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Kevin Smith Explains Why He Really Wants to Make Red State

by Alex Billington
October 10, 2008
Source: Ain't It Cool News

We're providing as much coverage of Kevin Smith's Zack and Miri Make a Porno as we possibly can, but considering I've already seen it, I'm also anxious for details on Kevin Smith's next movie - the horror film Red State. Just before I caught up with Kevin Smith myself (my interview will be up in a few weeks), Quint over at Ain't It Cool News spent some time chatting with Smith and at the end got a moment to talk with him about Red State. We've heard him mention before that the film is very bleak and very dark and will be a tough sell, but he gives some insight this time into why he's so passionate about still making it.

In talking about Red State, Smith explains that, "Problem is, the flick is bleak. Beyond bleak, even. Remember how bleak Dark Knight was? This flick makes the bleakness level in that flick seem Beverly Hills Chihuahua bleak." We've heard this exact same line in Smith's talk with STYD earlier in September. So if the film isn't getting any money, is being described as something so bleak it has no commercial value, and is a hopeless at the box office, why make it all? Here's a little lesson from a truly passionate filmmaker.

The question, then, would be "Why bother?" For some reason, I feel like I've gotta make this flick. Part of the reason is that I never really feel like a filmmaker most days; more of a writer who gets to direct his own flicks. Trying my hand at another genre that's 180 degrees away from anything else I've ever done might finally answer the question (for me) of whether or not I truly am a filmmaker, or just the guy who makes the dick and fart jokes movies. I suspect it's the latter. I guess we'll see. Maybe.

I don't care whether you hate his films or not, listening to Kevin Smith talk about anything is just as entertaining and inspiring as listening to Guillermo del Toro talk about making maquettes (that's a story for another day). That just means I love hearing this guy's comments on everything. I've loved almost all of his movies, so I don't know why he'd only be considered the guy who makes dick and fart jokes, but oh well. Stay tuned for our own interview with Kevin Smith in the next few weeks and be sure to follow the latest on Zack and Miri Make a Porno, including their behind-the-scenes webisodes titled "Money Shots".

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