Talk To Me: Directors Danny and Michael Philippou talk A24, crying uncontrollably and not slowing down anytime soon
Let’s keep it 100? A24 just knows how to get it right and by the amount of happiness both directors Danny and Michael Philippou poured out of their eyes after learning the award-winning movie studio bought their must-see Talk To Me film? It’s safe to say they have plenty over 10 million reasons to smile extra big with their debut feature film doing big numbers and making history at the box office.
Let’s keep it 100? A24 just knows how to get it right and by the amount of happiness both directors Danny and Michael Philippou poured out of their eyes after learning the award-winning movie studio bought their must-see Talk To Me film? It’s safe to say they have plenty over 10 million reasons to smile extra big with their debut feature film doing big numbers and making history at the box office.
To be completely honest, I really want to deliver a few paragraphs of hype and realness for these two because they’re unlike anyone you’ll ever talk to - their energy level, their humor, their uniqueness - their signature RackaRacka video explosion edits - it’s just all types of awesomeness which leads me to geeking out over having just under 10 minutes to get a gazillion questions in surrounding their Talk To Me feature film immediately putting them in the cinematic history books with its summer release.
This is jokey but kind of serious at the same time. There were three massive crying moments [in your RackaRacka YouTube video ‘We Made A Horror Film’]. There was the moment you found out, ‘Oh my God. A24? What the eff! They bought the movie!,’ at Sundance. There was the big family reveal - even dad let loose some super dad tears. And then [Talk To Me star] Sophie’s reaction, I was shocked - she got down in the kitchen and you were like, ‘You’re going to be a fucking star, Sophie!’ Out of those three moments, crying-filled moments - how do you rank them?
Danny: The longest one was definitely with Sophie and realizing we’re so proud to be able to help present her to the world. She’s such a beautiful person and talented performer, that, to be able to have that many people look at her, and love her performance, so many people have reached out. It means so much to us. We were crying with Sophie for all of Sundance pretty much.
Michael: With all of the cast, it was like a dream come true.
Danny: There were three [big crying moments] in the video but at Sundance, we would all just start crying.
Michael: I think it was the altitude, no sleep.
Danny: Jordan Peele texted me! I was like, ‘Oh my God!’ I started getting emotional and then passed the phone over to Sophie and Sophie was like, ‘Oh my God!’ We all just started crying again.
It’s such an Australian vibe and there’s so much pride with this film and speaking of Sophie, I see like there could be that ripple effect. Sort of like what we’ve seen with Jenna Ortega. She does the X movie by A24, blows up, and she gets the Netflix series and everybody follows her - her IG goes crazy. She’s an iconic person and like the new Selena Gomez. I feel like Sophie, especially with those signature eyes, how she killed it - this is going to skyrocket [her career].
Danny: We hope so. We want nothing but the best for Sophie.
Michael: It’s like everyday on set. Every shot. Looking at it. There was never any bad takes of Sophie. Anyone who works with Sophie will see why we chose her. We lost a million dollars out of the budget for casting Sophie because she wasn’t a big name. She is, you guys just don’t know it yet.
She has so many subtleties of every human emotion. So much empathy. So authentic. She’s like the greatest. Our next movie, I’m kind of nervous. If we don't have Sophie? Whoever has the lead is going to have big boots to fill.
Just talking about A24 - that reaction was so authentic [to partnering with them]. You could have went so many other ways but what is - A24, that stamp, especially with this being your debut film, how much pride is attached to having A24 with that?
Michael: We feel underserving.
Danny: We feel like we’re terrible directors. [laughs]
Michael: No, we were at this party with all the A24 people and there’s all these prestigious directors and stuff and we’re like, ‘We shouldn’t be here.’ We feel like imposters. We’re so happy. I feel bad for them. Every time I go to their office, I raid their office and their merch.
A24 is just something we’ve always looked up to. It was jokes we always made in the edit. Like, ‘That’s not very A24 of you to lean over in that shot.’ We love them so much. To have them approach us at Sundance. It was the most surreal feeling ever.
Kick back and check out the full chit-chat below and stay tuned for plenty more exclusives brewing for your pleasure!
Stephen Curry: The Golden State Warriors superstar's 'Underrated' Apple Original Film is on deck
Need more Stephen Curry in your life outside of the NBA playoffs? How about some premium content from the four-time champion? Look no further than the upcoming Stephen Curry: Underrated flick heading to Apple TV+ this summer.
Need more Stephen Curry in your life outside of the NBA playoffs? How about some premium content from the four-time champion? Look no further than the upcoming Stephen Curry: Underrated flick heading to Apple TV+ this summer.
Stephen Curry: Underrated is headed to Apple TV+
The Apple Original Films and A24 project won't interfere with the playoffs and has you covered with some mid-summer fun. The documentary is slated to arrive on the streaming giant Friday, July 21, 2023.
Apple Original Films and A24 announced today that the highly anticipated, critically acclaimed documentary “Stephen Curry: Underrated,” directed and produced by Emmy Award winner Peter Nicks, will be released in select theaters and premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, July 21, 2023.
“Stephen Curry: Underrated” is the remarkable coming-of-age story of one of the most influential, dynamic and unexpected players in the history of basketball: Stephen Curry. This feature documentary — blending intimate cinéma vérité, archival footage and on camera interviews — documents Curry’s rise from an undersized college player at a small town Division I college to a four-time NBA champion, building one of the most dominant sports dynasties in the world.
Nicks produces alongside Academy Award nominee Ryan Coogler, Erick Peyton, Sean Havey, Ben Cotner and Marissa Torres Ericson. Emily Osborne, Sev Ohanian and Zinzi Coogler are executive producers.
The 'X' movie sequel Pearl trailer officially drops today
Need even more reasons to love A24? How about the long-awaited official trailer to the studio’s X movie sequel trailer?
Need even more reasons to love A24? How about the long-awaited official trailer to the studio’s X movie sequel trailer?
The Pearl trailer drops today
The company shares epic-looking artwork promising the trailer will arrive practically any moment. And of course seeing actress Mia Pearl on the cover art? Epic.
“The X-traordinary origin story. Ti West’s PEARL trailer out tomorrow 🌾”
Kid Cudi did an epic 'X' movie fan screening
It’s no secret at this point - I absolutely love the X movie from start through end of credits finish. You can even scroll a little further on the homepage today and see it’s even received Video of the Day treatment. So of course it’s important to highlight one of the film’s stars - Kid Cudi - and the fan screening he put together.
It’s no secret at this point - I absolutely love the X movie from start through end of credits finish. You can even scroll a little further on the homepage today and see it’s even received Video of the Day treatment. So of course it’s important to highlight one of the film’s stars - Kid Cudi - and the fan screening he put together.
Kid Cudi did an epic ‘X’ movie fan screening
Cudder brought together more than 200 fans this week to check out X with him at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood, California. Even director/writer Ti West pulled through for the epic celebration and had a solid introduction before folks experienced quite possibly one of the best horror movies of the year.
The X factor
If you’re still on the fence - although after all the co-signs I have dished out, it should be a no-brainer, check out a few more details about the film and of course all the star power associated with the A24 must-see.
Director / Writer: Ti West
Producers: Jacob Jaffke, Ti West, Kevin Turen, Harrison Kreiss
Cast: Mia Goth, Jenna Ortega, Martin Henderson, Brittany Snow, Owen Campbell, Stephen Ure, and Scott Mescudi
Run Time: 105 minutes
Rating: R
Synopsis: In 1979, a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in rural Texas, but when their reclusive, elderly hosts catch them in the act, the cast find themselves fighting for their lives.
It’s an X franchise
Rest assured, this is not a one and done. If you stayed around for the end credits, you were treated to the big reveal - another movie based on X and it’s a prequel. Gear up for a mighty franchise you can’t help but enjoy.
X was released in 2,865 theaters beginning on Thursday night in several locations, scaring up $4,407,750 million in the United States from Thursday night through Sunday.
The good news here is that a prequel to X has been ordered and in fact it’s already been filmed, with a follow-up titled Pearl teased after the end credits of X in theaters. Rather than a post-credits scene we were treated to an entire teaser trailer, with the upcoming Pearl centered on the movie’s villain. Mia Goth will reprise the role of Pearl, the film set decades prior to X. (Bloody Disgusting)