Filmmaker Boots Riley spoke about his writing and directing process, experiences working with studios and the themes explored in his work during a talk Wednesday at IU’s Fine Arts Building.
The conversation was moderated by WFIU’s Alex Chambers, an adjunct instructor of radio and podcasting at IU. About 50 people attended the discussion, which was followed by a Q&A session.
Riley is known for his directorial debut, “Sorry to Bother You,” a science fiction comedy that won the Independent Spirit Award for best first feature in 2019. His other work includes the 2023 television series “I’m a Virgo” and his newest film, “I Love Boosters,” which premiered March 12 at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival and was screened for free Wednesday at the IU Cinema. Riley is also a member of the Bay Area hip-hop group The Coup and the rap-rock supergroup Street Sweeper Social Club.
Riley said he wrote the film, “I’m a Virgo” and several other projects around the same time as “I Love Boosters.” He said he often returns to technical and visual ideas from earlier works and reuses them in later projects, which was the case for his latest film.
As an example, he referenced a scene from “Sorry to Bother You” in which the main character, Cassius Green (LaKeith Stanfield), sits as papers fly behind him. Riley said the shot took significant effort to pull off, and once it worked, he did not want that effort to go to waste.
“I wanted it to be more impactful, so I started thinking about what the next scene would be,” Riley said.
Riley is also known for his distinct, anti-establishment approach to writing and directing. He said the unconventional nature of his work has often led to tension with studios as he works to protect his creative vision.
“What gives me control is that people know my purpose,” Riley said.
He said those battles are often less about politics than about aesthetics and execution.
During the discussion, he said he does not believe politically charged material is what makes a project financially unsuccessful, despite what some studios may assume. He pointed to a dialogue-free episode of “I’m a Virgo” centered on a power plant heist that was cut because of budget concerns.
On the other hand, he pointed to a scene in “I’m a Virgo” in which a character says, “I’m a communist.” Riley said the studio never objected to the politics directly but instead argued the scene slowed the show down. In this case, Riley said he believed the concern in this situation was ultimately about politics, even if it was framed as something else.
The conversation then opened to audience questions. One audience member asked Riley where his sense of humor comes from and how he approaches writing comedy.
“The real answer to all of these questions is ‘I don’t know,’” Riley said.
He said he tries to stay open to what stands out, which can then turn into a joke. But Riley added he is not just aiming for comedy. Instead, he said he tries to create a feeling in his work, whether that is unease, excitement or something visceral.
An audience member asked Riley about connecting workplace organizing to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. Riley said boycott movements are often not effective on their own but argued they can be effective when paired with broader organizing, including strikes and efforts to pressure institutions and investors to divest.
Audience member Jasmine Kazmirski, a junior studying film, said she found the conversation interesting because it offered a different perspective from someone in the industry, particularly on classism.
Another audience member, senior environmental sustainability studies major Avery Comparet, said Riley’s comments on politics and intersectionality were among the most memorable parts of the discussion for her.
“The discussion of communism, boycotting and how political movements today can be portrayed in film was very interesting,” she said. “I also liked hearing how people communicate those ideas through film and art.”
