Rick Alverson

Patrick James Alverson Jr. (born June 25, 1971) is an American film director, screenwriter and musician living in Richmond, VA.[1] His films have been characterized by their confrontational nature and departure from traditional 3 act structure.[2][3]

Rick Alverson
Alverson in 2011
Born
Patrick James Alverson Jr.

(1971-06-25) June 25, 1971
Spokane, Washington, U.S.
OccupationFilmmaker
Years active1996–present
Websitemadebedproductions.com

Career

Films

Alverson’s first films were considered in the neorealist tradition because of their use of non-actors and unscripted dialogue, as well as their immigrant, working class subject matter. His first,The Builder (2010), featured co-writer Colm O'Leary in his debut performance as an Irish immigrant struggling to reconcile the American ideal and its manifestation in the real world. Premiering at Rotterdam Film Festival, New Jerusalem (2011), his second feature, starring Colm O'Leary and Will Oldham, again considered the immigrant experience, this time through the lens of religious ideology.

The Comedy (2012), a departure from the subtle form and subject matter of Alverson’s previous films, starred cult-comic Tim Heidecker in his first dramatic role. The film’s subject matter and refusal to cast moral judgment on its characters were considered controversial.[4][5] It examined the flawed idea of an attainable American utopia, a concept recurrent throughout Alverson’s work. Heidecker played Swanson, an upper class, white male confrontationally attempting to define the limitations of the world around him.[6] The third film to be executive produced and funded by the independent record label Jagjaguwar, The Comedy premiered in U.S. dramatic competition at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.[7]

His fourth feature, Entertainment (2015), starring Gregg Turkington, also cast comedic actors in a dramatic context, exploring the relationship between viewership and performance.[8] Both formally and visually his most ambitious to date, the film garnered high praise from critics upon its U.S. premiere at Sundance.[9] It premiered in international competition at the Locarno Film Festival. The Guardian called it “a road trip to the center of a harrowing abyss.” Magnolia Pictures released Entertainment in November 2015 to further critical praise.

In 2017, Alverson directed and edited a short film entitled William Eggleston: Musik in support of the photographer's first collection of musical compositions.[10]

Alverson's fifth feature, The Mountain (2018), premiered in competition at the 75th Venice International Film Festival.[11] Set in early 1950s America, the film stars Tye Sheridan, Jeff Goldblum, Hannah Gross, Udo Kier and Denis Lavant[12] and is loosely based on the American neurologist Walter Freeman's fall from grace after the procedure he invented, the lobotomy, came under scrutiny.[13] Referring to the film as "anti-utopian", Alverson has described it as a "counterweight" to the American "narrative of unlimited potential and boundless opportunity" in favor of an emphasis on the value of limitations.[14]

Alverson's frequent collaborators include Colm O'Leary, Tim Heidecker, Gregg Turkington, and Tye Sheridan.

Videos

Alverson has directed music videos for Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Benjamin Booker, Strand of Oaks, Night Beds, Gregor Samsa and Oneohtrix Point Never.[15]

Music

In addition to his directorial work he has released 10 records, most recently with his band Lean Year in 2017. Alverson was the brains behind his previous band Spokane.[16][17]

Filmography
Year Title Director Writer Producer Editor Other Notes
2010 The Builder Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Also cinematographer
2011 New Jerusalem Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Also cinematographer
2012 The Comedy Yes Yes Yes Yes
2015 Entertainment Yes Yes Yes Yes
2017 William Eggleston: Musik Yes Yes Yes Short film
2018 The Mountain Yes Yes Yes Yes

Discography

Lean Year
  • Lean Year | Western Vinyl (2017)

Spokane

  • Little Hours | Jagjaguwar (2007)
  • Measurement | Jagjaguwar (2005)
  • Able Bodies | Jagjaguwar (2003)
  • Close Quarters | Acuarela (2001)
  • Proud Graduates | Jagjaguwar (2001)
  • Leisure and Other Songs | Jagjaguwar (2000)
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References
  1. "Rick Alverson - Made Bed Productions". Rick Alverson - Made Bed Productions. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  2. "BOMB Magazine — Rick Alverson by Ryan Sheldon". bombmagazine.org. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  3. "Interview: Rick Alverson on Making Trouble with "Entertainment"". The Moveable Fest. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  4. "BOMB Magazine — Rick Alverson by Ryan Sheldon". bombmagazine.org. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  5. "No Catharsis in 'The Comedy'". www.austinchronicle.com. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  6. "'The Comedy' Is Not Joking Around". www.austinchronicle.com. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  7. ""The Comedy" – First impressions of Tim Heidecker's controversial Sundance film". IFC. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  8. "Overhauling the Philosophy of Filmmaking with 'Entertainment' Director Rick Alverson". No Film School. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  9. "Sundance Review: Rick Alverson's 'Entertainment' Is A Twisted, Existential Comedic Masterwork". The Playlist. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  10. "Documentary Premiere: William Eggleston's Secret World Of 'Musik'". NPR.org. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  11. "Venice Fest Lineup Includes Coens, Luca Guadagnino and Alfonso Cuaron". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  12. Lodge, Guy (August 30, 2018). "Venice Film Review: 'The Mountain'". Variety. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  13. "Jeff Goldblum wants to pick your brains in lobotomy movie 'The Mountain'". Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  14. ""Passive populations are dangerous": The Mountain director Rick Alverson discusses the importance of challenging his viewers". The Upcoming. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  15. Alverson, Rick. "Made Bed Productions Site". Retrieved November 24, 2011.
  16. "Spokane". Retrieved November 24, 2011.
  17. ""Come and See" by Lean Year Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
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