Mother Mary with David Lowery and Antonio Campos (Ep. 609)

In this intimate conversation from The Director's Cut, filmmaker David Lowery and director Antonio Campos discuss the deeply personal and emotionally charged psychological thriller Mother Mary, a film born from a convergence of creative impulses during the making of The Green Knight. Lowery reveals how the idea emerged from a desire to explore two actors in a confined space, a fascination with pop music's ephemeral power, and a personal existential crisis on set that led him to write a dialogue between versions of himself—eventually shaping the characters of pop star Mother Mary and her estranged costume designer Sam. The film, which unfolds as a haunting exploration of collaboration, identity, and artistic intimacy, evolved significantly during production, with ambitious early plans for multiple narrative layers being pared down to a more poetic, emotionally resonant structure. Lowery emphasizes the importance of emotional safety on set, the value of rehearsal, and the necessity of embracing chaos and improvisation when the story demands it. The performance of FKA Twigs in the seance sequence—particularly her improvised hand-cutting moment—becomes a pivotal example of how the film’s magic emerged organically through trust and collaboration. The discussion also touches on influences like Eyes Wide Shut, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Mishima, and draws parallels between Mother Mary and The Green Knight in tone, rhythm, and thematic depth. Ultimately, the film is presented as one of Lowery’s most vulnerable and revealing works, a testament to the transformative power of creative partnership and the courage required to dig deeper, even when it means risking the production timeline. Key takeaways include: 1) Emotional safety is essential when filming intense, intimate stories; 2) Rehearsal is not just preparation but a form of emotional excavation; 3) The most powerful moments in filmmaking often emerge from improvisation and trust; 4) The best films are not always what you plan—they are what you discover; 5) Collaboration is not just about bringing in talent, but about creating space for others to bring their truth to the story; 6) Personal vulnerability in storytelling leads to universal resonance; 7) The most impactful artistic choices are often made in the moment, not on the page; 8) Filmmaking is a process of continuous re-evaluation and courageous adaptation.