Adapted from the Japanese-British novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, Klara and the Sun stars Jenna Ortega as a humanoid robot whose principal gift is an uncanny ability to deliver the perfect deadpan line—and then break a viewer’s heart moments later. Those who have watched director Taika Waititi’s other films, including the dark satire Jojo Rabbit and the screwball adventure Hunt for the Wilderpeople, will recognize his signature mix of pathos and comedy.
Waititi also has musical instincts, and he knows his way around an indie track better than most. Klara and the Sun features a soundtrack packed with catchy guitar-driven songs, including Television’s late-’70s gem “Days,” bold art-pop such as Antony and the Johnsons’ “Fistful of Love,” and alternative tunes like Violent Femmes’ 1983 cult classic “Good Feeling.” That last one, Waititi says, is especially special to him.
“That’s one of my favourite songs of all time,” he says, “I never thought I’d ever have an opportunity to put one of their songs in one of my films. Moments in my life are accompanied by bands like Pixies, Pavement, Femmes, Nirvana. I was very much into indie.”
Like any true indie devotee, Waititi has an impeccably selected collection of band T-shirts. He also has deeply held feelings about the artists who shaped his musical taste.
Leonard Cohen’s ‘Songs of Love and Hate’ blew his mind
“This is one of the most beautiful albums. I’m a massive Leonard Cohen fan. One of my all-time favourite concert experiences was going to see him live by myself when he played in Auckland [in New Zealand] in 2008. It was just after the nasty incident with his manager [Cohen fired his long-time manager and former lover, Kelley Lynch, in 2004 after discovering she had embezzled millions from his personal accounts] and he had to go touring again. Great for me, though!”
He wore his favourite Prince tee until it fell to bits
“I wore this one into the ground until it was just rags and fell off. I think it’s probably half of the picture now. But that was before I knew that you should look after t-shirts like that. I would just wear it everywhere. I just loved it. I’m a massive Prince fan. Look, let’s face it, the [Purple Rain] movie’s not great but it’s iconic!”
Russell Crowe is one of Taika’s best pals
“The Russ-meister! I’m good friends with Russell. I’ve listened to his music [in rock collective Indoor Garden Party] and I helped him when he was playing in Italy. I did the video mixing for his concert. He’s wonderful. On-stage, he’s there to do a job and, you know, he’s gonna do it!”
Pixies’ ‘Surfer Rosa’ would be his desert island album
“I was 18 or something when I first heard it. It was incredible. It just blew my mind. I did not understand what was happening… I’ve met some of them and I’ve seen them live. The best thing about them live is they don’t fuck around in-between the songs. It’s just the next song, straight away. They don’t start talking to the crowd, they’re here to play the music.
“I didn’t say much when I met them. There’s certain people that, when you meet them, you revert back into a moron with nothing interesting to say.”
