“Captivating. A simmering powder keg.”

The Playlist

Director, Writer, Producer and Editor Robert Machoian (GOD BLESS THE CHILD, THE MINORS) sat down for a Q&A to discuss his latest film, THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS, along with its lead actors Clayne Crawford (A WALK TO REMEMBER, LETHAL WEAPON) and Sepideh Moafi (THE L WORD, THE DEUCE).

After its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, the film has gone on to receive a Film Independent Spirit Award nomination, and is now rated a near perfect 93% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

As the two lead characters’ relationship dissolves, the film follows the couple as they begin to move on, and provides a gripping, raw depiction of the ways in which that separation impacts their lives.

Filmed in a tiny Utah town, Machoian wanted the small-town feel – the couple could not ‘run away’ and never run into one another, Crawford describes being in “a bubble”, free from distraction as the actors and filmmakers were together practically 24/7, for the 12 days of filming, immersing themselves in the film and the filmmaking process, getting to know one another deeply while making art together.

Using a 4:3 aspect ratio, Machoian wanted to use this tighter frame as a means by which to illustrate that the male lead (Crawford) is lost in his own thoughts, uncertain of his future. Moafi states that Machoian is “committed to capturing real life,” and while his screenplay was light on words, it is immensely deep in its raw emotion. “A marriage is not just the two people involved,” Machoian states. Love is complicated, and while the relationship is filled with grey areas for the couple, things are very black and white to their children.

“A knockout first solo narrative feature for writer-director Robert Machoian”

Hollywood Reporter

“Haunting… with notes of vintage Terrence Malick.”

The Film Stage

Watch the full Q&A:

About the Film:

The Killing of Two Lovers follows David, who desperately tries to keep his family of six together during a separation from his wife, Nikki. They both agree to see other people but David struggles to grapple with his wife’s new relationship. The Hollywood Reporter calls the film “a transfixing drama without a wasted word or a single inessential scene.”

Where to see it:

THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS is now playing at Angelika Dallas, Angelika Carmel Mountain, and The Tower Theatre by Angelika.