It is mostly Robert interviewing Charles about the film and topics related to it. I never saw the movie. However, I do join in from time to time. I am not really an interviewer or an interviewee. I am just sort there. Original was a 2 hour interview. Apparently they edited it down to an hour. I think I am interviewing a lot better lately. I am so much more relaxed.
Robert Stark interviews Charles Lincoln about True Stories, which is a 1986 American film that spans the genres of musical, art, and comedy, directed by and starring David Byrne of the band Talking Heads. It co-stars John Goodman, Swoosie Kurtz, and Spalding Gray. Byrne has described the film as, “A project with songs based on true stories from tabloid newspapers. It’s like 60 Minutes on acid.” Robert Lindsay also joins in on the conversation
Topics include:
The setting of the film, a small fictional town on the outskirts of Dallas, Texas that is undergoing change.
How the town in the film is celebrating the 150th anniversary of Texan independence.
Charles Lincoln’s personal connection to Dallas.
How the film shows both the Old America and the New and how that is symbolic of America in the 1980’s.
The depiction of diversity in the film.
The conspiracy theorist preacher in the film.
The depiction of crass materialism and how the culture of the 80’s was more upfront than today’s hybrid of materialism and social justice.
The marginalization of highbrow culture (ex. scene in the film depicting a janitor singing opera).
Emile Durkheim’s theory on anomie, which is the breakdown of social bonds between an individual and the community.
The music in the film by the Talking Heads.
Ronald Reagan and how Charles Lincoln opposes Reagan from a traditionalist standpoint and Robert Lindsay from a Alternative Left standpoint.
How Reagan’s credit policy encouraged suburban sprawl which is depicted in the film.
