Joaquin Phoenix's Bold and Controversial NC-17 Movie: Director Spills Exclusive Story Secrets

Summary

Todd Haynes and Joaquin Phoenix are collaborating on an upcoming gay romance film set in the 30s that features explicit sexual content.

The content fragment

Centering on the complex bond between a morally compromised detective in Los Angeles and a Native American individual, the movie delves into their joint expedition towards Mexico.

Venturing into the creation of an NC-17 rated film presents a fresh and formidable obstacle for Haynes and Phoenix, as it potentially influences funding and distribution. Nonetheless, the audacious subject matter has the potential to distinguish the film from others.

Todd Haynes, renowned filmmaker behind May December, Carol, Safe, and Far From Heaven, has unveiled exciting new information about his highly anticipated NC-17 film featuring Joaquin Phoenix. In an exclusive interview with Variety, Haynes shares details about the plot of their upcoming gay romance set in the 1930s. This love story explores the passionate relationship between a corrupt Los Angeles police officer and a Native American man, in a narrative that includes explicit sexual content. Haynes emphasizes the collaborative nature of the script-making process, with Phoenix's input elevating the story to more daring and risqué territory. The title and release date for this much-anticipated film are still kept secret. Hurry and read the full interview with Haynes below for all the juicy details!

Making An NC-17 Rated Film Is A Rick For Haynes and Phoenix

A steamy romantic tale ensues between two men in 1930s, with a daring exploration of their intimate desires. These individuals embody a Native American persona and a corrupt police officer in Los Angeles. As their love unfolds, they are compelled to escape the clutches of L.A. and seek refuge in Mexico. This captivating narrative delves into the passionate connection between the protagonists, incorporating a vivid sexual dimension. What makes this story remarkable is its inception from Joaquin's ponderings, ideas, and evocative imagery. Approaching me, he inquired, "Does this resonate with you in any way?" Intrigued, I responded, "Absolutely, this is truly fascinating." Thus, ensued countless engrossing phone conversations that culminated in a mesmerizing script. Joaquin's audacious vision pushed the boundaries, steering the narrative deeper into perilous sexual terrain.

Under Phoenix's influence, Haynes previously revealed that the movie's content was elevated to NC-17 level. This marks a new milestone for both Phoenix and Haynes, as they both have not ventured into the realm of NC-17 films before. While Haynes has included explicit sexual scenes in his previous works, such as the 2015 movie "Carol," none have till date reached the extreme levels depicted in recent films like "Blonde," which obtained an NC-17 rating.

Promoting the film's "strong sexual component" presents challenges for the gay romance genre. As the film is still in pre-production, financing may become difficult due to its adult-themed content. Distribution can also be a hurdle for NC-17 films, as many theaters are hesitant to screen them due to their explicit nature.

However, by delving into daring and "dangerous" sexual content within a queer period narrative, the Haynes-Phoenix collaboration could stand out. Although wide releases for NC-17 films are rare in the United States, some have successfully achieved limited-release screenings. For example, the French film Blue is the Warmest Color, a lesbian coming-of-age story, found international success despite its explicit content. By combining high-level graphic content with a gay romance, Haynes' film has the potential to be a groundbreaking production in the United States.

Source: Variety