Contributions from Simon Bland | Little White Lies

Contributor Simon Bland

A man with a thick beard and intense gaze, set against a warm, golden-brown background.
In Praise Of

In defence of Darren Aronofsky’s The Fountain

by Simon Bland

Dis­missed as a self-indul­gent fol­ly upon release, this fatal­is­tic fan­ta­sy dra­ma deserves a sec­ond look.
Two people, a smiling woman with short dark hair and a man with bright red hair, make enthusiastic facial expressions against a pink background.

Poo jokes and a visit from Prince – The making of Drop Dead Fred

by Simon Bland

Direc­tor Ate de Jong tells the inside sto­ry of one of the cra­zi­est and most unique stu­dio films of the 1990s.
Large yellow ogre-like creature sitting in a swampy pond surrounded by floating flower petals.
In Praise Of

From far, far away to 4chan – The surprising legacy of Shrek

by Simon Bland

Direc­tors Andrew Adam­son and Vicky Jen­son reflect on the cul­tur­al after­life of their 2001 com­put­er animation.
Hooded figure wearing a Guy Fawkes mask in front of a sign reading "Strength through Unity, Unity through Faith"
In Praise Of

“We were projecting forward” – James McTeigue on V for Vendetta at 15

by Simon Bland

The direc­tor reflects on the mak­ing and last­ing cul­tur­al impact of his 2005 dystopi­an thriller.
Two young men with friendly expressions, one with curly blond hair and the other with dark hair, both smiling and wearing casual clothing.
Oral History

An oral history of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure

by Simon Bland

The inside sto­ry of how a goofy script by two unknown screen­writ­ers became a beloved cult hit.
Three men in business attire conversing in an office.
In Praise Of

“There were times when I was sore from laughing” – Adam McKay on The Other Guys at 10

by Simon Bland

The direc­tor reflects on the mak­ing of his 2010 bud­dy cop com­e­dy, and the seri­ous mes­sage at its heart.
Two women in a car, one wearing a yellow checked shirt and the other a black hat.
In Praise Of

“I wanted it to feel like entering a world that makes you happy” – Amy Heckerling on Clueless at 25

by Simon Bland

The writer/​director mus­es on one of the best and most beloved lit­er­ary adap­ta­tions of mod­ern times.
A man in a gladiator costume shouting with arms outstretched.

The supernatural, Nick Cave-scripted Gladiator sequel that never was

by Simon Bland

The Bad Seeds front­man wrote a screen­play for Rus­sell Crowe, res­ur­rect­ing his Roman warrior.
Three people in a photography studio, one holding a camera and speaking to the others.

“I saw Bateman as kind of a buffoon” – Mary Harron on American Psycho at 20

by Simon Bland

The direc­tor reflects on the cre­ation of one of cinema’s endur­ing mon­sters, Patrick Bateman.
Group portrait of 6 adults with theatrical costumes and makeup. Includes a man in a military beret, a woman with a pink flower in her hair, and a man with a beard and headband.
Oral History

Spaced at 20: How we made a British cult classic

by Simon Bland

An oral his­to­ry of the beloved sit­com with Jes­si­ca Hynes, Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright.