In the current episode of the Filmmaker Toolkit podcast, director Ari Aster shared insights on a pivotal scene from his film “Eddington,” featuring an intense confrontation between Mayor Ted Garcia, played by Pedro Pascal, and his rival, Sheriff Joe Cross, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix. The scene takes place during a barbecue at Garcia’s home in New Mexico and is underscored by Katy Perry’s hit song “Firework.” Aster explained the evolution of the soundtrack, originally aiming to secure “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys for its fitting dark humor, capturing the irony of a massive New York anthem being played in a small-town setting.
Aster elaborated on the character dynamics, pointing out that Mayor Ted represents a charming, yet hypocritical politician, who presents himself as a forward-thinking leader while secretly catering to corporate interests, modeled after tech giants like Amazon. This duality was instrumental in crafting the film’s narrative.
The episode delves deep into Aster’s creative decision-making, as he and his team navigated through hundreds of song options after failing to obtain the rights to the Jay-Z song. Aster emphasized how vital music is in shaping emotional arcs, particularly during Cross’s dramatic journey, combining the rhythm and energy of “Firework” with the mounting tension of the scene.
The film “Eddington” showcases the complex interplay of political ambition and personal vendettas, highlighted by the emotionally charged music and brilliant performances. The mixture of humor and tragedy makes the film a unique exploration of modern political dynamics, and both Aster’s direction and the soundtrack work together to amplify the story’s themes.
“Eddington” is currently in theaters, and listeners can catch the full conversation with Ari Aster on the Filmmaker Toolkit podcast available on major platforms like Apple and Spotify.