PACIFICA PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE

AIRDATE:  01-22-10, 2:30 – 3:00 pm

HOST:  Donna Walker

GUEST:

Director James Gray

Nominee for Independent Spirit Award, upcoming for “Two Lovers”

Today in studio, Writer/Director James Gray whose most recent film, “Two Lovers" stars Gwenyth Paltrow and the enigmatic, ever-unpredictable Joaquin Phoenix, is nominated for an Independent Spirit Award.  Phoenix, in his last film role, stars as Leonard, who longs for something more in his life than entering the family business.  Suicidal after a relationship break-up, emotionally conflicted and living with his Jewish immigrant parents in Brooklyn,  Leonard discovers his beautiful (and problematic) neighbor, Michelle, and discovered that “sometimes we leave everything to find ourselves.”

Gray’s first feature, “Little Odessa”, with Vanessa Redgrave and Maximillian Schell, won the Silver Lion at the 1994 Venice Film Festival, and was followed up by “We Own The Night,” again starring Joaquin Phoenix and an all-star cast including Mark Wahlberg and Robert Duvall, exploring themes of “loyalty among families, tribes, and lovers.”

We discuss the cinematic work of James Gray and his participation in IFC’s “Directors’ Close-Up” in which a panel of directors, all nominated for Independent Spirit Awards, discuss the creative process.

Copies of this show can be ordered through the Pacifica Radio Archives at www.pacificaradioarchives.org