大象传媒

Marina Zenovich, director of Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic, answers the Storyville Q&A听听听听

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What comes first, story or character?

Sometimes it is character; sometimes story. If a really interesting character has a good story you are set. And usually behind every story there is a great character.

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Which documentary has most inspired you?

Alan Berliner鈥檚 films about his family.

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What made you first want to explore Richard Pryor in this film?

After my I never thought I鈥檇 find someone as interesting as听Tapie to make a film about. I went through a mourning period about it thinking 鈥淭his is it鈥�. Then I read an article about and somehow I managed to find someone as interesting, if not more. Then after Roman I never thought I could find someone as interesting as him! Then I started looking into Richard Pryor鈥檚 life. His commitment to the truth 鈥� no matter what 鈥� really resonated with me. I loved trying to unlock him and try to understand him through his friends, family and his comedy.

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How long did it take to get the film off the ground?

Not that long. 大象传媒 came on board first with Roy Ackerman of Fresh One Productions and in the US, Showtime was starting a division where they were profiling fascinating people. They heard about the film and contacted me.

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What were you most surprised to learn about Pryor in the course of production?

I did not know the details of his youth. Discovering what he had been through was shocking.

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Favourite Richard Pryor joke/ riff?

There are so many 鈥� it鈥檚 hard to pick. But I would have to say the heart attack.

'Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired'; 'Who Is Bernard Tapie?'... You are drawn to controversial male figures 鈥� what interests you most in controversy?

Controversy is never boring. But you must understand I never set out saying 鈥淚 am going to make a film about a controversial character.鈥� I just let my instincts take me somewhere and if I respond to something it is usually compelling and controversial to me and hopefully to the audience.

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Favourite website/blog?

The Guardian newspaper.听

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Person you鈥檇 most like to interview (living or dead)?

Francois Mitterrand.

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Best piece of filmmaking advice you鈥檝e ever been given?

Never turn down an interview. I was almost done with my film 鈥淚ndependent鈥檚 Day鈥� when Sundance Channel bought it. They wanted me to do three more interviews. I was so done with my film that I couldn鈥檛 find the energy. My editor at the time, Stephen Garrett, pushed me and got me excited about doing them. Two of the interviews changed the film. It was a big lesson.

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Piece of filmmaking equipment you can鈥檛 live without?

A tripod.

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If money was no object, what is your dream documentary subject?

Total access and total honesty from Princess Caroline. I filmed her once for听a short piece on Robert Wilson and she was mesmerising.

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Favourite film of all time?

.

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Most difficult interview?

I used to say Sydney Pollack (for Independent鈥檚 Day) because he was so tough but gave me a great interview. I recently did an interview with someone older. They were not interested in talking about what I was there to talk about. Trying to steer people back to the subject at hand is quite hard.

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Best recent read?

George Packer鈥檚 鈥淭he Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America鈥�.

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Favourite location?

Paris.听