Alex Garland Breaks Down the Making of Men and How Attack on Titan Influenced the Film

With Men now playing in theaters, I recently got to speak with writer-director Alex Garland about making his latest film. During the interview, Garland talked about how Men doesn’t explain everything, why he likes to not spoon feed the audience, if he felt any pressure to give more answers, how Attack on Titan influenced the film and made him raise his game, how he worked with director of photography Rob Hardy on the color scheme, and more. Additionally, he talked about unproduced screenplays, what someone should watch if you’ve never seen his work, and what he’d make if he could get the financing to do any project.
If you haven’t seen the trailers, Men is about a young woman (Jessie Buckley) who travels to the English countryside to try and heal from a personal tragedy. Unfortunately for her, someone or something from the surrounding woods might be stalking her. Men also stars Rory Kinnear, Paapa Essiedu, and Gayle Rankin.
#Men #MenMovie #AlexGarland
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[@emergencyfood7660]

I love that A24 allows directors to do anything they want, everything we get from them is pure, unfiltered creativity

[@civy420]

If I'm rich af and I love cinema I would definitely embrace these director with 100% supports like a father love without any returns

[@lb2696]

Except the new Scream ripoff film they are putting out looks like absolute crap.

[@rodiape]

Totally agree , I really appreciate that A24 exists and allow this projects to be done, even if some fail or are misunderstood. There is so much repetitive trash produced in Hollywood that this movies a feel like a breath of fresh air.

[@pb.j.1753]

LOL. That did not happen with Pleasure. The film famously went from A24 to NEON cause A24 wanted to censor it.

[@pb.j.1753]

Also a good studio gives notes that helps the film and the filmmaker. "Pure, unfiltered" is such an illusion and wet dream of A24 fans

[@jumokemilton]

One of the Best directors working today he deserves way more praise.

[@chasehedges6775]

Indeed. Annihilation is an absolute masterpiece.

[@jamesfurfaro4950]

Honestly, so rare I think a about a film even a week after I see it, but with Ex Machina & Annihilation, I was thinking about them for weeks to months, maybe a year after I saw it. Excited to see Men, I'm sure however I like it, it'll be just as imaginative and thought provoking.

[@SpiffDico]

Even if I wasn’t a fan of Men, I do agree that Alex Garland deserves to be talked about, in the same way Dennis Villeneuve is.

[@helvete_ingres4717]

he's a writer; not really a director at all

[@jumokemilton]

@@helvete_ingres4717 yet everything he directs is gold

[@terenceflynn5125]

Well, I just watched Men with my Mum. She thought it was great, until she didn’t think it was great. And she really, really didn’t think it was great at the end.

[@skylinerunner1695]

Terence, I'm 100 percent with your Mom on this. I was gripped, thrilled and even moved by the first two thirds, but that end sequence undid the great work that preceded it. I understood the visual metaphor's meaning but found it too nauseatingly disgusting to care one way or the other. A real pity as the movie was on track to be a near flawless example of the genre.

[@terenceflynn5125]

@BanquetOfTheLeviathan I can’t even imagine being high and watching this.. I hope you enjoyed your trip buddy 😂

[@REAL.Comedy]

Don’t know the current consensus of Alex Garland as a writer/director, but I believe he already deserves to be considered a pioneer/icon. He’s one of the few still creating art through film - not only does his work entertain while being watched, it leaves a lasting impression (in terms of both visuals and meaning). Thank you, Alex

[@ToontownYeets]

He's my favorite filmmaker/writer. I really hope he teams up with Danny Boyle again someday.

[@neznau623]

Never in my life I imagened to see Alex Garland talking about AoT. Mind blown

[@KobraCola]

As someone who has heard of Attack on Titan, but never watched/read any of it, but is intrigued after this video.... what movie(s) is he referring to? Wikipedia lists 11 Attack on Titan-related entries and I have no idea where to start lmao. My best guess is the 2015 films, the 2013 animated series, or the 2015 live-action web series...? Any help would be gladly welcomed! Lol

[@neznau623]

@@KobraCola nonono those movies are very very very bad and are very loosely based on original manga, best way to start is either watch anime Aot (I belive thats what Alex is referring to) starting from season 1, or read manga starting from 1st chapter, but anime is better to my taste, the action scenes are crazy.

[@KobraCola]

@@neznau623 lol ok thank you. So I assume that's the 2013 anime/animated TV series

[@neznau623]

@@KobraCola yes, 2013 anime. Enjoy!

[@KobraCola]

@@neznau623 thanks! To be honest, I've struggled with anime in the past, but I have to see part of inspiration for this fantastic film.

[@seancorrigan7448]

So much incredible talent involved in this film. "Sunshine" is an underrated classic! Great interview as always.

[@juliuspryce8514]

Love that movie to. Just minus monster man from the end and it's a masterpiece

[@JeckeL007]

Kaneda! What do you see?!

[@pamelabonaparte9383]

This guy is Brilliant. I love when a director makes you use your brain and makes sure you are paying attention. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Zeennnnnnbs]

He’s honestly a trash director

[@chasehedges6775]

He’s a fantastic director

[@emperorpalpatine6239]

A fantastic writer too

[@pacfdaworld]

Alex is a beast of a director and the human mind. I hated and loved “ men” its very thought provoking and insane And i love you for that. Thanks bro

[@ceterfo]

Dog from the beginning to the end all bangers no skips even though you wish you could.

[@pacfdaworld]

@@ceterfo your mom!?

[@spectronimus]

I can put him up there with Kubrick, because he's always controversial, mind bending and always terrifying on an existential level. Not to mention how humble and meticulous he is. Ex-Machina and the Annihilation for me, are modern classic sci-fi pictures . Something familiar and yet it's all kinds of genres and styles. I also appreciate how he downplays his part in making a movie, he says he's got the dream team and someone had to be the director on paper...nothing short of exceptional, everyone who worked with Alex Garland imho

[@zanderkahres8112]

Number 1 reason I will go see any a24 film even if I walk out more confused I will ever be in my life. Directors and writers have the vision and they should be aloud to do as they please

[@joelgabriel7066]

I like how passionately Alex Garland describes all his ways of thinking

[@chadanderson9872]

We are so lucky to have A24 wide releasing weird cinema.

[@E_l_l_i_e]

Creative cinema

[@DuDEwithAGuN]

Great interview! Loved the Attack on Titan discussion! Gives a great deal of context to the ending. :)

[@paulrenet190]

Could you please explain the link with SNK? I absolutely loved that show, and I've watched Men this week but I can't figure out the link with attack on titan, I did not get his point, please light me up ;)

[@chrisw451]

Great interview with an amazing creative talent. Thank you!

[@ulfingvar1]

ALL your directorial work is exceptional, don't put yourself down.

[@nemohalperin]

Just watched Men on my own and finding it frustrating as there's no one I know who has seen it for me to discuss it with! I really liked how it metaphorically explores the infantilism of men and juxtaposes this with the endurance of women. How they can lack self awareness and can be unreasonably selfish and demanding. Although scathing it was also forgiving. Conveying a multitude of emotions and feelings. If any film can provoke that depth of reaction and thought it has to be an important message. Beautifully shot with impressive central performances.

[@nemohalperin]

@BanquetOfTheLeviathan Rather bizarre comment. No one is 'entitled' to affection. If it's not freely given without precondition then it's meaningless.

[@michaelrodriguez-qv9sh]

The man is a genius

[@edancarr2305]

It would be amazing if he was working on the screenplay adaptation of Rendezvous with Rama with Denis Villeneuve… One can dream.

[@Metzthe1st]

Fantastic interview as always!

[@Gholla87]

One of the best working in the movie business

[@interlinkedMedia]

8:58 for AOT discussion. C'mon Colider.

[@adamJKpunk]

This dude conducting the interview is exhausting. I’m surprised Alex didn’t fake his own death to get out of it.

[@Blindswordsman1994]

😂😂

[@paulmckenna6247]

😂

[@TheMellowGrenade]

Really enjoyed MEN!, it was bizarre and interesting and left me thinking about it after i'd watched it. Thats the most I expect from a movie!, i'm sure some people will have knee jerk reactions and get up on their soapbox, but everything made sense within the scope of the story.

[@simonmasson3925]

Maybe you can explain it to me because it made no sense to me.

[@myfathersson3751]

I went today.that ending😱😱😱😱 traumatized me

[@ryangoodrich4148]

Yup same but as a think about it, pretty great movie as a whole just not sure I’ll ever watch it again

[@Resuarus]

I can definitely see that inspiration now that he mentions it.

[@Sierralara]

Men was incredible and DEVS needs a 4K UHD release! Alex Garland is a master of his craft.

[@spreiselbeerleprv]

The raising the game aspect really shows in "Men". For a long time I didn't watch a horror movie cativating me like that, making me wrap my arms aurund my body, holding my hands in front of my face and also scream "post the adress now, do make a picture!" 😁 Or in short: This movie is one of the heaviest things I've ever seen, at the same time luring one into the story and telling "do not watch this, its hard stuff". "Men" is in my oppinion one of the best horror/psychological films ever made. =)

[@bertiebrown581]

You heard him Netflix, back-up the money-truck to Alex Garland’s house so he can write/direct a live-action Attack on Titan series

[@barbcarroll5265]

fabulous interview. i just watched men and blew me away.

[@Monetize_This]

I didn’t care for it but Men was gorgeously shot and interestingly directed up to around the last 1/3. The most beautiful Film that I’ll never watch again. Such an interesting writer/director

[@SaintVodou]

So perceptive (like EX MACHINA) that I wondered if it wasn’t secretly made by a woman, but knowing it’s made by a straight male gives me hope…

[@bennygerow]

Awesome interview!

[@raphk9599]

Bravo!

[@hauntedhose]

Love Alex’ demeanor…not a giggling dumdum and a guy who’s direct and honest to the point…❤️

[@chriscantos8109]

Please work with fincher

[@likewhoa1030]

I watch whatever this man makes or has a hand in.

[@JuicySmooyay]

How about gozu from Takashi Miike on the final segment of the film

[@chadanderson9872]

My exact thought while watching it.

[@bowi1332]

One of my favourite auteur/director.

[@mmgbtv]

I'd love another book The Beach was great!! The Tesseract probably my second favorite of his novels.

[@ceterfo]

Mutations, I could not look away that was tramatic in a beautiful way.

[@DuendeCaughtOnTape]

Excellent film!

[@micsway]

The mutation sequence was probably the most grotesque scenes I’ve ever seen. Attack on titan must be F up!

[@Katherine-nq9ri]

F*cked up and a half

[@mrcoal69]

Alex Garland is the low-budget Christopher Nolan and I don't mean he is not good but he has a creative depth theat rivals, Christopher Nola, given the fact that he hasn't made a movie over 40 million.

[@civy420]

09:41 Alex talked about how Attack on titan affect his movie MEN.

[@HuplesCat]

The whole interview is good but thanks anyway

[@flyduck]

Alex has integrity

[@misspp7148]

This film is nauseating and disgusting… but I cannot tell you how often I’ve felt that feeling when in the presence of toxic masculinity. I love men, but there is also the position of the female in a society, which unfortunately is still one of forced subjugation and objectification. That’s a societal ill that goes WAY back into history and at this point is just ingrained. And it is societal, no more an individual modern man’s fault than anything else his ancestors have done. I’m hedging a bet that ALL females will “get” this film, and some males won’t. Just because, from a young age we are taught to live in fear. to protect ourselves. In the UK we have police officers murdering women, one had the nickname at work “The Rapist”, yet he was free to use his position of power to hurt and terrorise women until he killed. Society is sick, and sometimes women are right to be afraid, because it is exactly like that horror movie monster that won’t die… it just keeps getting the hell up and chasing us. That constant rebirthing at the end is what that feeling is, and BECAUSE of society and toxic masculinity, many of the male perpetrators are also in a great deal of pain - that’s the whole INCEL thing. All I can say is that I felt everything in this movie viscerally. Brilliantly uncomfortable to watch. Amazing performances by the incredible Jessie Buckley and the amazing Rory Kinnear too.

[@BosnTV]

lol love this guy

[@ulfingvar1]

Garland is the kind of director that in the future will be regarded as one of the Masters! A little unsung today, but much loved by a devoted fan base.

[@user-ot5fx8or7t]

Alex garland best☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️⚛⚛⚛ my favorite screenplay 28 days later dark,🖤🖤🖤🖤 movie alex mad director time🙏🙏✌✌✌✌💯💯💯

[@JohnnyBurnes]

What's weirder, end of Men or End Of Evangelion? ..........Still Eva, but a good try!

[@oddjhi]

Man of culture 👏🏾

[@JohnnyBurnes]

... Anyone else laugh during Men's finale? I sure did! 11/5 STARS! Had a great time!

[@Scott_Inksmith]

The ending by far made it comedy of the year. Would birth again.

[@LutherTaylor]

atttack on titan influenced the film.......WHAT? edit: ah im at the attack on titan bit now. I personally thought he was inspired by a film called Gozu

[@Klayhamn]

Now that he mentions it - i can see a lot of "attack on titan" in this film......

[@johnnyhardin3708]

Take a well deserved break, Alex

[@mctapoutos7426]

MAN was such a disappointment, Alex is a great writer but he needs a proper producer

[@zaroffhound]

Be surprised if Garland hasn't seen Xtro though...

[@andykww]

Voice and mannerisms, he's like a white Idris Elba.

[@carolinelambert5827]

I do smell narcissism when I watch him speak. Nevertheless, having been subjected to that kind of suicide guilt trip, I found this film quite funny and well done. Still, is it "men" or is toxic masculinity just another cover for a certain condition no one can deal with? I suppose they are quite intertwined.

[@cut7995]

I don't really get why Americans pronounce the word IDEA as I-DEER

[@goodjohnjr]

I do not pronounce it like that, and I am from the South.

[@Christopher-888]

"Nothing fancy like a Marvel movie"....well that's the best news being they all are just made for kids and teens who don't know great films. The movies of the past 18 years have not been good from Hollywood except for Martin Scorsese films.

[@jezefelto333]

If Amber Turd played the lead role in "Men", it would be 10/10 ;D

[@CGokce6]

first quarter of the film was terrifying then it becomes pretentious afterwards

[@lucasrafe0]

I don't think terrifying and pretentious are opposites.

[@CGokce6]

@@lucasrafe0 ah you're right. I guess I mean it becomes less scary and more over the top...tongue-in-cheek body horror.

[@funmachine3]

it was the husbands foot coming outta the guys mouth that I was like “alright dude, now you just fucked it up”. the mutations/births were disturbing and then the foot came… **facepalm** “ok just stop dude, this shits laughable now”. come out thru his forehead or something, or at least come hands out first. for god sakes why the feet man, it was too cartoonish it came off corny

[@igormendonca4026]

disagreeable ENFJ with developed Ni and Se

[@Zipstone]

This was a dreadful movie, unfortunately

[@OldFatherGaming]

Why you watching this interview then?

[@Zipstone]

@@OldFatherGaming I like Alex Garland.

[@OldFatherGaming]

@@Zipstone nah

[@user-ml2vd6hh8u]

A24 is a feminist film company and Alex garland is a male feminist.

[@hassanzaidi2243]

Really what a pathetic movie, that has no heads or tail. This producer or director is a complete nut job to make such a time waste movie.

[@ryansheehy7368]

His first 2 movies were a lot better then this trust me. I wasn’t the biggest fan of this either but Annihilation & Ex Machina are incredible

[@IJohnSmith]

@@ryansheehy7368 Devs (2020) as well, arguably his best imo. Men was really a step down from the rest.

[@KomissarLohmann]

I know... You must be having a terrible headache right now, so much stress on that tiny brain.

[@OMAR-vq3yb]

I like Garland but 'Men' was artsy woke rubbish. The film feeds into the modern woman's victimhood complex while demonizing men. I'll give him a pass though as I like his past work.

[@user-nm3gg7rq2d]

Absolute garbage.