Vogue: Where did this audacious story come from?
Ive always enjoyed body horror and quite violent films.
It wasnt, like, a full story Id had in my head for a long time.
Anna Kooris
A lot of the writing process felt spontaneous and slightly experimental.
Im very obviously not a bodybuilder and probably incredibly physically frail and pathetic and weedy.
So I find it impressive and fascinating the psychology it must take to be a bodybuilder.
Photo: Anna Kooris
Why a bodybuilder instead of another kind of athlete?
At that point, strong women were more of a sideshow attraction.
Its an aesthetic sport.
Photo: Anna Kooris
Katy, youve competed in bodybuilding.
Was Roses vision of that world accurate to you?
Katy OBrian:At least with the people I know, theres certainly less murder.
It takes focus and discipline and can be obsessive.
You have a weird relationship with food, where youre counting and weighing calories.
Did you connect with Jackie on a personal level?
OBrian:Were both from the Midwest, and its still weird being a bodybuilder there.
CrossFit has helped because its such a sensation and everybodys getting bigger.
But even recently someone there came up to me on the street and just touched my muscles.
What were some of the films references?
Why set the film in the 1980s?
Could it have taken place today?
So when the two cross paths, theres recognition there.
OBrian:Hollywood has made a big push to be more supportive of female writers and directors.
Glass:The way that both Katy and Kristen appear in this film shouldnt be radical.
There are many women who look like both these characters.
So I enjoyed that here theyre both more horny and blatant.
It was fun to lean into the silliness.
Love Lies Bleedingis in theaters March 8.
