74-year-old Mr. Allen is a A prolific filmmaker and a typical New Yorker, he has never had any religious beliefs. However, the latest work "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger" [published by Sony Pictures Classics], which will be released next Wednesday, touches on the topic of faith. In this film, the marriage of a London couple (played by Anthony Hopkins and Gemma Jones) is in crisis. The wife seeks comfort from the supernatural phenomenon. This pair of her daughter (played by Naomi Watts) and The marriage of the son-in-law (Josh Brolin) also caused unforeseen consequences.
Mr. Allen explained: “Neither the prophet, the fortune cookie, nor any other organized religion is fundamentally different to me. Either they all have a basis or they are all nonsense. , Of course, they are at least useful to people.”
New York Times reporter Dave Itzkoff (Dave Itzkoff) interviewed Mr. Allen’s latest work, instead of discussing how the theme of the film is related to the director Resonance in my own life, and whether this film was shot in New York. The following is an excerpt from the interview.
Question: About supernatural power and past life memories, or at least people who believe in these things, are the central ideas of your latest works. What made you interested in these things?
Answer: I am interested in the concept of faith. People always need a little fantasy to continue living, although it may be very pessimistic to say that. Those who succeed in deceiving themselves by fantasy tend to live happier lives than others. I know some people who rely on religion or fortune-telling to get their faith. This provides the character material for my script: a woman who has failed her life, suddenly found that another woman who helped her fortune-telling gave her hope in life. The problem is, she still has to wake up in the end.
Question: We existed in a previous life, or there really is a God. Which of these two statements is more credible to you?
Answer: None of them are credible. I have my own set of cold scientific methods. I just rely on my feelings and what I see is what I get.
Question: Do you have any special feelings about yourself getting older?
Answer: Well, of course I don’t want to grow old. (Laughs) I don't think it's good to be old. As the years go by, you won't become smarter, you will only gradually fall apart. People always speak very well. When you mature, you begin to understand the meaning of life and learn to accept it. But if you are given a chance to change back into youth, you can ignore all of these. I know that feeling. When you wake up in the middle of the night, you will think of death and imagine its coming. Such thoughts make you shudder. This is what Anthony Hopkins experienced at the beginning of the movie. Since then, he can no longer hear what a wife who is more realistic than his — "Oh, you can't do this anymore, you no longer Younger again." His wife was right, but no one wanted to hear it.
Q: Does getting old affect your work? In your most recent works, is there a desire to be young that affects you?
A: No, I have always done things aimlessly. I only do what seemed right at the time. I have never looked back at my films in my life, never. I haven't watched "Take the Money and Run" since 1968, nor have I watched "Annie Hall" or "Manhattan". It’s like whenever I’m running on a treadmill and think of a movie I made before, I would definitely not watch it, because I think rewatching will only make me uncomfortable. I’ll do it again.”
Q: Recently, you told some European media that filming in New York is too expensive. Was your latest film actually shot in New York?
A: My first choice for filming is definitely New York. This is my best hope. Of course, working where I live can be regarded as the most extravagant privilege. I will definitely film in New York again. Of course, I also spent some of my only money in other places, including London, Paris, Barcelona, etc. These cities are international metropolises like New York, and filming is cheaper than New York. For me, being able to film in New York is a privilege, and I don’t mind the extra charge, as long as I can afford it. If it takes 15 million to shoot in New York and 12 million to shoot in other places, I will definitely still shoot in New York. As long as I can afford the 15 million, but if I can't afford it, there is no way.
Q: So this is not because European cities warmly welcome you to film while New York takes your filming for granted?
Answer: New York has always given full and happy cooperation and assistance to filming, but the cooperation provided by European countries is indeed better than that of New York. Of course, I also shoot some shots for my movies in Europe from time to time. It is understandable that my money is not always enough for work.
Q: Regarding the first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (Carla Bruni-Sarkozy) will appear in your next work "Midnight in Paris", are you ready for the overwhelming media coverage? ?
A: I'm very surprised that she will cause such a sensation in journalism. She does appear in movies, but only a small part. She was filmed on the first day of work. As a result, all the newspapers said that her acting skills were terrible. She was NG 32 times. In fact, she didn't even have 10 times. It's just that someone made up this incredible number. They also said that Sarkozy was very angry at the scene, and in fact he did come to the scene, but he was very happy, thinking that his wife was born an actor.
Question: Putting this sentence on a movie poster would definitely be good publicity.
A: Due to some factors, the media always want to report on her bad side. I don't know if it is related to the opposition to Sarkozy, or it can increase the sales of the newspaper. But what they wrote was nonsense and whimsical. Is it the issue in Afghanistan, or the country’s economic issues and many practical issues that the media will scribble like this? Mrs. Sarkozy's joining in the show is simply a trivial matter that is not worthy of attention. I said so many long words to answer your question: I was not prepared to receive the massive media reports caused by Mrs. Sarkozy.
Question: What do you do after work? For example, this period.
Answer: I am just like ordinary people. In the morning, I send my children to school, walk with my wife, and play jazz band. Also, I have been using a treadmill and lifting weights to keep in shape, so I may not look that old. Generally speaking, I don't go to Hollywood blockbusters. Last time I watched "Winter's Bone". I like it very much. Every actor is great. When I was in Paris, I had the opportunity to read a lot of works by Tolstoy and Norman Mailer. Over the years, I always watch something to enrich myself.
Question: In the Lincoln Center Art Festival held this summer, there was a 12-hour performance that changed from Dostoyevsky’s work "Demons". I thought I could see it inside. What about your performance.
Answer: No, no, I'm just a common man. Although I have read the relevant materials, I always feel forced to read it. There is no fun at all. The interesting thing for me is to watch a football match with a beer.
Original: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/movies/15woody.html?_r=2&src=me&ref=movies
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