Watch: The Royal Hotel writer-director Kitty Green discusses the film’s themes
Australian filmmaker Kitty Green has garnered a reputation for her impressive work exploring gender dynamics and male power, following the success of her film The Assistant in 2019.
Her latest release, The Royal Hotel (in cinemas from November 2nd), continues this trend as it follows two American backpackers working in a male-dominated mining community in the Australian outback, dealing with microaggressions and sexual harassment.
Read more: How Kitty Green tackled Weinstein and an Outback mining town (The Guardian, 6-minute read)
Given the recent headlines about figures like Andrew Tate, there is a timeliness to a film like The Royal Hotel. However, Green argues against labeling it as a recent phenomenon, stating: “Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s just today. It’s a behavior that has existed for a long time.”
“People have been quick to attribute it to Australia, but I believe this behavior can occur in any pub or bar around the world,” she adds.
“Everyone can display that behavior, and when things become unstable, it can escalate. Unfortunately, it’s universal,” she emphasizes.
“But hopefully, it’s not timeless, and we can find a way to stand up against these people.”
Green further delves into the inspiration behind her films, stating: “I don’t approach it with an agenda. I’m just a woman in the world.”
“It’s about my own fears and worries, and it naturally translates into something that people try to categorize. But I’m trying to make sense of it myself,” she adds.
“It comes from a gut feeling… finding aspects of our culture interesting and building a screenplay around them.”
Watch the trailer for The Royal Hotel
The Royal Hotel reunites Green with actress Julia Garner, who previously worked together on Green’s 2019 film, The Assistant.
Garner brings cynicism to her character, Hanna, which complements well with Jessica Henwick’s portrayal of Liv, a more carefree figure.
When discussing her collaboration with Julia Garner, Green expresses admiration, saying: “We instantly clicked and it worked.”
“At this point, we don’t need to communicate much. We have worked together for a long time, and it feels very natural,” she adds.
Green recalls providing notes to Garner about certain scenes, only to find that Garner had already reached the same conclusion.
“It’s one of those rare instances where it just works, and it’s something to cherish,” Green states.
The Royal Hotel not only focuses on the challenges faced by its female leads but also takes the time to humanize the male bar patrons who are the source of much conflict.
Each male character displays different traits recognizable to any woman.