#gracieotto

THE CLEARING (2023) Teaser Trailer: Teresa Palmer Delves Back into a Religious Cult to Protect Her Family [Hulu] https://film-book.com/the-clearing-2023-teaser-trailer-teresa-palmer-hulu/?feed_id=143443&_unique_id=643af18cc932a

CANDY CRUSH : STARRING BROOKE CANDY

Two days to get from Monte Carlo to Paris to New York and source some lights and camera assistants ready for a Monday morning interview. And what to wear?? I settle on a complete black outfit hoping that at least I resemble a professional camera operator. I’ve been granted half an hour. And she’s early. I’ve done my research so I knew she would be but I didn’t count on the NY crew recommended by the lighting hire business, being late!! I try to stay cool. She is eminently stylish – and patient. And she is absolutely lovely about her long friendship with Michael White and delivers some fabulous quotes that give his life and work a cultural context.  Tick! Tick! Tick!!

If John Cleese says he can meet you on Thursday 14 November in Monte Carlo then you just make it happen! Since I started my film on Michael White this giant of English comedy has been at the top of my wish list.  He was studying law at Cambridge when Michael saw his revue show, with Bill Oddie and Tim Brooke-Taylor, and invited it to the West End where it ran for months – and the rest is history. They all moved into careers in comedy. Michael also produced the first Monty Python film. So here I am in Monte Carlo having literally run to the train and arrived in time to set up for my interview. He arrives, very tall, very funny, and that was that! A perfect interview! One of the highlights of my life! Back at the hotel I get an email. Anna Wintour, who had postponed an interview because of Hurricane Katrina virtually closing down New York, now says she can do next Monday. Ouch!

The following day Michael drives me to the Cotswolds to Lypiatt House to stay with his great friend, sculptor Daniel Chadwick. This stately home with its sculpture garden is unbelievable! It was great to spend some time with his family who welcome Michael for regular visits and games of backgammon. 

But I am able to add a major Australian interview to the list – celebrated dancer Meryl Tankard was a member of the Pina Bausch Wuppertal Danztheater company that Michael brought to London in 1982. She describes Michael as a “visionary” putting the company on the London stage years before they went to New York. Meryl and her husband Regis Lansac also have a wonderful collection of photographs of the Pina Bausch company which they generously offer for use in the film. This is great news as the archive costs are prohibitive. 

John Waters has agreed to do an interview in his home town of Baltimore while I am in New York. I am running on a crazy schedule – finish my interview with Yoko and have to get to Baltimore by mid-afternoon to interview John, and then take a flight to LA in time to connect to my flight home to Sydney at 11pm. So my fantastic camera assistant Kai Lelion and I jump on a Greyhound bus which arrives just in time to get us to John’s home to shoot the interview. He talks about his film Polyester, which starred transsexual Divine and heart throb Tab Hunter, and was produced by Bob Shaye and Michael White back in the 80s – it gave audiences the first “scratch and sniff” movie experience. Say no more! He is an incredible host and a great interview subject – intelligent, funny and absolutely charming! And he talks even quicker than me! Before we leave he takes me on a guided tour of his artwork collection which includes the most extraordinary conceptual pieces and installations – he is definitely one-of-a-kind! Thank you John. It was a pleasure to meet you.

But the big dream is yet to come. We have emailed Yoko Ono before but this is the first time she has been available for an interview. Nicole has been working hard to set it up before I get to New York and is fortunate to source a space, Galerie LeLong NYC, where Yoko has exhibited. They agree to let us shoot there and kindly hang a small painting by Yoko in the space. I am so nervous about meeting her and arrive early to set up her lighting requirements. She looks half her age and is dressed so stylishly in black and cream with her signature hat and sunglasses. And she does a fantastic interview and particularly mentions how Michael wasn’t afraid to produce work by women in a time when this was very unusual. The only problem we have is language – mine – she can’t understand my Australian accent! I am so honoured that she wants to be part of our film and I know Michael will be super pleased too.