Author George R. R. Martin, most known for his iconic A Song of Ice and Fire series of novels which served as the basic for HBO’s Game of Thrones, and actor Vincent D’Onofrio made an appearance at the Rialto Center for the Arts in downtown Atlanta to present their short film, Night of the Cooters, as part of the 2023 Atlanta Film Festival. Shakefire had an exclusive opportunity to chat with Martin and D’Onofrio before the screening to discuss the film and their collaboration.
Produced by George R. R. Martin and directed by and starring Vincent D’Onofrio, Night of the Cooters tells the tale of townsfolk in Pachuco Texas in the 1800’s rallying around one cause, survival against the unwelcome visitors from “up there.” The screenplay is written by Joe Lansdale and is based on a short story from sci-fi author Howard Waldrop.
Martin initially asked D’Onofrio to both direct and star in the film. “I met him when he came to Santa Fe, New Mexico, my hometown, to direct a film called The Kid,” Martin says. “I visited the set a few times and we had some Mexican food together. Of course I loved him as the Kingpin in Daredevil. I loved him in Men in Black. I loved him in Full Metal Jacket. All the work that he’d done. His range was impressive.”
“He’s the guy who carries you through the story, that carries the audience through the story,” says D’Onofrio about his character Sheriff Lindley. “I think it’s important that he has control of things or at least it seems like he has control of things.”
Check out our interview below:
