Interview: Alex Conn

 

In this edition of Interview, Last Resort Films president Phil Dolan sits down for an interview with Alex Conn (Dean, A Tale of Love and Darkness) to discuss his latest film, Watchmen, Conn's first foray into blockbuster comic book film territory.

 

PD: Many people may be wondering why you have chosen to do a new Watchmen adaptation. Can you explain your thought process?

AC: We’re at a time where we worry about WW3 constantly in a way somewhat similar to the comic. Many themes of the book are more relevant than they have been in a long time themes of trusting authority war and peace are relevant, I wanted to do a film adaptation of Watchmen that spoke to now while also honoring the comic and not modernizing it too much. I wanted to retain the period setting as a parable for now rather than modern. 

PD: Jim Jarmusch is not an obvious choice to direct a big budget comic book film. Can you explain why you decided to push for him to direct Watchmen?

AC: Cause explicitly it’s not a big comic book movie. It’s a film adaptation of one of the most important pieces of literature of the 20th century. We treated it like that. Jarmusch is a great director. He’s a great director of atmosphere but also dark humor we needed precisely both for this film adaptation. 

PD: Watchmen is your biggest film - in terms of budget - by a pretty large margin. Are you planning to explore more big films, or is this more of a one-off?

AC: It all depends on the project. If it’s a source material like like this I’ll be happy to do it. I don’t presume I will do the majority of my films like this but if this is successful maybe I’ll do another big film that’s a film adaptation of something that would be a big movie. But right now film by film. 

PD: Your next film after Watchmen, Never Seeing Kristina Again, boasts your biggest cast of characters yet at a whopping 15. Can you talk about that process and how it compares to some of the smaller casts you've had in the past?

AC: I don’t think it’s different. Never seeing Kristina again has 15 characters many of whom have incredibly small roles. It has a lot of interesting small characters. But yah I don’t know it wasn’t a conscious choice. 

PD: What's next for you?

AC: Well I have Mises which is about the Mises Caucus and the founder of the Mises caucus Michael Heise and his rise and fall. It’s directed by Todd Phillips. It’s a biopic but it’s also a satire and dark comedy. I’m really excited about it. Beyond that I’m working on many different things that I want to keep a surprise.