Cox Makes Directorial Debut With Heartfelt Tale of Estranged Brothers
GLENROTHAN, Scotland — Set against the rolling hills of Scotland’s rural highlands, a new film explores the complicated bond between two estranged brothers, played by Brian Cox and Alan Cumming, who try to reconnect after more than 40 years apart.
For Cox, who has long directed theatre productions but never a feature film, stepping into the director’s chair was a leap into the unknown.
“It was a good challenge,” he said ahead of the film’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday. “Right now, there aren’t enough movies with heart. There’s a lot of cynicism out there.”
Cox cited the late British filmmaker Lindsay Anderson as his greatest influence. “He taught me a lot about letting things be rather than forcing them in a certain direction,” he explained.
The 79-year-old actor is perhaps best known today for his role as Logan Roy, the formidable patriarch in HBO’s hit series Succession. Sporting a sharp blue blazer reminiscent of his on-screen persona, Cox laughed off comparisons. “I’m more of a Sandy, by my nature,” he said.
Co-star Shirley Henderson praised Cox for his clarity on set, saying he never hesitated to let people know what he wanted.
Asked if he would direct another film, Cox admitted the experience had been exhausting but rewarding. “Yes, I probably would do it again if someone asked. But this may be my one and only, so I’m taking it for all it’s worth,” he said with a smile.
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