HILLARY WESTON

Tony Kaye and Adrien Brody make a perfect coupling: an acclaimed Oscar-winner known for taking on difficult and harrowing roles and one of Hollywood’s most controversial directors who makes films that not only brutally inform but possess. With their new film, Detachment, they both prove their immense strength in their craft, creating a powerful film that challenges one’s emotional strength and enlightens. The film tells the story of Henry Barthes, a downtrodden substitute teacher who takes a temporary position at a high school in shambles. Barthes, a somber man plagued by flashbacks of his mother’s suicide, is an empathetic and gifted teacher, desperately trying to connect to his students while dealing with his dying grandfather and the teenage prostitute he’s taken in. Shot by Kaye himself, the film cuts between the narrative, interviews with Barthes, and morose animated blackboard drawings used to illustrate everyone’s darker urges. It’s a scathing portrayal of the public school system as well as one man’s story to find meaning in a vicious world. We caught up with Brody and Kaye to find out what drew them to this film, their shared desire for a deeper sense of entertainment, and the state of Hollywood today.

Adrien Brody and Tony Kaye Discuss Their New Film ‘Detachment’

(via bbook)