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‘Adam Green’s Aladdin’: Macaulay Culkin, Natasha Lyonne, And Zoe Kravitz Talk New Movie In Behind-The-Scenes Video

By Charisse Van Horn
Published on: 09:12 PST, Apr 8, 2016

Some of New York City’s most notable film artists are starring in Adam Green’s Aladdin, and this promises to be one independent film you will not want to miss. Adam Green is the visionary behind Gemstones Cracking, and his second film promises to bring viewers on a kaleidoscopic voyage through the inner workings of Green’s mind as he brings his creativity and interpretation to the classic Aladdin tale.

The film stars Adam Green, Macaulay Culkin, Natasha Lyonne, and a slew of other notable actors and actresses, and while some might find the film a trippy experience, the message is on point. One could even say that Andy Warhol’s spirit is alive and well, living in New York, and delivered to you on film via Adam Green’s Aladdin. You may see the official trailer below. Additionally, stars of the film, such as Macaulay Culkin and Natasha Lyonne, joined Adam Green in an exclusive, documentary-style, behind-the-scenes look at the film that features sets composed from vividly painted papier mâché creations.

Green released a description of the film through an official press release.

“Adam Green’s Aladdin is a hyper-sensory, poetic, and humorously subversive take on the Arabian Nights Classic tale. Aladdin, Green’s second feature film explores the recesses of Green’s symbolic imagination. Filmed entirely on papier mâché sets like Michel Gondry on LSD, or a Jodorowsky film made of cardboard, this satirical odyssey is laced with frenetic dialogue at the pace of Xavier: Renegade Angel or South Park.

“Revolving around Aladdin’s dysfunctional family, who live in a ‘regular’ town ruled by a corrupt Sultan with a decadent socialite daughter, the film explores themes of technology, government repression, greed, and true-love. “

Adam Green spoke to Paper and explained a bit about his vision for making the movie. He shared that he is scared of the future and noted that technology is taking over, also adding that the movie addresses privacy concerns. The film’s main theme seems to come across clearly to movie-goers, as well as the film’s anti-government argument. The film was partially funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign, and according to Green, the film took five years to complete. Green pointed out that the idea for making the set out of papier mâché came from his wife Jasmine.

“I was thinking about a materialistic fairytale where someone gets material wealth for free. I was thinking about true love and how it’s more important than all the wealth. Then I was thinking about looking at it through modern eyes. In my version of Aladdin, it’s like the land of the 3D printer. Where would we put all this stuff? It kind of became about the planet in general and surveillance. I have a really big fear of technology.”

Adam Green further explained the sentiment when asked what about technology he fears.

“That it will turn me into a cyborg. I feel like everybody is a little bit of an Aladdin at heart — we’re printing out our next generation of humans. We’re a generation of Aladdins.”

You can find a listing of screenings for Adam Green’s Aladdin at the official film site.

The full cast for Adam Green’s Aladdin is as follows:

  • Adam Green — Aladdin
  • Alia Shawkat — Emily
  • Natasha Lyonne — Mom
  • Jack Dishel — Uncle Gary/The Sultan
  • Macaulay Culkin — Ralph
  • Nicole LaLiberte — Ms. President
  • Francesco Clemente — Mustafa, The Genie
  • Bip Ling — Princess Barbara
  • Parker Kindred — Genarro Russo
  • Har Mar Superstar — British Druggie Guy
  • John Wiley — Farmer Dave
  • Michael Cummings — Paper Boy
  • Sienna Scarritt — Rebel Girl
  • Benjamin Dubson — 15 Year Old
  • Zoë Kravitz — Old Miner
  • Devendra Banhart — Saucemaker
  • Rodrigo Amarante — Mariachi Singer
  • Binki Shapiro — Miner
  • Andrew VanWyngarden — Guardian of the Lamp
  • Penn Badgley — Prince of Monaco
  • Chris Eigen — Bartender
  • Luke Rathborne — Prisoner
  • Marcel Castenmiller — Sultan’s Secretary
  • Leo Fitzpatrick — Bouncer
  • Yasmin Green — Nurse
  • Sophia Lamar — Stripper
  • Carley Sciortino — Swedish Roommate
  • Matt Romano — CIA Officer
  • Rayna Cummings — Goth
  • Mical Kilp — Hotel Room Floosey
  • Neil Harbisson — Miner

[Photo by Adam Green]

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