wrote a musical and had me star in it. We performed a local theatre lots of different dialects in theVO world, and I think that being a musician and once I got a taste of acting I knew I’d found my (other) calling. From puts me at an advantage because it’s easy for me to listen to a tone or that point on I dedicated every bit of spare time to pursuing my goals. I’d accent and emulate it. look through the paper every Saturday with my mum and audition for every touring production that I could, even though I was too young for most of You’ve come back to Australia now, is it for work? If so, can you tell them. I just loved the experience. us some more, especially if it’s film/TV related? Yes! I’ve been saying for the longest time that I wanna go home and work What sort of training did you/are you doing with regards to acting? so when this film opportunity came up I jumped at the chance. I’ve been My high school was amazing – I attended Joh Curtin College of The Arts on chatting with Alex Lykos [writer of Alex & Eve] who wrote, produced, a 5-year performing arts scholarship. I learned everything I needed to there directed and starred in this gorgeously quirky little rom-com. I read the in terms of acting techniques and discipline… I’m always training in LA too, script for A Long Night and loved it. We just wrapped, and I had such an but honestly, I think the most valuable lessons I’ve learned are from being in amazing time working with some truly terrific Aussie actors and crew. I the audition room and on set. grew up watching Rachael Beck on Hey Dad, so working with her was really

WWW.FILMINK.COM.AU humbling. Not only is she beyond talented but she’s a really cool girl that I’d “yes! I’ve made it!!”, because as an artist I’m constantly striving for the next absolutely hang with off-set. Marcus Graham was another actor I’ve also thing. Forever, I just wanted to record and release an album because it was admired since I can remember, and he was dramaturg on the film… another a big goal of mine for so long, but now, 8 years later, I just finished writing awesome person whom I learned so much from. and producing my 3rd album and have a whole new set of goals to achieve. But, I do recognise that I’ve been in LA for almost two decades now and In the US you have appeared on 90210 and had guest and have managed to survive, pay my bills and thrive as a person through doing supporting roles in a number of TV series and films; what has been what I love, so that in itself is success to me. your experience of living and working in the US? It’s definitely helped me build my work ethic. For me, being in LA is really about showing up. In Can I be topical and ask if you’ve ever had any instances of the kind my experience the more you put in the more you get out. As an ethnically revealed in the Harvey Weinstein saga? Ya know, I’ve been getting this diverse actor there’s also the challenge of how people (agents/casting/ question a lot lately… I think it’s something that comes with the business to networks) see you and breaking through those barriers – but it’s opening up a lot more now so I’m hopeful that any day now the perfect role for a half be honest. I’ve never been raped or sexually assaulted, so I almost feel like Italian, half Burmese 30-something female character will be written. me updating my Facebook status to #metoo would somehow take away Living in LA has been really character building. I’ve spent my entire adult from those instances, but as a woman in the entertainment industry there life there and I really love that it’s a place where if you have a goal, with are always men in power and often they take advantage of their position and enough persistence and determination you really can achieve it. cross the line. It’s not acceptable, and I’m not sure that this ‘scandal’ will necessarily change how those people act, but I do think that bringing it to How did you make the break happen over there? The break? Hmmm, the forefront raises awareness, and that’s always a positive. n honestly, I don’t know that I’ll ever be at a point in my career where I can say Portrait photos by Gabe Sachs

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WWW.FILMINK.COM.AU CALL ME BY YOUR NAME: TIMOTHEE CHALAMET AND ARMIE HAMMER ON LOVE AND LIFE

Two of America’s most exciting actors, Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer co-star in the acclaimed coming of age drama Call Me By Your Name. BY TIM BYRNES AND JAMES MOTTRAM

heir affection for one another was on full-display at the Cannes “We started talking about boxing, and I was like, ‘Dude, you’re too Film Festival, as they joked and bounced off each other while young to have seen all this; you have to watch these fights!’ So, we discussing their work in Call Me By Your Name, the new film went back and pretty much watched a whole bunch of old boxing from arthouse darling, Italian director Luca Guadagnino (A fights, as you do.” TBigger Splash, the upcoming Suspiria remake); like, surprisingly, when “I had a cultural understanding of Mike Tyson,” Timothee Chalamet they excitedly discussed their appreciation of Mike Tyson. added. “I didn’t understand what a gifted fighter he was. And, I “I’m a big boxing and Mike Tyson fan,” Armie Hammer explained. mean…”

WWW.FILMINK.COM.AU “Go on, Timmy! Tell them!” While the characters’ sexuality isn’t an issue, the age difference “…He’s a legend!” between the two is, with Chamalet’s Elio 17 years old and Hammer’s Call Me By Your Name is a riveting coming-of-age drama about first love. Oliver 24. “Nothing to us about the relationship was predatory in nature,” Based on the novel by Andre Aciman, the film tells of teenager Elio, played Hammer clarified. “It was always something that was a feeling, this by Chalamet (Homeland, Men, Women & Children, Interstellar). During the spark, this unexplainable desire between these two characters that 1980s, Elio and his family are living in Italy, where his father’s new assistant seemed to grow. And these two guys, while at different stages in their Oliver (Hammer) is invited to stay. The two spend time together, developing life, with Oliver being someone who may or may not have done some- a bond which becomes an irresistible attraction to one another. thing like this before and is conflicted about it and doesn’t know how he In order to develop their characters’ chemistry, Chalamet and feels, or Elio who’s youthful and innocent and has an open-mindedness Hammer arrived in Italy four weeks before shooting. The two worked to the entire situation. It didn’t feel to us at any point, and hopefully it with Guadagnino to understand their characters and tighten their own doesn’t feel at any point to the audience, like Oliver is this lascivious bond. “We had a gift in that,” says Chalamet. “It’s certainly not like this character going after Elio. It’s this mutual attraction and acceptance of on every production, but we just got to get out to Crema in Italy four or what they feel for each other that is the beauty of this.” five weeks early, and it wasn’t so much about building a relationship as The two are as fond of their experience as they are of each other, enjoy- getting there naturally. I think that’s the gift of experience – they say ing the rich and vibrant culture that Italy offered. While being in each other’s experience is the greatest teacher.” company was great, they had to share it with others. Hammer brought his Once upon a time, playing a gay character would’ve been deemed young family along, while Chalamet may have gotten into more strife. controversial, with the actor’s sexuality being questioned. Now, with “My Mom didn’t come out, which she was pretty pissed about,” says society becoming more progressive, there is no issue. If anything, Chalamet. “But my best friend Will did. So, um, he liked it.” Hammer was more apprehensive about his large frame causing mayhem “So, Will got Mom’s ticket?” Hammer stirred with a big laugh. during the film’s dance sequences. “Here’s the deal: being 6’5” on a “Man, if you print that I’m going to be in so much trouble,” joked dancefloor is never to your advantage because it always feels like you’re Chalamet. Whoops, sorry! bumping into somebody, or that everyone is looking at you because you’re so tall.” Call Me By Your Name is in cinemas from December 26, 2017 n