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With writer-director Darren Aronofsky’s mother! arriving in theaters this weekend, the other day at the Toronto International Film Festival I sat down with the gifted filmmaker for an extended video interview. Since I had a lot of time with him, I decided to first talk spoiler-free about the film, and then ask specific questions about the imagery and meaning behind what’s sure to be one of the most controversial movies this year.

In the video above, you can watch Aronofsky talk about how mother! is a punk film that’s definitely not for everyone, how even if you know a lot going in you can’t be spoiled, how he wanted to give moviegoers a different experience, if he has to sell actors on the story and script or if his track record speaks for itself, the length of the first cut, deleted scenes, if he’d like to do less press and just let the movie speak for itself, and a lot more.

mother! stars Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris, Michelle Pfeiffer, Domhnall Gleeson, Brian Gleeson, and Kristen Wiig.

Darren Aronofsky:

• Does he wish he could do less press and just let the movie speak for itself?
• How he thinks mother! can’t be spoiled even if you know the specifics about the film.
• Did he know early on the film would be so polarizing?
• How mother! is a punk film that’s very intense.
• How he wanted to give people a different experience with mother!
• Because of his track record does he even have to sell actors on his ideas or do they just say yes?
• Talks about meeting Javier Bardem for the role.
• How long was his first cut versus the finished film? Talks about how it’s a linear film in its structure and because of that no scenes could be moved around.
• Deleted scenes talk.

here’s the official synopsis:

a couple’s relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence. from filmmaker darren aronofsky (black swan, requiem for a dream), mother! stars jennifer lawrence, javier bardem, ed harris and michelle pfeiffer in this riveting psychological thriller about love, devotion and sacrifice.