Boots Riley hopes to shoplift your mind with the subversive comedy 'I Love Boosters'
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Boots Riley is in motion.During our recent interview, the writer-director is on the phone while traveling in a car from his home in Oakland to a hotel in San Francisco for a full day promoting his new movie “I Love Boosters.” The film had its local premiere the night before at the historic Grand Lake Theater and, rather than sounding morning-after bleary, Riley is energized, overflowing with ideas.Riley, who, at 55, has been unapologetically calling himself a communist for more than 30 years, brings an unusual level of political commitment and consciousness to his work.
“Boosters” is a rascally, freewheeling comedy touched by an absurdist sensibility, but it’s also deeply attuned to issues of workers’ rights and structures of power.Riley’s previous feature, 2018’s “Sorry to Bother You,” was about a telemarketer who uncovers a larger corporate conspiracy.All of which is rooted in the much larger goals Riley has his eyes on.
Yes, he wants his $20-million movie — the largest production investment ever for its distributor, Neon — to make its money back, but he also wants to convey a forceful message to audiences whether they walk in expecting one or not.Can a movie in wide release across the country and backed by an Oscar-winning studio convey genuinely revolutionary thoughts?“The world that I hope to see created is one in which the people democratically control the wealth that they create with their labor,” Riley says with a mix of calm and charisma that’s invigorating.
“Now, why do I want that? That has to do with people.I like people and I think there’s a way that we can get there in order to counter those in power just doing whatever they want to do.”Even as he veers into heady territory that could seem didactic, Riley maintains a low-key charm like a professor in his off-hours unspooling a few big ideas.
“What I’ve seen in my life is wh...