George Clooney plays a jet set corporate axe man in the upcoming dramatic comedy "Up in the Air."
The movie lands in theaters Christmas Day, and is the Austin Film Festival's closing night film.
"Up in the Air" is director Jason Reitman's third film, following "Thank You for Smoking" and "Juno."
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"Up in the Air"
News 8's Victor Diaz sits down with director Jason Reitman to discuss his newest film which will screen Thursday night at the Austin Film Festival.
 
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"Austin is one of the great filmmaking towns and two of the directors that inspired me to become a director myself are from here, Richard Linklater and Robert Rodriguez are from here," Reitman said.
His short films have played in Austin in both South by Southwest and the Austin Film Festival.
According to Reitman, George Clooney plays a guy who fires people for a living, and what really gets him going is he loves being up in the air, in planes and in airports. His personal goal is to collect 10,000,000 frequent flyer miles.
Reitman said he can relate to that lifestyle and he enjoys it himself.
"Yesterday I took my 10th flight in 10 days so I live that life myself and I kinda enjoy it," Reitman said, "I think when you're in an airplane it's the last refuge for the people who enjoy being alone and reading a book."
Reitman will be on hand for a special screening Thursday night at Paramount Theatre.
