Title: The Playboy Interviews: The Directors Author: Stephen Randall, ed. (and the editors of Playboy) Publisher: M Press Publish Date: 2007 Pages: 463 Genres:: Interviews, Non-Fiction Reviewer: J. Henry

Rating:

One might think that Playboy is not known for insightful articles; rather, that the magazine is all about pages and pages of flawless looking nude women. Au contraire. While the women are the center point, rather centerfolds, this magazine has also been known to have professional journalists who are able to capture insightful interviews with politicians, entrepreneurs, actors, musicians, athletes, essentially anyone in the public eye with something to say. The Playboy Interviews compiles some of the best (uncut) interviews; in this edition, with Hollywood directors.

There are extended interviews with some obscure filmmakers, like Joel & Ethan Coen, to legends, like Clint Eastwood and Robert Altman, to controversial ones, like Roman Polanski and Spike Lee, to ones who do what they do for pure expression and may or may not always be understood, like Stanley Kubrick and David Mamet. Playboy Interviews does not disappoint in getting down to the nitty gritty about the creative process for a director. Whether it means following one’s own creative vision and not “selling out” or scrounging around for funding to make the best debut film ever. After all, the film is the director’s baby isn’t it? The dates range from the 1960s with Ingmar Bergman to the most recent interview being with Quentin Tarantino as he wrapped Kill Bill.  

The interviewers definitely know their stuff and are journalists to admire when it comes to going toe-to-toe with some of the vocal (Spike Lee) and legendary (Ingmar Bergman) directors of our time. What’s captured is the directors’ love of film and belief in what they do. Sex is mentioned sparingly, as with the Coen brothers, as to why they don’t really show sex in their films but do show a great amount of violence. The Coens respond that it just isn’t their thing; rather, they find humor in the brutality of life as well as the interest and core of a human being. Reading about Roman Polanski’s disdain for the media after the sensationalistic portrayal of his friend’s mother, as well as John Huston’s admission to enjoying a good fist fight are also great finds.

This book may be more a find for those who are highly interested in film and is a big admirer of some of the film buffs of the past—more so than the present. No, there are no interviews with Michael Bay, Steven Spielberg, or adult film directors like Ed Powers or Chi Chi Larue in this collection. The interviews reveal a more insightful and journalistic side of Playboy that is not well known by the public. Sometimes, celebrity often overshadows artistic and personal expression and revelations that these directors have to offer. Playboy Interviews is a great read for those who are interested in the subjects divulging themselves and their stories, to learn about film, the creative process, and the mindset of some of the most innovative minds in 20th and 21st century cinema. Some subjects may come off as more interesting than others, but the strength of the interviewer coupled with the interviewee being so candid helps in letting the conversation flow and not even realizing (or wanting) it to come to an end until you’ve reached the last page.