Following appearances in teen films and recurring TV roles earlier in his career, CLAYNE CRAWFORD is ready to reintroduce himself…
After acting in teen films like A Walk To Remember and Swimfan, Clayne Crawford broke out with roles on 24 and Rogue, leads in the TV adaption of Lethal Weapon and series Rectify. Now he’s found artistic liberation and rave reviews starring in and producing indie drama The Killing of Two Lovers. We chat to Clayne about the film, cancel culture and the magic of cinema…
The Killing Of Two Lovers has had a journey since debuting at Sundance in January 2020, how does it feel for it to finally be out in cinemas?
Our budget was like 30,000 so we were just grateful anyone would see the film. We were grateful that we had the opportunity to debut at Sundance before everything went south and are so enthusiastic Neon [the film’s distributor] wanted the film to have a theatrical release.
A lot of critics refer to the rural poverty depicted in the film. Is it hard to tap into that kind of lived experience and not feel you were being condescending?
It was never challenging because I grew up with very little. I was able to identify with that world very easily and could understand that finances are the key component in divorce. I never felt that we were taking advantage or having fun at their expense. It was more to represent that part of the country. Some of the “separation” films we’ve seen in the past take place in larger cities where resources are more abundant.
Where does the film fit in with other “separation” or “divorce” movies?
I think it fits in very well. What our film touches on that we don’t see is how [divorce] affects the children – they’re the third party in the marriage. It was important for us to show their struggle watching their parents separate and hopefully highlight their experience. It’s an honest depiction of life when you’re kind of losing your grasp on the reality you and your wife have built together.
You also producer this film. Is going behind the camera something you’re interested in doing more and more?
Without a doubt. The biggest issue I had on the last job I was on was quality control. The producers lose sight of why we’re making the film and it becomes more about checking boxes as it relates to politics and worrying about the bottom dollar. When you operate from those places you operate from a place of fear. I truly was interested in making a film that came from the heart and I want to continue that.
How do you feel about cancel culture in the film industry?
I think cancel culture has great intentions [but] it gets carried away. Anyone who is hurting other human beings should be removed from everything, but attacking people for things that happened 10-20 years ago? We as humans pride ourselves on growth and learning and changing the way we approach life. I feel that we’re in this really slippery spot of losing that opportunity. Again, operating from fear is a shitty way to live. What the heck happened to sticks and stones? We are such powerful creatures and the fact that we’re allowing ourselves to become so sensitive to what others think and feel is quite scary.
How does making indie films compare to big budget shows like Lethal Weapon?
They’re all different and come with ups and downs. Working is always a gift. For Lethal Weapon specifically, what that job gave me that nothing else had ever given me was it touched people in a way. People who had lost, people dealing with alcoholism, PTSD… what I didn’t anticipate is effecting people’s lives personally and that’s been so rewarding. For something that silly and fun to truly touch people, man my cup overflows. It ended sadly and I hated the way it did but what a beautiful gift I was given.
What do you think the future of filmmaking is for indies?
I think the future is bright, with technology and the equipment it’s so affordable. The days when I came up in the late ’90s and early 2000s you still had to buy film and rent large cameras and lights – and you needed a lot of human beings to light that thing and make it look great. There’s no excuse anymore – if you have a great story you should go tell it. I hope our film encourages people that you don’t need car chases and things blowing up to tell a good story.
In terms of the COVID pandemic, what’s life like as an actor?
I do love travelling and meeting new people and new experiences. But at the same time I have a little farm that my family and I live on, so when you told me the world was shutting down and all I had to focus on was my kids and my horses and riding dirt bikes and growing a garden, it was a special experience. I know a lot of people struggled dearly and we all lost people we love, but the time I had with my family was a special year in a lot of ways.
Finally, one of your early roles was in the classic chick flick A Walk To Remember. Do people still approach you about this film today?
Always. It’s the women who saw that film in their teens! It’s been 20 years which is so wild. That movie was amazing because it was my first real job. So, for me, it was the beginning and it’s neat to be a part of one of those films that continues to live on. ■
THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS will be released in cinemas from September 16
By REILLY SULLIVAN
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