Swanberg comes to IU Cinema

Director Joe Swanberg will be at the IU Cinema today to promote his latest film, “Drinking Buddies.”

Starring Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson Ron Livingston and Anna Kendrick, the film tells the story of two friends who own a craft brewery together and their personal
relationships.

The film will screen at 6:30 p.m. today, 9:30 p.m. Friday and 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $3 for students and $6 for the general public and can be purchased at the IU Auditorium Box Office or at the IU Cinema 30 minutes prior to the showing.

Swanberg talked to the IDS about his career, including his fascination with craft beer and how his movies act as snapshots of his life.

IDS You are often described as a “mumblecore” director. What does that mean to you and your career, and what is it like to be a part of that community?

Joe Swanberg It’s great to be a part of the community.

That’s always been the natural organic part of it. We all discovered that we like each other’s film and we like working with each other.

Sometimes it’s used positively, and sometimes it’s used negatively. At this point, I’ve resigned to the label of being a mumblecore director.

IDS What movie/project are you most proud of and why?

Swanberg I’m always the most excited about the new ones.

“Drinking Buddies” is the one that I’m most proud of at the moment because it feels the most current, and it feels like the best reflection of who I am right now.

IDS Olivia, Jake, Anna and Ron play such different roles in the shows and movies they’ve been in. What was the chemistry like on set, and what was it like working with them as a team?

Swanberg I had a lot of fun working with all four of them on the movie. The chemistry was great.

It’s tricky because they didn’t have a lot of time to get to know each other, so they really dove in and built that chemistry almost right away.

IDS How would you describe your filmmaking style?

Swanberg I think thus far, it’s been naturalistic and almost documentary-like in its attempt to portray relationships.

I think that relationships and technology have been the two themes I keep going back to and often the way that technology effects communication in relationships.

IDS Are there any upcoming films or projects you have in the works that you’re super excited about right now?

Swanberg I’m finishing up a movie now called “Happy Christmas” that I made after “Drinking Buddies.”

It stars Lena Dunham, Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey and Mark Webber.

Follow reporter Alexis Benveniste on Twitter @apbenven.