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[Q + A]
Meet Greta Gerwig—the Director The actress garnered major acclaim for her work behind the camera on indie hit Lady Bird.
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HIS AWARDS SEASON,
a young filmmaker just might establish herself as one of Hollywood’s next
big directors. Though she’s an established screenwriter and actress (most notably starring in the title role of 2012’s Frances Ha), Greta Gerwig’s latest film, Lady Bird—which she wrote and directed—has become one of the season’s most critically acclaimed movies, garnering the almost unheardof 100 percent critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film tells the story of a freespirited teen navigating a series of difficult relationships while trying to finish her senior year of high school. We recently spoke with Gerwig about making the film and how Hollywood is changing for young female filmmakers. YOU’VE DONE A LOT OF WRITING AND ACTING. WHAT WAS IT LIKE DIRECTING LADY BIRD?
I’ve always wanted to be a writer-director, but because I didn’t go to film school, I’ve really used 10 years of filmmaking in different capacities—both in front of and behind the camera—to learn my craft. So when I was on set the first day, I felt like, I’ve got 10 years of learning under my belt occupying different positions on film sets, and I don’t know how I could be more prepared. IT FEELS LIKE THINGS ARE CHANGING AS FAR AS THE OPPORTUNITIES WOMEN GET. HAVE WE ENTERED A NEW ERA?
I think we have a long way to go in terms of giving a diverse set of filmmakers a chance to tell stories—and that is women and
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minority filmmakers. It’s very important that we’re having these discussions and giving them a platform, but I am very heartened by what is going on right now and the spotlight that’s being shone on filmmakers, female filmmakers and filmmakers of color. When I think of Patty Jenkins directing Wonder Woman or Sofia Coppola [who] won best director and Kathryn Bigelow, who I’ve had the privilege to meet and talk to, and younger newer filmmakers, it feels like there is something changing and there is a desire for that change and that is just as big of a deal. HOW MUCH DOES THE AUDIENCE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THINGS?
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It’s a huge relationship between the audience and change, because successful films about women and with women at the helm and women at the center, once they stopped seeming like aberrations and started seeming like a good business bet, that’s when change [happened]. I remember when Bridesmaids came out and everyone was like, “Whoa, this is really successful,” and the same thing happened with Wonder Woman. The truth is, there’s such a huge market. Women go to movies and want to see themselves reflected on the screen. I think, vote with your dollars. If that’s the kind of thing you want to see, go to the movies and buy a ticket.
2018