Materialists director Celine Song: What I've learned about love - The Arts Hour, BBC World Service

Key Concepts:

• Matchmaking: The process of connecting individuals for potential marriage or partnership.
• Materialism: The focus on material possessions and economic status in relationships and life.
• Class: The hierarchical division of society based on economic status, wealth, and social standing.
• Commodification/Objectification: Treating individuals as objects or merchandise, especially in the context of dating and the job market.
• Love as Freedom: The idea that love is a force outside of capitalist structures and therefore inherently valuable.

1. Celine Song's Experience as a Matchmaker

• Celine Song worked as a matchmaker in New York City for six months, gaining significant insights into people's desires and expectations in relationships.
• People were very honest about their requirements, often expressing them in terms of specific numbers related to height, weight, age, and income.
• Many individuals openly stated the minimum income they expected from a partner.

2. The Obsession with Matchmaking

• The popularity of matchmaking shows (e.g., Indian Matchmaking, Jewish Matchmaking, The Matchmakers, Millionaire Matchmaker) stems from the desire to solve the "great mystery" of love by hiring an expert.
• While dating can be approached as a game with strategies, Song believes it's impossible to be an "expert in love" itself, as love is an "ancient mystery."

3. Casting as Matchmaking

• Song approaches casting as a matchmaking process, creating characters first and then searching for actors who embody their souls.
• Dakota Johnson was immediately identified as the perfect fit for the character Lucy after a lunch meeting.

4. The Visuals of "Materialists": Shooting on Film

• "Materialists" was shot on film to create a romantic and cinematic experience.
• Shooting on film, especially in New York City, was a conscious choice to evoke a classic and timeless feel.
• The expense of film added pressure but also made the cast and crew more deliberate and precious about each shot.

5. Tonal Shifts and Sound Design

• The film uses distinct visual and auditory cues to differentiate the characters' economic realities.
• Private, quiet spaces are depicted as a "luxury good," with sound design reflecting the affluence of characters like Harry (played by Pedro Pascal) compared to John (played by Chris Evans).
• The script included specific details about rent prices and how characters acquired their real estate.

6. Materialism in New York City

• While every city has its own form of materialism, New York City's version is particularly prominent.
• Wealth is overrepresented in media, often glossing over the economic realities of living in expensive cities.
• Song aimed to be honest about the economic pressures in New York City, which are often discussed behind closed doors.
• The lack of robust social security in the U.S. intensifies these economic pressures.

7. Class and Romance

• Class plays a significant role in romance, influencing how love and relationships are measured.
• The class gap is widening due to broken economic systems and the erosion of social security.
• Song draws a parallel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, noting that the economic pressures depicted in the novel remain relevant today.

8. Commodification and Dehumanization

• The film's central theme revolves around the objectification and commodification of individuals in the dating and job markets.
• The line "I'm not merchandise, I'm a person" encapsulates the struggle against being reduced to one's economic value.
• Commodification leads to dehumanization, hindering the possibility of genuine love.

9. The Illusion of the "Knight in Shining Armor"

• The character of Harry, who appears to be a wealthy and ideal partner, represents individuals who "know the price of everything and the value of nothing."
• Marrying rich is presented as one of the few remaining ways to "jump class," but it's not a guaranteed path to happiness or true love.

10. Love as Freedom from Capitalism

• Song argues that love is worth fighting for, despite the cynicism and heartbreak it may entail.
• Love is presented as a force that is "free from capitalism," making it inherently valuable and a form of freedom.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

Celine Song's "Materialists" explores the intersection of love, class, and materialism in contemporary society, particularly in New York City. Drawing from her experience as a matchmaker, Song critiques the commodification of individuals and the economic pressures that shape relationships. The film uses visual and auditory cues to highlight the disparities in economic realities and argues that true love transcends material wealth, offering a form of freedom from capitalist structures. The film encourages viewers to question the value of material possessions and to recognize the inherent worth of human connection.