Aster, the director of the A24 film, praised Joaquin’s unwavering dedication and involvement, which breathed new life into the project. Despite being press-shy, the Oscar winner’s collaboration with Aster was a resounding success. Premiere of ‘Beau Is Afraid’: A Night with Ari Aster, Joaquin Phoenix, and a Special Appearance by Mariah Carey – A Film That Will Leave You Divided.
Premiere of ‘Beau Is Afraid’: A Night with Ari Aster
Ari Aster, the filmmaker behind Beau Is Afraid, made it clear during his interview with The Hollywood Reporter that he is not a fan of press obligations. Joaquin Phoenix, the film’s lead actor, shares the sentiment, as evidenced by his brief appearance on stage at the L.A. premiere. Despite this, both Aster and Phoenix were present at the DGA Theatre to introduce the A24 epic and pose for photos with the rest of the cast. It seems that, while they may not enjoy the publicity aspect of their craft, they are willing to fulfill their responsibilities to promote their latest project.
Ari Aster expressed his disbelief at being given the resources and creative freedom to make Beau Is Afraid during his remarks at the L.A. premiere. In front of a packed audience that included Pedro Pascal, Kesha, and other notable names, Aster credited A24 for taking a risk on him. “Credit is very much due to A24 for being foolish enough to give me that opportunity,” he said. It’s clear that Aster is grateful for the opportunity to bring his vision to life, and he’s not afraid to poke fun at himself or the studio that made it all possible.
After winning seven Academy Awards, including best picture, for Everything Everywhere All at Once, it’s a momentous time for the company. Beau Is Afraid, directed by Ari Aster, is the largest budget film he’s worked on yet, and a break from his previous horror hits Hereditary and Midsommar. This marks an exciting shift for the indie distributor, who’s eager to see how Aster’s unique vision will translate into this new project.
The pressure was on for director Ari Aster as he worked on his latest film, Beau Is Afraid. With high expectations from both himself and others, the weight of the budget and time constraints added to the challenge. However, working with actor Joaquin Phoenix allowed Aster to stay in an open and creative place, constantly playing and building upon the work. Phoenix’s commitment and engagement kept the film alive and exciting, even as the clock was ticking. Though it was a challenge, Aster embraced it and found it to be a positive experience. “It was nice to build a system with Joaquin,” Aster explained to THR on the red carpet. “The film kept coming back to life in a way that was very, very exciting. It was a challenge in the best way.”
Patti LuPone, Nathan Lane, Amy Ryan, and a talented cast join Joaquin Phoenix in Ari Aster’s latest film, Beau Is Afraid. The story follows Phoenix’s character, Beau Wassermann, on a journey fraught with paranoia and danger as he strives to reach his mother. Along the way, Beau encounters a variety of characters played by Parker Posey, Kylie Rogers, Armen Nahapetian, Julia Antonelli, Richard Kind, and Zoe Lister-Jones. Despite the challenging nature of the film, Posey, Rogers, Nahapetian, Antonelli, Kind, and Lister-Jones were present at the event and willing to discuss their experience working with Aster, even though the complex plot doesn’t lend itself to easy sound bites.
During the event, actor Richard Kind was hesitant to speak about the film with a reporter who had not yet seen it. He emphasized the importance of having a reference before discussing it and did not seem willing to engage in a conversation about it.
During the event, Parker Posey was asked about a sex scene involving her character, Elaine, and Joaquin Phoenix’s character, Beau. The scene had been described as “wacky” by another reporter, which Posey didn’t seem to appreciate. She felt that the term didn’t fully capture the complex psychology of the characters and their relationships. “Elaine has been trapped by Beau and his mother for a very long time,” she explained. “There are many layers to what’s going on, and I don’t know if people who are writing about it are fully grasping that. It’s not just about being wacky, there’s a deeper psychological aspect to it. But at the same time, it is funny.” Posey had previously worked with Phoenix on Woody Allen’s Irrational Man, and she seemed much more willing to engage with the reporter than Richard Kind had been earlier.
Ari Aster’s latest film, Beau Is Afraid, was a challenging project for the entire production team. According to Lars Knudsen, Aster’s producing partner, the film pushed everyone to their limits, as Aster always aims for the impossible. The movie required the creation of six different worlds, which was difficult due to budget and time constraints. Knudsen explained that in the world of film production, delays and setbacks can be catastrophic, and the pressure to stay on track was immense. Despite the challenges, Knudsen found the experience of making the film to be highly rewarding.
The Beau Is Afraid team found solace in the positive response from early sneak screenings at Alamo Drafthouse theaters in cities such as New York and Los Angeles. Lars Knudsen revealed that when making a daring and original film, it’s difficult to gauge how it will be received. However, the positive feedback from Ari Aster’s fans reassured them that they were on the right track. Knudsen acknowledged the pressure to succeed, as the film’s success would determine the budget for their next project. Despite the weight of expectations, the team remained optimistic and focused on delivering a memorable film.
Lister-Jones, a filmmaker herself, described the film in a unique way. “It’s like being on a rollercoaster that never ends. It’s a trippy, surreal adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat,” she said. “Working with Ari was a dream come true. He’s such a visionary filmmaker, and I learned so much just by being on set with him. It was a surreal experience, and I still can’t believe I was a part of it.” Lister-Jones also expressed her admiration for her co-stars, saying, “I was blown away by the talent of everyone involved. It was an honor to work with such an incredible cast.”
Lister-Jones commended the director’s ability to inject playfulness into a bleak storyline and create an experimental set that liberates actors. As an example, she recalled having to bark like a dog, a challenge she still fondly remembers. She praised the director for encouraging actors to take risks and do unconventional things on set, which was a refreshing experience for her.
Posey revealed that her role required her to undergo a lifecast mold of her whole body, which was a challenging experience. Despite having a small role, she expressed her happiness to have worked with a talented young director like Ari, who brings a unique vision to his storytelling.
During the film’s afterparty, Posey also got to meet Mariah Carey, who made a surprise appearance. Carey approved the use of her hit song “Always Be My Baby” for the sex scene between Phoenix and Posey’s characters. The afterparty was star-studded with other guests including A$AP Rocky, Bo Burnham, Erika Christensen, Gus Van Sant, Joey King, Nathan Fielder, and Thora Birch, among others.
After the screening, attendees congregated in the lobby, attempting to digest the three-hour-long movie. Several individuals who watched the film shared on Twitter that they might need an extended period to comprehend it fully.
Kind was eager to discuss his role in the film, stating that viewers may have differing opinions on it. “It’s an epic movie that’s unlike anything you’ve seen before, and you may love it or hate it,” he said. “But there’s good reason for either reaction. If you dislike it, you’ll have a good reason, and if you love it, you’ll have a good reason as well.”