Video Interview: Antonio Campos (Christine)

She never stood a chance or perhaps, she finally stood her ground. Via Craig Shilowich’s original screenplay, an exploration of possible undiagnosed mental illness is featured alongside a much larger interpretation of empowerment in a workplace. Extending we’ll beyond an edited newsworthy story, in his third feature film, Antonio Campos’ Christine delves into the notion of “ownership” and how we both individually and collectively “frame” events. Featuring a badass ensemble (small market news room coifs and garb match the array of personalities) and a production design that makes 70s Sarasota, Florida feel cozily warm, and unlike Afterschool and Simon Killer, this complete character study isn’t all dark matter, exploitative or morbid, but rather, presents a Christine Chubbuck in a light that includes humor and hope.

I had the chance to once again sit down with Antonio Campos in Park City at Sundance and talking points ranged between the announcement of Borderline Film Presents, key choices made in the production design, strategic lensing of select sequences and finally, how it was to collaborate with someone you’re intimately close with in editor Sofia Subercaseaux. Opening in NYC’s Film Forum, Christine is now expanding in several other markets (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston) via The Orchard folks.