Emma Seligman directed ‘Bottoms’ because she “wanted to see shallow, horny, messy teen girls who happen to be queer”

Funds it’s bloody funny. In the high school sex comedy, which premiered at SXSW, two lesbian students, played by Rachel Sennott (The idol) and Ayo Edebiri (The bear) – are so eager to lose their virginity that they start a fight club after school, all in the hopes of seducing the cheerleaders. Out Aug. 25 from Orion Pictures and MGM, the raucous film follows director Emma Seligman’s Independent Spirit Award-winning debut, Child Shivain which Sennott (who co-wrote Funds) played a bisexual Jewish woman who attends a shiva where both her ex-girlfriend and current sugar daddy are present. Seligman, who uses the pronouns she and they, spoke with DAY about the making of the film, her identity, and her thoughts on authentic casting for LGBTQ roles.

How did he do Funds come together?

We were really lucky. Rachel and I had been writing this since 2017. After Child Shiva entered SXSW, Alison Small of Brownstone Productions saw the film, and she and (Brownstone founders) Elizabeth (Banks) and Max (Handelman), our producers, were thrilled to take it on and helped us develop and test to make it happen. And Alana Mayo had just been hired at Orion. She is amazing. We pitched her and she just jumped on board.

What inspired you and Rachel to write it?

There was such a void to both queer-themed teen stories that they actually energize and reflect the flawed teenagers I knew growing up. I just wanted to see shallow, horny, messy teen girls who just happen to be queer.

Growing up, were there any characters on screen that you felt represented?

Mostly, it was on TV. I think of the bisexual characters on Grey’s Anatomy or the Mischa Barton and Olivia Wilde storyline at one point The OC.

How did Ayo Edebiri join the cast?

We all went to NYU together. I met Ayo at a party before I even met Rachel. I was like, “If I ever make a high school movie, this would be perfect.” At least at the time, she was so goofy and goofy and kind of nerdy but adorable. And then I met Rachel and it turned out that they were friends and had already done a lot of sketches together.

What do you think about authentic casting for LGBTQ roles?

It’s a really important conversation to have, and it’s nuanced. But I find it tricky that it’s illegal in most other contexts to ask employees about their sexuality. It’s nice when you know someone is queer publicly and then cast them in a queer film; it’s wonderful that their fans can see them in that role. Kristen Stewart playing queer characters means a lot to a lot of people. At the same time, it’s not fair to assume someone is straight when he hasn’t told you publicly or privately about his sexuality. We talk as much about coming out as a private trip and everyone should be comfortable taking their time, but then we’re pressuring people who are public addressing to give us an answer.

How did you put together the fight scenes?

My DP (Maria Rusche) and I choreographed all the fights because we didn’t have a fight choreographer. We continued to watch Kick assand we showed each other many references to fights.

Earlier you said you were bisexual.

I no longer identify as bisexual. Only gay these days. Yes, it’s strange how that happens. I started writing (Funds) six years ago, but sometimes life is so much fun.

Interview edited for length and clarity.

This story first appeared in the June 14 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to register now.