1995
Writer/Director: Tom DiCillo
Cast: Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener, Dermot Mulroney, James Legros, Danielle Von Zerneck, Rica Maartens, Peter Dinkladge.
Awards: Best Screenplay; Sundance Film Festival. Best Picture;Deauville Film Festival. Best Actress, Catherine Keener; Stockholm Film Festival.
US Distribution: Sony Pictures Classics.
Festivals: Sundance, Seattle, San Francisco, Toronto, Montreal, New Directors (NYC), Berlin, Deauville, Gijon, Stockholm.
Related Blog Posts:
Books: “Eating Crow; Notes From a Filmmakers Diary.” (Living In Oblivion)
Living In Oblivion TRAILER
I wrote Living In Oblivion in a state of mind teetering somewhere between homicide and suicide. After the dismissive release of Johnny Suede it was extremely difficult to get my next script, Box of Moonlight financed. And so one night, after getting plastered on martini’s at my wife’s cousin’s wedding, I stumbled into the Idea; a series of events taking place right on the set of a no-budget movie. All the things that could possibly go wrong actually do.
The film is really a love/hate letter about the mechanics of filmmaking. I love this business but at times it really does feel that the entire process of making a film is designed to drive you into an insane asylum. Just when some miraculous moment is blossoming to life in front of you the camera screws up and that fragile, fleeting glimmer of beauty is gone. Of course the opposite is also true. But on a no-budget film the “unhappy accidents” can drop you to your knees.
What was so surprising to me was the joy and pleasure I found in writing scenes that had originally been nightmares to me; absolutely excruciating to experience. I wrote the first half hour in 4 days. I gave it to Catherine Keener who was staying with us for a few days. I will never forget the shrieks of laughter coming from the back bedroom.
As she stood in the front doorway saying goodbye we all looked at each other and said, “We’re going to make this movie!”
Except we had no idea how to. My wife Jane started it off by hitting up everyone she knew (including her now-married cousin Hilary) and somehow raising $37,000 over the weekend. Hilary got a nice part for her support. Catherine showed the script to her husband (at the time) Dermot Mulroney. He wanted to play Nick, the director. I suggested he might have more fun with Wolf, the cameraman. Dermot agreed and instantly suggested Steve Buscemi for Nick. Dermot also invested $5,000.
Suddenly a financing plan had emerged; any actor who put up money got a part. And that is the way the entire film was cast. No one auditioned. I never knew what any actor was going to do until the first moment I called action.
Brad Pitt was going to play actor Chad Palomino in the film. He loved the script and was all set to go when a conflict developed with Legends of the Fall. Catherine Keener called to tell me the bad news. As we were on the phone James Legros walked by her house. I heard her yell out to him, “Hey James! Wanna be in a movie?” That’s how Mr. Legros joined the party.
I could write a book about the whole experience. In fact I did. There are a few copies of “Eating Crow, Notes from A Filmmaker’s Diary,” (also titled Living In Oblivion ) floating around out there.
Hi, Tom. Not sure if you check these comments but I just wanted to let you know that I really love this film. I always viewed movies as little more than interesting ways to kill time. I loved Star Wars, Willow, all the Batmans and anything by Adam Sandler and was content to watch and forget every other film I ever saw.
That was before Living in Oblivion. I’d never heard of you or your work prior to seeing it but I’m a very big fan of Steve Buscemi so when I saw this dvd on a shelf in my favourite used record store for $2.50, I grabbed it. This was three months ago and I’ve now watched it at least a dozen times. I can’t describe the effect it has had on me. Everything about it hypnotises me. The performances, the lighting, the sets, the writing, Catherine Keener’s armpit hair, Peter Dinklage’s “NO!” and the very concept itself. It made me want to become a filmmaker. Yes, I am aware that this is probably the exact opposite effect you anticipated it might have on people but still, because of this film, I sold most of my shit, left my friends, family and girlfriend behind and moved away from my hometown to attend film school.
At 28 with previously little or no ambition beyond a strong desire to earn enough money to pay rent, get regularly drunk and put petrol in my car, I now have a Purpose. I will make films. They will be funny, beautiful, human and largely misunderstood. They will not make much money (if any at all) and they will consume my life. I cannot wait to get started.
Thanks for this film, Tom, and all your others. I don’t know where I’d be without them.
Hey Liam,
I’m glad Oblivion inspired you to take the plunge. It’s funny you mention Keener’s armpit hair. It wasn’t that long ago that a lot of cool sexy women let the fuzz flow free. At the time the film was released no one even commented on it. I happen to like it, on some women–but to each their own. I made a choice to have her not shave it and she was cool with it. I think it adds something very human.
Now listen, Liam. I hope you don’t think I make “funny, beautiful, human films that make no money and are largely misunderstood.” I mean, I think that–but I don’t want you, or anyone else to. You should just think about making films that truly move you. I can guarantee you this; if they truly excite you they will excite others. There’s nothing wrong with making a little cash while you’re at it. Maybe you’re not getting regularly drunk anymore but it’s nice to have a few dollars the keep the irregular inebriation going.
I sincerely thank you for writing; and with equal sincerity wish you the best.
Tom