Director James Gray discusses the aftermath of Ad Astra, his new film Armageddon Time, and the historical context of the story. They explore themes of race and class in America, his family's personal experiences with division, and the painful timeliness of the film amid rising anti-Semitic rhetoric. Gray also touches on the economics of moviemaking, lessons learned from his debut film, and the influence of novelist Marcel Proust and photographer Susan Sontag on Armageddon Time.
Armageddon Time explores the themes of race and class divisions in America.
James Gray reflects on the challenges of making meaningful films in a profit-driven industry.
Deep dives
Reflecting on Childhood and Impermanence
In this podcast episode, filmmaker James Gray discusses his latest film, Armageddon Time, and reflects on the themes of childhood, memory, and impermanence. Gray recounts a car ride with his family to his childhood home, which evoked a profound sadness and a realization of the fleeting nature of life. He contemplates the role of memory and the difficulty of grasping the full picture of one's personal history. Gray also explores the tensions of capitalism in Hollywood and the challenges of making meaningful and culturally significant films in a profit-driven industry. Ultimately, he emphasizes the importance of finding beauty and gratitude in the transient moments of life.
The Intersection of Race and Class in 'Armageddon Time'
James Gray delves into the themes of race and class in his film, 'Armageddon Time.' Drawing from his own experiences growing up in a Russian Jewish family in Queens, Gray explores the divisions he witnessed among students in his public school. These divisions were often based on class, with some students receiving religious instruction, while others relied on school buses for transportation and government assistance for their lunches. He highlights the injustices and inequalities that existed, and the impact they had on his understanding of the world at a young age. Gray emphasizes the importance of exploring these complex issues with nuance and depth.
The Timeliness of 'Armageddon Time'
Although the film 'Armageddon Time' is set in 1980, James Gray acknowledges its resonance with the present moment. He expresses sadness at the reemergence of anti-Semitic rhetoric and racism in society. Gray reflects on the disheartening cycles of hatred and the continual struggle to understand why empathy and compassion seem lacking in some individuals. He also discusses the broader socio-political climate of the late '70s and early '80s, marked by economic struggles and disillusionment. Gray believes that cinema can contribute to positive change by motivating others to critically examine the world and strive for a more equitable society.
The Journey of a Filmmaker
James Gray shares his personal journey as a filmmaker in this podcast episode. Reflecting on the early days of his career, he acknowledges his arrogance and the harsh reality check he experienced after making his first film. Gray also discusses the challenges and triumphs of independent cinema and the impact of the '90s independent film scene on emerging directors. He highlights the importance of perseverance and growth in the industry. Gray's reflections offer insights into the evolving landscape of filmmaking, the significance of personal storytelling, and the pursuit of excellence amidst a profit-driven culture.
Today, director James Gray is back! We start by diving into the aftermath of Ad Astra (7:25), returning home to Queens with Armageddon Time (12:00) and the historical context of this new picture (15:18). After watching an early scene from the film (18:33), we discuss what the story reveals about race and class in America (20:35), his family’s personal experiences with those divisions (22:50), and the painful timeliness of Gray’s 8th film (25:39) as anti-semetic rhetoric continues to surge (29:51).
We also wrestle with the economics of moviemaking today (31:37), lessons learned from his directorial debut, Little Odessa (33:22), and how the words of novelist Marcel Proust (36:03) and photographer Susan Sontag (38:14) shaped his most personal effort to date, Armageddon Time.