Chloe Domont, writer-director of 'Fair Play', joins the hosts to discuss her debut feature, the process of acquiring out of Sundance, and her future projects. The hosts also explore the portrayal of sex in movies, analyze power dynamics between male and female characters, and discuss the significance of well-executed sex scenes in films.
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Quick takeaways
The adaptation of 'Cat Person' struggles to maintain the essence and impact of the original viral short story, adding unnecessary elements and veering into an unfocused third act.
The Royal Hotel, directed by Kitty Green, effectively captures the tension and menace of its source material, showcasing strong performances and a focus on gender dynamics.
Fair Play explores the intersections of ambition, relationships, and the challenges faced by women in male-dominated industries, defying easy genre categorization and aiming to provoke thought and discussion.
The filmmaker of Fair Play welcomes and is excited by the potential for strong audience reactions, hoping to spark conversations about female empowerment, male fragility, and the challenges faced by ambitious women.
Deep dives
Cat Person: An Adequate Adaptation of a Viral Short Story
Cat Person, directed by Susanna Fogle and adapted by Michelle Ashford, attempts to expand the viral short story into a feature film. While the adaptation captures some of the essence of the original story, the addition of unnecessary elements and a messy third act detract from its effectiveness. The film explores the complexities of online communication and modern relationships, but struggles to translate these themes into a compelling cinematic experience. Overall, while the short story was thought-provoking and resonated with many readers, the feature adaptation falls short of capturing its essence.
The Royal Hotel: A Tense Thriller with Strong Performances
The Royal Hotel, directed by Kitty Green, effectively translates the tension and menace of its source material into a gripping thriller. The film follows two women who find themselves in a precarious situation while working at a bar in the Australian outback. With strong performances and a sharp focus on the dynamics between genders, The Royal Hotel keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. While it can be intense and unsettling, the movie is well-crafted and succeeds in creating a palpable sense of dread. Overall, The Royal Hotel is a standout film that captures the audience's attention and leaves a lasting impression.
Missteps in Expanding 'Cat Person' to a Feature Film
The adaptation of 'Cat Person' struggles to maintain the essence and impact of the original viral short story. Directed by Susanna Fogle and adapted by Michelle Ashford, the film adds unnecessary elements and veers into an unfocused third act that detracts from the story's effectiveness. The exploration of online communication and modern relationships fails to translate seamlessly onto the screen, resulting in a disappointing adaptation. While the short story resonated with readers, the feature film falls short in capturing its nuances and impact.
The Royal Hotel: A Gripping Thriller with Strong Performances
Based on a true story, The Royal Hotel, directed by Kitty Green, is a tense thriller that effectively captures the menacing atmosphere of its source material. The film follows two women working at an Australian outback bar, and as the narrative unfolds, the tension steadily rises, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats. With standout performances and a focus on gender dynamics, The Royal Hotel is a compelling and gripping watch. It delves into the complexities of power, violence, and the fight for survival. Overall, The Royal Hotel delivers a captivating experience that will leave a lasting impression.
The inspiration behind Fair Play
Fair Play was inspired by the personal experiences of the filmmaker and her observations of power dynamics in her own life. It explores the intersections of ambition, relationships, and the challenges faced by women in male-dominated industries.
The creation of the film
The filmmaker went through a process of searching for the right story to tell, writing and rewriting the script, and finding the right cast and production team. The film went through a targeted pitching process, with the filmmaker finding the right producers and financiers who understood and supported her vision.
The unique genre of Fair Play
Fair Play defies easy genre categorization, blending elements of erotic thrillers, psychological thrillers, and relationship dramas. The film challenges traditional genre conventions and aims to provoke thought and discussion about power dynamics and gender roles.
The anticipation for audience reactions
The filmmaker welcomes and is excited by the potential for strong audience reactions to Fair Play. The film intends to spark conversations about female empowerment, male fragility, and the challenges faced by ambitious women. The filmmaker hopes that the film will leave audiences asking important questions and engaging in meaningful discussions.
Sean and Amanda review a trio of movies—‘Fair Play’ (1:00), ‘The Royal Hotel’ (30:00), and ‘Cat Person’ (40:00)—before having a wider conversation about the current role of sex in cinema (52:00). Then, Sean is joined by ‘Fair Play’ writer-director Chloe Domont to discuss her debut feature, the process of having a movie acquired out of Sundance, and the kinds of projects she’s interested in tackling next (1:20:00).
