Tribeca Video: ‘Starred Up’ Director on Deciphering Prison-Slang and Getting His Film Seen

On Monday night at the Apple store in SoHo, Indiewire’s Eric Kohn spoke with David Mackenzie and Jack O’Connell about their prison drama, “Starred Up,” which is currently screening at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. The moderated talk is part of a series of “Meet the Filmmaker” conversations that are being hosted at two of New York’s Apple Stores. 

READ MORE: Telluride Film Festival Review: ‘Starred Up’ Is a Moving Father-Son Drama Masquerading as a Brutal Prison Exposé

“Starred Up” follows a volunteer therapist’s efforts as he works with some of our most dangerous criminals. Considering the often difficult-to-watch subject matter, Kohn asks Mackenzie about his film’s appeal to a large audience, who acknowledges the struggle in bringing in a mainstream crowd. He also, interestingly, speaks about deciphering the prison-slang that is pretty incomprehensible to most. 

Kohn also got the chance to chat with rising star O’Connell (who will appear in Angelina Jolie’s next directorial effort), about his new role in the spotlight.

“I’m very fortunate to now be working consistently and be reflecting on years of integral work,” O’Connell said. “And I see intention to upkeep that.” 

You can watch two clips from the interview below or listen to the full podcast streaming on iTunes.