Greta Gerwig interviewed by Jesse Armstrong | BFI London Film Festival 2023 Screen Talk

Even before the global success of Barbie, Greta Gerwig had established herself as a filmmaker with distinctive humour, an authentic voice and a unique and personal cinematic vision. Gerwig’s early films include the indie classics Hannah Takes the Stairs, which she co-wrote and stars in, and Nights and Weekends, which she co-directed, co-wrote, co-produced and stars in, before her breakout in Noah Baumbach’s film Greenberg opposite Ben Stiller. She followed up the collaboration with Baumbach co-writing and starring in the critically acclaimed, Frances Ha, as well as Mistress America, and they have continued their creative partnership with Gerwig starring in Baumbach’s most recent film, White Noise. Her additional acclaimed performances include standout roles in Jackie and 20th Century Women. Gerwig made her solo feature debut as writer/director of Lady Bird, which was nominated for the Academy Award and the BAFTA for Best Picture. With the film, Gerwig also became the fifth woman nominated for an Oscar for Best Director and earned Oscar and BAFTA nominations for Best Screenplay. Her second film, also nominated for multiple Oscar and BAFTA awards including Best Picture, was an inventive, emotionally rich adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. Now with Barbie, a wholly original, critically acclaimed, worldwide phenomenon co-written with Baumbach, the filmmaker has delivered one of the most unique filmgoing experiences in years. 00:30: Working in the UK 01:15: How she chooses a project 05:00: College years and theatre work 07:00: Moving into movies thanks to digital technology 08:40: Frances Ha and scripted work v improvisation 18:55: Dancing, choreography and composing a shot 22:00: Lady Bird and tricking herself into writing 29:40: Editing 34:00: Little Women and adapting well-known material 42:24: Making Barbie and the audience reaction 46:00: Barbie’s dream ballet and the influence of Singin’ In the Rain 48:00: Pop culture references in Barbie 51:10: Writing about girls and women 52:30: Falling in love with cinema and finding “her angels“ 55:40: How Barbie and independent film are similar 57:30: Acting and White Noise Subscribe: Claim an extended BFI Player Subscription free trial (UK only) - subscribe using code BFIYOUTUBE: Watch more on BFI Player: Our TikTok: @britishfilminstitute Like us on Facebook: Follow us on Instagram: Follow us on Twitter: