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How sustainable can transactional relationships ever truly be?
Thats the question at the heart ofFeud: Capote vs. the Swans.
But the famed American writer struggled with this vexing dynamic in his on-and-off relationship with John OShea.
Theyre the parts that make me salivate.
I remember seeing Trumans image through Andy Warhol.
He felt like the Zeitgeist of a certain period of history in America.
I didnt know much about them, to be honest.
Now, Im just obsessed with Lee and Babe and Slim totally obsessed.
Theres one in particular where he has the glasses I chose for John to wear.
And theres word of mouth.
There are stories about him, but there are no interviews.
Theres no sound of John OShea, no moving image of him.
I was given free rein to make him my own.
I wanted to make him very grounded someone who moves from his groin.
For John, I felt he was so rooted in his gut, in his core.
He seemed to move like a glacier, this solid mass of shit moving through Trumans life.
I think its very easy to understand why Capote might have been drawn to John, right?
But what did you think was driving John toward Truman?Well, hes a narcissist.
The fact that Truman was successful and popular, perceivably rich, talented.
Narcissists latch on to those people.
OShea was an aspiring writer.
Truman was the conduit for the life John thought hed been owed.
He wanted people to think of him the way he felt about himself: that he was incredibly special.
Through Truman there was also intimacy.
But I think John was also a sex addict.
Truman for him was just one of many, which has been documented.
We even show that in the series.
John saw in Truman an opportunity to level up.
The show begins with such love and affection, which eventually curdles.
It puts him in a place where hes so insignificant.
Johns basically saying, You mean nothing to me.
Its the coldest thing he can say, because Truman prided himself in that John found him attractive.
For John to be like, Its just like fucking a fish … like fucking anything.
And also, theres plenty of fish in the sea, you know?
What was Tom Hollander like as your main scene partner?Ive known Tom for many years.
The moment they meetat the bathhouseis staged so beautifully.
And its a testament toGus Van Sant, who directed most of the seasons episodes.
What was it like working with him on this project?I love Gus.
His work makes you want to be a better actor.
It makes you want to tell greater stories.
I saw one when I went to Derek Jarmans house.
Theres a Gus Van Sant watercolor there!
I thought his movies were great.
Hes just that charming.
You bring such textured, nuanced embodiment to them.
Theyre not one thing.
It took me many years to realize that was mental, which made me fucking angry.
With these roles, Im fascinated by people who havent had an opportunity to shake that up.
Or who come from a different time, or have put it upon themselves to trap themselves in.
Because Im so free.
And I thank the shoulders of giants I stand on to be able to do that.
Then theres these people Im drawn to where they dont have that privilege.
They havent given themselves that privilege.
They dont even realize theyre so damaged.
Theres a way you approach John where theres no judgment.Yeah, youve got to like it.
Youve gotta have empathy.
I fucking hate John OShea.
Hes a horrible man.
But I enjoy playing him and I have empathy to a certain extent.
Because I feel sorry for him in some capacity.
They think theyre the good ones.
Especially because its all so wrapped up in issues of desire and power.Narcissism.
All the green flags you want on the first date.
This interview has been condensed for length and clarity.
