Podtalk: Co-Writer/Director/Actor Matt Johnson of ‘BlackBerry’

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionE-mail page to friendE-mail page to friendPDF versionPDF version
No votes yet

CHICAGO – As technology goes, it seems so long ago, but at its peak the first multi-use smartphone was nicknamed the “CrackBerry” because of user addiction. The product’s improbable rise and fall is told in the new film “BlackBerry,” co-written/directed and featuring Matt Johnson.

it’s 1996, and Mike Lazaridis (Jay Baruchel) and his business partner and best friend Douglas Fregin (Johnson) are on the edge of creating the world’s first smartphone. Unfortunately for them, they are less business savvy than they are tech, and struggle to keep afloat their Canadian company. Everything changes when cunning business man Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton) agrees to fund the concept, bringing with him the money and experience needed to create a prototype of their invention.

“BlackB"
Matt Johnson (inset) on Set in ‘BlackBerry’
Photo credit: IFC Films

“BlackBerry” is a Canadian produced film, and Matt Johnson was born in Toronto. After creating the web series “Nirvanna the Band the Show” in 2007 (later turned into a TV series in 2016), he made his directorial debut in 2013 with the feature “The Dirties,” which had a total budget of 55K but won Best Narrative Feature at the Slamdance Festival. After “Operation Avalance” in 2016, “BlackBerry” became his third narrative feature. Matt Johnson appeared at the Chicago Premiere of the film during the Chicago Critics Film Festival, where he sat down for the following interview.

In a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, co-writer, director and featured actor Matt Johnson of “BlackBerry” talks about the film’s development, and how he took on a key role …

Trailer for “BlackBerry” …

”BlackBerry” opens in theaters on May 12th. Featuring Matt Johnson, Jay Baruchel, Glenn Howerton, Cary Elwes, Saul Rubinek and Michael Ironside. Screenplay adapted by Matt Johnson and Matthew Miller. Directed by Matt Johnson. Rated “R”

HollywoodChicago.com senior staff writer Patrick McDonald

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Critic/Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2023 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

User Login

Free Giveaway Mailing

TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

Advertisement



HollywoodChicago.com on Twitter

archive

HollywoodChicago.com Top Ten Discussions
referendum
tracker