INDEX
I Enjoy Confronting Challenges with the Energy of Dance and Music. It’s the Lifestyle I Value
– The deliberate incorporation of electric elements into the New Orleans landscape caught my attention. I’m fascinated by the multiple nods to club music, from the choice of music to the character Faz, who DJs and attempts to connect with Mona Lisa, to the inclusion of a T-shirt proclaiming “RAVE TO THE GRAVE.” Could you elaborate on the relationship between club music culture and the essence of this film?
Amiripour: Because that’s me and I love it! (Laughs)
-That’s right (laughs).
Amiripour: I love club music and its scene. In New Orleans, jazz is famous and rave culture is not that big, but that’s what I love, so I combined it with the energy of the city as the magic of the film.
Fuzz was a really fun character to create. I think I may have inadvertently created my ideal man (laughs). Well, I can’t stay with him all the time because of his eye-catching fashion. ……
He can also be seen as a “techno Buddha”. When he first appeared, some audience members might have thought he was a bad guy because of his flashy looks. But if you feel that way, you will never meet the side of Buddha that Faz has (laughs).
-Certainly, Fuzz exudes charisma. Regarding dance, the powerful scene featuring Bonnie’s son, Charlie, and Mona Lisa engaging in the intense dance form known as “hacking” left a lasting impression. What does dance symbolize or represent in the context of this film?
Amiripour: When I was younger, before I got into club music like techno and house, I used to release my anger and frustration by dancing to hard rock and heavy metal. So that scene was inspired by my actual experience.
I think the way Charlie boy is hustling in this scene is where we get a glimpse of his true nature. It is a scene where you can feel how he is trying to deal with his emotions. I like the way of life in which he faces his emotions with the help of dance and music.
What I really like about this scene is that Charlie shows Mona how to cope with the obstacles she faces in life. It is so pure and it is a gift that she receives as a person for the first time. It is something so beautiful. I think it’s about overcoming differences and connecting through music, no matter what your situation is, no matter what your background is. And since Mona has a special ability to control something, including other people, maybe that’s where she learned how to relax.
