As a film enthusiast with a penchant for the bizarre and the profound, I must say that the Eggers brothers have once again proven their mastery in crafting unsettling yet captivating narratives. The Front Room, their latest collaboration, is a testament to their unique vision, honed by their upbringing under the watchful eye of the illustrious Robert Eggers.
We spoke with filmmakers Max and Sam Eggers about their new film The Front Room, a gripping A24 thriller that dives into themes of religion, race, family dynamics, and more. If the name “Eggers” sounds familiar, it’s true that Max and Sam are indeed brothers to groundbreaking director Robert Eggers, who they say inspired their vision for The Front Room. “His attention to detail, and I think the amount of research that he does for individual shots, I think learning from him and seeing that, working on this stuff, I think we tried to sort of honor that method but also do our own thing in that way,” said Sam Eggers, who also worked on The Witch (2015).
Regarding filmmaker Robert Eggers, it was his 2019 movie “The Lighthouse” that was jointly penned by Max Eggers. This film and another titled “The Front Room” seem to elicit the same peculiar kind of awkward laughter from viewers as they witness an excruciating sense of tension escalate. As Max Eggers shared with MovieWeb, “‘The aim’ was what I remember most about the first screening for ‘The Lighthouse’. Frankly, I had no clue how it would be received, and just knowing that there’s any reaction at all is incredible.” He went on to say:
During the viewing, I recall the media responding to the screen with ‘The Lighthouse’, a phenomenon I had never witnessed before. However, yes, we designed it this way – we aimed for ‘The Lighthouse’ to offer enjoyment amidst despair. I believe what makes horror unique is that it allows for discussions on numerous topics and tackling complex subjects that may not be feasible in any other genre.
Sam Eggers pointed out that their new film is a development from “The Front Room,” much like how it was inspired by “The Lighthouse” and the 1962 movie “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” He explained that watching “Baby Jane” leaves you questioning what’s happening, yet it’s amusing due to its eerie atmosphere and intense rivalry between the two female characters. He added that they aimed to recreate this unsettling yet comical feeling in their upcoming production, similar to the direct approach of “The Lighthouse” with its grotesque scenes.
We’re just also weird, right? I love things that are weird.
Being Caretakers of Their Grandfather Informed The Front Room
If you haven’t encountered the works of author Susan Hill before, “The Front Room” is adapted from her spine-tingling short story with the same title. Notably, acclaimed actress Kathryn Hunter portrays the malevolent mother-in-law in the story, a role that also bears resemblance to their real-life grandfather as they shared with MovieWeb. Max Eggers, one of the filmmakers, praises Hunter’s performance, stating, “Kathryn is extraordinary, and this movie wouldn’t be here without her.” He further explains, “The character we created is due in large part to Kathryn’s exceptional talent. And while it may begin with our personal experiences caring for our grandfather as he grew older, I would say that…
Prior to reading the short story, it was an incredibly bizarre encounter. Later on, our producers presented us with the tale of “The Front Room“. Essentially, this narrative revolves around a family caring for a relative as they near their end. When we received this story, we immediately understood how to expand upon it, how to make it relatable and personal.
Indeed, that was precisely their action. On September 6, 2024, A24’s film titled “The Front Room” made its debut in cinemas, and it is still being screened today.
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2024-09-11 00:02