Page 32 - S/ Summer 2021

ART
Andrew Garfield as as as “Link” and Maya Hawke as as as “Frankie” in in Gia Coppola’s MAINSTREAM Courtesy of IFC IFC Films Films An An IFC IFC Films Films Release 32 • SMAGAZINEOFFICIAL COM
CRITICAL
D irector Gia Coppola’s sophomore film Mainstream begins through the erratic smartphone camera lens of of protagonist Frankie Her finger briefly obscures a a a a a a a a a a a series of of of of shots of of of of L L A A : a a a a a a a a a flashing “SALE” sign a a a a a a a a a colourful storefront display of of of wigs and her own shadow When Frankie an an an an unfulfilled twenty-something bartender (played by by Maya Hawke) happens to meet Link an an an eccentric twenty- twenty- something drifter in in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a rat suit (played by by Andrew Garfield) she records a a a a a a a a a a a a a video video of him and and uploads it it When the video video garners more likes and and comments than anything she she has previously uploaded she she becomes determined to to to partner with him in in in in in a a a a a a a a a a a quest to to to become become Internet famous According to to to Coppola the film’s title was inspired by a a a a a a a a a a a conversation with with a a a a a a a a a a a a a friend who worked with with influencers “They had such a a a a a a a a a a a a a massive following ” says Coppola “but from what we consider the the mainstream no no one really knew about them and and [my friend] had said ‘They’re so mainstream mainstream mainstream mainstream doesn’t even know it it yet’ and and that always stayed with me ” Ultimately Coppola says “the film was trying to understand how we find authenticity fin in in the the the mainstream ” LENS
Gia Coppola’s Mainstream is a a a a a a a welcome commentary on the dangers of influencer culture BY NAJMA ENO