Spaceface Interviews Duncan Jones For Collective

Duncan Jones, director of ‘MOON’, one of the hottest films for release in 2009, talks exclusively to Collective about his role and his career to date. The ?intelligent science fiction thriller? stars the incredibly talented Sam Rockwell (Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy and Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind).

Q: You studied philosophy at college and then turned to film making as a career. What drew you to directing?

A: I’ve always had an over-active imagination. I think it goes with the territory of growing up as an only child. When I was a kid I used to shoot little one-stop animation films with my dad?s help, but as I grew up I moved on to other things. You know, sport, girls… stuff that gets in the way. As I got older, I couldn?t work out what I wanted to do with my life. Philosophy seemed to be a non-committal way of staying in academia, without setting off on any particular career path. I think my dad could tell I was having a hard time finding a passion in life. He suggested I join him on a couple of film shoots he was performing in, and thanks to him and the director he was working with at the time, Tony Scott, I rediscovered my passion for film. That happened about 10 or 11 years ago. From that point on, film making and directing was all consuming. It has been ever since.

Q: Your London-based film company, Liberty Films, also makes commercials. You directed the acclaimed and controversial 2006 ?fighting lesbians? French Connection ad. Did you welcome the controversy, as French Connection UK probably did?

A: It?s a weird one that. That commercial was designed to be controversial. I know it?s silly, but it was incredibly effective in its juvenile way. For me, it was just loads of fun to shoot! The stuntwomen were great fun to work with, and I think we made something that looked bloody lovely, so job done! As a director, it was also a hell of a way to make an entrance on the advertising scene and got me noticed.

Q: You wrote the libretto for that ad. Have you done any writing for your current project, Moon?

A: Hahaha… Absolutely not! There’s only one musician in the family, and it’s not me!

Q: There is very little information available about Moon so far, other than that it is set on a moon base in the near future and the central character is an astronaut (played by Sam Rockwell), who is somehow stranded on the Moon for three years. We know it is an original story written by Nathan Parker, and you?ve said previously “Think some sci-fi classic from the 70s that somehow was over-looked and has only now been unearthed.” What more can you tell us?

A: I don?t want to say too much just yet… But, I wrote the original treatment for the film with a very specific goal; I wanted the audience to be completely unaware that we were a little British Film. That went for the look of it, the effects we used, the cast we had attached. Everything! What we designed was a self-contained world. A story that takes place on the Moon, both on the surface itself and in a moon base on the satellite?s far side. Visually it?s sparse, but gorgeous. The cast is tiny by design, revolving around Sam Rockwell, but includes people I really love like Matt Berry, Benedict Wong, and the extremely gorgeous Dominque McElligott and Kaya Scodelario.

Nathan and I batted the script back and forth while we were writing it, and had something we were very proud of, but Moon really got its flavor when I went out to New York to do rehearsals with Sam. He added his own inimitable character to the piece, and I did a lot of rewriting based on improvs he and I came up with. It’s a very weird thing. It?s proper sci-fi. It’s a thriller, there’s action, but it has a huge amount of heart and a very romantic side.

Q: There is a whisper that you will do a brief cameo. Have you filmed it yet? How did it go?

A: There was a planned cameo, but it?s so innocuous and insignificant, I highly doubt anyone beside me will even notice it… that?s if it survives the edit. It?s probably for the best. I?ve never felt comfortable in front of cameras.

Q: You?ve said the sets are incredible. Can you tell us more?

A: Well… let me put it this way… We built a moon base, in its entirety! The idea was to be able to wander about with the camera, and not have to worry about shooting off the edge of a set. The crew basically entered the base through the air lock at the start of the day, escaped for an hour at lunch, but otherwise spent 6 weeks working and living in a moon base! It was incredible. Intense. A bit like I would imagine Big Brother must be, if you are a contestant!

Q: It?s your first feature film as director. How are you enjoying the role?

A: It’s the most exhilarating, stressful, frustrating, wonderful experience I have ever had! This is what I am meant to be doing with my life, and I feel so fortunate that I have been able to survive long enough to get this film made. Now I just have to hope I have made something people will want to see, and I can make film number 2.

Q: Have you been inspired by any other directors? What are your own favorite films?

A: There’s too many to mention. The BIG one as far as inspirations go is North Shields own, Tony Scott. He gave me a chance to work for him a while back, and re-ignited my love of filmmaking. I’ll love him for that till the day I die. As far as directors I respect, the list is huge and eclectic. As long a list as my dad?s would be for musical influences. One director I would mention though is Spike Jonze, who was incredibly cool, taking time to discuss some technical issues with me when I was in production. I love all the stuff he does.

Q: It?s no secret that you have a pretty famous father, David Bowie. Is he looking forward to the film and has he offered you any advice?

A: Yeah.. I think its safe to say he is pretty excited about the film! As for advice? Don’t do interviews.

Hey, you can?t listen to your parents ALL the time, can you?

Collective wish Duncan Jones every success with his first feature film. It will show at the Sundance and Berlinale Film Festivals and also reach our multiplexes during 2009.