Paul Schrader's Reflection on Mortality Inspires New Film
- After facing long COVID hospitalizations, Paul Schrader contemplates his mortality.
- This introspection leads him to create a movie centered around the theme of death.
- Schrader's urgency to depict mortality highlights the fragility of life in his upcoming film.
At the Cannes Film Festival, Schrader talked about his new movie, "Oh, Canada." It's been a long time since he competed at Cannes. The movie is a follow-up to his film "American Gigolo" from 1980. In "Oh, Canada," Schrader works again with Richard Gere, who became famous after "American Gigolo." Even though it's not the same story, Schrader sees "Oh, Canada" as a spiritual continuation of "American Gigolo." Schrader believes that making "Oh, Canada" is a good idea. He thinks people will be curious about it. He shared his script with others under certain conditions. Schrader wanted them to read it right away. Some people thought his career was failing, but Schrader saw it as a new beginning. He realized he could make a film and have full creative control. He told investors that he wouldn't make them rich, but he would make them feel fulfilled. Schrader believes in investing in movies rather than other things like toasters or tires. Schrader is still very interested in today's movies. He feels positive about the current time in the film industry.