photo courtesy of sundance film channel Curtiss Clayton, known primarily as an editor for "My Own Private Idaho" and "Brokedown Palace," has directed his first film, "Rick." The film is playing at the Loft on Wednesday.

When Curtiss Clayton began making films alongside such talents as Gus Van Sant, Vincent Gallo and Jonathan Kaplan as early as 1984, he created one major goal for himself.

"When I was starting out, I sort of made myself available for the movies that I knew I wanted to be a part of, even if it meant less money," Clayton said.

The editor for such films as "Drugstore Cowboy," "My Own Private Idaho," "Made" and "Brokedown Palace" has turned to directing, and he doesn't stray far from his original goal.

In a bold move to break away from the clichés and stagnant nature of Hollywood filmmaking, Clayton is intentionally sticking it to "The Man" through examining corporate politics in a real way.

His new film, "Rick," is loosely based on Verdi's 1851 opera, "Rigoletto," and heavily based on American greed, a theme that is certainly manifest in Hollywood.

The film follows Rick (Bill Pullman) through his life as a corporate pawn. His boss, who is half his age, is having an affair with Rick's teenage daughter. When Rick finds out, needless to say, things get dramatic. It is based on an opera, after all. Happy ending? Think again.

The film adaptation was written by acclaimed children's book author Daniel Handler, also known as Lemony Snicket. Handler pushes the character of Rick to the brink of humanity.

"I was attracted to the script immediately," Clayton said. "The characters are not likable, it's very sarcastic, and it doesn't have a happy ending. As an audience member you're disgusted, you're repelled.

But, there is also something about the characters that keeps you watching. And despite yourself, you are attracted to them."

"Rick" is not your run-of-the-mill American movie. Not unlike Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange," the rules of morality are put on hold in "Rick." The audience ends up wanting the amoral character to succeed.

"[The potential audience] is not likely to see many films like ["Rick"], especially coming from the American film industry. It's a film that's pretty deliberately breaking the mold that we are told to follow, or that is enforced by the corporate nature of filmmaking," Clayton said.

"Having to deal with it, having to function within that system in Hollywood, has shaped the experiences that I brought to use in 'Rick.'

The effect of money and power-tripping behavior is an unfortunate characteristic within Hollywood, specifically the whole pyramid of hierarchy," Clayton said.

"Those sorts of setups tend to bring out the worst in people's nature. That kind of dehumanizing behavior not only makes people hate you, but it robs you of your own soul."

Clayton is not only straying from the rules of Hollywood, he is overtly criticizing them.

"If people come [to "Rick"] with an open mind and accept the pleasure of being disturbed and challenged, it will provoke challenging thoughts about human nature and society. It will not just be good for you; you'll also enjoy it," Clayton said.

"Rick" is playing at the Loft Cinema on Wednesday at 7 p.m. as a part of The Sundance Channel Film Series. Clayton will be there to take questions.