Interview: The Swirling Sphere

The Swirling Sphere, Written By David Bradley
October ??, 1997


American movie Director Paul Thomas Anderson is just 27-years-old. His reputation is one of frankness and no bullshit and he's celebrating the success of his nostalgic porn flick, Boogie Nights which has revitalized Burt Reynolds acting career and put the former Calvin Klein icon and hip hop name Mark Wahlberg back on everyone's lips. But as David Bradley discovers, this brash and funky wunderkind prefers to keep certain matters tucked snuggly beneath the rim of his hat.

It's probably too simple a question really, but one that's just aching to be asked: Did Paul Thomas Anderson, writer/director of Boogie Nights, do plenty of research for the porno saga? The answer: "Sure, man of course. I had to get a feel for it, so me and the cast and crew screened a lot of porno movies during the production shoot, while I've personally been watching them for ages now, you know." So you're a fan then? "Naturally. As a kid, I used to watch them from two different perspective's: one, as the drooling, pubescent kid who breathed heavily, and also on a more serious, scholarly level, carefully noting the styles, the trends, the overall artistry of it all."

When I ask if this is as much hot air as it sounds, Anderson laughs and jokes, "of course. I watched them for a fucking thrill. So did you. So did everyone. Anyone else is a liar."