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It’s a jam-packed show this week on BEHIND THE LENS with two fantastic films and two equally fantastic filmmakers, both of whom are enthusiastic, energetic, and excited about filmmaking. \u00a0You\u2019ll be hearing from writer\/director CINQUE LEE in the second half of the show, talking about his new film, the survival thriller LAST RIDE. \u00a0But first up is my exclusive interview with writer\/director NASTASYA POPOV, going in-depth about her narrative feature directorial film, the oh-so-funny fashion and family comedy IDIOTKA.<\/p>\n
In this sharp, irreverent comedy, a disgraced fashion designer with a dangerously low credit score, Margarita, enters a reality show (a la Project Runway) with a six-figure cash prize that would save her babushka\u2019s West Hollywood apartment. But as the competition intensifies, the show\u2019s slick producer Nicol pushes her to spin her family\u2019s struggle into spectacle, forcing Margarita to decide whether to play along or take control of her own narrative, one unhinged look at a time.<\/p>\n
Written and directed by Nastasya Popov, IDIOTKA stars Anna Baryshnikov, Camila Mendes, Julia Fox, Benito Skinner, Saweetie, Owen Thiele, Galina Jovovich, Mark Ivanir, Nerses Stamos, and Ilia Volok.<\/p>\n
In this conversation, NASTASYA POPOV goes deep into the making of IDIOTKA, a film inspired by her own semi-autobiographical experiences and blending themes of immigration, housing issues, and intergenerational family dynamics with a reality TV satire. \u00a0We spend a lot of time talking about the production elements, particularly the film\u2019s cinematography and Nastasya\u2019s work with DP Kristen Correll in developing the film\u2019s visual grammar, the production design by Francesca Palombo, and costuming by Sophie Kay and Natasha Simchowitz. \u00a0These three elements work synergistically in terms of color, lighting, and the balance between cinematic style and reality TV.\u00a0 Editing is also crucial, and we dive into the work of Taylor Joy Mason and Rob Paglia. \u00a0For my money, it was a smart move to bring Rob on board, given his television editing experience and the reality-TV aspect of IDIOTKA. \u00a0Nastasya is also quite candid about the creativity required for this film, given the budgetary constraints, as well as the collaborative effort of her team. Filled with heart and a film dedicated to Nastasya\u2019s grandmother, you\u2019ll see and feel that as you watch the film.<\/p>\n
IDIOTKA is currently in theatres.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
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