Mighty Movie Podcast: Erin Go Frack Yourself: Michael Aimette and John G. Hofmann on Turning Green

Not to put too fine a point on it, but the poster for Turning Green lies. It showcases Tim Hutton, Colm Meaney, and Allesandro Nivola, but while they're prominent figures in the film, it ain't about them. Off in the lower right, with his back turned towards the camera, there's your protagonist: A teenage boy, played quite engagingly by newcomer Donal Gallery. I can understand the motivation for pitching the name players in your marketing, but really, can't you at least show the kid's face?

Granted, beyond that poster, Michael Aimette and John G. Hofmann's Turning Green has had as convoluted a history as can be imagined: The story of James, a teen who, with his brother, has been shipped by their father to Ireland and who decides to rally up the cash for an escape by peddling contraband pornography to his classmates -- much to the displeasure of his bookie boss Nivola and the bookie's enforcer Hutton -- the script was a finalist on the first season of Project Greenlight (the one that ended up producing Stolen Summer -- dodged a bullet there, eh, guys?), was actually shot in 2004, has been in release since 2005, and is only now making its U.S. debut. It's a small film, but a cleverly conceived, beautifully photographed, and well-performed one -- as neat a directorial debut as I've seen this year. Ben Affleck and Chris Moore should be kicking themselves.

Aimette and Hofmann gave me some insight into the film's extended genesis and the olfactory-challenging lengths to which Tim Hutton would go to develop a character. Click on the player below to hear the interview.

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