Machine Gun Kelly Talks New Film ‘Taurus’: ‘There’s Nothing More Annoying Than Watching a Thespian Fake Being a Rock Star’

“Taurus” is the semi-autobiographical story of a rap-slash-rock star on the tail-end of a self-destructive kick. Set to premiere on the Berlin Movie Competition Feb. 13, the movie stars Colson Baker (higher recognized to followers as real-life rap-slash-rock star Machine Gun Kelly) as Cole, a Kurt Cobain-esque musician combating fatherhood, the music business, substance abuse and his ex-wife (performed by Megan Fox).

Tim Sutton, who wrote and directed the movie, conceived of the thought after directing “The Final Son,” by which Baker performs a nineteenth century financial institution robber. “I went over to [Sutton’s on-set] dwelling quarters and we had been smoking a joint,” Baker recalled. “And he was like, ‘For those who ever do a documentary on your self, or make a film, you need to let me make it.’” Baker agreed and some weeks later Sutton despatched over a script.

That first draft, Sutton says, drew extra closely from tales of rappers who had died younger, akin to Lil Peep and Mac Miller, however because the script went by way of re-drafts, Baker’s personal experiences had been more and more infused into it. “What I wished was the sense of authenticity and the sense of consolation, and likewise giving [Baker] the house to be this character, this character that’s each him and a fictional character abruptly,” Sutton mentioned.

“I used to be all the time asking God why I stored lacking the bullet that’s loss of life,” Baker mentioned of the similarities between himself and his on-screen counterpart. “With the entire medication that I might do, with the entire strangers who don’t have anything however their very own egocentric pursuits in thoughts when, , giving me issues or encouraging a downfall combined in with my very own self-inflicted will to sabotage myself. In order that was not essentially — it wasn’t even a personality [in “Taurus”]. That was simply me getting an opportunity to truly be me.”

“Taurus” can be one thing of a homage to “Final Days,” Gus Van Sant’s fictionalized model of Kurt Cobain’s demise (which Sutton mentioned he had Baker watch in preparation for the function) in addition to, much less clearly, Mozart. “You’ve Mozart, who’s like, one of many best rock stars of all time,” mentioned Sutton, drawing parallels between the 18th century composer’s life and the “Emo Woman” singer’s. “All he actually needs to do is simply make his music and every little thing will get in the best way till he decides to put in writing his personal requiem. That’s the film.”

For his half, Baker’s largest affect when approaching the function was “myself.” Was he involved that re-enacting Cole’s extra harmful tendencies on display screen would take him to a darkish place? “That facet of me is the place I all the time felt extra comfy,” Baker mentioned. “I’d a lot somewhat watch somebody [for whom that self-destruction] is second nature than to look at some actor faux. There’s nothing extra annoying than watching a thespian pretend being a rock star. It’s the worst.”

“Taurus” is as a lot a critique of the music business as it’s of rock star extra. Whereas there was a renewed deal with girls’s therapy within the business, akin to Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse, does Baker suppose male artists are underneath comparable pressures? “I don’t suppose the problem is males or girls, essentially,” he mentioned. “I feel the problem is entertainers selecting between being puppets or selecting to stroll with no strings connected. […] All of us have a second the place we really feel managed and the place we make choices that don’t replicate who we actually are.”

Actually Baker seems aware of the gulf between his public persona and his interior life. “I’ve an enormous problem with how, once I go to occasions or once I do performances or once I do interviews, I’ve this like, smile that I placed on,” he mentioned. “As a result of it’s not actual. I don’t really feel that method. And I’m simply scared to let followers down as a result of I don’t need them to suppose that I’m taking these alternatives with no consideration.”

It was taking part in Cole, together with his curtain of shaggy blonde hair, that allowed Baker to attach with himself. “After I lastly acquired to cover behind [the hair], much more of my actual self was in a position to present ‘trigger I didn’t should make eye contact with anyone. I simply acquired to be insular and showcase what was actually happening inside as an alternative of succumbing to the stress of what an entertainer is meant to be.”

Regardless of pouring a lot of himself into “Taurus” (“this movie is my coronary heart,” Baker mentioned), he’s sanguine about how audiences could react when the film premiers in Berlin. “I might really feel extra uncovered if I used to be taking part in a personality,” he mentioned. “I’m not doing it for somebody who’s there to forged an opinion. I’m doing it for somebody who must relate. I’ve had movies information my life, save my life, change the trajectory of my life — as a result of I noticed one thing that made me relate. This movie is for those who’re trapped and in want of a vessel to be one thing or to have a realization or to have a course or discover a connection.”

Sutton agreed. “[The film] is sculpted in a method that tells a really emotional and significant story. [Baker’s] not on the lookout for an viewers, , he’s making one thing stunning. And I feel that’s our safety.”