I Have to Pay Some Form of Homage to the Art Form That Saved Me From Myself”: Writer/Director James DeMonaco on His Staten Island-Set Drama, This Is The Night A veteran screenwriter and, more recently, an accomplished director, James DeMonaco has had a prolific career most commonly associated with The Purge franchise. Spanning five films and a television series, The Purge marked DeMonaco’s sophomore directorial outing and, aided by the upstart production company, Blumhouse, saw the filmmaker’s first box-office hit. DeMonaco, who also directed the second and third entries in the series, continues with the franchise, as a screenwriter, to this day (a rumored sixth installment is currently in the works). However, ties to his hometown of Staten Island remain at the forefront of DeMonaco’s creative endeavours, and his new film, This is the Night, reaffirms his commitment to the borough. Set over Memorial Day weekend in 1982, the film features a large ensemble with interests, loves and secrets to hide. Despite their differences, the event that brings the town together is the theatrical opening of one particular blockbuster, Rocky III, another number-one hit directed by a successful Italian. As This is the Night is now in theaters and on On Demand, I spoke with DeMonaco about the origins of the film (as well as his personal ties to Staten Island), lens choices, filming at familiar locations, and much more. @danieltesfayes https://www.instagram.com/p/CUagsqIs3ZQ/?utm_medium=tumblr