Can you discuss depicting these toxic male stereotypes and their interactions? It is hard to listen to, but that's what makes it so effective. The pervasive language, which consists of homophobia, racism, sexism and entitlement, is numbing. Gettys is a complicated character who is kind of anti-authority, but he also wants to, as he says, "f**k chicks and be popular in college." At one point, Tom vocalizes what the audience is asking, which is, "Why do you keep doing this?" He wants to fit in - even though he is complicated and terrible. Gettys and Mitch are like two characters in a Western - the sheriff and bad guy. Annabelle has the strength to do what he doesn't. Tom has a million opportunities to leave or just not participate and he begrudgingly goes along with things. Mitch is traumatized, and he uses that trauma to inflict trauma on others, which I feel is a staple of hazing culture. People say that politicians are fake, and I feel like politicians are born in fraternities - this kind of "protect the house at all costs" mentality. Todd represents the contradiction that exists between the way that fraternities present themselves and what is actually happening. How did you envision the conflicts each character would face? Gettys is the young upstart, and Annabelle is the moral center. Todd represents leadership and authority. Mitch craves respect, but he does not earn that respect from others. Not every fraternity brother will like it, but that's OK. So, I think there probably are some people who are concerned about the film. When we are shooting, the American Interfraternity Council wrote a letter to try to get us shut down. Maybe the film will force them to ask themselves if it was worth it - whether this institution that they pledged allegiance to has an allegiance to them? I'm not looking to answer anything, just provoke questions. How do you think that plays for people who participate in this culture? The film is reinforcing and critiquing the frat culture. They knew I was making a movie critiquing fraternities, and they chose to be in it anyway. There are a bunch of kids who were in a fraternity at the University of South Carolina, and they play pledges in the movie. It's the first time they are alone and without their parents. ![]() I think people join fraternities because they want to fit in. I don't think a lot of people are proud of their fraternity membership 10 years after the fact. We wanted to make a movie that felt like an authentic representation of frat life to people who were in them, but also make a movie that appealed to people like me, who think they are a problem.ĭo you think people who are in frats will appreciate that "The Line" is authentic, even though the film doesn't paint them in a good light? Fraternities are about secrecy and how keeping secrets makes you loyal. This stuff all happens, it just happens in basements. How much could you expose regarding frat life and this subculture? There are scenes that depict initiation rites and hazing rituals, but little of the activity is explicitly shown. In addition, a kid who was in a fraternity moved into my apartment, and we used his experience to come up with the screenplay. During their hell week, they had listen to that song, it's "Blue," by Eiffel 65, which we used in the film, for the whole week. I wasn't in a fraternity, but I lived next door to one. It's an obvious question, but were you a fraternity brother? "Bama Rush": The 7 biggest revelations from Max's University of Alabama sorority rush documentaryīerger spoke with Salon about making his feature directorial debut, "The Line." The film depicts the consequences of young men with more power and money than sense. "The Line" shows how Tom grapples with his conflicting emotions and loyalties, as well as how Annabelle ( Halle Bailey), a classmate Tom befriends, helps guide him as he faces a moral quandary. This is a tall order, and it becomes difficult to manage when things escalate during a retreat at Mitch's family home. ![]() Todd likes Gettsy, Mitch doesn't, and Tom has to keep everyone, including the brash Gettys, in line. However, Tom gets embroiled in a power struggle when freshman Gettys O'Brien (Austin Abrams) pledges KNA. He appreciates the brotherhood and community his frat provides, as well as connections he has with his wealthy roommate Mitch (Bo Mitchell), and the house director, Todd ( Lewis Pullman). ![]() The film, which has its World Premiere June 9 at the Tribeca Film Festival, is a morality play involving Tom Backster ( Alex Wolff), a fraternity brother in the fictional Sumpter College's fictional Kappa Nu Alpha chapter. Toxic masculinity, fraternity culture and critical thinking are scrutinized in "The Line," director/cowriter Ethan Berger's impressive cautionary tale about and hazing.
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