Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
The Homecoming of Director James Gray
Oct 30, 2022
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.
44:15
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Quick takeaways
- 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.
