As I delve into this captivating tale of cinematic inspiration, I find myself deeply moved by the journey of Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, two filmmakers who hail from the heartland of Iowa. Their shared roots have not only forged an unbreakable bond between them but also fueled their creative minds with a unique perspective on life’s most profound questions – like religion and what lies beyond.
On Thursday evening, Hugh Grant took only a brief moment (less than a minute) at the stage to present his latest movie, “Heretic.” However, in those short 57 seconds, he effectively utilized every second under the limelight.
As I, an ardent movie enthusiast, stepped up to the microphone, Scott Beck and Bryan Woods – my esteemed directors – warmly welcomed me. They shared the genesis of our chilling religious horror flick, where two young Mormon missionaries, portrayed by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East, find themselves in a harrowing ordeal. Knocking on the wrong door, they’re greeted by a sinister Mr. Reed, played by Grant, who leads them on a chilling game of cat-and-mouse.
As a gamer, I can’t help but feel enchanted by this movie theater. I bet it feels the same way for most of you out there in the crowd. It’s a truly unique experience in today’s world where we could easily spend our time alone on our devices at home. But here we are, hundreds of us gathered together, many of whom are strangers. So, a big thank you to each and every one of you for stepping out and joining me in preserving the magic of cinema.
Moments later, Woods lobbed a request. “Mr. Hugh Grant, will you just say a few words please?”
Grant obliged and offered only a handful, though enough to have the crowd in stitches. “I have nothing interesting to add to that except that it is very nice to be here,” the 64-year-old star said. “Hollywood Boulevard has always been a lucky place for me.”
At the premiere of “Heretic,” Hugh Grant jokes, “Hollywood Boulevard has always been fortunate for me.” This comment is subtly hinting at his past, specifically his 1995 incident involving a sex worker, Divine Brown. However, it should be noted that the actual event took place on Sunset Boulevard, not Hollywood. #AFIFest
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) October 25, 2024
The surprising quip caused Woods to double over with laughter and the rest of the Heretic team to applaud along with almost the entirety of the audience seated inside the Chinese. Grant’s statement was an obvious reference to his 1995 arrest for lewd conduct with sex worker Estella Marie Thompson, aka Divine Brown. It’s been nearly 30 years, so it’s easy to forgive Grant for having a fuzzy memory as he was actually arrested two blocks to the south on Sunset Boulevard at 1:30 a.m. on June 27, 1995, when police officers caught him allegedly receiving oral sex in his white BMW.
He remarked about the A24 release, “It’s gracious of AFI to host us, it’s great that you’re here, those girls in the film were incredibly smart, and those two oddballs for including me – I can’t forget the generosity of the producers for not paying me much,” he said, eliciting laughter again. “I hope you all find enjoyment in it.
Based on the audience’s reaction, it appears that they agreed. However, let’s revisit the topic of his arrest. It’s not an unprecedented discussion for Grant, as he has frequently spoken about the event that significantly altered his career and caused a media frenzy in Hollywood. Last spring, during a talk show appearance on The View, he mentioned it when Sunny Hostin questioned why he had become a vocal critic of British tabloids and their intrusive privacy practices.
He clarified, “People often assume, ‘Ah, he’s resentful due to his 1995 arrest with a prostitute.’ However, this incident was not the issue at hand because it wasn’t exposed by the media. Instead, the police publicly disclosed information about it. It had nothing to do with that.” He later defended himself, invoking the principle, “With great power comes great responsibility,” in his fight against the tabloids’ questionable tactics.
Interestingly enough, one of the lines later in the story “Heretic” is a statement that one of the female characters relates to Spider-Man. However, it’s actually a quote from French author Voltaire that Mr. Reed corrects her on.
Regarding the movie, during their discussions, the filmmakers from Iowa, who were raised there, mentioned how their native land influenced the screenplay. “Brian and I have been friends since we were 11 years old,” said the director-writer. “We grew up in Iowa and began making movies in the Midwest. Over the past few decades, we’ve had numerous conversations about religion, cults, and this anxiety that many people have about what happens after death.
Beck went on to say: A few years back, following the release of our film A Quiet Place, which built tension using various cinematic methods without relying on typical jump scares or monsters, we pondered if it was possible to create something entirely different. Could we make a horror story that doesn’t primarily rely on terrifying creatures or sudden shocks, but rather on thought-provoking ideas and conversations? That thought sparked the concept behind our project named Heretic.
Woods said that when growing up in Iowa, the one topic of discussion that’s off limits at the dinner table is religion. “That was something we grew up hearing all the time. Whatever you do, do not talk about religion because religion is divisive and it’s deeply personal. A conversation about religion really only leads to argument or bloodshed. So, we wanted to make a movie about that, and this is a wonderful place to screen a cinematic conversation about religion. Every single movie lover in this audience tonight knows that seeing a movie at the Chinese Theater is like going to church. You are in a congregation with strangers. It might be thrilling, you might be a little bored, but no matter what, it will be a religious experience.”
The experience will be open to the general public when Heretic opens Nov. 8.
As a passionate gamer, I’d rephrase that as: “Me, being a gamer, just shared the mic with filmmakers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods at AFI FEST. They, fellow Iowans, revealed how their upbringing inspired them to create ‘Heretic,’ a chilling A24 thriller that delves into the complexities of religion.” #AFIFEST @hereticmovie @A24
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) October 25, 2024
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2024-10-25 10:25