It Takes Two to Make a Film Go Right: The Couples Behind Oscar Contenders

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In my humble opinion, working together as a couple in a creative field can either be a recipe for disaster or a perfect symphony of synergy, and these power duos certainly fall into the latter category.

Blending professional responsibilities and personal relationships, which might be unusual in certain workplaces, is as customary in the entertainment industry as Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). From comical duos like Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz to acting powerhouses such as Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, collaborating with a romantic partner has frequently infused an additional element of onscreen enchantment – along with the potential for public relations challenges – into a production.

It seems that the trend of collaborative filmmaking is persisting among this year’s most buzzworthy award contenders.

In the realm of professional collaborations, Orna Guralnik from “Couples Therapy” suggests that there are often more advantages than disadvantages when working with a romantic partner. This joint endeavor, be it a business, creative project, or written work, is like giving birth to something new and exciting together. You have the privilege of working with someone you trust, sharing more aspects of your life, understanding each other’s daily routines better, and finding common concerns. Your interests naturally become aligned as you embark on this journey together.

Although collaboration doesn’t necessarily imply agreement all the time, it does create room for disagreements as well, according to Guralnik. He explains, “Working together also means there’s a greater potential for discord.” In popular culture, this could be likened to co-dependency – figuring out where one ends and the other begins. Here is an examination of some high-profile pairs who combined love and cinema this year, and their strategies to make it work.

Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold, The Brutalist

Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold’s forthcoming film featuring Adrien Brody, described as a period epic, marks their fourth collaboration. Their first joint project was the 2014 drama directed by Fastvold titled “The Sleepwalker.

In 2011, we began collaborating on screenplays,” the Norwegian filmmaker shared during a recent Los Angeles preview screening of The Brutalist. “Since then, we’ve penned numerous scripts together. After that, we welcomed a new addition to our family – a baby.

After giving birth to their highly personal project, daughter Adelaide James in 2014, the pair wrote and produced the 2015 film, “The Childhood of a Leader“, which was Brandon Cronenberg’s first feature directorial venture. The drama “Vox Lux“, starring Natalie Portman, followed in 2018. All this work culminated in their most eagerly awaited film to date: “The Brutalist“, a gripping tale about a Holocaust survivor trying to achieve the American dream after moving to the United States.

Fastvold described their collaborative approach as extremely harmonious. ‘It’s relentless,’ he said of their creative journey to The Irish Times, ‘and once we start, it’s difficult for us to pause.’ During the day, we work side by side. I usually write in the early hours, while he adds another five pages later at night. We break for dinner and put our child to bed before deciding: ‘We won’t be working now.’

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but notice the recurring broken promises. Yet, Fastvold wisely said, “We just seem to keep conversing, chatting, and discussing endlessly.

Sean Baker and Samantha Quan, Anora

Sean Baker and his wife Samantha Quan are generating Oscar buzz with their latest breakout film, following their partnership in the 2021 black comedy “Red Rocket” and their initial collaboration on the 2017 drama “The Florida Project.

In a nutshell, Baker was responsible for writing, directing, and editing the movie titled “Anora“, a romantic comedy that revolves around a young stripper from Brooklyn who impulsively marries the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch, while Quan served as the producer. Together with Baker, Quan played a crucial role in selecting the cast, among whom was Mikey Madison, who portrayed the main character. They discovered and fell for her after watching her performances in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and the 2022 version of “Scream“.

Following the movie, I faced Samantha Quan, who is both my producer and spouse, and expressed, ‘As soon as we leave the cinema, we’ll be reaching out to her representatives,’ Baker had shared with THR earlier.

Quan was involved in creating the movie’s soundtrack too; he discovered the upbeat melody “Greatest Day,” which is played at the beginning of the film, and it has since been strongly associated with the movie itself.

Baker mentioned that they were quite upset during the initial stages of editing, and he distinctly remembers driving around with Samantha in a car, expressing their frustration about finding a song to celebrate Anora’s special day since it was her greatest day. He said, ‘There must be a song somewhere about the best day, as it’s [Anora’s] best day, so there should at least be one,’ and then Samantha checked Spotify and found that there indeed is a song by Take That.” (Cited from Rough Draft Atlanta)

Elton John and David Furnish, Elton John: Never Too Late

Four years into their relationship, David Furnish initially delved into the life of his future spouse in the 1997 documentary titled “Elton John: Tantrums & Tiaras“, that he himself directed.

Previously, Furnish told THR that the process of documenting his journey with Elton provided an opportunity for in-depth questioning and addressing unusual aspects. Additionally, it offered Elton a distinct viewpoint that he hadn’t experienced before because no one had delved so deeply or confrontationally. When I decided to make the film, I made sure I had editorial control, as I wanted to avoid the assumption that it would be a soft, glowing portrayal, and I certainly didn’t hold back.

Approximately two and a half decades after the initial documentary, Furnish has directed another profile of the renowned British singer-songwriter titled “Elton John: Never Too Late“. This time, he collaborated with R.J. Cutler to present a fresh perspective. Unlike the first film that showcased the tumultuous behind-the-scenes life of an artist yearning for privacy during tours, this new documentary provides a more personal insight into Sir Elton John’s professional accomplishments as he concludes his Farewell Yellow Brick Road concert series. It also delves into his family life with Furnish and their children, offering a glimpse into their shared experiences.

Furnish remarked that the film became an influential advocate for those who believe that single parents or two-person households of the same sex should be allowed to raise children. He emphasized that watching the documentary, one can’t help but witness the transformative power of love on display. Furthermore, it showcases Elton as a loving father, and their children seem like any other family’s kids.

Denis Villeneuve and Tanya Lapointe, Dune: Part Two

Tanya Lapointe initially worked as a production assistant on Denis Villeneuve’s 2016 movie ‘Arrival’, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for best director. Later, she reprised her role in ‘Blade Runner 2049’ from 2017. Since then, this creative duo has been consistently working together as directors and producers, with their collaborations including the 2021 sci-fi blockbuster ‘Dune’, for which Lapointe penned a book about the filmmaking journey titled ‘The Art and Soul of Dune’. This year, they are continuing their partnership on the sequel to ‘Dune’, titled ‘Dune: Part Two’.

The ex-Ici Radio-Canada journalist stated on the red carpet at their latest film’s premier in February, “I feel like an extension of his mind.” This sentiment is echoed by Villeneuve, who responded, “Indeed, you are.

This story appeared in the Dec. 4 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.

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2024-12-04 20:56