Movies
‘The Green Knight’: David Lowery’s Influences Included ’80s Fantasy Movies and Hammer Horror Films
A24 and director David Lowery‘s (A Ghost Story) The Green Knight is finally being released in theaters on July 30, 2021, and Entertainment Weekly shares two new images today.
Additionally, EW ran an in-depth interview with Lowery, which we encourage you to read if you’re looking forward to this one. Among other things, Lowery touched upon the films that influenced his new movie, notably including Hammer Horror movies!
Lowery explains, “We were never going to make a strictly medieval history film. There is no historical accuracy to the film whatsoever. It is completely a fantasy. But in terms of visual references, we looked at everything from Andrei Rublev, which is, I think, one of the greatest movies ever made, and which you could never make now. It would cost hundreds of millions of dollars, but that was a great visual touchstone for us. We looked at Willow, the Ron Howard film, which is one of my favorite fantasy films of all time. We looked at a lot of ’80s fantasy, to be honest, like Ladyhawke and Dragonslayer and Willow. Those were big ones for us.”
“We looked at Hammer horror films, and then there was this Russian adaptation of War and Peace that had just been restored around the time we started prep,” Lowery continues. “And then Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V, we looked at that one a lot. A lot of Shakespearean references, especially that one.”
Lowery also notes during the interview, “We wanted a film that felt as epic as Lord of the Rings but was completely unique in the way the story was told.”
“From visionary filmmaker David Lowery comes a fresh and bold spin on a classic tale from the knights of the round table,” A24 explained The Green Knight last year.
“An epic fantasy adventure based on the timeless Arthurian legend, The Green Knight tells the story of Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), King Arthur’s reckless and headstrong nephew, who embarks on a daring quest to confront the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic emerald-skinned stranger and tester of men. Gawain contends with ghosts, giants, thieves, and schemers in what becomes a deeper journey to define his character and prove his worth in the eyes of his family and kingdom by facing the ultimate challenger.”
Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Barry Keoghan, and Ralph Ineson also star.
The Green Knight is rated “R” for “Violence, some sexuality and graphic nudity.”
Sunrise Films has announced the official North American release of William Bagley‘s horror comedy Hold the Fort, and it’s accompanied by an energetic new trailer.
Hold the Fort debuts on digital platforms on June 23.
In the film, “Lucas and Jenny think their life is finally coming together when the couple become homeowners. Little do they know that their new house comes with a big catch. Lucas and Jenny soon find themselves in a fight for their lives when they become trapped in a battle between their Homeowners Association and an onslaught of monsters from hell. The horror-comedy takes the timely concern of home-ownership and wraps this up in an entertaining action-packed thrill ride.“
Watch the new trailer below, which introduces one wild HOA gathering during an equinox. Things get bloody fast.
Chris Mayers (Adult Swim Yule Log), Haley Leary (“The Walking Dead”), Levi Burdick, and Julian Smith star.
William Bagley writes and directs, in addition to producing with Smith, Matt Dodd, Luke Williams, and Tim Reis (Adult Swim Yule Log).
Ahead of the release, Bagley said, “My goal with this film was to make a hilarious, fast-paced thrill ride while also telling a great story with heart. Hopefully, through all the blood, laughs, fights, and gags, you leave the film feeling inspired to tackle whatever life throws at you.“
Hold the Fort premiered at Fantasia last summer before going on to play FrightFest London, Toronto After Dark, and Beyond Fest.
I wrote in my review, “It’s an infectiously charming assemblage of jokes and monster vignettes bound together by a barebones plot with not much on its mind beyond delivering an entertaining time.”
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