Director Richard Ayoade. Photo: Patrick McMullan

Last night, The Cinema Society & Altoids, with Moet, hosted a screening of The Weinstein Company’s Submarine. Adapted from the Joe Dunthorne novel of the same title, the stylish, funny film takes us into the world of Oliver Tate, a precocious Welsh teenager. The Serge Gainsbourg-listening, Nietzsche-reading, Holden Caulfield-esque Oliver is on a mission to not just lose his virginity, but be the best boyfriend in the world to Jordana, a stoic brunette with mild eczema. At home, Oliver is also obsessed with saving his parents’ marriage, which means doing all he can to stop a mystic with a mullet from making the moves on his mom. The film counts Ben Stiller as executive producer, and features a sweet soundtrack by Arctic Monkey’s frontman Alex Turner. ELLE chatted with director Richard Ayoade to get the inside scoop. 

ELLE: What are the important pillars of a coming of age film?

AY: It’s more to do with the character really, depending on the character the story would be different. What you mean like, if someone has to be naked and pushed into a pool, or something, I don’t know.

ELLE: What attracted you to the story?

AY: The novel really, I just liked Joe Dunthorne’s writing and I found the character interesting, and kind of cliché-free.

ELLE: What music did you listen to as a teenager?

AY: Dinosaur Jr. and Sonic Youth I liked a lot at the time. The Stone Roses, The Beatles.

ELLE: How did you rebel in high school?

AY: I was extremely non-rebellious. I have a great fear of authority…so. There’s nothing in that. I may have been late.

ELLE: What are you reading?

AY: I read Inherent Vice by Thomas Pynchon recently. I’m reading some Dostoyevsky at the moment. These are all things that are going to make people flood to see [the movie]. I know — I’m reading the novelization of Avatar. If you like Avatar, you’ll like this film.

ELLE: Do you have any tips for teenage boys looking to woo a girl?

AY: Oh clearly, yeah, I’m the authority. No, I have nothing to offer anyone in that regard.