Interview with Darren Aronofsky, director of 'The Wrestler'

Darren Aronofsky, the director of The Wrestler, did an interviewed with Alfonso Castillo of Newsday. Here are some of the highlights:

On Unions in Wrestling: I think the problem starts with the fact that they're not organized and they're not unionized. That's the main problem. I mean, there's really no reason why these guys are not in SAG. They're as much screen actors as stuntmen. If not more. They're in front of a camera performing and doing stunts, and they should have that protection. That's the only thing that for me came out of it. Why doesn't SAG help get these guys organized? They're on TV performing. Or, if they're not even on TV, the ring is a theater. So they're not just screen actors, they're theater actors. They're performers. They should have insurance and they should have health insurance and they should be protected.

On Exposing the Wrestling Business: I think everyone knows it's fake. And I think the wrestlers know that everyone knows. Since the WWF became the WWE it's become public knowledge and I think that's what gave birth to ECW and CZW. People know it's fake, so they're kind of getting off on the actual danger of the stunts. So I think maybe the details of how it works are still a little guarded. But I think, if anything, this film gives respect for what these guys were doing, so all the wrestlers were open to it.

On Having a Screening for Vince McMahon at McMahon's Request: I don't know. I think it shows a lot of respect for the craft. It shows a lot of love for wrestling. It doesn't treat wrestling as a joke. So I don't know how he's going to react. I'm looking forward to seeing what his reaction is. But I think he'll appreciate the authenticity and the research.

The full interview can be read here.