WithJojo Rabbitnow playing in limited release, I recently sat down with writer-directorTaika Waititifor an exclusive interview. As you’ve probably heard me say a number of times,Jojo Rabbitis one of my favorite films of the year and Waititi has written and directed a fantastic anti-hate satire set in Nazi Germany. While I figured he would craft something special,Jojo Rabbitwas well above my lofty expectations and many others had the same opinion as itwon the coveted People’s Choice Awardat this year’s Toronto International Film Festival against some serious competition.
If you haven’t seen the trailers, Jojo Rabbit follows a lonely 10-year-old boy Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis) in Nazi Germany whose imaginary best Adolf Hitler (Waititi) eggs him on. But Jojo’s loyalties and beliefs are tested when he discovers that his mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a young Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) in their attic. The film also starsRebel Wilson,Stephen Merchant,Alfie Allen, andSam Rockwell. For more onJojo Rabbit, you canread Matt Goldberg’s revieworwatch this exclusive clip.
During my interview with Taika Waititi, he talked about why he didn’t pitch the film to anyone, how Fox Searchlight would only make the film if he played Hitler, why he wanted to tell the story in an unusual way, when he figured out the tone of the film, what he was feeling when he first started editing, and more.
Check out what Waititi had to say in the player above and below is exactly what we talked about.
Taika Waititi:
Here’s the official synopsis forJojo Rabbit:
Writer director Taika Waititi (THOR: RAGNAROK, HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE), brings his signature style of humor and pathos to his latest film, JOJO RABBIT, a World War II satire that follows a lonely German boy (Roman Griffin Davis as JoJo) whose world view is turned upside down when he discovers his single mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a young Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) in their attic. Aided only by his idiotic imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi), Jojo must confront his blind nationalism.
