According to Todd Field, “THE LIBRARY” is probably his last film

March 21, 2023

“It’s not for the faint of heart,” Field said of filmmaking. “If it were nice and easy, I would always film.”

Todd Field might be bowing out to Lydia Tár.

The writer-director of “TÁR” revealed that it is “very likely” that the critically acclaimed film will be his last game. “THE LIBRARY” was nominated for six Academy Awards, including lead actress Cate Blanchett for best actress, Field for best original screenplay and best director, and best picture. Field previously directed two other films, “In the Bedroom” (2001) and “Little Children” (2006).

“Making a film of any size is a real challenge. This is not for the faint of heart,” Field said Cinema scope. “I wish I was welcome to do other things, because I probably wouldn’t do any more movies. Making a film takes a lot out of me; I don’t know if I’ll ever make another one.”

When asked if he would make another feature film, Todd added, “I don’t think so,” going on to suggest that “LIBRARY” could be his last effort. “Yeah, I guess…I didn’t think about it until now.” It’s very likely,” he stated.

Still, it’s “possible” he’ll change his mind later: “I hope it’s possible,” Field said.

The director explained in detail why he is hesitant to start another film.

“For me, it’s not a creative thing, it’s more of a physical thing,” Field said. “I spent a year working with Jonathan Franzen (the author) on a daily basis, and we wrote 1,200 pages together in six months. It was as exciting as anything with the thrill of free speech, and I can’t wait to get in the room with Jon again. It’s part of writing, going to the desk every day, that’s not going to change.”

Field continued, “The reason I went to the American Film Institute, the reason I started directing—people roll their eyes when I tell them, but that’s how I feel—is I took a vow of chastity, because I go into an Order, the Order of the Cinema, and you kneel at an altar that you built yourself and you pray to this deity that is this movie material and you put yourself in a crazy headspace and drive the people around you completely crazy until a ghost appears. It’s a very strange thing, and it costs you and those around you no small cost.”

He added: “That’s what I mean: it’s not that I don’t have something to say. If it were nice and simple, I would always film. I advertise all the time, but it doesn’t take much out of me. I love the piece, the techniques, experimenting with new tools that come out before they even hit the gaming world, because I’m a tech geek at heart. But these are none of my business; those technical devices belong to multinational companies. But when something is truly yours and truly matters—and it would be better for as long as it takes to make a movie—you have to give it your all. And as you get older you realize how precious time is, there’s only so much time in that hourglass. I’m not in my 20s or 30s anymore – I’ll be 60 in a year and a half. You start thinking about these things.”

Field recently exited the now-shelved Hulu series Devil in the White City after star Keanu Reeves left in October 2022. Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese planned to adapt Erik Larson’s novel with Field directing.

Field continued the world of Lydia Tár with the short film “The Fundraiser”, which debuted at the Berlinale. However, Field announced during the festival that “The Fundraiser” would it was never screened again.

“The character has haunted me for 10 years or more,” Field told Lydia Tár’s Cinema Scope. “I sat with this character at different times and wondered if I could do something with him. Since 2005, all my writing has involved adapting existing works, sometimes alone, sometimes with others, which fortunately can be done with the authors of the given material. But this character was always taunting me over my shoulder or standing on my desk.”

Field told IndieWire exclusively that the state of Hollywood and theatrical distribution are the reason for the “dying artist community.”

“The infrastructure for going to the movies is broken,” Field said. “I’m not just talking about year-end cinema. I’m talking about world cinema. I’m talking about being able to watch things in a collective community, walk out, and feel different… If you want people to go to the movies to have an immersive experience and sit with other people, you better give them the opportunity. to do it properly.”

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