The Living End is an acclaimed indie movie from the 90s that tackled a then-taboo subject: the love story between two HIV-positive men. The movie was groundbreaking for its time, as it portrayed an authentic and complex portrayal of queer love and intimacy in the midst of the AIDS crisis. In this featurette, the movie's director and writer, Gregg Araki, shares his experiences and insights about the making of the movie. Araki is known for his bold and provocative filmmaking style, and The Living End is no exception. Araki talks about the challenges of making a movie about HIV at a time when the virus was still widely stigmatized and misunderstood.
Araki also discusses the casting of the two lead actors, Mike Dytri and Craig Gilmore. He talks about how he wanted to cast actors who were comfortable with their sexuality and could bring authenticity to the roles. Araki was also impressed with the chemistry between the two actors during auditions and knew that they were the perfect fit for the movie.
The featurette also covers the stylistic choices that Araki made in the movie. Araki is known for his use of vibrant colors and non-traditional cinematography techniques, and The Living End is no exception. Araki explains how he used color and lighting to create a dreamlike mood in certain scenes. He also talks about how he used a handheld camera to create a sense of intimacy and immediacy during the more emotional scenes.
The Living End was released during a time when queer cinema was still in its infancy. Araki talks about the challenges of getting the movie made and distributed, given the controversial subject matter. He also discusses how the movie was received by audiences and critics.
In addition to talking about The Living End, Araki also shares his thoughts on the state of indie cinema today. He talks about how filmmaking has changed over the years and how he has adapted to these changes. He also talks about how important it is to continue telling stories about marginalized communities and how indie cinema can play a vital role in shaping cultural narratives.
Overall, the featurette offers an insightful look into the making of The Living End and the career of Gregg Araki. It's a must-see for fans of the movie and for anyone interested in indie cinema and queer storytelling.
The Living End Featurette: Interview with Gregg Araki is a 1972 special interest movie with a runtime of 6 minutes.
