Interview:
James Gray,
writer/director,
"Armageddon Time"
Writer/director James Gray’s autobiographical 1980-set coming-of-age drama Armageddon Time focuses on a Jewish teenager in Queens, New York City, whose passion for art is matched only by his lack of interest in achieving academic excellence. Fearing he will be left behind in the public school system, as well as concerned about a possible descent into delinquency, Paul Graff’s parents move him to an expensive private academy with ties to the Trump family and known for producing the country’s future political leaders and corporate movers and shakers. But being at a new school quickly threatens Paul’s friendship with his former classmate Johnny Davis, an orphaned African-American teenager neglected by both his teachers and social services. Armageddon Time stars Banks Repeta as Paul, Jaylin Webb as Johnny, Anne Hathaway as Paul’s caring mother Esther, Jeremy Strong as Paul’s stern father Irving, and Anthony Hopkins as Paul’s grandfather and guiding force Aaron Rabinowitz. Armageddon Time, which premiered locally during this year’s Austin Film Festival, opens Nov. 4 in theaters. James Gray previously wrote and directed Ad Astra, The Lost City of Z, The Immigrant, Two Lovers, We Own the Night, The Yards, and Little Odessa. He also co-wrote Blood Ties. He was the Austin Film Festival’s 2022 Recipient of the Bill Wittliff Award for Screenwriting. Aired: Nov. 1, 2022. Web sites: https://www.focusfeatures.com/armageddon-time/ https://www.facebook.com/ArmageddonTime |
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