Interview by Paul Salfen
In a cinematic landscape dominated by superheroes and sequels, Derek Cianfrance’s latest film, Roofman, stands out as a gripping tale rooted in an almost unbelievable true story. Starring Channing Tatum as Jeffrey Manchester—an Army veteran turned serial McDonald’s robber nicknamed “Roofman”—the movie blends suspense, redemption, and human vulnerability. Kirsten Dunst co-stars as Leigh, a divorced mom who becomes entangled in Manchester’s double life. Based on real events, Roofman follows Manchester’s daring escapades: robbing fast-food joints by cutting holes in their roofs, escaping prison, and hiding out in a Toys “R” Us for six months. As his past catches up, a tense cat-and-mouse game unfolds, forcing him to confront the consequences of his choices.
AMFM Magazine caught up with Cianfrance, the acclaimed director behind films like Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond the Pines, to discuss the making of Roofman. In our conversation, Cianfrance opened up about the challenges of independent filmmaking, the power of perseverance, and the deeper messages he hopes audiences will take away from this nostalgic yet timely story.
Staying True: Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers
Cianfrance, whose raw and emotionally charged style has earned him a devoted following, knows the road to directing isn’t paved with ease. When asked what advice he’d give to those dreaming of following in his footsteps, he emphasized authenticity above all. “The only advice is to try to stay true to yourself and listen to your inner voice. Don’t shut it down,” Cianfrance shared. He revealed a personal practice that keeps him connected to his creativity: “One of my practices is to write my dreams. It’s a way to connect me to that voice inside me. The voice inside me is very talkative. It tells me a lot of things I follow.”
He warned that ignoring this inner guidance can have consequences: “If you don’t listen to your inner voice, it might get quieter because it doesn’t like being ignored, or it feels bad. It will get smaller and smaller and smaller if you don’t listen to it.” In an industry often driven by trends and external pressures, Cianfrance’s words serve as a reminder that genuine storytelling starts from within.
Hail Mary Moments: The High-Stakes Journey of Making ‘Roofman’
Roofman wasn’t just a film about risks—it was made through them. Cianfrance described the production as a series of “Hail Marys,” drawing parallels to the famous football play. “We talk about this movie as, like, multiple Hail Marys. We did not have the money to complete this movie, or to make this movie. And we kept throwing Hail Marys the whole time,” he explained. From running out of funds during editing in April to securing a last-minute investor, the process was a testament to faith and fortune.
Quoting Michael Jordan—”You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”—Cianfrance highlighted the importance of action in the face of uncertainty. He shared a personal anecdote about his oldest son, who spent a summer as a door-to-door salesman: “He was knocking on 200 doors a day, unsolicited, and the majority of the time, he was getting no’s. If he was lucky, he would get one or maybe two yeses a day. And I’ve never been more proud of him, because that is like, the only way you can get a yes is to knock and ask.”
Cianfrance’s own experiences echoed this resilience. As a kid, he sold potted plants, fertilizer, and chocolate Easter bunnies door-to-door to fund soccer tournaments. “A lot of people didn’t want the potted plants… But knocking on the doors saying, ‘Hi, this is me. I’m doing this. Do you want to buy this?’ And being able to move on and not let that define you.” For filmmakers, he noted, rejection is the norm: “For me, it’s 99.9% no. It’s like my son with those doors. Most of the time as a filmmaker, it’s a no.”
This mindset of embracing rejection is key, Cianfrance stressed. “You have to be okay with rejection… The only way you can catch a Hail Mary pass is to throw one and try to catch it.”
A Timely Tale of Connection and Redemption
As Roofman hits theaters amid a polarized world, Cianfrance believes its release couldn’t be better timed. “I think this movie is coming out at a good time because there’s a lot of divisiveness clearly in our world. And this movie kind of harkens back to another time,” he said. The film evokes nostalgia for simpler eras, like family trips to big-box stores: “It’s back in the time when people would go to, like, big box stores as a family. I remember being with my family and going to Target and having my mom and dad say, ‘Okay, you can have one toy,’ and going in the toy aisle and spending like 30 minutes just searching for the perfect Hot Wheel to buy for that weekend.”
In today’s disconnected, online-driven society, Cianfrance hopes Roofman reminds viewers of human bonds. “Now we’re more disconnected. Everyone’s online. And I think that what this movie, what I hope people take away from it is like connection between people.” The story doesn’t shy away from Manchester’s “huge, giant bad choices that hurt a lot of people,” but through characters like Leigh and Pastor Ron, it explores themes of empathy and second chances. As Cianfrance put it, “I think they [Leigh and Pastor Ron]…”—leaving the audience to discover the rest on screen.
Roofman is more than a heist thriller; it’s a meditation on flawed humanity, perseverance, and the quiet voice that guides us through chaos. With Tatum’s charismatic performance and Dunst’s nuanced portrayal, Cianfrance has crafted a film that resonates on multiple levels. Whether you’re an aspiring creator or just seeking a story that tugs at the heartstrings, Roofman invites you to listen closely—to the characters, and perhaps to your own inner voice.
Roofman is now playing in select theaters. For more on Derek Cianfrance’s work and upcoming projects, stay tuned to AMFM Magazine.
