Eric Lavallee: Name me three of your favorite “2014 discoveries”…
Christopher Abbott: 1). Richard Hawley’s records Cole’s Corner and Truelove’s Gutter. 2). Marc Maron’s WTF podcast. 3). Anselm Kiefer sculptor/artist
Lavallee: Prior to playing the titular figure in Josh Mond’s James White, you were the visually tattooed/perhaps tormented central figure in his short film. How did that collaboration essentially assist in helping you reach the emotional depths demanded for this role?
Abbott: It didn’t really. But I think it started to establish how Josh and I would work together. We were friends already but hadn’t collaborated in that way yet.
Lavallee: Could you describe James relationship to with his mother, the unique bound they have and perhaps how that separation informs or influences his exchanges with those that surround him…
Abbott: I think their relationship in the film is pure, dependent, at times volatile and unhealthy, but its all out of love. They are friends not just relatives. James’ frustrations with her situation bleeds into all the other relationships in his life.
