Jenny Slate

Sundance Films: Obvious Child + Catherine

Interview by James Patrick Herman  Photographs by Jeff Vespa

Where are you from? 

“I grew up on the South Shore of Massachusetts. There is nothing like being on the Cape with a Miller High Life in your hand and knowing that you’re gonna have a lobster roll later.”

What was your big break? 

“The moment when [my short film] Marcel the Shell with Shoes On suddenly exploded on the Internet. Before that, I was on Saturday Night Live, but that wasn’t really me showing what I could do. SNL was my first big job and when I got it, I was excited — but also scared, confused and almost immediately hard on myself. That is not the way I wanted to birth myself into my career. A comedian friend of mine asked: ‘Do you think about the fact that 20 million people have viewed your Marcel videos [on YouTube]?’ But what’s important to me is the genuine surprise and delight I felt when I put something out there that was received with such love, whether it’s 20 million people or 20.”

Describe your character in Obvious Child. 

“Obviously, people are going to focus on the obstacles that Donna — who is very sweet and very funny — has to deal with when she decides to have an abortion. But what I find interesting is the moment most adults get to when they are 28, 29, and they realize that their twenties have actually been a surprise second adolescence. And they don’t know everything they thought they would know by the time they reach 30. It’s about letting go of the fear of not being what you expected to become.”

Do you identify with your character? 

“I was actually telling my therapist that I found myself really jealous of Donna. Because she just lets things fly out of her mouth and doesn’t think twice. Also, you don’t hear one word from her about being insecure with the way she looks. I wish I could be like her in terms of how free she is with her body; I am much more shy.”

What’s the buzz? 

“I know people are saying it’s a rom-com about abortion. But I think of it as a cutting-edge feminist comedy. Too many contemporary comedies are like: Awkward! And a lot of like: TMI! But Obvious Child is straightforward funny in a way that recalls old Nora Ephron movies. It’s more like Walking and Talking meets Crossing Delancey because the movie is pretty Jew-y. I also star in Catherine, a short that my husband cowrote and directed. It’s based on a web series that we made.”

What are the highs and lows of Sundance? 

“The worst can be brought out in people because they have a chance to sit next to some famous director at that giant, weird pizza and noodle place on Main Street. I’ve seen some real ass-kissing there. Do I have to kiss everyone’s butts all the time to succeed in this business? Because that really bothers me. The best thing is the free shuttle that goes around Park City because I love making new friends.”

What about before you became a Sundance sensation and YouTube phenom? 

“I worked as a cashier in my grandfather’s liquor store. I also wrote sample paragraphs for SAT testing companies. But I always wanted to be a movie star.”

Are you a fan of Robert Redford? 

“He’s so manly and super-sexy! I love the color of his hair.”

Astrid Bergès-Frisbey

I, Origins

Interview by James Patrick Herman  Photographs by Jeff Vespa

Where are you from? 

“I was born in Barcelona and I moved to France when I was five. My father is Spanish and my mother is basically French but half-American. People say to me: ‘You talk a lot with your hands’ and that’s very Spanish.”

And what’s the most French thing about you? 

“I would say my love of New Wave movies. They break the rules.”

What do you consider your big break? 

“That question is difficult. I’ve done movies in three countries — and in three languages. I was in one of the most-seen movies ever [Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides], but nobody recognizes me on the street. Maybe my big break is about to come.”

What have you heard about Sundance? 

“Over the years, I have seen many Sundance movies at the Deauville film festival in France. So I perceive it to be all about indie movies from up-and-coming directors — fresh blood — and I am very glad to discover their work. But I have no idea how cold it is there.”

Describe your character in I, Origins. 

“Sofi is a free spirit, very connected to spirituality, who lives in the moment. She is the love interest of Michael Pitt, who is a scientist. They are complete opposites in terms of their beliefs and the way they see the world.”

What do you have in common with your character? 

“I would probably say the connection she has to spiritual things. I am not religious at all, but I believe in spirits.”

What’s the buzz? 

“For people who have seen Another Earth, this is another interesting movie from Mike Cahill. He has a special way of making these sci-fi indie movies.”

Did you ever have a normal job? 

“Dozens. I have worked in bars, in shops, on horse ranches. All of my jobs were important for me because they made me learn things about people. So, yes, I know what real life is.”

Josh Wiggins

Sundance Film: Hellion

Interview by James Patrick Herman  Photographs by Jeff Vespa

Where are you from? 

“Houston. I am a die-hard football fan — the Cowboys and Texas A&M.”

Is this film your big break? 

“It’s the first thing I’ve done aside from goofy little YouTube videos. Every time I auditioned for this part [as Aaron Paul’s son], I nearly peed my pants in the waiting room. But then I used to get nervous in gym class.”

Any other notable acting experience? 

“I did theater arts in sixth grade. We would lip-synch the theme songs to Disney movies and do a little dance wearing button-down shirts and short-shorts with suspenders. I like to think I’m a tough guy, but I was always kind of a goody two-shoes in school.”

What advice did Aaron Paul give you? 

“To stay grounded. He’s not, like, all in your face about his success. He said: ‘Stick to what’s important — your family and friends — and don’t buy into the things people say.’ Aaron became my mentor. And he screamed ‘bitch’ a lot on set to make the crew laugh.”

What other actors do you admire? 

“Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Matthew McConaughey, obviously. Also, I have a man crush on Liam Neeson. Not that I am a violent person, but I’m a sucker for revenge stories.”

What have you heard about Sundance? 

“That it is insanely busy, which I would assume is a good thing. I have heard there is a lot of press and you’ll be attacked, so I’m gonna be prepared for that.”

How would you describe your character in Hellion? 

“Misunderstood. His dad has a drinking problem because he lost his wife. So my character had to become a father figure for his younger brother. He’s definitely mad at his dad — and the world — but he still cares about people whether he wants to admit it or not.”

Do you identify with your character? 

“I am not rebellious at all. But he’s been through much more and has leftover hurt from all the things that have happened due to his absent father.”

What’s the buzz? 

“There are some laughs, but for the most part it is a hard, heavy, very rough and realistic film with a lot of emotion.”

Did you ever have a normal job? 

“My friend and I briefly started a dog-walking business for people in the neighborhood. But before this, school was sort of my job.”

Liana Liberato – The Best Little Ingenue in Texas

by James Patrick Herman  Photographs by Jeff Vespa

At the tender age of eighteen, Liana Liberato has already aced drama, comedy, action-thrillers and horror at the movies. All that’s missing is a musical—unless you count that Miley video!

Where are you from?

“Galveston, a wonderful little island with cobblestone streets.”

What’s the most Texan thing about you?

“My love for barbecue.”

When did the acting bug first bite?

“My mom put me in theater when I was three because she didn’t want me to be shy. And I ended up falling in love with it.”

What can a three year old learn about theater?

“It was mainly dancing on stage, singing, waving my hands. I didn’t start acting professionally until the age of nine. I first asked my parents if I could move to L.A. when I was seven but they wouldn’t let me.”

I’m not surprised.

“They said I could probably come out a few years later. They thought I would forget all about it. I didn’t and I pleaded with my parents to enroll me in an acting classes in Hollywood. It just so happened that there were some agents auditing my class. And they asked me to sign with them. As my career gradually gained momentum, we started going back and forth between here and Texas. I built my resume on television show appearances and when I began working frequently, we decided to make Los Angeles our new home. I was like one of the Beverly Hillbillies running around town.”

Speaking of hillbillies, how did you end up in a music video for “7 Things” with Miley Cyrus?

“I was thirteen at the time. My friend was going to audition for it and I planned on sitting in the waiting room. The casting director asked me if I wanted to be in the video, too, and I ended up getting a part. Brett Ratner was the director and he asked all the girls: ‘Who can cry on cue?’ And I said: I can! And he was like: ‘Go up there and cry—while you’re lip-syncing.’ ”

Do you remember any lyrics to the song?

“I know every single word. I had to listen to it for three days in a row.”

You played Anna Paquin’s daughter in Free Ride, which premiered at the Hamptons Film Festival earlier this year.

“Anna has been working in this industry since she was younger than I am. So she had this protective aura about her and was very nurturing.”

You’ve held your own onscreen with several other Oscar-winning actors such as Nicole Kidman and Nicolas Cage in 2011’s Trespass.

“That was surreal for me. I’ve always looked up to Nicole Kidman because she’s so tall and that was always a downfall for me when I was younger. I was tall but I had this young face so I would never get any parts.”

But still the hype began at an early age for you. Do you recall gracing the cover of The New York Times Magazine in 2006?

“It was a story about children in the business. I had never looked at The New York Times Magazine before and I didn’t think it was a big deal at the time. I was like, Oh, cool a magazine cover. Yay! Now I’m gonna go climb a tree. My mind was on other things.”

You’re clearly focused on your career now. What do you consider your big break?

“When I was fourteen, I did a film called Trust with Clive Owen, Catherine Keener and Viola Davis that was directed by David Schwimmer. I’m proud of that film and it helped me to get noticed.”

How did you manage to land the lead role?

“I worked hard to get an audition and I got lucky. I was looking for something that was going to challenge me and I felt that was the right part. I played a girl named Annie who starts a relationship with a boy on the Internet…who turns out to be 40 years old and sexually molests me. The movie is about the aftermath and how it affects me and my family.”

Were you hesitant to take part in such a controversial movie?

“I looked at it as an honor to be able to stand up for girls who have actually been through something like that. It’s a real thing that happens every single day. So it was a privilege to put this story on the screen.”

This summer’s romantic comedy Stuck in Love must have been a refreshing change of pace from your more serious fare.

“That was the first time I ever got to work with other actors my own age. It was different for me because I’m so used to working with older people. I got to be a kid on the set, which was fun. This was a film that was close to Josh Boone’s heart. It was his directorial debut and he never dreamed that he’d get Jennifer Connelly, who is his favorite actress ever.”

Yet another Oscar winner! What have you learned from all your Academy Award-winning costars?

“Just how to carry myself in a way. And my own process, which I am still learning. As an actress it’s good to feed off other people. I’ve got to learn from the best.”

What would be your dream role?

“I’ve always wanted to play Lisa, Angelina Jolie’s character from Girl, Interrupted. That’s a cool, meaty role that I’d like to dive into. Also, there are people I’d love to work with like Michelle Williams and Ben Affleck. I have a lot of ambitions.”

I’ll say. Did you ever have a normal job?

“I was studying for an audition to play the part of a waitress so I got a waitressing job to prepare for it. Does that count?”

Mackenzie Davis

Toronto Films:  The F Word + We Gotta Get Out of This Place

Interview by James Patrick Herman  Photographs by Jeff Vespa

Are you looking forward to Toronto?

“Last year while the festival was going on, I was shooting a movie in Toronto that is in competition this year. I remember riding the elevator at the Trump hotel with Dustin Hoffman! To be a Canadian coming back for the film festival is the coolest feeling.”

How does it compare to your native Vancouver?

“Are you expecting me to say something nice like: Toronto is a really fun, vibrant city? I’ll say this — Toronto has the best electronic surplus store in the world. I make broaches for myself out of old transistors.”

So you’re an accessories designer, too?

“No, I just make shit for myself.”

What was your big break?

“Getting cast in Breathe In, which was at Sundance. I had just gotten out of theater school, and after that, everyone was like: I’ll be your agent. I was like: Nice.”

What actresses inspire you?

“Charlotte Rampling and Jessica Lange are about as good as it gets. The first thing that comes to mind is they both have a confrontational sexiness that’s not in the service of anyone else but themselves. They have this presence that makes you feel like you couldn’t hold eye contact with them for long. It would be too powerful.”

What would be your dream role?

“Playing Lula Fortune in [a remake of David Lynch’s] Wild at Heart. It’s the most romantic movie I’ve ever seen. It’s also like every genre of movie I’d want to be in: A Western, a film noir, an epic Southern love story, a road movie. Lula is the sexiest badass woman.”

You have two movies set to premiere in Toronto. How would you describe your characters in one sentence?

“Nicole in The F Word is turned on by life but even more by Adam Driver. Sue from We Gotta Get Out of This Place is an intrepid mystery enthusiast who finds herself at the heart of a bigger adventure than she could have ever imagined.”

What’s the buzz about your movies?

“The former is a romantic comedy about a strong friendship—and knowing when you should sacrifice your friendship for a love affair. The latter is a good old-fashioned Texas heist movie. Think: Blood Simple.”

Will this be a whirlwind trip for you?

“I’m going for less than twelve hours and doing two premieres back-to-back.”

Well, I hope you’ll have time to change clothes in between red carpets.

“Of course I’m going to do a costume change. Are you kidding me?”

Did you ever have a real job?

“I had a brief stint modeling, but I was terrible. It resulted in a lot of pratfalls and disappointed clients and felt more like an extended Candid Camera episode. What bothered me most is that I was always the object in the room that’s never talked to except in the third person, even if somebody was looking in your eyes, adjusting your hair, doing your makeup. The client could complain about you, but you’re not allowed to respond. You’re never a participant in the conversation. I hated that feeling.”

Producer Bailey Reise (@BaileyReise)

Stylist Avo Yermagyan (@AvoYermagyan)

Makeup Kindra Mann (@KMannMakeup) at The Wall Group (@TheWallGroup)

Hair  Ian James (@ianjameshair)  at The Wall Group (@TheWallGroup)

Fashion Credits:

Look 1: Novis dress

Look 2: Parker dress, Elle Jewelry bracelet, Zara shoes

Look 3: Novis dress