As an admirer of Lorcan Finnegan‘s unique filmmaking style and intriguing body of work, I’m captivated by his latest creation, “The Surfer,” which promises to be a cult classic. The Irish director’s ability to blend genres and create thought-provoking narratives is truly inspiring.
Lorcan Finnegan’s “The Surfer,” which had its premiere at Cannes before being screened at Taormina Film Festival, is anticipated to be one of the most beloved films of the year. With a unique blend of Kafka’s surrealism and Ozploitation’s grit, this production features a captivating late-career performance from Nicolas Cage and a darkly comedic plot that seems even more ominous against the backdrop of sunny Mediterranean beaches. The director behind “Vivarium” and “Nocebo” shared insights with EbMaster as the shimmering waters tantalized us in the distance.
Were you familiar with surfing culture before making the film?
I may identify more as a skateboarder than a surfer, and my knowledge of surfing culture is limited. The concept of toxic masculinity hasn’t drawn me in, but I’ve tried to avoid dismissing something I’m not familiar with. It’s an intriguing opportunity for me to learn and explore.
Why did you choose Australia as the setting?
Instead of “It was going to be California, but I just imagined Australia. I had visited Australia a few times for commercial shoots and harbored a strong affection for Australian New Wave cinema,” you could say:
When did Nic Cage get involved?
After determining that the character was American, we planned for his introduction during early stages of production. To avoid excessive heat, we chose to prepare in the Australian spring for filming the initial summer scenes. His schedule worked well for us, so we took a chance and sent him the script. Surprisingly, he had previously watched “Vivarium” and “Nocebo” and enjoyed them greatly. After reading the script, he remarked that it reminded him of Kafka’s works. We clicked during our Zoom conversation and proceeded with casting him in the role.
What did he bring to the film?
After he joined the project, we went through extensive script revisions for several months. His suggestions were all exceptional, enhancing the script significantly. During filming, we developed a strong rapport and shared many moments of laughter. Our working styles are compatible – we both prefer to work efficiently.
As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich and intriguing world of Nicolas Cage’s acting career, I have come across many memorable moments that have left a lasting impression. One such scene that instantly comes to mind is from “The Surfer,” where a dead rat makes an appearance, destined to join the pantheon of classic Cage memes. The way Cage portrays the character’s shock and despair upon discovering the rat in this scene is both authentic and captivating. It’s moments like these that make Cage’s performances so unique and engaging. His ability to convey raw emotion with such conviction is truly a testament to his talent as an actor.
I’ve worked on several film sets, and let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like the attachment an actor can develop towards a prop. Take Nic for instance, during the shoot of that particular scene where he had to “kill” a rat. The art department kept insisting on having it back, but Nic was adamant. He wanted to keep the rat prop with him.
Chekhov’s rat?
I remember that moment in “Sabrina” with Humphrey Bogart. His character feeds an olive to his uncle, saying, “You take a bite of this olive.”
It’s his tribute to Billy Wilder?
I was truly impressed with Nic’s creativity during that scene. He envisioned a lovely family dinner on the veranda, complete with puttanesca pasta and clams. We had to clear the area multiple times for an 8mm lens with a super wide angle, which required people to hide in cars as the camera passed by. Even Nic himself was unsure of exactly what he had said afterwards. He tapped into his inner shaman, resulting in some truly exceptional footage. And unfortunately, he also encountered a snake bite during the shoot.
Okay. What?
In this scenario, there’s a moment when we encounter a snake slithering over Nic’s hand. Given that Nic is accustomed to reptiles, he felt compelled to handle it personally. However, it was past midnight, and the snake wasn’t particularly active. I inquired from the handler standing nearby if there was any way to provoke it into being more lively. She suggested playfully, “Try tickling its tail.” So, Nic did just that, and unexpectedly, the snake reacted defensively and bit Nic, drawing blood. It turned out to be a non-venomous bite. Nic was taken aback, exclaiming, “Oh my God!” The handler then explained, “Yes, if you tickle them, they can become quite agitated and bite.”
Would you like to work with him again?
Yeah, hopefully. We’re looking at some things.
What’s next?
Next spring, we’ll be producing a film titled “Goliath” in Greece. I’ve been working on this project for several years. The story is a modern-day fable with a dystopian theme, set in the not-too-distant future. It explores the dark side of humanity, where monsters are created to ignite wars and plunder natural resources. Yet, it’s told as a captivating fable.
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2024-07-20 23:46