From racism ("American History X") to abortion ("Lake Of Fire") to post-Katrina New Orleans (the legally ensnared "Black Water Transit"), Tony Kaye has never shied away from tough subject matter. But his latest film finds him stepping into the most dangerous territory he's navigated yet: the classroom.
Rounding up an impressive ensemble including Adrien Brody, Christina Hendricks, Bryan Cranston, James Caan, Marcia Gay Harden, Tim Blake Nelson, Blythe Danner and Lucy Liu, the film centers on substitute teacher Henry Barthe, whose latest experiences at a tough public school, begin to change his cynical view of the school system. Filmed documentary style, with flourishes and stylization from behind the camera, as various clips from the film have indicated, "Detachment" aims for a raw nerved exploration of the educational apparatus.
Budding filmmaker Armen Antranikian (check out his site here) sat down to chat with Kaye in December, and provided The Playlist with exclusive video from the conversation. The result is a wide ranging conversation from Kaye about "Detachment," his early work as a director of commercials, what impresses him about Adrien Brody and a truly bizarre fish story to wrap things up. Kaye is a fascinating filmmaker and this is good chat with a director who approaches his work like no one else.
"Detachment" is currently available On Demand and will roll out into theaters in limited release starting March 16th.
