Giovanni Ribisi, well-known for his extensive acting career, has made his mark as a photographer and producer for J.T. Mollner’s acclaimed thriller, Strange Darling. The film features a nonlinear narrative structured into six chapters, delving into the consequences of a disastrous one-night stand involving Kyle Gallner’s character, a serial killer called The Demon, and Willa Fitzgerald’s character, referred to as The Lady.
Having spent nearly four decades in the industry, Ribisi has developed a strong interest in the craft of cinematography, crediting influential directors of photography like Dante Spinotti from Michael Mann’s Public Enemies and the late Andrew Lesnie from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. His collaborations with cinematographers such as Russell Carpenter on the Avatar films have further fueled his passion for filmmaking.
For the past 15 years, Ribisi has been investing in a studio called Stellascope, aiming to make filmmaking more cost-effective and accessible. Stellascope emphasizes shooting on celluloid film and was pivotal when Ribisi met Mollner. Their mutual appreciation for film stock led to Ribisi expressing his desire to shoot a feature, resulting in the transformation of One Night With You into Strange Darling.
Produced by Roy Lee and Steve Schneider for Miramax, Strange Darling is a 96-minute film shot entirely on 35mm film. Ribisi challenges the notion that shooting on film is more expensive than digital, asserting that many misconceptions exist about the costs involved.
Ribisi’s acting career remains strong, with key roles in the Avatar series and Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga, where he plays H. Silas Pickering, a character expected to become a significant villain in the upcoming installments. Despite mixed box office reception for Chapter 1, Ribisi is optimistic about the project’s future, expressing his enduring loyalty to Costner and confidence in the vision for the film.
In a recent interview, Ribisi discussed the challenges he faced while shooting Strange Darling, including the complexities of capturing various scenes within a limited timeframe due to last-minute location changes. He highlighted the necessity of proper preparation and the importance of teamwork on set.
Ribisi also spoke on the significance of marketing in filmmaking, viewing it as the audience’s initial encounter with a film and its narrative. The non-linear structure of Strange Darling, which opens with an action-packed car chase, tested Ribisi’s skills as a director of photography, though he found the experience manageable thanks to his previous work on commercials.
While he lent his voice to the film, Ribisi chose to remain behind the camera, believing in the featured actors’ performances. He reflected on the importance of storytelling in cinema and the strong connections formed within the industry, especially following the recent passing of producer Jon Landau.
Strange Darling is currently available in theaters, showcasing Ribisi’s talents both in front of and behind the camera.