Best Of: 'Joker' Director Todd Phillips / Actor Uzo Aduba
Sep 28, 2024
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Todd Phillips, the visionary director behind the new musical sequel to Joker, shares behind-the-scenes insights on working with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. He explores the darker musical elements that deepen the film's emotional core. Uzo Aduba, acclaimed for her role as 'Crazy Eyes' on Orange is the New Black, discusses her memoir paying tribute to her immigrant mother and her journey of self-discovery in a predominantly white neighborhood. Their stories intertwine art, identity, and the personal influences that shape creativity.
Todd Phillips reveals the artistic challenges of directing 'Joker: Folie à Deux' while exploring complex themes of mental health and public fascination with violence.
Uzo Aduba shares her memoir's tribute to her mother, emphasizing cultural identity and the resilience formed through their shared immigrant experience in a predominantly white suburb.
Deep dives
Todd Phillips on Directing the Sequel to Joker
Todd Phillips discusses the artistic challenges and creative process behind directing the musical sequel to Joker, titled 'Joker: Folie à Deux.' He emphasizes the importance of exploring Arthur Fleck's character further, now existing in a psychiatric institution. The sequel introduces a romantic dimension as he meets Lee, a character who shares his delusions, allowing them to navigate their tumultuous mental states through music and dance. Phillips highlights how the music serves as an inner monologue, reflecting the characters' emotions and experiences rather than traditional musical numbers.
Themes of Mental Health and Media Influence
The sequel tackles complex themes, including mental health disorders and the media's role in portraying violence and celebrity. Phillips indicates that Arthur's story is presented in a documentary format within the film, illustrating how public fascination can transform a killer into a folk hero. This narrative arc critiques societal tendencies to glorify villains, questioning the ethics behind such portrayals. The connection between personal tragedy and public spectacle is a central theme that resonates throughout both films.
Musical Integration and Performance
Phillips describes how the film's music is intricately woven into the storytelling, with characters using songs to express deeper emotional truths. He shares how Joaquin Phoenix's performance is deeply influenced by music, echoing their early discussions about Arthur's character. The arrangement of songs is designed to evoke a blend of emotions, heightening the tension of the narrative while simultaneously offering an escape into fantasy for the characters. This innovative approach challenges conventional musical formats by allowing characters to sing as a form of self-expression rather than just breaking into song.
Uzo Aduba's Memoir and Family Legacy
Uzo Aduba discusses her memoir, which serves as a poignant tribute to her mother, a Nigerian immigrant. The book intertwines her journey with her mother’s, capturing the challenges they faced while settling in a predominantly white suburb. Aduba reflects on how her mother's strength and resilience have shaped her identity and career, emphasizing the deep cultural ties and values instilled in her. Through storytelling, she conveys the message that understanding one’s roots is essential to understanding oneself, creating a narrative that honors her mother's legacy.
Todd Phillips, the director and co-writer of the new musical sequel to Joker, shares what it was like to direct Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga in a singing, dancing, very dark adaptation of the DC character.
And actor Uzo Aduba, best-known for her role as "Crazy Eyes" on Orange is the New Black and HBO's In Treatment, has written a new memoir that pays homage to her mother, a Nigerian immigrant who raised her family in a nearly all-white Massachusetts suburb.
Also, David Bianculli reviews the new Disney+/Marvel series Agatha All Along, a spinoff of the series WandaVision.
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