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Arcade Fire Scoring All of Richard Kelly's The Box

by Alex Billington
December 30, 2008
Source: Pitchfork

One movie we haven't heard much about recently is Richard Kelly's The Box, with James Marsden and Cameron Diaz. As a reminder, it's Kelly's take on the classic Richard Matheson short story (and "Twilight Zone" episode) about a button that when pressed makes that person wealthy but also kills someone else at the same time. Kelly finished shooting way back in February but we haven't heard or seen much since. It was rumored that the Canadian band Arcade Fire would be providing music for the movie. Pitchfork recently interviewed lead singer Win Butler who confirmed that his band did score the music for the movie.

Butler told Pitchfork: "Yes, me, Régine, and Owen [Pallett] from Final Fantasy [did the music]. It's kind of Hitchcocky, movie, orchestral, Mellotron stuff. It's instrumental music. No songs. It's interesting. We didn't really think we were going to do the whole thing, and then it just kind of was easier once we got in. It was like, 'Oh well, we'll just keep going.' It has so much to do with the editing, and your job is just to help the director. It's a very different experience." Those of you who don't actively listen to Arcade Fire may at least be familiar with one their most popular songs called "Rebellion (Lies)".

Fans of Richard Kelly know that he likes to use an eclectic selection of music in his films (Donnie Darko and Southland Tales). Arcade Fire seems like the perfect choice for The Box, especially after hearing Win Butler talk about the tone. "I could really imagine what he wanted for the music. It's based on a 'Twilight Zone' episode set in the 70s... It's got this kind of sci-fi, kind of Alfred Hitchcock feel. Those Hitchcock scores are some of my favorite movie music. We have a Mellotron, and since it's the 70s, it really seemed to fit. It was just really easy to imagine the type of music that would help the movie. It was a very ego-less project."

Warner Brothers recently set a November 6th, 2009 release date for The Box, which means we've got another year to go, even though its already finished shooting. Stay tuned for more on The Box soon.

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Jonathan Z

Solid band the Arcade Fire is. Kinda reminds me of Half Nelson. The producers chose pre-existing songs by Broken Social Scene (another Canadian indie band) to use in the movie and it worked perfectly! Putting Regine and the man behind Final Fantasy together to do an original score seems like a perfect idea! Can't wait to HEAR the movie...yes...not a Richard Kelly fan.
Fuelbot

It'll be nice to finally hear a full-on score from the three of them after their gorgeous string arrangements on their own respective albums.
ScottyR37

It'll be a great soundtrack. The movie on the other hand will not be so great. Stupid Richard Kelly.
TheGuyInThePJ's

Wow... there seems to be a lot of hate for Richard Kelly. It seems to me that he made an excellent first film (Donnie Darko), then went on to make a film that got mixed reviews (Southland Tales). Why So Much Hate? Every great director makes a film (or two) that falls short. Kelly is still very young( directing years ) and has time to grow into a stronger director with time. So to me, it's kind sad that some directors can get SO much leeway with their films... while other director's can make one "bad" film and they're labeled for life. Kelly has talent as a Writer/Director, that is apparent to anyone who knows film... Weather he learns to use said talent is another story all together. PS- I'm Big fan of Arcade Fire. And this announcement only adds to my anticipation.
Jonathan Z

But.....TheGuyInThePJ'....I didn't like Donnie Darko.
TheGuyInThePJ's

That puts you in the minority... because the film received good reviews from Critics and Fans alike. (RottenTomatos rating: 90% - IMDb rating: 8.3 (127th best movie of all time). I do understand that not everyone will like the same films as the next guy(no matter how well or unwell a film is reviewed), but this film has grown a following from nowhere. And the film was a debut from a 20-something year old nobody. So like or dislike the film, one must give respect where respect is do, right?
Jonathan Z

Your comment is absolutely right.
Fuelbot

It's not that Richard Kelly is getting worse as a director, but maybe getting everything you want isn't the best idea all the time. The limitations placed on Donnie Darko made it the work of genius that it was. When he was finally able to incorporate all the effects and the original music he wanted into the director's cut, it was a far inferior film. And It's not that Southland Tales is bad, per sayl; it's that the film never finds a coherent direction. There are moments of absolute beauty and genius (the gorgeous opening, Timberlake's impromptu music number, or the Taverner's finally finding each other), but then there are moments of absolute failure (anything involving the Westphalen clan and/or Bai Ling). Hopefully, The Box will be a return to form. The script was highly praised and we all kow Kelly's an excellent writer. And if it does suck, at least I get TWO Arcade Fire cds next year.
dqniel

Cameron Diaz will ruin this