I've Never Seen A Straight Banana

Interview with director Marco Noé

1. What was one of the most challenging moments you faced while making this film? Did this ‘setback’ change the direction of the final story?

The most challenging thing was finding a present day character that connected to Effie in a way that inspired my curiosity. When I came up with the idea for the documentary, I didn’t know Geoffoire existed, I just had the idea of someone like him. In hindsight pitching an idea with someone like him as the central character without knowing if they existed was an incredible long shot. But I put that out into the universe and I think Effie helped me find him after she saw how much hard work I was doing. It changed the direction of the story in that once I met Geoffoire I had to understand how Effie had impacted him and what unfinished business he had that I could show as the plot for the story which landed me filming a scene that I never ever would have imagined!

2. What was the biggest inspiration behind your short film?

Effie Fellows is the biggest inspiration for the film. It’s niche, it's weird, it tried a few things not everyone agrees with but it has its own character that it’s proud of.

3. Let’s say you had to make this film all over again. Knowing what you know now, is there one thing you’d do differently? And if there’s nothing you’d change, what have you learnt since finishing the film that you didn’t know on day one?

I’d be more forgiving of myself. This is a beautifully complex tale of two individuals who had a fleeting crossing of paths. I was, and still am, so critical of the final film that it could have been so much more. Since this project, I’ve tried to be much kinder to myself as a filmmaker.

4. At its core, can you tell us what I’ve Never Seen A Straight Banana is about, and what do you hope audiences will discover when they come to see the film?

Your quirks can be your superpowers.