Q&A with Director Panos Cosmatos of MANDY

Nicolas Cage is Everything in Panos Cosmatos’ New Film, Mandy.

This week The Los Angeles Film School screened the lurid revenge thriller, Mandy. The star and show stealer is Nicolas Cage whose character, Red, goes on a bloody rampage to avenge the chaos caused by a psychotic cult leader. Without giving too much away, the movie leaves you uncomfortably satisfied with its eerie setting in the Pacific Northwest wilderness and retro-synth score that amplifies every scene. The director, Panos Cosmatos, talked about how Mandy’s score impacted the tone of this movie and added to its feverish sensation. Panos drew inspiration for the score from rock music, specifically, Van Halen’s Sunday Afternoon in the Park.

Before the screening, The Society of Composers and Lyricists paid tribute to Mandy’s score composer, Jóhann Jóhannsson, who passed away earlier this year. Jóhann was known for his original scores for Denis Villeneuve’s Prisoners, Sicario and Arrival, and James Marsh’s The Theory of Everything.

The Q&A starts after minute 22:45. The panel includes Director Panos Cosmatos, Producer Josh C. Waller, Composer Agent Kevin Korn and moderator Tim Greiving.

Mandy hits theaters Friday, September 14.