John Wilson on his unlikely concrete movie: ‘There might be a kind of sickness in shooting things this way’
The creator of How To with John Wilson has returned with his first film, a documentary about how to sell a documentary about concrete
TL;DR
- John Wilson's new documentary, 'The History of Concrete,' explores the ubiquitous urban material and the challenges of making an unconventional film.
- The film was inspired by Wilson's personal struggles with directionlessness and self-doubt after the success of his HBO series 'How To With John Wilson.'
- Wilson resisted pressure to change his signature essay-film style, which he considers fundamental to his thought process.
- The documentary incorporates various elements, including advice on how to make a film 'marketable,' drawing parallels to Hallmark movies.
- The narrative wanders through diverse locations and encounters, reflecting Wilson's explorations of motivation, self-doubt, and the desire to create lasting work.
- Wilson views the resistance he faced as integral to the structure and spine of his work.