Joe Swanberg Reflects on His Journey Back to Directing with ‘The Sun Never Sets’ at SXSW, Sharing Hope for the Future of Film and Mumblecore’s Comeback
Joe Swanberg Returns to SXSW with New Film After Nearly a Decade Away
After nearly ten years, filmmaker Joe Swanberg makes a triumphant return to the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival this weekend, launching his latest project, The Sun Never Sets. The star-studded dramedy premiered at the Zach Theater in Austin, marking Swanberg’s tenth showcase at the festival that has significantly shaped his career.
Swanberg, known for his pivotal role in the mumblecore movement, paused his directing endeavors after concluding his Netflix anthology series, Easy, which offered a deep dive into everyday life in Chicago. During his accomplished career, he has guided notable projects like Nights and Weekends, Drinking Buddies, and Win It All, while also fostering the careers of emerging indie filmmakers, including Alex Ross Perry and Lynn Shelton.
Reflecting on his time with Easy, Swanberg described the series as "the pinnacle" of his career, granting him access to elevated budgets and an exceptional network of collaborators. However, amidst his personal struggles, including a divorce, he never anticipated how profoundly the film industry would shift due to events like COVID-19 and the historic strikes affecting Hollywood.
In a recent interview, Swanberg expressed his excitement about returning to SXSW, highlighting its transformative role in his life and career. “It’s honestly been a very life-changing place for me,” he said. “I’ve had many indelible days… that totally changed the course of my life and career.”
Swanberg reminisced about his first memory of SXSW, recalling his surprise at discovering Austin as a vibrant city during his debut with Kissing on the Mouth. “I remember getting home… and just being so depressed,” he said, reflecting on the festival’s impact on him.
Now with The Sun Never Sets marking his return to directing, Swanberg elaborated on his time away from the camera. He opted for a hiatus to recalibrate after the intense pace of Easy, and to navigate personal life changes, including family responsibilities. However, the pandemic drastically altered the film landscape and delayed his return to the director’s chair.
In 2021, he opened a video store in Chicago and produced several horror films, reigniting his passion for filmmaking. “I felt very excited and very in the mood to get my own stuff going,” he explained.
His gradual return to directing has seen him reconnect with actors and collaborators, allowing for an enriched creative process. He noted, “I love working with actors; I love all the components of directing and producing.” His enthusiasm for future projects is clear: “I’m just going to be insanely prolific again.”
Swanberg described the structural evolution of his filmmaking, attributing significant growth to his experience on Easy. He emphasized writing more robustly for The Sun Never Sets, seeing it as a necessary evolution in his craft. “I gained confidence as a writer,” he said, noting that he developed a detailed outline for the film and engaged in collaborative feedback sessions.
As cinema undergoes a transformation, Swanberg commented on the revived interest in indie films, conveying optimism about the current landscape. “There’s a lot more space… for indies than there was five or six years ago,” he noted, confidently predicting a resurgence in middle-class filmmaking.
As he prepares to share The Sun Never Sets with audiences at SXSW, Swanberg feels rejuvenated and eager to continue telling meaningful stories. “I just really had the best time,” he reflected, looking forward to his film’s reception. "My place in the indie landscape… is going to be fueled by making films I love, rather than trying to play the game."
