Originally from the UK, Christian Taylor graduated from New York University Film School with a graduation short that won Taylor recognition from the Director's Guild of America and an Academy Award nomination. He went on to work as a writer and producer for the TV series "Six Feet Under".
More recently, Christian co-directed, wrote and starred in Showboy, a fabulous mockumentary set in Las Vegas that won Best Picture at the Milan International Film Festival and best Directorial Debut and the British Independent Film Awards.
He spoke with Mark Adnum via email in September 2005.
MARK ADNUM: Why do you think Showgirls was such a mega-bomb?
CHRISTIAN TAYLOR: A BOMB! Sacrilege. I loved Showgirls, it's a classic. I was at the premier at the Manns Chinese in Hollywood. That's a night I'll never forget. It's a cult masterpiece and still makes me laugh and gasp with joy. It's not Vegas though Vegas is far more interesting.
Far more?
Vegas is like no place on earth. It's completely fake and real at the same time. Joy and desperation around every corner. We wanted to see the Vegas behind the glitz and the glamour. I think we did it well. I'm proud of all the wonderful people and characters we discovered on our journey. Vegas is full of them. I love Caesar's because there is still some classic Vegas style there. Cirque De Soleil is full of juicy bodies and feats of human majesty especially "O". The gay bars are gay bars. Seen one, seen ‘em all. There's more gay stuff there now, even a hotel. Who knows what's next – Moulin Rouge Casino hosted by drag queens and built by Baz.
Do you gamble?
NO! How do you think they built the place? With charity donations?!
There's always strip poker and a joint. Much cheaper.
So much of Showboy is really touching. The scene where you talk about the "thing" in the gay scene that makes that scene hard to navigate was especially memorable. Was it for real?
Yes and no. Showboy was a fusion of both fact and fiction. We always started with stuff that was based in reality. I wanted the film to express what it's like to be a man, and then a gay man in today's world. I drew on personal issues and then extrapolated on that. Let's face it ... if we're gonna be truly honest with ourselves as a gay culture we're not very nice to one another. We reject the old and the fat and use sex and drugs as our main dialogue. Yeah, there is true activism and we owe a great debt to a courageous few - I'm so excited to see young gay people so empowered today - but the truth is we're victims of an adolescence culture and I'm hoping that's all about to change. START THE REVOLUTION! Let's be MEN.
What brought you to the US?
I came for School (New York University) and stayed for work. America is becoming a very interesting place right now. People are tired of the government, the bad movies, the corporate greed, Britney Spears, the poverty, the arrogance. I think art is about to reinvent itself.
Your graduation short film was nominated for an Academy Award - congratulations. What can you share about the experience of attending the Oscars? It was surreal. I took my parents and had no money at the time so hired the cheapest limo I could find. You don't want to drive down there. The limo arrived, and instead of the sleek glamour I was hoping, it was white with gold trim from the 70's (not in a good way either). The sun roof was broken and my mothers hair was flying everywhere, there was a Persian rug covering some vomit and the driver didn't know where he was going. The awards were long and then some French bastard won. Go figure.
It taught me at a very early age that it's all an illusion and all that really matters is the work.
Now that you've danced on stage in Vegas, does that dream still burn, or has something else flickered into place?
There's always Tango in Argentina or, if there are any offers, a personal guide of the outback. Oh and I love to Scuba. I hear you have a reef down there somewhere.
Do you make the occasional trip into Micky's?
Now that I've met my match we don't go to West Hollywood much. Besides, I don't think they'd let me into Micky's anymore. 30 and above not allowed.
