I’ve decided to post the entirety of my interview with Green for a few reasons. The first is that he is one of the most lively and entertaining people I’ve interviewed, and I found his off-the-cuff remarks as interesting as anything he had to say about filmmaking. More importantly, I wanted to preserve the arc of our 25-minute conversation, which surprised me in its progression from glibness to sincerity. That surprise, I think, reveals a lot about Green, who baffled many audiences by going from poetic, independent art movies like George Washington to lowbrow studio comedies . His new film, Prince Avalanche somehow reconciles these two modes of his career, which is to say it may be the most surprising thing he’s yet made.

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I had it for a summer. I made a shitload of money, because you’re exposed to all these toxic chemicals. Nobody wanted the job, but I just needed the money, so I did it. I’ve done some controversial things for cash. I’m not afraid to say it.

Good for you on being a sperm donor. I tried to be one in college, but . . .

I did, and I passed out, actually. I don’t know why—I’m not the kind of guy who faints at needles and stuff, but I did.

I think they stopped about ten years ago.