Elena Chiavazza Prieto, Grade 12
UWCSA (Arusha)
Greta Gerwig is an American actress and director who is currently generating blockbusters, nominated for two Academy Awards for her film Lady Bird (2017) and her new adaptation of the classic story Little Women (2019). "She first garnered attention after working on and appearing in several mumblecore films. Between 2006 and 2009, she appeared in a number of films by Joe Swanberg, some of which she co-wrote or co-directed, including Hanna takes the stairs (2007) and Nights and weekends (2008)."
Greta was born and raised in Sacramento, California, in a working-class family. She always had a great curiosity for big cities and dreamed of the idea of being able to get out of the frame of her boring life in California. Because of this, after finishing High school, she moved to New York and studied English and philosophy at Barnard College, while performing at Columbia University.
In her early career, she devoted herself to making small appearances in some movies, which were LOL and Baghead. Then she joined her friend Joe Swanberg, and they started writing screenplays together, that's how Greta started to get involved in the world of film writing. Currently, she is one of the few female directors really recognized in the world of cinema.
Interview
-Hi Greta, how are you today?
Well hello Elena, well today I am very good because I have had a hard day on the recording set doing what I love and I think I still feel fabulous, thanks for asking.
-That sounds good Greta, thanks! So you have been recently nominated for two Oscars, how does that make you feel?
Well, it's not every day someone gets nominated for an Oscar! Without a doubt it has been a great experience for me, it is something that will add a lot to my professional career, and it was a great surprise since Lady Bird was the first film I directed, I never imagined that I would walk on the red carpet because of it!
-Who are your bigger inspirations at the time of making movies?
I think when it comes to making movies, I always rely on events from my personal life. I always try to leave a part of me in my works, and I feel that starting with a significant event as a starting point is something that ends up giving way to something greater. That was certainly the case with Lady Bird! It is more like an autobiography. At a certain point in my life, I realized that perhaps it was worth it to show my simple and ordinary life on the big screen. Beyond all that, I would also say that the women I have surrounded myself with all my life have been a great inspiration when creating stories.
-And which women would you think have been your biggest inspiration?
Wow, that's a difficult question! There are so many amazing women in my life! But I would say, Virginia Woolf, perhaps. She is just wonderful! The things she did, the things she accomplished have really had an impact on my work.
-Why?
Well, I think we all know that Virginia's boom era was not a very "women-friendly" era, yet she was such a good writer and so wonderful in everything she did that not even critics were worried about the fact that she was a woman. Sometimes I think they just legitimized her as an artist because it would have been a crime not to! I feel that she was the main driver of empowerment for many women, and when that is accomplished, there is certainly nothing more rewarding!
- How does it feel to be one of the only women to actually be leaving a mark in the world of directing?
Well, it is not something that I am proud of, rather I would say it is something that generates a lot of sadness, and that really bothers me! How is it possible that at this moment in history, women are still so invisible in the world of cinema? It is something that I don't understand... and believe me - it is no secret that the film industry is one of the most sexist that exist. Try to name me more than ten female filmmakers you know, a difficult task, right? They don't give us the artistic space we deserve! Women are always the ones who have the role of "muse". We are the ones who give inspiration to the artist, to the creator! But we will never be the creators; we will always be the ones who simply have to pose pretty and stay beautiful. Every time I think about it, I feel profound helplessness...
-How do you think industries can start giving women the space that they need in the world of filmmaking?
I think one of the main steps is to address the idea of favoritism towards men because they are more "economical" as workers. This misconception must change! In turn, in many countries "feminine quota" laws have begun to be implemented in art spaces, and they have given excellent results. These laws require that in the industries, festivals or artistic exhibitions, a mandatory percentage of women must be met. Basically, these laws ensure that space is given to the female gender, a space that we deserve! And also, it ensures that the inequality experienced in these spaces is ended.
-How do you feel when people ask you about typical girly questions and not about your work as an artist during interviews?
Let me tell you that it is really annoying! I don't understand why some journalists care more about what kind of dumb dress I'm going to wear for the Oscars than the reason why I made it to the Oscars! I feel that it is very disrespectful, and it is a pattern that is repeated in many interviews with female artists. Why do men always get interesting questions related to their professional careers, and we are asked what kind of makeup we like to wear while filming? It's ridiculous!
-Those are very interesting points! Changing the subject a bit, and about your excellent professional career… audiences always find it quite hard to understand your style, so how would you define it?
I think some adjectives that I like to use when defining my style are: cynical, humorous and just a bit dramatic. I am very passionate about the mumblecore film style, in which relaxed dialogues and improvisation are the main engines to create humorous or bizarre scenes. However, while directing, I like to stick to the script. Beyond this, I would say that the style of my films also depends a lot on the style of the people I work with, basically the style of my actors.
-What's your favourite activity?
Directing, of course!
-Why?
I really adore the chaotic and stressful atmosphere that is created while trying to direct my films! It is an environment that helps me to relax and be myself. Therefore, I really enjoy it! In turn, whenever I direct, I have the opportunity to work with fabulous people, who make me laugh a lot and make my job even more fun.
-Besides directing, which other activity do you think really suits you?
Well, I love to dance, although in a totally non-professional way... I am very passionate about tap. I also adore going for a walk, observing the city, observing the trees, but above all observing people who live alone, sitting on benches in squares or by fountains...
-And why do you think that stalking people is something so fun to do? Isn't it a bit creepy?
(laughs) Well, it's very creepy! I will not deny it! However, I really like to observe what kinds of things people do when they think that nobody is observing them. I forgot to mention it earlier, but I feel that this is something that inspires my films a lot, and to be honest, I feel that it is a bit hypocritical to say that it is creepy to stalk people but still be a fan of cinema, which is an art that is basically about watching and enjoying a peek of the lives of people who have no idea of the viewer's existence.
- Greta, it has been amazing talking to you! Unfortunately, this is our last question, how do you see yourself in the future?
In the future, I see myself acting in a series or movie, because actually that is what I'm going to be doing, and of course creating new scripts that captivate audiences. At the moment, I am starting to write a movie about Barbie, the doll, but well... I do not want to give too much information; I prefer to leave it as a surprise.
-Thank you very much for your time Greta, we look forward to your next movie, and I hope to see you in another interview!
Thank you very much, Elena! I also hope to see you soon!
Greta was born and raised in Sacramento, California, in a working-class family. She always had a great curiosity for big cities and dreamed of the idea of being able to get out of the frame of her boring life in California. Because of this, after finishing High school, she moved to New York and studied English and philosophy at Barnard College, while performing at Columbia University.
In her early career, she devoted herself to making small appearances in some movies, which were LOL and Baghead. Then she joined her friend Joe Swanberg, and they started writing screenplays together, that's how Greta started to get involved in the world of film writing. Currently, she is one of the few female directors really recognized in the world of cinema.
Interview
-Hi Greta, how are you today?
Well hello Elena, well today I am very good because I have had a hard day on the recording set doing what I love and I think I still feel fabulous, thanks for asking.
-That sounds good Greta, thanks! So you have been recently nominated for two Oscars, how does that make you feel?
Well, it's not every day someone gets nominated for an Oscar! Without a doubt it has been a great experience for me, it is something that will add a lot to my professional career, and it was a great surprise since Lady Bird was the first film I directed, I never imagined that I would walk on the red carpet because of it!
-Who are your bigger inspirations at the time of making movies?
I think when it comes to making movies, I always rely on events from my personal life. I always try to leave a part of me in my works, and I feel that starting with a significant event as a starting point is something that ends up giving way to something greater. That was certainly the case with Lady Bird! It is more like an autobiography. At a certain point in my life, I realized that perhaps it was worth it to show my simple and ordinary life on the big screen. Beyond all that, I would also say that the women I have surrounded myself with all my life have been a great inspiration when creating stories.
-And which women would you think have been your biggest inspiration?
Wow, that's a difficult question! There are so many amazing women in my life! But I would say, Virginia Woolf, perhaps. She is just wonderful! The things she did, the things she accomplished have really had an impact on my work.
-Why?
Well, I think we all know that Virginia's boom era was not a very "women-friendly" era, yet she was such a good writer and so wonderful in everything she did that not even critics were worried about the fact that she was a woman. Sometimes I think they just legitimized her as an artist because it would have been a crime not to! I feel that she was the main driver of empowerment for many women, and when that is accomplished, there is certainly nothing more rewarding!
- How does it feel to be one of the only women to actually be leaving a mark in the world of directing?
Well, it is not something that I am proud of, rather I would say it is something that generates a lot of sadness, and that really bothers me! How is it possible that at this moment in history, women are still so invisible in the world of cinema? It is something that I don't understand... and believe me - it is no secret that the film industry is one of the most sexist that exist. Try to name me more than ten female filmmakers you know, a difficult task, right? They don't give us the artistic space we deserve! Women are always the ones who have the role of "muse". We are the ones who give inspiration to the artist, to the creator! But we will never be the creators; we will always be the ones who simply have to pose pretty and stay beautiful. Every time I think about it, I feel profound helplessness...
-How do you think industries can start giving women the space that they need in the world of filmmaking?
I think one of the main steps is to address the idea of favoritism towards men because they are more "economical" as workers. This misconception must change! In turn, in many countries "feminine quota" laws have begun to be implemented in art spaces, and they have given excellent results. These laws require that in the industries, festivals or artistic exhibitions, a mandatory percentage of women must be met. Basically, these laws ensure that space is given to the female gender, a space that we deserve! And also, it ensures that the inequality experienced in these spaces is ended.
-How do you feel when people ask you about typical girly questions and not about your work as an artist during interviews?
Let me tell you that it is really annoying! I don't understand why some journalists care more about what kind of dumb dress I'm going to wear for the Oscars than the reason why I made it to the Oscars! I feel that it is very disrespectful, and it is a pattern that is repeated in many interviews with female artists. Why do men always get interesting questions related to their professional careers, and we are asked what kind of makeup we like to wear while filming? It's ridiculous!
-Those are very interesting points! Changing the subject a bit, and about your excellent professional career… audiences always find it quite hard to understand your style, so how would you define it?
I think some adjectives that I like to use when defining my style are: cynical, humorous and just a bit dramatic. I am very passionate about the mumblecore film style, in which relaxed dialogues and improvisation are the main engines to create humorous or bizarre scenes. However, while directing, I like to stick to the script. Beyond this, I would say that the style of my films also depends a lot on the style of the people I work with, basically the style of my actors.
-What's your favourite activity?
Directing, of course!
-Why?
I really adore the chaotic and stressful atmosphere that is created while trying to direct my films! It is an environment that helps me to relax and be myself. Therefore, I really enjoy it! In turn, whenever I direct, I have the opportunity to work with fabulous people, who make me laugh a lot and make my job even more fun.
-Besides directing, which other activity do you think really suits you?
Well, I love to dance, although in a totally non-professional way... I am very passionate about tap. I also adore going for a walk, observing the city, observing the trees, but above all observing people who live alone, sitting on benches in squares or by fountains...
-And why do you think that stalking people is something so fun to do? Isn't it a bit creepy?
(laughs) Well, it's very creepy! I will not deny it! However, I really like to observe what kinds of things people do when they think that nobody is observing them. I forgot to mention it earlier, but I feel that this is something that inspires my films a lot, and to be honest, I feel that it is a bit hypocritical to say that it is creepy to stalk people but still be a fan of cinema, which is an art that is basically about watching and enjoying a peek of the lives of people who have no idea of the viewer's existence.
- Greta, it has been amazing talking to you! Unfortunately, this is our last question, how do you see yourself in the future?
In the future, I see myself acting in a series or movie, because actually that is what I'm going to be doing, and of course creating new scripts that captivate audiences. At the moment, I am starting to write a movie about Barbie, the doll, but well... I do not want to give too much information; I prefer to leave it as a surprise.
-Thank you very much for your time Greta, we look forward to your next movie, and I hope to see you in another interview!
Thank you very much, Elena! I also hope to see you soon!
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