James Sweeney
-
“Duality is Emblematic of Identity”: Writer/Director James Sweeney on “Twinless”
Writer-director James Sweeney can’t pinpoint the exact time when he learned about the uniquely complex notion of twin loss and bereavement. But he can clearly recall what resonated with him the most before he wrote the first draft of Twinless in 2015. “It was the idea of this deep and singular form of grief, like a loss of self,” Sweeney remembers during a recent conversation with Filmmaker Magazine on his sophomore feature, which premiered in Sundance to rave reviews, and is opening theatrically on September 5 through Roadside Attractions. “It just seemed like such a multifaceted way to explore themes […]
by Tomris Laffly on Sep 7, 2025 -
“Sisyphean, but Ultimately Fortuitous” | James Sweeney, Twinless
Films are made over many days, but some days are more memorable, and important, than others. Imagine yourself in ten years looking back on this production. What day from your film’s development, production or post do you think you’ll view as the most significant and why? Positive memories become idealized the more we retell them, and the negative ones vice versa—so I am hesitant to single out a most memorable day, because then it becomes canon… but I will answer the prompt! Being a director means making the tough decisions. My first instinct goes to the worst day, but I’m […]
by Filmmaker Staff on Jan 23, 2025 -
“The Concept Stemmed from Loneliness…”: Writer, Director and Star James Sweeney on his Romantic Comedy, Straight Up
Harkening back to Golden Age romantic comedies while placing its young characters in of-the-moment relationship scenarios, Straight Up, the feature debut of director, writer and actor James Sweeney, opens in theaters today from Strand Releasing. Sweeney plays Todd, a gay man and software developer questioning his sexuality who falls romantically (and perhaps just platonically) with an aspiring actress played by Katie Findlay. Shot in eye-popping colors within a 4:3 frame, and with sharp dialogue delivered rat-a-tat-tat, Straight Up, which premiered at last year’s Frameline Film Festival, subverts the tensions traditionally found in romantic comedies in service to a more inclusive […]
by Scott Macaulay on Feb 28, 2020
