Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater's latest collaboration, Blue Moon, marks their 11th joint venture – a period drama about 1940s Broadway. In an interview with the filmmakers, the conversation revolved around power dynamics, physical transformations, and the blurred lines between artistic expression and personal identity.
Hawke, who played the lead role of Lorenz Hart, a brilliant but troubled lyricist, recounted his experience of taking on a new character that was vastly different from himself. He had to shed his own persona and don a balding wig and comb-over to embody Hart's image. This physical transformation, Hawke noted, had an impact on how he perceived himself – "the disguise is always worse than the thing itself."
Linklater chimed in, pointing out that the actor's wife once joked that Hawke had taken on a new role as well – one of being a successful filmmaker with a steady career. However, this remark seemed to strike a chord within Hawke, who spoke candidly about how he sometimes feels disconnected from his own work and the world around him.
The two filmmakers discussed their struggles with maintaining artistic passion in an industry that demands constant creativity and reinvention. Linklater acknowledged the toll of making independent films on a person's mental health, noting that it can lead to feelings of cynicism and loss of curiosity. In contrast, Hawke expressed his continued enthusiasm for filmmaking, citing Blue Moon as a testament to their dedication to artistic expression over commercial success.
Despite facing industry pressures, Linklater appears undeterred, still exuding energy and optimism despite his advancing age. His approach to the craft seems to be rooted in a sense of playfulness and collaboration – much like his relationship with Hawke. The actor-director duo's partnership has been marked by an enduring creative synergy that has allowed them to explore themes of identity, power dynamics, and artistic expression.
Ultimately, their conversation serves as a reminder that filmmaking is not merely about technical skill or commercial success but also about the passion and dedication required to create something meaningful. As Hawke so aptly put it, "making good art" is what truly defines their craft – a notion that seems unlikely to change in the face of industry pressures or personal doubts.
Hawke, who played the lead role of Lorenz Hart, a brilliant but troubled lyricist, recounted his experience of taking on a new character that was vastly different from himself. He had to shed his own persona and don a balding wig and comb-over to embody Hart's image. This physical transformation, Hawke noted, had an impact on how he perceived himself – "the disguise is always worse than the thing itself."
Linklater chimed in, pointing out that the actor's wife once joked that Hawke had taken on a new role as well – one of being a successful filmmaker with a steady career. However, this remark seemed to strike a chord within Hawke, who spoke candidly about how he sometimes feels disconnected from his own work and the world around him.
The two filmmakers discussed their struggles with maintaining artistic passion in an industry that demands constant creativity and reinvention. Linklater acknowledged the toll of making independent films on a person's mental health, noting that it can lead to feelings of cynicism and loss of curiosity. In contrast, Hawke expressed his continued enthusiasm for filmmaking, citing Blue Moon as a testament to their dedication to artistic expression over commercial success.
Despite facing industry pressures, Linklater appears undeterred, still exuding energy and optimism despite his advancing age. His approach to the craft seems to be rooted in a sense of playfulness and collaboration – much like his relationship with Hawke. The actor-director duo's partnership has been marked by an enduring creative synergy that has allowed them to explore themes of identity, power dynamics, and artistic expression.
Ultimately, their conversation serves as a reminder that filmmaking is not merely about technical skill or commercial success but also about the passion and dedication required to create something meaningful. As Hawke so aptly put it, "making good art" is what truly defines their craft – a notion that seems unlikely to change in the face of industry pressures or personal doubts.
. you got these two powerful figures coming together, pushing boundaries and taking risks, just like how linklater's approach to filmmaking is all about collaboration and playfulness. but at the same time, we see the struggles they face - the industry pressures that can lead to cynicism and loss of curiosity... sounds a bit too familiar with our own political landscape 
. i mean, think about it, in politics, you got these individuals who are passionate about their cause, but also dealing with external forces trying to shape their message and vision. it's like they're wearing a disguise, hiding behind their public persona. what's real and what's not? 
I'm totally feeling Ethan Hawke's vibes on this one - like, his transformation into Lorenz Hart was insane! 
He had to drop his ego and just become someone else for a role... I mean, that takes some serious bravery, you know? 
Meanwhile, Richard Linklater is still going strong, looking fresh and fabulous at 70 
. Those two are like the ultimate creative duo - their partnership is all about exploring new ideas and taking risks 
I'm loving this collaboration between Ethan Hawke & Richard Linklater - 11 times in, still killing it! 
. His approach to filmmaking is so refreshing - all about playfulness & collaboration 
. What do you guys think? Do you have a favorite Linklater or Hawke film? 
. But what's really inspiring is that despite all the pressures of making art, these two are still so passionate about it 
. They're proof that, at the end of the day, it's not just about churning out hits or building a brand - it's about creating something from the heart 
... still going strong after all these years!
like, that's some serious method acting right there! 
and i'm low-key inspired by their conversation about staying true to artistic expression over commercial success 
it's so easy to get caught up in the hype of making a hit film, but linklater & hawke are proof that real art comes from passion & dedication 
what i find really interesting is how hawke's physical transformation to embody lorenz hart's character had an impact on his own perception of himself. it's like he was shedding not just his wig, but also his old self to take on this new role 
anyway, gotta say, blue moon looks like a beautifully shot film - can't wait to see it 
. But seriously, it's amazing how much emotional depth they bring to their roles. The power dynamics and artistic expression themes are so on point 
! It's like, can't we just be passionate about what we do without the pressure of being successful?! The way he talks about taking on a new character and shedding his own persona makes me think about all the times I've felt like that too... trying to fit into someone else's expectations instead of being true to myself 
. Richard Linklater just seems to radiate this positive energy, though... maybe he's the one who's still got the magic 
and who can blame 'em? making art that means something is what it's all about, imo 
Their convo about maintaining artistic passion & identity really resonates with me 
Hawke's comment about the disguise being worse than the thing itself hits home for me too – I feel like that's what happens when you get stuck in a creative rut 
. But at the same time, I can relate to Hawke's struggles with feeling disconnected from his own work and life outside of filmmaking 
. And let's be real, their partnership is truly one for the ages 