Original Title: BARRY JENKINS TELLS THE "NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS" STARS WHY THEY'RE THE MODERN-DAY THELMA AND LOUISE "The End of the Road", 2020.5.7 released by " Interview " magazine.
Original address: https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/never-rarely-sometimes-always-barry-jenkins-sidney-flanagan-talia-ryder
Author: Barry Jenkins, Translator: Lumine
Barry Jenkins ( Barry Jenkins, American director, his self-written and directed work "Moonlight" won the 89th Academy Award for Best Picture, he is one of the producers of "Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always". 1. "BJ" for short ): Can you see my virtual background?
Talia Ryder ( Talia Ryder, American actress, starred in drama, "Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always" is her first film, as Skyler. hereinafter referred to as "TR" ): I'm looking at how to set it up. I want to get a background on the beach.
BJ : First let me say that I'm not a journalist, and this one may not be as cool as some of the other interviews you've done before. Give you a mental preparation. But now it's cool to finally meet real people online. Since I wasn't on set during the production process, I didn't get to see you guys before. Very happy to meet all of you. how are things?
Sidney Flanigan ( Sidney Flanigan, American musician, actor, "Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always" is also her first movie, playing the protagonist Aoqiu. hereinafter referred to as "SF" ): I've been a little crazy recently, but this time is probably good for thinking about some issues, and it's relatively quiet.
BJ : It's very interesting, you two were riding the rocket of the movie into the sky before*. The film did well at Sundance, and even more so in Berlin. Now you have to stop abruptly and reflect on what happened. I'm curious how you guys look back at the past few months in relation to this movie. Do you guys pay close attention to how people respond after the movie is released?
SF : Exactly. These are all Uncharted to me, especially in the current state**. It's kind of like being in the apartment every day, everything is peaceful, but at the same time a lot of things have happened since the movie came out. I know there's a lot of repercussions right now, but unlike going to a premiere with a team, it's hard to really feel all the stuff, all the energy. But a lot of people left me messages on INS saying how much they liked the movie, it's really great to get so many positive reviews and support. Let's take a step by step now.
TR : I get a lot of text messages from girls my age who say they love this movie a lot and say they've never seen a movie like this before. It's really cool. I thought after Berlin and Sundance I would go back to school and get back to my normal routine, but now things have gone in a completely different direction.
(*Translator's Note: "Never Rarely Sometimes Always" premiered at Sundance at the end of January 2020, won in Berlin the following month, and hit theaters in the United States in March, but due to the outbreak of the new crown virus, it will be released in early April. Launched various Internet video-on-demand platforms.
**Translator's Note: The two leading actors are at home in New York at this time, pointing out that due to the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia, New York has issued a statewide restriction order from March. )
BJ : That's how things are sometimes. Did you know all the process a girl like Sidney goes through in the movie before you read Eliza*'s script? Or does this story actually teach you a lesson?
SF : I definitely learned a lot from the film. I realize there's stigma in that situation, but growing up in New York, I've never been too concerned about concrete barriers like the ones in the movies. I didn't know there are places where abortion requires approval and you have to prove to a judge that your decision was thoughtful enough. It’s true that there are a lot of women who travel long distances for this, and then there are indeed crisis centers everywhere that mislead women into trying to persuade them not to have abortions—it’s maddening to figure out how much obstacles can get in the way of abortion.
TR : I also learned a lot. I know it's hard for women to get abortions in conservative states, but I didn't know how much obstacles they would face.
(*Translator's Note: Eliza Hittman, director and screenwriter of Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always.)
BJ : Sidney, you're a little older than Thalia, aren't you?
SF : Yes, I'm 21 and Talia is 18.
BJ : One of the interesting things about the first hour of the movie is that at first Skyler looks bigger than Otto. Skyler is a bit like a big sister, or a cousin. Then at the end, Aoqiu finally ended the journey, and the two sides seemed to have exchanged positions. I think you've done a lot of love here on the show. How well did you know each other during filming?
SF : We first met at the audition and I felt like Talia and I got along very well. Eliza was gone for a while at the time, and we sat there talking and found out that we were both from Buffalo. Having a common hometown helped us form the initial bond, and Eliza later gave us some exercises to strengthen our relationship. She gave us some tips for the diary. We write down the answers and exchange them privately. That feeling was a little heavy, and I don't think there is any distinction between us after that. We let go of this ability, we were completely connected to each other, and when we got to the set, I felt very close to her. I love Talia. I think she's a very nice person, and I'm very happy to meet her.
TR : I felt during filming that if this were the real life we were in, I would protect Sidney the same way Skyler protected Otto.
BJ : I guess Eliza's approach to filming has an impact on that as well. Especially as a filmmaker watching this film, I can feel the mood of the two of you roaming Manhattan alone with suitcases. If I saw you two with suitcases at 3am, I'd be like, "Gosh, someone has to help these girls." I know a lot of the characters in the background are real, so I guess that's on purpose Melt together, where you've got to hold each other because Eliza isn't going to come over and say to everyone, "Hey, these are my actors, don't mess around, don't mess around." With these guys who don't know you're making a movie What does it feel like to play such a role together in the real world?
SF : It's kind of weird. Most of the time the camera was close enough to be seen by others, which I think is pretty normal for New Yorkers. People don't really stop and watch. But since that was my first appearance, it really felt like an outlier. Made me feel the character's situation in New York - "everything is new", there is a feeling of overwhelm.
BJ : So Talia, after this movie you went to the (Spielberg remake) West Side Story crew, which must be very different from Eliza's crew. Does it make you feel strange?
TR : It was also my first movie, so I felt very strange too. I was lucky enough to be on West Side Story, where I didn't feel particularly outlier. The scene where we enter Planned Parenthood next to the parade - the moment we have to hold on to each other walking past is very real because all the protesters are real and the signs are not made up. All of this is happening right in front of us.
BJ : I watched the movie again this morning, and the way you looked at each other was so funny. I love the way the actors make eye contact. It was a sweet moment when you first went to NYC and took the subway, Skyler looked at Otchi, and you could see in his eyes Skyler was trying to make sure she was okay. All this gives a very intimate feeling. The film deals with very serious issues, but it also feels like a film about friendship.
SF : I think it's important that Talia and I have a great relationship off-screen so that we can jump on the screen.
TR : It was really important to build our friendship during the rehearsal phase. Eliza asked Sidney and I to do each other's makeup while we were going through our scripts and scenes. She said it would create a more intimate emotional bond while filming the scene. I never expected a rehearsal like this, but it was really rewarding.
BJ : Sidney, you sang a karaoke in the movie. Did you choose the song yourself? Because you are a singer/songwriter yourself, do you sing in your own style?
SF : I picked that song from some options, because the copyright of the song is expensive. I remember seeing that song on the list (" Don't Catch You Crying " by Gerry and the Pacemakers) and being like, "God, I've loved this song for years." When singing, there is no need to even perform, I should have performed. At the end of the first shot, I remember the DP whispering to Eliza, presumably saying, "She's not doing it right for the character." So Eliza said, "You've got to try to sing more like Aoqiu." So I made some improvements.
BJ : Talia, I'm curious about your wardrobe. How did you and Eliza determine Skyler's outfit?
TR : When we try on clothes, we have some choices, but they all belong to the same style. I think Skyler would want to be a little more trendy and express himself through the clothes. I don't think you can see that in the movie, but there are a few scenes where I'm wearing very, very tight fluorescent underwear. I was like, "This is so much like Skyler," she's a very brave person.
BJ : It's like a small town teenager who wants to break into a big city.
SF : There are pictures of the girls we took in our hometown on "INS". In fact, the costume designers got a lot of inspiration from them.
BJ : You are both very young. Now I'm going to say a name, let me know if you know it: Thelma and Louise *.
SF : It sounds familiar, but I don't know much about it. I did not see it.
BJ : Talia, do you know what "Thelma and Louis" means?
TR : I seem to know, I've heard of it before. Wish I knew more.
BJ : Selma and Louis is a '90s movie where two women a little older than you start their journey. This movie is cool and I think you guys should watch it. I don't know how it sounds to your peers, but to me the movie "Never Rarely Sometimes Always" is today's Mad Flowers. Including the silly boy you met after you got in the car, like Brad Pitt in the world of "The Endless Flower". I hope to chat with you next time, you have already watched "The Endless Flower".
(*Translator's Note: "Thelma and Louise", that is, the 1991 Ridley Scott-directed film "The End of the Wild Flower", Thelma and Louise are the names of two of the female protagonists.)
BJ : With that, I want to talk about the fact that movies are now being released on video-on-demand (VOD). I stayed at home, Sidney was at home, Talia was at home, Eliza was at home. I think there's still some value in it, because we don't often see portrayals of female friendships, especially about your age. Right now, everyone is staying at home thinking about something to do and something to see. This movie may be one of the good choices for young people. Tell me about your experience after the theatrical premiere, you were in Berlin, and now the film is released online.
SF : It's kind of like a quick switch because we've been involved in all these festivals, launches, and it's exciting. I remember after that week in New York, I came home and wanted to have a premiere in Buffalo with my family and friends, and I was really looking forward to it, but now it doesn't seem like I'm going to continue. There were a lot of email exchanges before. We would discuss, "How about we reduce the number to 100", but it was cancelled the day before the screening.
TR : It's a pity it didn't get a theatrical release, that was our original plan. Personally, I think movies are better on the big screen, where you're engrossed and undisturbed by your phone or anything. But I still hope that the film can be seen by more people through the online platform, because people have nothing to do at the moment, and the abortion law is in jeopardy*. People are even using the virus to restrict the movement of women. I want to see as many people as possible.
(*Translator's Note: Refers to "Roe v. Wade" (Roe v. Wade). In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Texas law restricting abortion was unconstitutional, thereby recognizing the abortion rights of American women. But since 2017 Trump Since taking office, forces or groups advocating anti-abortion have actively organized motions to restrict abortion, such as the Heartbeat Bill, in various states, with the goal of overturning the case of Roe v. Wade. See: "Anti-Abortion Bill" Abortion bill: "The Handmaid's Tale" has become the 2019 manual .)
BJ : Now let me tell you this as a passerby, not as a producer. I went through a 112-day production period, didn't go to Sundance, didn't go to Berlin, didn't go to any test screenings. So I never saw this movie on the big screen. I've only seen it on a 60ft TV screen in the darkroom and it still looks amazing. So for anyone watching at home, it's still going to be fine. Even more than that, I made Moonlight a few years ago...
TR : Just to interrupt, I love Moonlight.
SF : Me too.
BJ : Thank you. I also like Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always. A lot of people told me that they didn't go to the cinema to see "Moonlight" because they didn't want people to know that they went to see it.
TR : Why?
BJ : Because they don't want to be inferred, guessed, or assumed to be gay.
SF : Oh!
BJ : At the same time, I also think that there will be young girls who have a similar experience with Sidney. Maybe going to the cinema is not comfortable for them, but now they can watch it more comfortably in their own homes. So believe me, anyone can watch this film on a laptop, on a cell phone, on a TV, and I really believe that in those ways people will discover something in the film. What you and Eliza have done is still as big as 500 theaters. Be proud of it, okay? what do you say?
SF : Thank you, thank you for the compliment.
BJ : A friend of mine went to the cinema to watch "Moonlight". There were 5 people in the cinema, and one of them was crying. My friend he sat until the credits were done and the lights came on, then he got up and said "shit gay movie" before leaving. Just in case anyone saw him there.
SF : OMG!
BJ : We made it possible for him to get involved, but he wasn't comfortable getting involved. It's similar to how I feel in this film. Talia, you also hit on something that I think is very important. We are all at home and the only thing people think and talk about is COVID-19. But at the same time, those states are trying to limit the rights of women like Otto. You, as part of this work, are very relevant to this issue. Tell me how you feel.
SF : It's been a crazy experience ever since I came home from the movie, because then I started seeing the news about the Fetal Heartbeat Act*, and I was like, "God, I just finished filming one. The movie about abortion is back home, it's not too long since I heard the Supreme Court's jurisprudence." Now, the "coronavirus" continues, and they are still ruthlessly taking away reproductive freedom. This makes women feel very powerless. All this patriarchal stuff, it's weird. The woman resisted for so long, but this battle seemed like a bottomless pit. Women carry the trauma for generations. too heavy. So this movie, I feel, will be relevant for some time to come.
TR : I agree. I feel honored and important to be a part of this story. Eliza said she's not trying to change anyone's mind or start a riot or whatever, but I hope that people who may not be in favor of abortion see the movie and actually see the characters as people Feel the same way. The people who don't accept -- I don't think because they don't understand it will actually give them a chance to empathize, they make all kinds of assumptions. I want people to find a different perspective when they watch a movie.
(*Translator's Note: The "Fetal Heartbeat Bill" or simply "Heartbeat Bill" refers to the abortion restriction bill implemented by the American anti-abortion group, which prohibits the detection of a fetal heartbeat (6-7 weeks of pregnancy) Since then, women have had abortions. As of 2019, dozens of states in the United States have opened the legislative process of the Heartbeat Act, and 4 states including Ohio and Georgia have passed the bill (in addition, Alabama completely banned abortion). In the second half of last year, restrictions have been passed. Abortion state bills have been temporarily put on hold by federal courts.)
BJ : I'm curious, do you have any advice for people who are acting in a movie for the first time. What to do and what not to do - what would you do and what would you not do if you did it again?
SF : Oh man.
BJ : You mean it like, "I've done everything well."
SF : I think I'm still trying to get my bearings, because sometimes I look back on it and it really feels like a blast of lightning. If I were to give myself advice, maybe I would say trust yourself a little bit more, be a little bit more confident, and don't compare yourself too much with others.
BJ : Well, that's all I want to ask. I won't talk about Insane Clown Posse . I won't say it, I won't say it.
SF : I'll make it clear that I'm not a juggalo fan (juggalo*). I just happened to be at a fan wedding.
BJ : I just wanted to entertain you at the end, that's all.
(*Translator's Note: Insane Clown Posse (Juggalo Clown) The American metal rap group established in the 1980s, their fans call themselves "juggalo", forming a rap subcultural community, such as the wedding between fans is called "juggalo" wedding". Sidney and director Eliza met by chance at such a friend's wedding.)
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