Writer/director John Michael McDonagh looks back on the release of Calvary and The Guard…
This interview contain a major spoiler for the ending of Calvary.
But his best comes in their second film together,Calvary, which is now playing in UK cinemas.
But who else other than you and Brendan could do Calvary?
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No one else couldve played the lead role inCalvary.
After the relationship wed built up fromThe Guard, I was confident in sending an early draft ofCalvaryto Brendan.
Ive never done that before, where Id send an actor an early version of a script.
Its interesting getting to put questions to directors just after the release of their film rather than just before.
So can I ask: what do you make of both the critical and audience reaction to the film?
I have become more jaded after the success ofThe Guard.
I have to say, I was expecting the film to be much more divisive.
How closely do you monitor admissions and reviews?
Or do you sit back at that stage and let people discover the film?
I read all my reviews but I dont get emotionally involved anymore.
When I read a great review I say, Terrific!
and when I read a bad review I say, Oh well, fair enough.
How controlling were you over how Calvary was sold?
I take a stab at control as much of the advertising as I can.
I was not happy with the wayThe Guardwas sold in the UK.
It was a lacklustre campaign by people who didnt believe in the movie.
Turned out they were wrong and I was right.
What did you want audiences to take away?
I never think about audiences.
My first objective is to tell a story that interests me.
If it interests me, I assume it will interest other people.
Would you still say the subject matter is tricky to approach and explore in cinema?
Where the story needs to start, be told and end in two hours?
If it takes you two hours to tell a story you havefailedas a filmmaker.
105 minutes tops is all you need if you are talented.
If you are not talented you need three hours.
Where do you think the best stories are being told?
Oh man, theatre is shit.
Theatre does not dig deep at all.
Theatre is banality and useless morality.
The best stories are being told in novels.
Nothing is coming close to the work being done by novelists.
But nobody reads books anymore so nobody cares about novelists.
How measured were you in the approach to the whodunnit in Calvary?
I think I got away with it.
THE BIG SPOILER QUESTION COMES AFTER THE NEXT PICTURE.
Was it important to you that Brendans character dies at the end?
Was there ever a draft where he lived?
No, he always died at the end.
Christ died, Lavelle dies.
But Christ didnt really die, did he?
SPOILER ENDS
Have you explored the idea of a television drama?
Is it important now for you that you direct your own material?
Would you write for someone else?
I feel like Im getting to the end of writing original material.
I dont think Id write for someone else, but I would work on another writers material to direct.
Have you worked out which project you want to focus on next?
Yeah, its calledWar On Everyone, starring Michael Pena and Garrett Hedlund.
An original script of mine.
Its about two corrupt cops in Texas.
Trying to raise the finance as I write this.
John Michael McDonagh, thank you very much.
Calvary is in cinemas now.
