Q+A: Co-star of The Room, among the worst movies ever, set for London screening

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Greg Sestero, co-star of The Room, dubbed the Citizen Kane of bad movies, returns to London for another screening of the cult classic at Hyland Cinema on Nov. 23. Released in 2003 by its mysterious financier, director, writer and leading star Tommy Wiseau, The Room takes on a life of its own in theatres where audiences throw spoons, toss footballs and yell. Sestero spoke with LFP’s Brian Williams.

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Q: For the people who don’t know about The Room, can you give a brief synopsis of what the movie is?

A: I feel like (it) was made by aliens after they came down to Earth, studied soap operas for a week, went back to their planet and then made a movie. I feel like that’s how unique The Room is. You have to see it to believe it, it’s just that unique.

Q: Why do you think The Room has remained a phenomenon for 20 years?

A: It’s a movie you can’t experience or find anywhere else. It has a vision. It was made by (Tommy Wiseau) who sees the world in an entirely unique way. . . . It’s just something that I feel will never happen again in the same way. When audiences come and see it, they’re so mesmerized by, “What is this? Who made it for what purpose?”

Q: Watching The Room in theatres is different than watching it at home. What do you think?

A: It really should be seen with the crowd. . . . You share in the revelation of it. You can’t believe what you’re watching, and the audience is watching it, too. They’re laughing, they’re cheering and it just makes every moment of it come alive. . . . They’ll come to the screening, and at the end of it, they’ll come up and be like, ‘That was the most fun I’ve ever had.’

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Q: What is the feedback you get from people seeing The Room in theatres for the first time?

A: Definitely the spoons, they’re wondering about that. They love the football, the call out to the audience, and just the idea, ‘Was this meant to be serious? Was it meant to be a comedy?’ Just the intrigue behind it all, and all these years later, 20 years later, ‘How did this happen?’ But usually the spoons, (people) are like, ‘This is crazy.’ Why are people throwing spoons at the screen? It all starts with that picture on the living room table.

Q: This is the second time you’re coming to London in less than a year. What brings you back?

A: I just had a great time. It was one of the most gracious audiences I’ve seen. . . . We did a meet-and-greet before, and I had really great, genuine conversations with all the people that came up.

Q: What do you think the legacy of The Room is?

A: Certifiable uniqueness. I think it’s something you can’t get from any other film. I think what The Room gives you is indescribable and blows your mind in the same way that a movie like Star Wars does, just in the opposite way.

Q: You and Tommy Wiseau have been involved in several movies together. Is there anything else on the horizon together?

A: We’ve been talking about doing a vampire movie, and I’m working on a UFO abduction movie, so either there’s going to be vampires or aliens.

Q: The screening at the Hyland on Nov. 23 is a double-header. Big Shark is playing afterward. What’s that about?

A: That’s Tommy’s very first film that he’s made since The Room that he directed. . . . It’s a great follow-up to The Room. . . . Big Shark is something that really ignites the crowd. So, (it’s a) really great double feature for people that have seen The Room.

bwilliams@postmedia.com

@BrianWatLFPress

The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada

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IF YOU GO

When: Nov. 23, doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Where: The Hyland Cinema, 240 Wharncliffe Rd. S., London.

What: Screening of The Room at 7 p.m. with commentary by co-star Greg Sestero.

Cost: Tickets are $25 online in advance and $30 at the door.

BIG SHARK PREMIERE

What: London premiere of Tommy Wiseau’s movie Big Shark

When: Nov. 23, 9:30 p.m.

Cost: $20

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