Pillion director Harry Lighton has revealed that The Simpsons‘ Groundskeeper Willie was his gay awakening.
The director’s acclaimed recent romantic dark comedy follows the BDSM relationship between biker Ray (Alexander Skarsgård) and introvert Colin (Harry Melling), and is based on Adam Mars-Jones’s 2020 novel Box Hill.
Lighton, who also wrote the screenplay, recently opened up about his queer influences, revealing how The Simpsons‘ Scottish janitor provided a pivotal moment in his life.
“Groundskeeper Willie is chasing a dog down an air vent and he is just wearing some undies,” he shared in a promo clip, referencing season five episode ‘Sweet Seymour Skinner’s Baadasssss Song’.
“Something about his accent, his ginger beard and his body made me sit up and go, ‘Oh, I like the look of that’.”
Lighton further revealed his idea for an expansion of Willie’s story, sharing: “I once pitched a live-action biopic of the Groundskeeper Willie story, and I wanted to cast Michael Fassbender as Willie. There’s something in that idea – so Michael, get in touch!
The director was up for three awards at last night’s (Sunday February 22) BAFTAs for Pillion – Best Adapted Screenplay, Outstanding British Film of the Year and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer, though lost out to One Battle After Another, Hamnet and My Father’s Shadow.
One Battle After Another walked away with the most awards of the night – six – including Best Film and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, while Sean Penn was named Best Supporting Actor.
The Best Actor prize sprung the biggest surprise of the night, with Robert Aramayo winning for I Swear over big names such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet. Meanwhile, Jessie Buckley triumphed in the Best Actress category for Hamnet, while Wunmi Mosaku took home Best Supporting Actress for Sinners, which was also named winner for Best Screenplay and Best Score.
There was also a performance of hit KPop Demon Hunters song ‘Golden’ by EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, as well as a moving cover of ‘The Way We Were’ by Jessie Ware for the In Memoriam segment.
During the ceremony, host Alan Cumming apologised after campaigner John Davidson, who has Tourette Syndrome and is the subject of film I Swear, was heard shouting profane outbursts, including the n-word while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award. Davidson reportedly left the ceremony of his own accord halfway through.