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THE CLARK-LACHMAN DUOAuthor Unknown / International Thessaloniki Film Festival / 2002
Dark glasses hid Larry Clark's eyes yesterday, as he talked about when he and co-director Ed Lachmann thought up the idea for Ken Park in 1989. "I am glad it wasn't my first film," said Clark, noting that when he finally raised the money for the uncompromising project, he was ready. Clark and Lachmann wanted to make a film that didn't play by the usual rules. There was improvisation, but actress Tiffany Limos explains, "We all knew what we were getting into before we did the movie." The mix of unknown nonactors and older pros worked. Unsurprisingly, Clark's teen years have been a bottomless source of inspiration. "I don't think I'm obsessed with children," Clark clarified, "I'm obsessed with working." He pointed out he's "not out to make people angry." He simply represents reality - whether this is realistic violence or sex. Not a single frame was tampered with in production, so the creators won't permit any censorship now. With a photography book in the works (working title: "An American Hero"), Clark dreams of taking three months off to snap shots. Clark feels close to the subjects in his film, who try to survive families: "We're not rich people coming down from the hill to speak of the working class". Co-director Lachmann cautioned filmmakers on not being deceived by new technology into thinking it's "easier" to tell stories. With regards to the relevance of the film to other countries, actress Limos said she felt it might just show people who romanticise American life that there are problems there too. 
 Ken Park (2002)
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