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Interview with “Riley” writer/director Benjamin Howard and actor Jake Holley
You don’t have to be the high-performing, perfect version of yourself. You can be whatever you are. And that resonates with a lot of people
Understanding oneself is a journey, and for LGBTQIA+ individuals, it can be even more complex due to societal prejudices and familial pressures. This journey becomes even more intricate for Dakota Riley, the protagonist in Riley, the latest film by Benjamin Howard (Rendezvous). As a rising football star and the face of a sport that values masculinity and conformity, Riley grapples with his identity. We had the opportunity to discuss this compelling narrative, the casting process, and the nuances of creating a subtle LGBTQIA+ film like Riley with writer/director Benjamin Howard and actor Jake Holley at the BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival.
Liselotte Vanophem (Liselotte goes to Hollywood): Congratulations on the great film! Benjamin (Howard), you’re the writer/director, and the movie is based on your life. How was it for you to put your life onto paper, and why did you decide to make a film about it?
Writer/director Benjamin Howard: The writing process was the most cathartic thing I’ve ever done. It allowed me, in a fun but also anxious way, to re-explore this time in my life when I was working through these internal…