As a filmmaker with a decade of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that producing “The Bikeriders” was the most challenging yet rewarding project of my career. Having spent two months on set in Cincinnati, I knew deep down that we had something special. The harrowing scenes with bikers and the intricate production made for a daunting experience, but one that I approached with unwavering confidence.
In the early 2000s, I stumbled upon an intriguing book called “The Bikeriders” by Danny Lyon. This captivating book took me back to the ’60s with its striking images, fascinating characters, and unique lifestyles. The Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club stories in this book ignited my imagination, urging me to bring these tales to life on the big screen. After two decades of determination, filmmaker Jeff Nichols finally brought his vision to fruition with “The Bikeriders.” Now, you can relive this piece of American history by purchasing or renting it digitally.
In the film “The Bikeriders,” we witness a defiant era in American history when societal norms were being challenged. After an unexpected encounter at a neighborhood tavern, Kathy (played by Jodie Comer), a determined woman, finds herself magnetically pulled towards Benny (Austin Butler), the latest recruit of Midwestern motorcycle gang, the Vandals, presided over by the enigmatic Johnny (Tom Hardy). Similar to the shifting landscape around it, the gang undergoes a metamorphosis, transitioning from a refuge for local misfits into a perilous den of lawlessness. This transformation ultimately puts Benny in a precarious position, forcing him to make a choice between his loyalty to the gang and his relationship with Kathy.
I had a chat with Nichols from ComicBook about the progress of the project, the major hurdles he faced, and the moment he realized he had achieved his lifelong ambition.
I can’t contain my excitement when it comes to sharing my deep admiration for the movie “Take Shelter.” With every opportunity I get, I eagerly recommend this film to anyone who will listen. It’s a testament to the power of storytelling and the skillful direction of Jeff Nichols. Having experienced its emotional depth and thought-provoking themes, I can’t help but feel compelled to spread the word about it. So, if you haven’t seen “Take Shelter,” consider yourself lucky that I’m here to change that!
Jeff Nichols: Thank you very much. I appreciate that.
In a similar vein, Michael Shannon delivers an impressive performance in that film, and he’s equally superb in The Bikeriders. Can you imagine how thrilled he must have been to learn that he would portray a Chicago bike rider and actually shoot on location in the Midwest?
For two decades, I’ve been sharing my ideas with Mike about various projects, one of which was a book I discovered in 2003. Recently, we collaborated on “Shotgun Stories,” our first film together, released by Sony Pictures Classics in an enhanced version last month. We produced this movie back in 2004, but my conversations with Mike about bringing it to life started long before that. At times, he questioned if it would ever come to fruition. I remember playing him the authentic audio of Zipco, which remarkably sounded like Michael Shannon’s Chicago accent when he uses it.
As a seasoned writer, I’ve had the privilege of bringing countless characters to life through my words. Among them, there is one man who stands out – a chameleon in every sense of the word. He seamlessly blends into different social circles, changing his tone and mannerisms to fit in.
Mike’s reaction was consistently calm. He never excitedly declared, “This is the most amazing news!” Instead, it seemed as if the situation was simply expected of him.
It’s great that you two have finally made this dream come true. Given that most biker movies focus on clubs in New York or the West Coast, I’m curious: based on your research, what makes Midwestern or even Chicago-based bike clubs unique compared to those in other parts of the country?
Danny’s account is my primary source of information. Notably, the term “biker” was predominantly used on the West Coast during the 1960s, according to him. This detail, reflected in the title of his book, indicates that Midwest motorcycle clubs were lagging behind their West Coast counterparts by a few years.
In terms of structure, clarity, and possibly criminal activities, the Midwest gang seemed to be a few years behind. This delay allowed the film to focus on this transitional phase where they were still defining themselves as a group, rather than being fully organized or criminal. The intrigue lies in the fact that they weren’t yet fully formed criminals but also hadn’t reached a point of complete innocence. Essentially, they were stuck in time by approximately three years.
Have you reached a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in bringing your movie dream to life at any particular stage? Was it while writing the script, during filming, or upon editing when you felt a strong feeling of “I’ve made it”? Or perhaps it was during interactions with audiences that gave you the sensation of completing this project? At what moment did you feel like turning the final page and moving on to your next endeavor?
As a gamer, I can tell you that the real excitement came post-production for me, which felt odd since the game wasn’t fully developed yet. We still had a long way to go, but the challenges we faced during production with the bikers and all made it my most intense project to date. It was my largest budget game so far and complex, but I had faith that once I left Cincinnati where we filmed, we had nailed it. I could sense the victory after spending two grueling months witnessing every piece come together.
Editing the footage brought me great enjoyment. The Gary U.S. Bonds tune that introduces the movie with a still image of Austin’s face is among my favorites. Initially, it wasn’t the chosen melody, but I wasn’t certain which song to select instead.
In the editing room, we have all the footage at hand. The scenes are literally pieced together as they should be. When we came across Gary U.S. Bonds’ song, it seemed perfect – like it had always been a part of the project. The same went for the Shangri-La scene with Kathy on the back of the bike. I had “Out in the Streets” in my playlist, but not specifically for that moment. It just felt right, as if that’s how it was meant to be. When we finished editing, I had faith that everything else would fall into place, perhaps naively so, but I believed we had gathered all the necessary images to bring Danny’s book to life.
As a filmmaker with a deep appreciation for literature and a passion for bringing stories to life on the big screen, I can attest to the unique challenges that come with adapting a beloved book into a film. The process is not merely about translating words from a page to moving images on a screen, but rather capturing the essence of the source material while making artistic choices that engage and resonate with audiences.
As a gamer, I can relate to the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into creating an immersive experience. In this case, it wasn’t just about the narrative or the hair and makeup; it was the clothes and the bikes that brought the world to life. My costume designer, Erin Benach, has been with me since “Midnight Special.” She’s a genius, and she poured her heart into aging and dying each piece of clothing. It may seem trivial, but the details matter. The patches on the leather jackets, the mix of vintage and new clothes, all aged and dirty – it all adds up to a movie that feels authentic and lived-in. And let’s not forget about the bikes! We were committed to using period-correct bikes, and it was a challenge. But the end result is worth it. I take pride in every detail, from the clothes to the bikes, because together they help transport us into this immersive world.
The most difficult part of crafting the narrative for that project, although it’s not always required, was determining its structure. Some audiences may find it more or less effective than others based on their experiences. However, when you read the book and watch the movie, you’ll notice significant differences in how the story unfolds. The film version wasn’t necessarily influenced by the screenplay’s structural blueprint. It was an intriguing challenge that I’m proud to have overcome. This story didn’t follow a straightforward progression through space and time like many films, such as “Take Shelter.” As a storyteller, I felt accomplished in exploring this unconventional narrative style.
The Bikeriders is now available to buy or rent on digital.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. You can contact Patrick Cavanaugh directly on Twitter.
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2024-07-15 23:11