Ahead of the UK release of her dark, emotional yet comic film, Addicted To Fresno, BRWC asked its director Jamie Babbitt about the joys of being married to a fellow storyteller, working with friends and why coming from an underdog city makes a person stronger!
What attracted you to this project apart from it being written by your wife?
We developed the script together. My wife Karey had written for South Park and Arrested Development and wanted to write a comedy feature for me [to direct]. Her first pitch was a wacky comedy about drug smuggling girls. I asked if she had any other ideas and she said: well I could write something about me and my sister. That relationship I know is so complicated and interesting that I knew whatever wacky stuff my wife dreamed up- the emotional story would be rich and complicated. That’s what always draws me in – comedy with an emotional center.
Following on from that, given you’re married to the writer, Karey Dornetto, how challenging was it to suggest/make changes to the script?
We had so much fun going back and forth about the script. We both care so much about our creative endeavours so to share that headspace with her makes us closer. Sharing your creative life with your partner is the reason to go out with a fellow storyteller. We fought, we cried, we celebrated. It all makes you closer.
The cast is pretty impressive: did it take much convincing to get Judy Greer and Natasha Lyonne on board?
Natasha is my old friend from But I’m A Cheerleader [a film directed by Jamie Babbitt] days and I was working with Judy on her show Married. We were all friends so that helped get them involved. [There was ] deep trust on all sides.
Natasha Lyonne’s character is gay – was it important to you to have a gay character in the lead role of the film?
My wife wrote from her experience. I think that helps the character [in] that it’s so specific to the writer and the writer is a lesbian!
What’s the significance of the film’s title?
The story is about one sister who stayed in their hometown and one sister who always wanted to leave.
The Fresno tourist board won’t be calling you anytime soon. The film doesn’t paint a very good image of Fresno. Surely, there must be some good/interesting reasons to visit Fresno?
I’m from Cleveland another underdog city. I love Cleveland only because when you have something to rail against you become stronger. Fresnians, like clevelanders, and Liverpool peeps understand what I’m saying…
How did you pitch this film as for me it straddles two genres?
I pitched it as a crime black comedy with heart.
Addicted To Fresno is released in cinemas across the UK on 9 October. Read the BRWC review of the film here.
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