Craig Zobel on being heckled at Sundance

Monday, January 23, 2012

Craig Zobel on being heckled at Sundance

Director Craig Zobel’s newest film “Compliance” was received by a charged audience at Sundance this weekend. To wit:

So, did you anticipate any of the reaction some of these viewers had to the film?
Actually, while I was casting the film, one actress that came in to read for the character of Sandra (played by Ann Dowd in the film) had had a similar reaction. I could tell something was wrong at the time, and I asked her. She said that she felt the situation in the script was subjugating women. I said, “Let’s talk about it, because that kind of question is the reason why I want to make this movie.”

So, this is a conversation you actually want to have?
Well, yeah, but as long as it’s a conversation. I mean, at yesterday’s screening, the first person to yell out was this woman who screamed, “Rape is not entertainment!” And I was like, “I agree! Why are we yelling?” But she left the theater without waiting for a response.

More here.