Jonathan Caouette Interview

Watch the trailer for Jonathan Caouette’s new short film called “All Flowers In Time” and you might get a understanding of why I thought this director, writer and editor may have an interesting brain to pick. This short film is set to release at Sundance Film Festival. Turn your speakers up and your lights off.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBNbP9_XIhE[/youtube]
You may know Jonathan Caouette from his film work:
Tarnation (2003)
All Tomorrow’s Parties (2009)
All Flowers in Time (short) (2010)

:::::::  SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW JONATHAN CAOUETTE ::::::

Where are you right now and how has your day been so far? “I am in my living room slash home office in post production for a new film with a crew of about 7 … It’s perfect timing to be doing this, because I can literally lock myself inside away from winter, which I am not too much a fan of.”

You grew up in Houston, Texas – can you tell us 3 things that you are fond of about Houston, Texas that you think those visiting should acknowledge? “Houston is one of those rare amazing places..When I grew up there it was fairly repressed and super bible-beltish in a lot of ways, so whenever people there wanted to think outside the belt and repression they did, and they did it in really amazing BIG ways..I am so glad I grew up in Houston, because it really makes you appreciate other major cities like NYC, where I have now lived for 13 years.  Despite some of Houston’s quirks and flaws, I really like and miss the friendliness and open-ness of people. I miss cars culture a bit, and I miss cheap music and movie thirsting. Houston has an extraordinary art scene and coffee shop culture that I really miss and like. I had such an array of great friends down there. I think I might want to live there one month a year. There is no place like the nest you cam from sometimes, no matter where it was.”

What song have you most recently had in your head? “Outer Space by John Grant. He is this amazing singer-songwriter that I am going to see here in NYC this week.”

When I google “All Flowers In Time” I learned that there is a Jeff Buckley song with the same title. Tell me what that song has to do with the film, if anything at all? And where the name for your short came from? “Not a thing. I DO DO love Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser … and I love the song and yes I was inspired to use the same title, but they have nothing to do with each other. Just in the way that The Cure song ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ had nothing to do with the film titled Boys Don’t Cry.”

Who are the 2 current musicians that would be honored to make a music video for and do you have a song of theirs in mind you would like to direct the music video for? “What a great question! I would love to do a Arcade Fire video or Antony video anytime!”

How did you get Chloë Sevigny for the film? And how and where did you two meet? “I met Chloe at a film festival in Canada once, then at a club in downtown NYC and we exchanged info and were fans of each other and knew a lot of the same people and had similar music/film tastes. It was very comfortable. A year after I saw her at the club, I texted her about coming to my place to shoot the film. It was a one day shoot. We did the whole correspondence by text. She was a blast to work with. I adore her and would work with her again in a heartbeat.”

What is your favorite role Chloë Sevigny has played in a film other then your own?
“Lana in Boys Don’t Cry always gets me … she is one convincing southerner being she is from CT.”

Did you enjoy getting your picture taken as a child? “Yes, and sometimes as a teen too … but not as an adult.”

What was something that haunted you as a child, in your dreams or in real life?
“Going to see my Uncle Buddy who was dying from emphysema in a hospital and then wandering around the hospital and accidentally going into a morgue..When your a kid, your invisible and people always think that where there is a kid, an adult must be nearby etc..But I was a wanderer as a kid..always getting into strange places and situations..Although, I had a pretty tumultuous upbringing, at the same time, i wouldn’t have traded my childhood experiences for anything. I love facing all my fears full on.”

Were you scared by Paranormal Activity? If not what is a film that really freaked you out? “No. But, Dancer In The Dark freaks me out still … in all the good ways.”

I found it really unique that the film has a “chorus” to it where you repeat a message a few times.

What is a chorus of a song you love, that you think has a really strong and/or interesting message? “Fotzepolitic by Cocteau Twins.”

Cocteau Twins – ‘Fotzepolitic’

It’s the end of the year, so everyone starts to make their best of lists. What are your  3 favorite films that released in 2010? “Mind you I have not seen a lot of films this year, but …

1. Catfish
2. Trash Humpers
3. The Social Network

… those are the films.”

What was a song or image that someone recommended to you recently, that you now want to recommend to us? “Simon Scott’s 2009 album titled Navigare. Recommended to me by my friend Jared Hutchinson.”

Simon Scott – ‘Ashma’

If you want everyone who watches “All Flowers In Time” to walk away with one thing what might that be? “Feeling like they have a first hand POV of someone’s nightmare.”

Who is someone that you recommend we interview and get to know? “Laurie Anderson … she is internally fascinating to me.”

:::::::::::::: SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW, JONATHAN CAOUETTE :::::::::::::::::::::

Familiarize yourself with Jonathan’s work, by watching Tarnation and the documentary All Tomorrow’s Parties.

And if you haven’t had enough of these interviews, be sure you get the read on Alex of the band Lemonade, he had a lot to share.

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4. Chromeo Interview
5. Gered Mankowitz Interview