As a seasoned film enthusiast with a soft spot for rom-coms and a knack for recognizing talent behind the camera, I must say Julia Stiles’ journey into directing is nothing short of inspiring. Her upcoming directorial debut, “Wish You Were Here,” sounds like a poignant tale that resonates deeply with the fleeting nature of life and love.
We spoke to celebrated actress Julia Stiles leading up to the release of Chosen Family, her new romantic comedy from writer-director and co-star Heather Graham. It’s a funny and sweet look at modern-day struggles like finding love while juggling work alongside an overbearing family. Stiles told us how she was inspired by Graham’s direction (and sought advice from a surprising action director) for her own upcoming directorial debut, Wish You Were Here, a film adaptation of the novel by Renée Carlino. Stiles told MovieWeb:
Someone gave me a book, and it struck me as perfect for adaptation into a movie. It’s a love story with some romantic comedy aspects, but it’s essentially a deeply moving tale of love. The story underscores the importance of cherishing the present and the time we have on this planet, reminding us that life is precious. I believe it will hit theaters early next year, though an exact release date has not been confirmed yet, but it won’t be too long from now.
To ready herself for directing her initial feature, Stiles contacted filmmaker Doug Liman (known for films like “Road House” and “Edge of Tomorrow”, who also directed her in “The Bourne Identity”). Stiles, who has some striking scenes from her first “Bourne” movie on a ship, mentioned that there’s a part of “Wish You Were Here” filmed on a sailboat, which is a challenging location to capture. She added that not only does Liman have extensive experience with action films, but he also owns a sailboat, so she called him for advice on how to effectively manage that particular filming situation.
‘Side by Side’ With Heather Graham
Before the release of “Wish You Were Here“, audiences can look forward to seeing Stiles in a heartfelt romantic comedy, “Chosen Family” alongside Graham. In an interesting turn, Stiles shared that working with Graham, another actor-turned-director, provided valuable insights for her own directorial role in “Wish You Were Here“.
As a fellow movie enthusiast, I found myself walking hand in hand with her, working tirelessly to bring our visions to life – funding, producing, and finally, filming them. And let me tell you, she brought “Chosen Family” to life in May, and not long after that, I had the privilege of filming “With You Were Here.” This was all made possible following the SAG strike. It was truly a remarkable experience for me as a young actor to work on a film set under the guidance of a talented female director – an experience that left a profound impact on me and served as a great source of inspiration.
Stiles praised Heather Graham’s direction, remarking on how collaborative she was. “She welcomed input from the other actors,” he explained, “and that speaks volumes given that she wrote the script. So it’s clear she had a vision for our performances, but she was also open to our unique contributions. She approached everything with respect and humility… She effectively communicated her ideas, but always in a considerate manner, which is a quality I admire and aim to emulate.
On October 11, 2024, the film “Chosen Family” from Brainstorm Media was simultaneously released in cinemas and online platforms. You can either rent or purchase this movie on YouTube, Google Play, Fandango Now, or Apple TV by following the link provided below:
Watch Chosen Family
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2024-10-13 05:06