Spike Jonze & Lance Bangs
An Interview with Director Spike Jonze
- DirectorSpike Jonze & Lance Bangs
NICLAS LARSSON The first film by MJZ directors I’d like to talk about is Spike Jonze’s behind-the-scenes interview for Being John Malkovich. It’s an interview by Lance Bangs where Spike seems to develop a rather upset stomach while driving around in his Hyundai. We can all admire my friend Kristoffer Borgli’s fun interview videos today, but the original prankster was, and still is - Spike Jonze.
A note from Niclas
Now, from Frank Budgen and Jonathan Glazer, onto some legends I get to call my friends, since we share a production home. I remember when I first started out as a commercial maker, I was told that when someone joins MJZ, there’s nowhere else to go. It’s the NBA of production houses, and it’s true. This is where legends reside, and I’m daily humbled to share space with some true magicians.
The story behind
This interview, titled "An Interview with Director Spike Jonze", was filmed in September 1998 and is included as a bonus feature on the Criterion Collection edition of the film. The interview is known for its unconventional and humorous approach, characteristic of Jonze's style. It begins with Jonze positioning himself behind the steering wheel of his automobile, with the interviewer filming from the passenger seat. The conversation is abruptly interrupted when Jonze pulls over and exits the vehicle, leading to a moment of physical comedy. The interview concludes with Jonze vomiting, adding to the surreal and offbeat nature of the piece.