Getting Freaky with Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck!
Imagine this: it’s 1987 Oakland, the air is thick with the pulse of hip-hop and the tension of street showdowns. Welcome to Freaky Tales, a wild ride through a mixtape of vibrant characters—including an NBA star, a corrupt cop, and a female rap duo—what could possibly go wrong? In a recent chat with the film’s masterminds, Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, we dove into a world where multi-story arcs collide in a fever dream of explosive action and edgy humor. Fasten your seatbelts; this Q&A is about to get real, funky, and delightfully chaotic!
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
Let’s kick things off! In your film, Tom Hanks poses a question about the ultimate underdog movie. What do you think makes for the number one underdog film?
Anna: Ah, a classic debate! According to good ol’ Hanks, it’s a film from 1979 that celebrated the miracles of cinema. But let’s keep you Googling—half its title involves “breaking”!
*Galore besties I did some research and my guess is that this movie is Breaking Away. Which one do you think it is?*
The movie begins with characters pondering their dreams. Have either of you ever had a lucid dream? If so, what would you do?
Anna: Oh, totally! I had a lucid dream where I could fly, just like one of our fearless characters soaring above the chaos. Talk about liberation!
Ryan: If I realized I was dreaming, I’d want to chat with my grandma who passed away. It’s those heartfelt moments that really tie a narrative together. Plus, you never know when you might need some grandmotherly advice in a showdown!
If you could change one thing about reality, what would it be?
Anna: Let’s just start by eliminating Neo-Nazis! A real villain in any story, right?
Ryan: I’d aim to eradicate hate and violence altogether. It would do wonders for the world—and our Freaky Tales universe would definitely have a more positive vibe without all those bad guys!
Do you believe that making films like Freaky Tales can create actual realities?
Anna: Absolutely! The weird world of Freaky Tales straddles the line between familiar street life and surreal chaos. Once the lights go down, we create alternate realities that immerse the audience—just like the eclectic characters in our film.
Let’s talk about the gore factor! In a film filled with wild battles, what are some of your standout gory scenes?
Anna: For sheer shock value, “Dead Alive” is hard to top. It’s a masterclass in go-for-broke gore!
Ryan: Oh, definitely! I recently saw a scene from The Martian that made my kid turn away—self-surgery at its finest! It’s gripping—the kind of bloody brilliance that gets the heart racing. And you can’t forget the iconic chestburster moment in “Alien” — a classic that still sends chills!
Finally, what message do you want to convey to aspiring filmmakers inspired by your dynamic narratives?
Anna: Just dive in and have a blast! The chaos of creativity is what makes filmmaking exciting.
Ryan: And remember to uplift one another! Collaboration leads to the best ideas. In a world filled with colorful characters, sometimes the best stories come from working together!
And there you have it! Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck take us on a frenetic journey through storytelling, action, and the meaningful connections that bind us all. If Freaky Tales teaches us anything, it’s that every chaotic moment can be woven into a vibrant narrative tapestry. So, grab your camera, gather your crew, and jump into the wild adventure of filmmaking—who knows what unforgettable tale you’ll create?
Writer: Frida Garcia D’Adda (@fridadda_)
