Prolific Oklahoma-based helmer Mickey Reece – now at Fantasia with “Country Gold” – will be part of forces with “It Follows” producer David Kaplan on his upcoming function “The Cool Tenor,” Variety has discovered completely.
The movie, set in a vaguely dystopian future and co-written by John Selvidge, sees a retired widow who weds an unstable jazz fanatic however turns into obsessive about avenging her late husband’s loss of life.
“It’s more of a thriller, but it’s still funny. You will never have to worry about me making a serious movie,” assures Reece, intending to maintain his signature humorousness intact.
“I didn’t know I had a unique sense of humor until people told me that. Essentially, I try to turn every movie into a comedy. It has always been about the same thing for me: ‘What can we do to have fun?,” he says.
Currently casting and trying to shoot later this fall, “The Cool Tenor” will probably be lensed by Samuel Calvin and government produced by TIFF Midnight Madness programmer Peter Kuplowsky. Producer Kassie Gann will reunite with Reece after “Country Gold.”
Reece, who began making movies in 2008, has already accomplished 29 options. His 2021 horror “Agnes,” set in a convent, premiered at Tribeca and obtained worldwide consideration. But whereas his upcoming title will probably be an excellent greater endeavor, he’s not planning to alter his DIY methods anytime quickly.
“People will have to get cool about some weird shit real quick for me to get into [A-list] festivals,” he deadpans.
“I don’t plan on suddenly developing one project for a couple of years. I am pretty addicted [to making movies quickly], so it would be hard. But I am getting older, so we will see.”
“Every movie I’ve ever made was exactly what I wanted it to be. There were no compromises, and I think it was because of keeping this low profile and trucking along here in Oklahoma. I certainly don’t want to get sucked into that machine of being a director for hire. I like where I am at.”
The Cool Tenor
Courtesy of Mickey Reece
“Country Gold,” about nation star Troyal Brux (performed by Reece himself) who “sold more records than Michael Jackson and Madonna” and eventually will get to fulfill his hero George Jones (Ben Hall) again in 1994 in Nashville, echoes a few of these conflicts.
“It’s a very personal story. As much as I can be personal, given my style,” he says.
While he didn’t initially intend to play the half, he shortly noticed some parallels between his path and the conflicted artist who can also be “just a boy from Oklahoma.” All the whereas lovingly referencing file-breaking nation artist (Troyal) Garth Brooks.
“I will never reach the heights of Garth Brooks, but my work is receiving more attention than ever. It inspired a great deal of self-reflection,” admits Reece.
“I still try to approach it in the same way, however. I like to dip my toes in all the genres out there and I have five ideas a day about movies I want to make. But it’s a much more involved process than it used to be.”
Thinking about nation music movies, from “Coal Miner’s Daughter” – starring Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn – to “Tender Mercies” and Altman’s “Nashville,” Reece additionally noticed his new movie as a “spiritual successor” to 2017 “Mickey Reece’s Alien” about Elvis Presley.
“I have this fascination with American iconography,” he says, praising Baz Luhrmann’s latest tackle the singer’s eternal enchantment.
“I loved it. It’s fantastic! But a lot of people, when they are making a biopic of an artist, are trying to get it exactly right even though it’s still their own interpretation. I went one step further: it doesn’t have to be true. It didn’t have to happen at all. So let’s just see what these characters would do in that situation.”
Despite riffing on the lives of recognizable stars – George Jones handed away in 2013 – Reece describes his story as an “alternate universe,” the place actuality and fantasy collide frequently.
“I this it’s clear that it’s a satire. Also, I doubt Garth Brooks is ever going to watch this movie. But I think he would like it.”
Mickey Reece
Courtesy of Mickey Reece
