Garth Davis - FOE
After directing the critically acclaimed film Lion, which earned 6 Oscar nominations at the 2016 Academy Awards, Australian director Garth Davis was rightfully highly sought after. Now Garth returns with his latest film, Foe, starring Saoirse Ronan & Paul Mescal.
Ahead of the release of the film, Garth sat down with us for an episode of The Commentary Booth podcast to discuss the inspirations, creative journey & themes of the film. Unlike his previous directorial efforts, for Lion & Mary Magdalene, Garth undertook even more responsibility with Foe to help mould the story to his vision. Garth acted as director, producer & co-writer of the screenplay alongside Iain Reid, the original writer of the novel of the same name.
During the conversation, Garth explained what it was about this story that compelled him to adapt it into a film.
"Somebody suggested I should read the book, so I did & I pretty much fell in love with it straight away. At first, I was taken by how visual it was. I felt like I'd entered an old movie... I was watching the movie in my mind when I was reading the book."
While a rich visual element is crucial for filmmaking there also has to be a compelling story that resonates with the audience at the core of it. According to Garth, Foe has that.
"I would just say it's a relationship story set in the near future as opposed to a dystopian sci-fi thriller," explained Garth when asked to describe the film. "I just really encourage people to watch the film because it is so rich & there's so much to get from it... Even though it sounds complicated, it is very simple. It's very focused on this loving relationship in this isolated farmhouse. They're like soulmates in many ways, but over time they're just taking each other for granted and they've kind of grown apart."
Upon watching the film what we found most compelling was how this relationship dynamic & story acts as a metaphor for climate change & the global attitude towards that very serious issue.
Pleasantly Garth shared a similar opinion & was cognisant of weaving that narrative into the film.
"The state of this marriage is reflected metaphorically in the environment," Garth said proudly. "When we take each other for granted, we lose the preciousness of that relationship. It's the same with the planet, when we take for granted nature, we lose it as well!"
Alongside the topics of love, relationships & climate change Garth & Iain have also managed to weave in a plethora of other important themes. As we watched the film we noted themes surrounding; artificial intelligence, technology, corporatised governments, factory farming & even mental health. In speaking with Garth we learned that some of these came to be rather naturally during the filmmaking process.
"All of those broader themes kind of bubble up naturally, not necessarily through design," recalled Garth. "Even now, watching the film, I pick up on different things that come through... I guess that's what is great about film, you're telling the story through the richness of that so these themes start to surface in the making of it."
Bearing all of that in mind Garth told us there is one thing he wants audiences to take from the film.
"Hopefully it just makes people reflect & ask, 'Am I living the life I want to live? And am I taking care in all of my choices?'"
FOE is in cinemas now!
Pario Magazine stands in solidarity & support of SAG-AFTRA in their fight for better working conditions.
Our publication has always been focused on the creative brilliance of these individuals rather than on the business of film/tv. As such we will continue to highlight their creative talents during this time so that their contributions to our entertainment are not overlooked.
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