This weekend is an important one for a myriad of reasons: Quality Best Picture candidates Brooklyn and Spotlight are expanding; The Hunger Games is wrapping up; two foreign Oscar submissions are arriving (Lithuania's lesbian romance Summer of Sangaille and France's must-see Mustang); the all star remake of the Oscar-winning Argentinian film The Secret in Their Eyes is upon us; People are prepping their Thanksgiving festivities. But all of those reasons pale in comparison to the big news:
Todd Haynes' exquisite 50s romantic drama Carol starring Cate Blanchett & Rooney Mara is now in theaters!
Sadly Carol is only on 4 screens which means many readers will have something of a wait to experience its glory. We'll hold off on going Carol-mad just yet though we're planning a whole Carol week (for real, DATES TBA) but we'll wait until more of you have seen it so we can get detailed.
But for now a little silly stanning to celebrate. You see, whilst I was in Los Angeles I was able to interview five key members of Carol's mega-talented team. As something of a goof about my own obsession but a goof that spiralled out of control and into actual reality I started each Carol interview with the same question and here are the actual answers...
NATHANIEL R: WHY ARE YOU SUCH A GENIUS?
Affonso Gonçalves, Editor: Sure. Let's start with that. [Laughter] I don't get called that - I'm going to tell my mom.
Judy Becker, Production Designer: Well, the question is 'why is Todd such a genius?' Todd is a genius.
Phyllis Nagy, Screenwriter: Practice. [Laughter]
Carter Burwell, Composer: Um... [long silence]
And we conclude with Sandy Powell the much lauded costume giant who has three Oscars to show for it... but curiously none from her Todd Haynes' collaborations.
NathanielR: I started this as a joke about my Carol obsession this morning but I've literally asked everyone why they're a genius today. So...
Sandy Powell: [Interrupting] You've asked every single person?
Nathaniel: Yes.
Sandy: Has anyone admitted to being a genius?
Nathaniel R: Phyllis.
Sandy: [LAUGHTER] I can say why everyone else is a genius but I don't think I can say why I am!
Full Carol interviews are coming. Stay tuned...
This is my fav outfit Cate wears as CAROL and also Sandy Powell’s favorite. (Our interview soon!) pic.twitter.com/BYm9HU7vYV
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) November 19, 2015