Robert Eggers is a name that has been floating around in the indie film circuit for a few years now. You may have seen his debut feature The Witch back in 2015. His latest film, The Lighthouse, is currently playing in select theaters and expanding throughout November. It's a period piece set in 1900 about two lighthouse keepers on an isolated island. In this interview with Filmmaker Magazine, Robert reflects on his career and what it took to get to this point.
Is Robert Eggers an Endangered Species?
Yes, Robert Eggers is an endangered species. He's the last of a dying breed of directors who are willing to take risks and push boundaries in order to tell stories that need to be told. In a time when studios are more interested in churning out predictable blockbusters than taking chances on new and innovative films, Eggers has remained true to his vision, and it's resulted in some truly groundbreaking cinema. From The Witch to The Lighthouse, Eggers has shown time and time again that he's not afraid to take risks, and that's something that should be celebrated. In an industry that often feels safe and predictable, Eggers is a breath of fresh air, and we need more directors like him.
What Lessons Did You Learn While Creating This?
Robert Eggers is a director known for his films The Witch and The Lighthouse. In an interview, he was asked what lessons he learned while creating his film The Northman. He said that the biggest lesson he learned was that directing is an insanely difficult job. He said that there are a million things to think about at any given moment, and if you're not constantly on your game, things can quickly fall apart. He also said that you have to be able to work with people who are extremely talented and very difficult to work with. He said that it's essential to be able to find a way to get along with people who are very different from you because ultimately, that's what filmmaking is all about.
Where Do Your Sensitivities Diverge From the Norm?
In terms of film, I'm very drawn to handheld work, and a lot of people I work with are very process-oriented. They're interested in cinema as an art form, but they're also interested in its history and its potential future. I'm very interested in what's happening now and how we can move cinema forward. I'm also interested in the story, not just the plot. And I think that my sensibility diverges from the norm in that I'm much more invested in character than most people are. Most people are interested in plot and concept, and those are important things, but for me, if the characters aren't rich and fully realized, then the movie is not going to be interesting. Additionally, I tend to be attracted to the dark subject matter. I think that our culture is becoming increasingly desensitized to violence, and I find that troubling. I'm also interested in exploring the idea of evil, both on a personal level and on a societal level. These are just some of the ways that my sensibilities diverge from the norm.
Final Thought
"Directing is an insane job. It's so much work and so many things have to come together and they all have to be perfect and if they're not perfect, it's your fault," Eggers says. "And you're the one who has to keep everything moving forward because if you don't, the whole thing falls apart.
It's a lot of pressure, but Eggers says he thrives on it. "I like being in charge," he says. "I like being the one who has to make the decisions." And he's not afraid of hard work. "You have to be willing to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week," he says. "That's just the way it is."
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