In June 2008 the production of lesbian werewolf horror/romance film “Jack and Diane” was left in limbo when Ellen Page decided to ditch her starring role as Diane because “there’s just too much focus on her and her career for her to be able to go off and do some super-experimental flick.” Now, over a year later, the film is back on track with Alison Pill as Diane, and a new web site that reveals more of the film’s story and visuals. In a statement on the web site, director Bradley Gray explains why Diane’s infatuation with Jack results in a lycanthropic transformaton:
When Diane first discovers love she is desperate to find out if her feelings are being returned. Only, she can’t find the words to explain how she feels. Her head gets fuzzy, she gets scared, she panics, and she transforms into a horrifically violent creature. This creature, though grotesque, becomes Diane’s way of saying, “I love you so much I want to eat you and put you inside me forever.”
An unconventional metaphor for a feeling many of us have experienced (it’s okay, you can admit it). Gabe Bartalos‘s werewolf’s design is also rather unconventional as well. Wishing to evoke Diane’s sexual frustration through a unique creature design, Bartalos is basing the werewolf’s design on a skinned polar bear (!). The film will also include animated sequences by the Brothers Quay that reveal the interior of Diane’s body: “a world of blood, hair and teeth.”
Unconventional indeed! The filmmakers have a clear vision for this movie. Here’s hoping that vision makes it to the screen effectively.
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