Production

and
Certificate

Writer and
Director:
who is
Richard
Ayoade?

What do we know about Richard Ayoade?

The Double is director Richard Ayoades second feature film. The

first, Submarine (2011) received critical success and was produced by
Warp, funded by Film4 and the old UK Film Councils New Cinema
Fund with a limited release (60 UK screens) by Optimum.
He has also directed music videos for bands such as Kasabian, Arctic
Monkeys, Super Furry Animals, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Vampire
Weekend.
Richard Ayoade is also a comedian and actor, known for his roles
in The IT Crowd, Gareth Marenghis Darkplace and The Mighty
Boosh.

How do these texts fit with the style or narrative of The

Double? What expectations can we form of Ayoades
style or influences?

Indie
Postmodern
Surrealism
Black
comedy
Characters
who see
the world
differently
to others

Auteur Theory: The idea that the director is the sole or

primary auteur of a film - even if it is a huge
collaborative process, the directors voice is distinctive
enough to shine through and create a specific style.

Is he an auteur?

Influences and Works to research:

Directed music videos:
Arctic Monkeys Fluorescent Adolescent
The Last Shadow Puppets My Mistakes Were Made For You
Vampire Weekend Oxford Comma
Kasabian Vlad the Impaler
Yeah Yeah Yeahs Heads Will Roll

TV:
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace

Earlier film:
Submarine (French New
Wave)

Influences:
Wes Andersen
Brazil
Rear Window
David Lynch

As you research your text, look for:

visual style in terms of filters (mainly red)
unusual framing
oblique camera angles
cutting that resists narrative continuity
framing of subjects in empty narrative space
unique use of music
Influences and Works to research:
Directed music videos:
Arctic Monkeys Fluorescent Adolescent
The Last Shadow Puppets My Mistakes Were Made For You
Vampire Weekend Oxford Comma
Kasabian Vlad the Impaler
Yeah Yeah Yeahs Heads Will Roll

TV:
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace

Earlier film:
Submarine (French New
Wave)

Influences:
Wes Andersen
Brazil
Rear Window
David Lynch

Isnt being a director even

more revealing, though? Doesn't
your personality end up being
channelled into the films DNA?
It doesnt feel like that so much,
he says. Its not your face, which is
a thin membrane. You are making
something with a hundred other
people, so it feels very shared. It
goes without saying that Ayoade
doesnt conform to the egotistical,
megaphone-wielding clich of
maniacal director. In fact, hed have
you believe his role on set was as
a glorified cheerleader. What I like
about being a director is that you
essentially get to be a fan of a
bunch of other peoples work who
you are specifically interested in,
and that doesnt happen to you as
an actor, you cant just enjoy
anything about it. You cant enjoy
your own performance, its a weird
and narcissistic thing. The actors I
know dont like watching
themselves and their favourite
thing isnt watching their own films.

The Double went for a very similar classic funding

model for independent British Film with again funding from Film4
(they retain the British TV rights) and the BFI (having taken over the
role of distributing national lottery funding for film from the
disbanded UK Film Council). The actual production company was
Alcove Entertainment. The Double was distributed in the UK by
StudioCanal UK who were previously known as Optimum Releasing
and in the US by Magnolia Pictures. International sales were by
Protagonist Pictures.

Production Notes:
Read your copy of the production story given in the official
production notes. Highlight/annotate for:
Who was involved in making the film
Genre
Star appeal

As with Submarine Executive Producer Ben Stiller who helped to sell the
film in the US, Ayoade brings in Michael Caine as co-Producer, with cameo
performances from his iconic British actor father-in-law James Fox, old
mate Chris ODowd from the IT Crowd and Chris Morris to anchor the
subversive narrative.

After only two features, he is showing he is well connected in the

industry. Does this add to his status (or not) as an auteur?

Production Notes:
Read your copy of the production story given in the official
production notes. Highlight/annotate for:
Who was involved in making the film
Genre
Star appeal

Michael Caine argued that The Double is somewhat of

an oxymoron in that it is an independent film that
utilises star appeal.

Do you agree?
What audiences might this film be aimed at?

The BBFC passed The Double uncut with a 15 certificate because of the
strong language, representation of suicide and suicide references. The
themes of the film were seen to be metaphorically dark enough to warrant
the rating but the context was important in terms of a lack of realism it
was set in a surreal modern day America switching the books narrative
from the mid 19th century. It was unlikely that passive consumption, via
imitable techniques would be an issue with this film, particularly
considering its target group.

Read your case study handout on The Double. Do you think this
age rating was justified?
Who do you think the target audience for this film might be?