the film-maker's fear of sunny weekends

The sun is out here in London, with promise of hot days (by our standards!) to come. But for the first time in my life I'm wishing for dull, stay-home-or-catch-a-movie weather in a fortnight's time. You can all guess why. Exactly two weeks to go until UK release.

By the way, for those of you worried about whether the movie's coming to a Cinema Near You - it's too early to fret. Straightheads is coming out on 200 + screens, but the Straightheads official site so far lists less than 50 venues. That list will be updated regularly. Another 50 screens have already been booked, Verve Pictures tell me, with plenty more coming through next week. And by the way this is a much wider release than most UK films get (if they're ever released at all) so Verve have done us all proud.

Gotta dash. Started a new gig. It helps to be working, the pressure's on now ...

Comments

[GADD1960(Marie)]

Thanks for these gems, Dan! I think hearing an actor or director own personal views on the part/movie is very interesting. It gives you an insight that noone else can give. Just two weeks to go! Can't wait for it, but it's a very double-edged eagerness; I wonder if I can sit through it!

[sara]

Yes, GA. That *is* the question. What is the difference between a gun and a penis? :-|

*Sara A*

[Ellen]

Thanks for these. With all the press coverage at the moment it's really good to hear from you and the stars. I have to admit that as it gets closer to the time when I finally get to see it, I am beginning to worry about how I will react to it. I know how good GA can be and that's a little scary when what I am going to see her doing and experiencing is sooo intense. Haha but as far as the sex scenes go (excluding the rape) Gillian right 'it is about her' :-P

[Sean Austin]

Loved Gillian's line. "What the difference between a gun and a penis?" My answer would be there is no difference, they both shoot. LOL. Thanks for the videos. I hope to catch the film in the U.S. Have a great day.

[Alan]

Hi Dan.

First off I'd like to say how relieved I am that the list at the official site of the cinemas that Straightheads will be shown in isn't complete. I must admit that in my blind panic I'd forgotten that you said that there were going to be over 200 cinemas showing your movie. I was panicking so much that it didn't even register with me that all I was looking at was only a list of about 50 cinemas. All I did was go straight to the area closest to me (relatively speaking) and....well...I think you know the end of that story. It really was tunnel vision from then until now. Thanks for the clarification on the situation.

Now I'd like to say thanks for the great videos you've posted. They're brilliant and, as always, made for really interesting viewing. The conversation you have with Gillian about violence definitely got me seeing things in a different perspective. If an interview which is less than 2-minutes long can do that that then I can't wait to see what differing perspectives on violence I'll be thinking about after I see Straightheads.

I hope we'll be seeing more interviews like what you've already posted and hopefully more pictures too. I know your busy with your new gig so please don't rush with the updates on our account. We'll all still be here.

So here I sign off and wish you all the best. Thank you again for clearing up the cinema situation and I look forward to you next update.

Take care.

- Alan.

[Leslie - NL, Canada]

Awesome vids. Thank you! I agree with a previous commenter....I like hearing the people involved in a film/character giving their views and opinions on their own roles or film.

still sending you all good vibes for the opening!

~Les

[alicentexas]

Dan, thanks for spoiling us with more video clips. I'm thrilled and so thankful to be able to see your film.

[Kristy]

I've been a Gillian fan for a long time....... and I have quickly become a fan of two more people, Dan and Danny from following this blog. ya gotta love Danny and Gillian both. they are so honest and don't put up a fake front for the interviews. and Dan.........I love you for all the time you have spent keeping the fan base informed and spoiled! I have never really followed a writer or directors career but you have changed that. I'm a loyal Dan Reed fan now! I can't wait to see this film in the states! and whatever else you have coming in the future. thanks Dan!

[Michael H.]

Amazing interviews, Dan - thanks a lot. So authentic, and it is very true what you and Gillian say about "standard" and "non-standard violence".
Just a little off-topic: Gillian confirmed to do another film, the starring role in a drama called "Helen", about a woman with a clinical depression, directed by German Sandra Nettelbeck ("Mostly Martha").
But first I wish you very good luck with Straightheads, especially bad weather on the opening weekend. :)

[Erinn]

Fascinating, fascinating questions, why would the rape of a woman be seen possibly as more 'standard' violence than the end section's (which, since I have not yet seen the movie, I can only imagine) 'non-standard' violence by a woman against a man? Wow. Big questions I'll be thinking about until the film opens. I can see why you made this film and why people, Gillian and Danny undoubtedly included, gravitated to it. In a society so desensitized to violence, I really think you struck a nerve. I cannot wait to see it over here in the U.S.! You and Gillian and Danny and everyone who made this film, well, all I can think to say is, you've all got cojones of steel, rock on.

[Ann]

In Rostov a cold (by Rostov's standart ) like +14С.
For me it is heat, I have lived 25 years in Siberia.
When there will come May, I shall be hung up. The temperature will reach +40С.
At cinemas is nothing to look there.
TV is opium with total accustoming.

Who saw film, write something about emotional effect, mental I can not understand: ( probably

In English I speak badly.

[Geoffrey Aspinall]

And because the film got put back a week I am in France when it starts.
But it will last over a week in the cinema so I'll see it when I get back. But I am looking forward to it.

[sara]

Why are sunny days a bad omen?

I'm guessing it's because a lot more people go to the movie when it's raining. Having worked a cinema before, I guess I should know. LOL

*Sara A*

[Giulia]

I can't believe it! I will be in London on May for the first time in my life! I hope to still find your film in cinemas when I'll arrive. I'll check Straightheads official site until my departure from Italy! My friends will kill me when they understand that the principal reason of my choice, London, is that I want to see your film!!
Take care!
Giu

[Ann]

Eto sluchilos! Ya ochen nadeus, chto premiera prochla veselo i interesno :) Veselo i interesno pered prosmotrom, i interesno vo vremya.
Ya vechno putaus v dnah, eto sluchilos dva dnya nasad, a ya posdravlau tolko teper.
Luchse posdno chem nikogda.
Nadeus, chto film budet uspechnym v prokate. Hotya ne v dengah schastye, no v ih kolichestve :)))I glavnoe film budet ponyat sritelem.
Nadeus, chto eto ne est poslednii vash film, Dan, i u vas use vertyatsa idei v golove.

S iscrennostiu,
A.G.

[Tracy]

Thank you yet again, Dan -- I thoroughly enjoyed this round of clips! "Isn't your movie coming out soon?" one of my friends recently asked. "What movie?" I asked, confused. "That one with Gillian." "April 27th is the *UK* premiere," I explained, frown on my face. "Oh!" she said. "I didn't realize. I even marked it on my calendar so we could go! When does it come out here?" "I don't know," I said. "Oh," she said again. "Sigh," I said. "Sigh," she said. ;)

Good luck with the new project, whatever it may be, and here's to gloomy weather!

[Bibi]

Well I would say whatever heatwave there might be, nothing -not even A/C- can hold me away from the movie. I will fly in from Germany on Thursday and really hope to get a chance to watch the movie on Friday.
I really really hope Straightheads will make it to Germany as well. You can count on my cinema visit for at least 20 times LOL. I know I will love this movie but I am slightly scared about the rape scenes...