Page 33 - The Hollywood Reporter (January 2020)
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to my mother when I was in utero.
I’m all things Little Women.
Tom Rothman wrote a memo
to staff saying that Little Women
is only the third film in history
that’s directed, written and pro-
duced by women to be nominated
for best picture.
It is very, very gratifying.
I couldn’t be prouder.
In light of the backlash to Greta
Gerwig’s not being given a slot in
the directing category — and the
fact that only men were nominated
— where do you think the bias lies?
There were a lot of really great
movies this year, to be honest
with you, and there are a lot of
really worthy directors. I don’t
think that anyone singled anyone
out to not include them.
But what about the backlash?
People really feel like Greta
deserved it, and I also feel that
way. I wish that it had gone other-
wise, but she’s really OK with
it, and she’s really happy about the
But it was still a grueling process, Was there ever a point when you So we had a lot of weather apps film. We’re all so happy about all
including casting and the ques- threw up your hands in frustration that we dealt with all the time. these nominations. None of us are
tion of getting the budget to just and thought you wouldn’t be able There were days that we were in a place where we’re feeling bad.
under $40 million. Meryl [Streep] to make it happen? chasing snow. That’s the truth.
was part of it from the beginning, You think that a little bit every day
and I’m sure that helped. These when you’re making a film. Right? I’ve read that you also broke your What has been the biggest sur-
are not the kinds of movies that It’s like the challenge of getting ankle when scouting locations. prise about your producing career
major studios make. It’s pretty everything right all the time. It happened right before we post-Sony?
extraordinary that Sony actually You are always hoping that you’re started shooting. I had surgery in Oh golly, I don’t know. The smart-
supported us to the extent they remembering what the goal is. I Boston, and communicated for the est thing you can do as a producer
have. But the process is about was lucky that Greta and I got to first couple of weeks with Greta on is to make sure you work with
the script. Her take was unique remind each other every day. our Apple Watches. Then I showed really talented people. And I think
and singular, and her script was up on set in a wheelchair. I looked I’ve been really fortunate that the
completely undeniable. I talked to What was the most challeng- like Dr. Strangelove. filmmakers and other producers
Sony right before Lady Bird came ing thing during the actual shoot that I’ve worked with have been
out and told them they had to see in Massachusetts? Why does Louisa May Alcott’s book so gifted.
it. And once Lady Bird came out, I’ll tell you, the hardest thing was still resonate today?
everybody knew she was a gigan- waiting for snow. It was the one Because it’s been a best-seller for Interview edited for length
tic talent. thing that we couldn’t control. 150 years. My father read the book and clarity.
T H E H O L L Y W O O D R E P O R T E R 2 9 J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0 A W A R D S 1
