Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

"Joker" director about the pressure - hard for me

For five years ago, "Joker" had its world premiere at the film festival in Venice. Now Joaquin Phoenix and director Todd Phillips are back with the sequel – where Lady Gaga plays the female lead role.

» Updated: 04 September 2024, 22:21

» Published: 04 September 2024

"Joker" director about the pressure - hard for me
Photo: Vianney Le Caer

The film won the Golden Lion of the year and then went on to win the world with, among other things, an Oscar for best lead role to Joaquin Phoenix. In Venice, Todd Phillips explains that the difference is noticeable between then and now.

We made the first film a bit under the radar, as much as you can do that with a film called "Joker", he says.

Now it was tougher, with a higher budget, higher expectations, greater pressure from the studio. Now we have everyone's eyes on us, it's hard for me.

In the first film, the audience met the failed stand-up comedian and party clown Arthur Fleck. After being mobbed and harassed, he became the Joker who took part in an uprising in Gotham City and murdered six people.

Songs and dance numbers

When the sequel starts, Arthur is locked up in a mental hospital and waiting for trial. Here he meets Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga, whom he falls in love with. The film contains many songs and dance numbers, often in dream sequences, all with old familiar songs.

But this is actually not a musical, says Lady Gaga.

The songs give the characters something to say. Film and music go together, they have the power to change what people feel. It expresses something to the world, it offers escape, it gives the opportunity to enter someone else's story.

Joaquin Phoenix is unusually talkative today, except when he gets a question about why he suddenly dropped out of Todd Haynes' new film, a project that Phoenix himself had been involved in starting. Now he just says:

The others involved are not here and can't say what they think. It wouldn't help if I said something, so I don't think I'll do it.

Lost weight

In the new film, Phoenix sings helpfully and has a few dance numbers. Phillips explains that it was the dance steps that the Joker did in the first film that inspired him to suggest a sequel with music.

This made the film more complicated. It was long dance rehearsals and I lost weight. But I'm so tired of talking about it, so I won't say how much it was, counters Joaquin Phoenix.

"Joker: Folie à deux" opens in Sweden on October 2.

"Joker", which premiered in 2019, is loosely based on the comic book character Joker. Director Todd Phillips allowed the film to take place in 1981 in a decaying Gotham City. He has said that he and co-writer Scott Silver were inspired by films such as "Taxi Driver" and "The King of Comedy".

"Joker: Folies à deux" is a mix between a psychological thriller and a musical. The film takes place two years after the first film, with Lady Gaga in the female lead role as Harley Quinn. The film is competing for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

They Can Be the Thriller of the Year
1 MIN READ

They Can Be the Thriller of the Year

Liam Payne flies home to England
1 MIN READ

Liam Payne flies home to England

They will be hosting Melodifestivalen
2 MIN READ

They will be hosting Melodifestivalen

Emotional when Hans dies in "Wahlgren's World"
2 MIN READ

Emotional when Hans dies in "Wahlgren's World"

The TV series about The Pirate Bay doesn't take sides
3 MIN READ

The TV series about The Pirate Bay doesn't take sides

Kimmel after Trump's victory: "Good evening for Putin"
1 MIN READ

Kimmel after Trump's victory: "Good evening for Putin"

The Turnaround: SR Takes Over Threatened Library
1 MIN READ

The Turnaround: SR Takes Over Threatened Library

Up to 400 may be laid off from Finnish Yle
1 MIN READ

Up to 400 may be laid off from Finnish Yle

The Swedish songs that count towards the EU's songbook
1 MIN READ

The Swedish songs that count towards the EU's songbook

Oasis Expands World Tour
1 MIN READ

Oasis Expands World Tour

Kristofer Hivju is Santa's unknown brother
3 MIN READ

Kristofer Hivju is Santa's unknown brother

Celebrities react to the election result
2 MIN READ

Celebrities react to the election result

The State Wins Against Secretly Filmed Vaccine Opponent
2 MIN READ

The State Wins Against Secretly Filmed Vaccine Opponent

St. Goran Hospital becomes a reality TV show
1 MIN READ

St. Goran Hospital becomes a reality TV show

"Michael" to Premiere in Fall 2025
1 MIN READ

"Michael" to Premiere in Fall 2025

Million Support to Malmö Art Hall
1 MIN READ

Million Support to Malmö Art Hall

Jens Lapidus makes TV about famous violent crimes
2 MIN READ

Jens Lapidus makes TV about famous violent crimes

Million Grant to Malmö Art Hall
1 MIN READ

Million Grant to Malmö Art Hall

This week's film and series
2 MIN READ

This week's film and series

Dr. Phil: I'm not supporting Trump
1 MIN READ

Dr. Phil: I'm not supporting Trump