We are just over a week out from the release of Irrational Man, the new film written and directed by Woody Allen. As usual, a handful of newspapers will run new interviews with Allen. First cab off the rank this year is the Wall Street Journal, who has a new chat with Allen where he discusses his new film and career.
On ‘Irrational Man‘ being occasionally called a comedy.
I remember doing “Match Point,” which seemed to me in no way remotely amusing. It was a serious story about a poor guy who winds up in a terrible jam and kills people. At the Cannes film festival it was very well received, but while the film was on there were any number of laughs. I believe people laughed because they thought they would be missing something if they didn’t laugh. Same with this picture—there’s almost nothing funny. But it will always get some laughs because people associate me with that.
On finding the music for the film.
We put down Ramsey Lewis because we thought that might be one contender, and all of a sudden everything came together. Picking music is hunt and peck. Often we’re very wrong. When I did “Love and Death” I first put Stravinsky behind it, and Stravinsky didn’t work because of all the atonality and dissonance. When we put Prokofiev behind it, it sounded Russian and came together very well.
And our favourite quote from the piece, when asked the very good question of if he’ll intentionally make a final film.
My guess is I’ll just keep working as long as people keep backing me. I have a lot of stories I’d like to tell. I don’t see myself building to any definitive statement or swan song. I see myself, you know, dying in the saddle.
The full interview is over at WSJ, where he also confirms he will not be appearing in the 2016 film himself. The interview was conducted with Allen in London, where he has been spotted a few times in recent days.
‘Irrational Man‘ is out 17th July 2015.
