Main Page
Interviews Menu
Alphabetical Menu
Chronological Menu
Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions release Retribution nationwide on August 25th, 2023. NYC MOVIE GURU: What do you think are the basic elements that turn an action thriller into a classic? Nimród Antal: If I knew that, I'd bottle it and sell it for a lot of money. I certainly hope that Retribution will be viewed as a classic one day, but I do know that sincere, heartfelt performances were one of the key ingredients in the recipe. NYC MOVIE GURU: What do you think is so appealing about dark themes? NA: I could only speak to the excitement that I felt as a kid watching horror films. That's when I was introduced to darkness through cinema. Whether you're talking about suspense or horror or fantasy or science fiction, I think that the escape of it all is a factor, but if you're able to relate the characters and you're able to recognize yourself in their shoes, I think that that really helps. Everybody has their own opinion as to how they would do things and I think you entertain those ideas when you're watching something like Retribution. NYC MOVIE GURU: What was the process like to decide when and how to incorporate exposition? NA: In Retribution's case, I think early on, we were pretty adamant about viewers discovering things as Matt was discovering things. That was something that we felt was, instinctually, the right approach. NYC MOVIE GURU: How would you define suspense? NA: There's guys that can sell it and guys that can do it. Those two don't always meet. I'm not sure that right now I can give you an academic response that would be correct. It's a much more instinctual process for me than it is an intellectual process. So, I have difficulty answering that question, but I think that it does have something to do with the viewer being able to put themselves in that situation. I think that good suspense is born from empathy, almost. It's this idea that you cannot only envision yourself there, but actually live it, understand it and feel it. As a filmmaker, I have all these little tricks that I could incorporate to enhance those moments beyond the performance like having a camera slowly creep forward as the character is experiencing some sort of dread. Audio and music also helps. As a filmmaker, I don't look at it as an intellectual exercise, but more as an instinctual one. NYC MOVIE GURU: How do you think Matt (played by Liam Neeson) will feel about getting into the driver's seat in a car after everything he's been through in Retribution? What advice would you give him? NA: Bicycle culture is really big in Europe, so maybe it's all about bicycles for him after this event. Unfortunately, the advice that I would give him is something that he wouldn't want to hear and that's, probably,"You gotta get back on the horse, even after you're thrown." NYC MOVIE GURU: Francois Truffaut once observed that a truly great film has a perfect balance of Truth and Spectacle. I think that humanity is an essential part of Truth. How did you manage to ground Retribution's Spectacle in humanity? NA: That's fascinating that you articulated it that way. I've been saying something similar today to a few different folks, but I never articulated it as elegantly as you just did. I do think that the popcorn, the flashes, the suspense, the slick compositions and camera movements are all great. You need all of that to be part of it, but one thing that became very apparent to me while making Retribution---and it really had everything to do with the performances---is that they grounded their performances in a way where the family dynamics were just a interesting and engaging as the criminal aspect of the story. Yes, I think that you articulated it perfectly: the Spectacle and the humanity meeting. I think that we managed that in Retribution. NYC MOVIE GURU: How did you balance the Sanctuary's lighter and darker elements in the editing room? NA: Marlon Brando would be pretty cool in that role. There are so many kings of cinema that would've taken this in so many different directions. NYC MOVIE GURU: Which movie do you think would make for a good double feature with Retribution? NA: How about Spielberg's Duel? You have a double feature with two guys in a car bumping into some trouble. NYC MOVIE GURU: It's so refreshing to see an action thriller like Retribution that's only around 90 minutes long when most of them overstay their welcome these days. NA: You're 100% right. I can't tell you how many fantastic films there were over the past ten years where I've said, "If only they would take out 20 minutes! Or maybe 30 minutes!" Interviews Menu Alphabetical Menu Chronological Menu ______________________________________________________ |
The NYC Movie Guru
themovieguru101@yahoo.com
Privacy Policy