words: Al Burton
photography: David Bornfriend

Barry Jenkins is one to watch, literally. His debut feature Medicine for Melancholy was the crowning moment of a filmic movement called Mumblecore and through a series of short films he’s confirmed his pedigree. Barry speaks at length  in SHK #08 but here’s a little taster, and feel free to check the beautiful mixtape that Barry’s put together for us.

On the surface Barry Jenkins seems uniquely composed. His trendy yet conservative style belies his boyish looks and he speaks with a maturity that suggests he is wise beyond his 30 years. If success were measured in quality alone, he would already rank near the top of the current crop of sought-after directors in Hollywood. His 2008 Spirit Award nominations aside, the words Jenkins and genius are often heard together in the chorus of critical accolades he’s received since the release of his debut feature film Medicine for Melancholy. Possessing the sort of likeability more commonly found on camera than off, Barry Jenkins pushes all the right buttons.

“I didn’t grow up as an artist. In high school I was a jock. My favorite movie was Die Hard,” he explains in a tone that is laced more with irony than humour. “I went to college as an English Education major then I saw a sign for film school and I thought ‘What I’m doing now isn’t really fulfilling me, I like movies, I think I should check that out.’ I found that I was able to say things through cinema that I couldn’t say any other way, which is the most clichéd thing for a filmmaker to say but it’s absolutely true. I couldn’t deny it, though I tried to, because it’s not a realistic goal for anyone – to bank on making your life as a filmmaker. But I had to pursue it.”

As filmmakers go, Jenkins is considered a leading member in a movement of young independent directors known as Mumblecore, and Medicine for Melancholy is largely considered to be the genre’s best film. “It’s basically two people talking and they’re not very articulate so they mumble,” explains Jenkins. “The term caught on at the festival circuit and now some of us have kind of embraced it. It’s always simple stories with two or three characters, and always about relationships.”

Barry Jenkins – Soundtrack for Melancholy

1. Casual Goodbye – Bear In Heaven
2. nothing says – The Family Photo
3. Simply Beautiful (Live on VH1) – Al Green
4. What Do I Have To Do – The Michaels
5. Optiganally Yours – Gepetto
6. Butterflies – Michael Jackson
7. Graze – Animal Collective
8. Monica – Tortoise
9. Just The Same But Brand New – St. Vincent
10. Never Too Much – Luther Vandross
11. All The Flowers – Bibio
12. Cheerleader – Grizzly Bear
13. Doremifa Girl – Snooze

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www.strikeanywherefilms.com
twitter.com/bandrybarry
David Bornfriend Photography