"Mother Mary" Director David Lowery

In this intimate and revealing conversation, director David Lowery discusses the evolution of his new film 'Mother Mary,' a gothic horror musical that began as a simple two-hander dialogue piece but transformed into a maximalist, emotionally charged exploration of artistic identity, friendship, and spiritual longing. Originally conceived during a moment of existential doubt while filming 'The Green Knight' in Ireland, the project grew from a personal crisis into a deeply autobiographical work infused with Catholic symbolism, pop music, and dance. Lowery recounts how the film's vision expanded from a minimalist room drama to a cinematic spectacle featuring songs by Charlie XCX, Jack Antonoff, and FKA Twigs, with Anne Hathaway delivering a transformative performance as a pop star reconnecting with her estranged friend, played by Michaela Cole. The film's surreal, time-defying ghostly presence—realized through practical effects using fabric and choreography—serves as a physical manifestation of emotional and psychic connection, while the climactic concert sequences and a breathtaking haute couture dress designed by Iris van Herpen become symbolic payoffs of the film's central themes. Lowery reflects on the intense, years-long creative process, the importance of restraint, and the joy of making what he calls 'the most me movie' he could possibly make.