Boots Riley’s ‘I Love Boosters’ Delivers a Wildly Memorable Opening Night at SXSW
The opening night of SXSW showcased a vibrant start with Boots Riley’s upcoming NEON film, I Love Boosters. The psychedelic, absurdist comedy revolves around a group of fashion-forward shoplifters who target a fashion icon, only to resell her designs at discounted prices.
The film drew plenty of laughter and even received a standing ovation, embodying the excitement studios hope for during premieres in Austin’s Paramount Theatre, renowned for its cinephile audience.
Keke Palmer stars as Corvette, an aspiring fashion designer running her own shop that sells stolen fashion items at lower prices. Alongside her crew, including Naomi Ackie and Taylour Paige, she aims to take down the corrupt fashion designer Christie Smith, portrayed by Demi Moore. Smith not only inflates prices but also appropriates designs, such as a unique piece created by Corvette, all while endangering workers in a mainland China factory due to her unethical practices. LaKeith Stanfield plays a character with hidden motives, who becomes romantically interested in Corvette, while Eiza González portrays a stoner punk retail worker who lends her support to the group.
In discussing I Love Boosters, Riley shared, “When it came to I Love Boosters, it was more me thinking about specifically fashion, which is thought of as an artistic endeavor. What is behind art? You can put that with everything. How does it get made? What puts the value on it?”
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He further elaborated on the film’s satirical critique of capitalism, stating, “The idea that so many people want to be involved with art; they’re in that conversation, but it costs so much.”
Riley highlighted a poignant moment in the film involving Kate Berlant’s character, who argues that art should be free for women. “Without it, you can’t get a job, you can’t be a member of society,” he emphasized.
Palmer praised Riley’s artistic vision, noting, “He knows how it will tie together, even the different color mapping.” She expressed her appreciation for the film’s depth, stating, “It’s different every time I watch it. I watched it so many times. I usually don’t watch myself… The reward is I keep seeing the different layers of things.”
Addressing social struggles, Palmer remarked, “Whether you’re Latin, Black or Asian American, we’re dealing with some crazy struggles. (We need to) stop fighting our own independent fights.” This theme aligns with a teleportation device featured in the film, aiding the characters in their audacious heists.
González, who identifies as a Mexican woman, described her character as a “nose-ring nerd,” adding, “It means a lot. She’s someone who wants to raise her voice to the world. She’s brilliant, a vaping weed brainiac. We need more directors who take risks and don’t put you in a box.” González is also set to premiere another film at SXSW, Hulu’s action movie Mick & Nick & Nick & Alice.
Liu shared insights about the cast’s bonding experience while filming in Atlanta for two-and-a-half months, stating they developed a unique “circadian rhythm” together.
I Love Boosters is set to hit cinemas on May 22.
