Barry Jenkins, following his surprise Best Picture win at the Oscars for “Moonlight,” sat down to chat with Eliza Hittman about her new film “Beach Rats.” They discussed some of the commonalities between both films, what it was like participating in “filmmaker therapy” and finding their way as new directors.
Both “Moonlight” and “Beach Rats” share similarities in theme with the representation of youth, identity, masculinity, and sexuality. Hittman explained that “through the casting process for [her previous film] ‘It Felt Like Love‘ I met some guys from the Gerritsen Beach area of Brooklyn who called themselves ‘beach rats’ ” and so from there the inspiration for the film began.
Many of those she came across during casting shared similar chaotic backgrounds with limited opportunities for the future, a history of trauma including the loss of a parent, drug addiction, incarceration and more. Similarly, in “Moonlight” the title character also finds himself frequently in trouble with the law, mixed up with drugs, as well as tackling the loss of both his parents. The films both share themes, but also represent two very different and beautiful ways of capturing a coming of age story about masculinity in an almost hyper-masculine environment.
READ MORE: ‘Moonlight’ Director Barry Jenkins To Helm ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’
Both Barry and Eliza fondly recall time spent at the Cinereach Fellowship in what they called “filmmaker therapy.” They enthusiastically thanked the staff there with Jenkins saying, “there would be no ‘Moonlight’ if it wasn’t for them,” having traveled the globe on writing retreats, spending time in both Brussels and Berlin. “It was a good time,” Jenkins recalled.
For more on what it’s like finding your footing as a new director (surviving feelings of ‘intense panic’) to working with some of the best cinematographers in the world, take a listen to the TalkHouse podcast below.