Greta Gerwig on the "Frances Ha" Gotham Snub
Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 6:13PM 
I had the good fortune to speak with Greta Gerwig earlier today. She's had a terrific year co-writing and headlining the comedy Frances Ha, one of the year's true cinematic triumphs. But, due to the timing of our scheduled conversation, I also had the misfortune of being the bearer of bad news. I didn't realize when I clumsily brought up the Gotham snub, that she hadn't yet heard that the first awards show of the season, which previously honored her with a "breakthrough" nomination for Greenberg (2010) had passed this time around. But she was game enough to answer my questions about movie awards, anyway. She likes to watch, she quickly offered but "it's not really party of my orbit"
But that led me to wondering if the reception of her work is important to her at all, or if she's one of those actors that's solely focused on the process.
I'm incredibly about how it's received but I don't -- but awards seem to be even beyond that. It has, like, its own rules. I want people I respect to like what I've done. I hope it touches people. I'm not making art in a closet because I want to have the experience of people watching it and liking it.But awards are so kind of arbitrary. I think it's amazing to be recognized and I think good films are certainly recognized but I don't really see any connection between...
Her voice trails off then before she wraps the topic up with a funny bow.
I think if you're in the film business long enough they eventually get around to you somehow. Or at least when you die a picture of you goes up onscreen.
Um, but I don't know. I also think filmmakers who I love -- sometimes the movies they get recognized for aren't as good as some of their other movies. 'Oh, we sat on it when it was fascinating in the 80s,' or something 'so now we're going to do it!'
That's some truth telling, right there. That's exactly how it works. This fine actress knows more about awards season than she thinks.
Frances Ha is currently available for pre-order from Criterion Collection and arrives on November 12th. The Film Experience's full interview with Greta Gerwig in which we talk musicals, filmmaking, and casting is coming soon.
Reader Comments (9)
I'm glad she's got it quite clear. I always suffer when I see someone too focused in getting an Oscar. That shouldn't be the point.
Such a fantastic and mesmerizing performance that will sadly be ignored probably all season. However she is right. The gratification that one feels from knowing what a great product they have produced doesn't equal in number of statuettes.I guess Delpy and Gerwig will be my Logan Lergman performance of this year where they will just unjustly be unrecognized for their high caliber work all season.
My favorite film of the year so far. And she's radiant in it. Plus, she wrote it! She's right, if they industry is smart enough they'll catch up to her.
I can't wait to see it again! I was too distracted when I saw it..she was in the audience and I was too gleeful about being at a special screening that I couldn't let myself fully fall into it. Very much looking forward to seeing it again, now as a a transplanted New Yorker, looking back at just a few months ago...it is a film about nostalgia after all right?
I loved Frances Ha from the moment it started. The movie wasn't even halfway over before I decided I was in love with it. And as much as it seems like a trifle of a movie, it has stuck with me more than any of release from the first half of the year. Greta is wonderful--glad she doesn't seem to be taking the awards season too seriously.
Also @Kai Lor--Logan Lerman! Yes! Best lead actor of last year. Deal with THAT Daniel Day Lewis.
I've seen it three times and it got better through every screening. Cannot wait for the Criterion release.
I didn't think I could possibly love her any more after Frances Ha and Damsels in Distress (SAMBOLA!), but that right there did it. Cannot wait to get my hands on that Criterion edition!
Tbh, I wasn't a big fan of this. I couldn't connect with the characters at all. Shrug maybe it's a NYC thing. I did enjoy Short Term 12 and preferred Brie Larson's performance to Greta's.
I agreed with most, halfway through, I thought this was the most excited and giddy I've been in a theater this year :) It's still sitting at the top of my favorites this year.
Cannot wait for the Criterion as well!