Director Joel Edgerton discusses Boy Erased

October 28, 2018

DGA Q&As in Los Angeles and New York

A young gay man undergoes a controversial therapy in Director Joel Edgerton’s new biographical drama, Boy Erased.

Based on the memoir of the same name by Garrard Conley, Edgerton’s film tells the true coming of age and coming out story of Jared (Lucas Hedges), who is viciously outed to his parents (Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe). Pressured into attending a church-supported gay conversion program, he butts heads with its head therapist (Joel Edgerton) and begins to find his own voice and accept his true self.

Following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles on October 28, Edgerton sat down with Director Gavin O’Connor (The Accountant) to discuss the challenges of both directing and appearing in Boy Erased. Edgerton also discussed the making of the film in a conversation moderated by Director Michael Cuesta (American Assassin) following the DGA membership screening in New York on October 24.

In addition to Boy Erased, Edgerton’s directing credits include the feature film The Gift. Edgerton has been a DGA member since 2015.

You can listen to Edgerton's Q&A by clicking the podcast episode embedded below. You can find more DGA podcast episodes here.

Pictures

Event photos by Marcie Revens (New York) and Trixie Textor (Los Angeles) - Print courtesy of Focus Features.

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Director Joel Edgerton speaks about the making of his new biographical drama, Boy Erased, following the DGA membership screening in New York.

Nicole Kidman and Lucas Hedges in Director Joel Edgerton’s Boy Erased.

Director Joel Edgerton speaks about the making of his new biographical drama, Boy Erased, following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Director Joel Edgerton (right) speaks about the making of Boy Erased with Director Gavin O’Connor (moderator) following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Théodore Pellerin and Lucas Hedges in Director Joel Edgerton’s Boy Erased.

Director Joel Edgerton (right) speaks about the making of Boy Erased with Director Michael Cuesta (moderator) following the DGA membership screening in New York.

Director Michael Cuesta (moderator) asks Director Joel Edgerton a question about the making of Edgerton’s new biographical drama, Boy Erased, following the DGA membership screening in New York.

Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe in Director Joel Edgerton’s Boy Erased.

Director Gavin O’Connor (moderator) asks Director Joel Edgerton a question about the making of Edgerton’s new biographical drama, Boy Erased, following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

A member of the DGA New York Theater audience asks Director Joel Edgerton a question about the making of Boy Erased.

Joel Edgerton also appears in his new feature, Boy Erased.

The DGA Los Angeles Theater audience hears Directors Joel Edgerton and Gavin O’Connor (moderator) discuss the making of Boy Erased.

Lucas Hedges, Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman in Director Joel Edgerton’s Boy Erased.

Directors Gavin O’Connor (moderator) and Joel Edgerton pose for a photo following the Los Angeles DGA membership screening of Edgerton’s new biographical drama, Boy Erased.

Jesse LaTourette, Troye Sivan and Victor McCay in Director Joel Edgerton’s Boy Erased.

Directors Michael Cuesta (moderator) and Joel Edgerton pose for a photo following the New York DGA membership screening of Edgerton’s new biographical drama, Boy Erased.

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