Marion has broken up with Jack and now lives in New York with their child. A visit from her family, the different cultural background of her new boyfriend, her sister’s ex-boyfriend, and her upcoming photo exhibition make for an explosive mix.
With Julie Delpy's 2 Days in New York coming to Blu-ray and DVD from October 1, The Fan Carpet are delighted to bring you this interview with the prolific filmmaker…
Did you always plan on making the 2 Days in New York story after 2 Days in Paris?
About one year after the film came out, I decided I wanted to explore more in Marion's life. I thought there was more to say about her dysfunctional character and her dysfuncational family! Five years have past since the first movie – 2 Days in Paris – and although a lot’s changed and she’s more grown up, she still doesn’t really have her stuff together like her kid, her new man and her new life in New York etc...
How early on did you decide that Chris Rock would suit the role of Mingus?
He came to my mind as I thought of a follow up, somehow I wanted Marion to have this life situation, something complicated but real that viewers can relate to, a kid from a previous relationship and a new boyfriend, and Chris came to my mind right away - I love his work. I wrote the part of Mingus with Chris’ real life personality in mind, or at least what I imagined that to be as I’d only met him twice before! One of the first scenes I wrote was of Mingus having a pep talk with Barack Obama, and he added a fewlines as we were shooting. He's so smart and I have never seen him play a more real character and I think he did amazing.
Did you draw upon any influences from other film directors/films when making the film?
Not really. I’m inspired by my own life experiences or mostly things I read in papers or friends. I just try to keep it as close to how I perceive things!
You have been described as the French, female Woody Allen. What do you think of that description?
I think it's nice for me, but not sure how he feels about it! Woody Allen is a master and is a genius at what he does. If I make even one third of his films with half of the quality I'll be very, very happy.
Are there similarities between yourself and Marion or do you try and distance yourself from her?
I like Marion, she makes me laugh. I do think she's different from me. She's lives in the moment, she acts and doesn't think before she does so. I'm very different from her in that sense. Yes we are both French, and we have a few things in common on the surface, but not so much in depth.
READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE
2 Days in New York Film Page | 2 Days in New York Review
2 DAYS IN NEW YORK (15) IS OUT ON BLU-RAY, DVD AND ITUNES ON 1 OCTOBER, COURTESY OF NETWORK RELEASING
