Jesse Armstrong’s Film Mountainhead is Funny Like Succession

Followers lacking the bone-dry wit of “Succession” could lastly quench their thirst with Jesse Armstrong’s new HBO satire “Mountainhead.”

Whereas selling his new grownup animated collection “#1 Blissful Household USA,” Ramy Youssef — one of many leads within the “Succession” creator’s characteristic movie debut — known as the mission “humorous in the identical approach ‘Succession’ is.” 

“‘Succession’ is likely one of the finest comedies ever made — and this movie is actually humorous in the identical approach,” Youssef advised Selection on Wednesday evening on the “#1 Blissful Household USA” premiere in New York. “Jesse’s writing is on one other stage. It’s actually arduous to seek out one thing of that caliber, so attending to do it was such a pleasure.”

“Mountainhead” follows a bunch of billionaire mates as they convene towards the backdrop of a global disaster. The ensemble of snowed-in billionaires additionally consists of Steve Carell as Randall, Jason Schwartzman as Souper/Hugo Van Yalk, and Cory Michael Smith as Venis. Hadley Robinson, Andy Daly, Ali Kinkade, Daniel Oreskes, David Thompson, Amie MacKenzie and Ava Kostia additionally star.

HBO just lately launched a batch of first-look images from “Mountainhead” that showcase the ominous, snow-covered setting. The movie premieres Might 31 at 8 p.m. on HBO and can stream on Max.

Youssef, who performs a personality named Jeff, was tight-lipped about which real-life billionaires could have impressed his efficiency: “I’ll simply say I checked out all of them. All of them have sure issues in frequent.”

Armstrong serves as author and director, whereas govt producing alongside his “Succession” collaborators Frank Wealthy, Lucy Prebble, Jon Brown, Tony Roche, Will Tracy and Mark Mylod, in addition to “Severance” producer Jill Footlick.

“#1 Blissful Household USA” is about in 2001 and explores the systemic hardships of a Muslim household in post-9/11 America (or ‘Amreeka,’ because the official tagline reads). Govt producer and illustrator Mona Chalabi mentioned the present pulls from a number of reveals of that period, together with “The Boondocks,” “Doug,” “Daria” and “King of the Hill.”

On the similar time, the grownup animated collection speaks on to up to date cultural points. Youssef, who drew backlash for saying “Free Palestine” throughout his current “Saturday Night time Dwell” monologue, has stood by the second, calling it “not controversial.” But with regards to “#1 Blissful Household USA,” he desires audiences to know that it’s “before everything a comedy.”

“It’s a cartoon, so there’s nothing to be taken too significantly,” Youssef mentioned. “We cowl a number of the darker issues, however alternatively, it’s the dumbest factor I’ve ever made or been part of. It’s my favourite sort of dumb.”

Randa Jarrar, the only real Palestinian within the solid, applauded Youssef’s tenacity and mentioned she hopes the collection helps break down a number of the cultural limitations which can be nonetheless current in New York.

“The truth that in New York folks provides you with seems to be only for sporting a Gahfiya, it appears like 9/11 another time,” Jarrar mentioned. “I simply really feel like as a tradition, we nearly by no means be taught from our errors. 1.5 million Iraqis had been killed due to George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, and the lies they advised. We’ve a possibility now, via making artwork and reveals like this, to lastly do one thing to withstand that sort of hatred.”

All eight episodes of “#1 Blissful Household USA” are streaming now on Prime Video.

See extra images from the “#1 Blissful Household USA” premiere under.