Some solid hoots from the Times:
Mr. Gallo argues that the whole episode was exaggerated by the press and points out that the movie received a standing ovation at its official Cannes showing. In any case, it is coming to American theaters with some of the worst advance word in recent cinematic memory, almost daring moviegoers to go see it.
Denial's a bitch, ain't it, Vince?
After making "Buffalo '66" Mr. Gallo said he had all but decided to leave filmmaking because he hated working with stars (he publicly insulted his costars, Christina Ricci and Anjelica Huston, as well as Ms. Sevigny), with unions and with almost everybody else involved in the movie business.
Gallo, by the way, is 42.
A few years ago, he says, he was offered what amounted to a blank check by a Japanese distribution company to make another movie, which at that point was little more than a vague concept and a title — "The Brown Bunny." He said he had come up with the name before envisioning any kind of story (rabbits are his favorite animals, and he has always been a little obsessed with the color brown).
Hey, Vince, I love ducks and black myself, but you don't see me making a movie called The Black Duck.
When he explained that the movie would involve a scene of real oral sex, Ms. Sevigny said she was hesitant but eventually concluded that the scene was integral to the movie. (She also smokes crack during the scene — but that, she said, was faked.)
So in the Vincent Gallo universe, it's an act of artistic integrity to debase Chloe Sevigny by demanding real oral sex, but it's appropriate verisimilitude when you fake smoking crack.
"If people are sitting there watching `The Brown Bunny' and waiting for the motel scene, then I just can't relate to them."
It's the insomniacs who will be doing just that when they tune into your movie on Showtime at some ungodly hour looking for T&A. Too bad, Vince. That's your target audience.
"I feel much better now that I've placed this piece of work in the world."
Helpful hint to Vince's publicist: "A piece of _____" often connotes something else.
(via Amy's Robot)
Posted by DrMabuse at August 16, 2004 11:35 AMBut the worst thing of all--giving no props whatsoever to Uncle "local Web log writer" Grambo! WORST!
Posted by: Sarah at August 16, 2004 11:42 AMSo is "Wrestling the Black Duck" out of the question?
Posted by: Jimmy Beck at August 16, 2004 11:54 AMI think what really bothers privileged, white, "liberal" hipsters/wimpsters about Gallo is that his public persona is basically a mirror to their suppressed racism, sexism and homophobia. Not that I really think that Gallo is any of these things; he was, after all one of the only white kids in the burgeoning New York hip hop scene, not to mention his stints as a dancer in gay clubs. Which is a lot more than privileged white hipsters can say who talk a great deal about inclusion, but gasp, hang out exclusively with other privileged white hipsters. And who have cutesy, fashionably snarky blogs about cute, safe, coddled mainstream pop culture. Funny, that.
Posted by: pete at August 17, 2004 03:43 PMKing Wenclas, is that you?!?
Posted by: Ed at August 17, 2004 03:48 PMWhat really bothers me about Gallo, besides the Stalinist apologias issued by his syncophants is the exploitation and propagation of his insufferability. Not too mention the wines are better as salad dressing...
Posted by: birnbaum at August 17, 2004 11:11 PM