We chat to the two Irish legends about the dangers of eating buttered toast, why it’s always important to lock the bathroom door and there might, just might, be a mention of something called Star Wars…
The brilliantly bizarre and wonderfully weird Frank heads in to Irish cinemas today and, to mark the occasion, JOE sat down with the film’s supremely-talented Dublin director Lenny Abrahamson (Adam & Paul, Garage, What Richard Did) and one of the country’s most exciting acting talents, Domhnall ‘holy sh*t I’m going to be in Star Wars’ Gleeson. (You can also check out JOE’s interview with his deadly Dad and star of Calvary, Brendan ‘I’m not in Star Wars’ Gleeson, by clicking here).
Frank, a simply superb Irish drama/comedy (dramedy? comma?), is loosely based on the excellent memoirs of journalist Jon Ronson and the time that he spent touring and gigging with comedian Frank Sidebottom. Nothing out of the ordinary there you might say… apart from the fact that Frank just happened to wear a giant round mask on his head at all times.
The fantastic new film follows Jon the aspiring musician (Domhnall Gleeson) as he chances upon an eccentric American band called The Soronprfbs (don’t worry, not even the band members can pronounce the name of their own group), a collection of musical misfits led by the genius – or possibly very idiotic – Frank (Michael Fassbender).
Michael’s the mysterious music man in the mask… we think.
Both Domhnall and Lenny were in great form as we sent Eoghan Doherty along to geek out and chat about how you sell a film that hides its global superstar under a giant round head, their Karaoke songs – and Shiterature (toilet reading material, obviously) – of choice, and we challenge them to music-themed spelling bee. Fun times.
BUT WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T MENTION THE (STAR) WARS…
Check out the very funny trailer for Frank below, a film that, as the director himself so succinctly describes it, is about a man in a head. We couldn’t have put it better ourselves Lenny…
Frank heads into Irish cinema on Friday 9 May. That’s today so go see it you muppets. You should also check out JOE’s Five Favourite Franks In film while you’re at, just click here.
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