PODCAST: FRED’s Chiara Nicoletti interviews Christine Vachon, producer and co-founder of Killer Films from the 66th Berlinale
To listen to the interview, click on the ► icon on the right, just above the photo
Producer and co-founder of Killer Films, Christine Vachon, has produced some of the most impressive and celebrated American films of the last few decades. Among them, Carol, I’m Not There, Still Alice and Far from Heaven. FRED caught up with her in Berlin, where she was in attendance to support the presentation of her latest production, Goat by Andrew Neel, which was featured in the Panorama section of the 66th Berlin International Film Festival.
The story of Goat is quite interesting. Its screenplay was based on a book by Brad Land, and written by David Gordon Green, who had originally intended to direct it. It was only 10 years later that Vachon, along with producer David Hinojosa, decided to shake the dust of it and offer the role of director to Neel.
Anticipation for the film is quite high, not only given the great body of work that she had produced in the past, but also considering the success of some of her more recent production such as Carol. We talk about Carol with her, and she reveals that the 6 Oscar nominations that the film earned, she did not expect but very much hoped for. Taking the opportunity of interviewing such an influential producer, we also ask her about the differences between American and European independent productions, as well as the selection critaria to find great movies to produce.
Listen to our interview with Andrew Neel, director of Goat – FRED English channel
CHRISTINE VACHON is an Independent Spirit Award and Gotham Award winner who co-founded indie powerhouse Killer Films with partner Pamela Koffler in 1995. Over the past decade and a half, the two have produced some of the most celebrated American indie features including Far from Heaven (nominated for four Academy Awards), Still Alice (Academy Award winner), Boys Don’t Cry (Academy Award winner), One Hour Photo, Kids, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Happiness, Velvet Goldmine, Safe, I Shot Andy Warhol, Camp, Swoon and I’m Not There (Academy Award nominated). In television, Vachon recently executive-produced the Emmy and Golden Globe winning miniseries Mildred Pierce for HBO and an upcoming series on Amazon based on the life of Zelda Fitzgerald. Other recent work includes: Kill Your Darlings, Magic Hour, Carol directed by Todd Haynes and Wiener-Dog written and directed by Todd Solondz.