Jake - 'I found myself identifying with the people of Crawford' - and working in the movies

Today, we learnt a little bit more about Jake Gyllenhaal's role as advisor on the recent film Crawford. The documentary, premiered in Austin, Texas, this month, records what life was like for the people of this Texas town when Bush, shortly to be President Bush, moved in, putting the 'sleepy town' on the political map and pushing it into the election circus. We've discussed before how Jake, along with other stalwarts of Martha's Vineyard (Mary Steenburgen, Ted Danson and Brad Silberling), was on the advisory board but in this interview we discover more about the motivations of first time filmmaker David Modigliani and the role of the advisory board, in particular Jake Gyllenhaal.


'I sent an early cut of the film to all of them. I had pathways to get them the film, and they responded really positively. I think they were excited about the nonpartisan nature of the film, and Jake said to me, "I found myself identifying with the people of Crawford, who I never would have thought I'd identify with. Because of this whole ride of the Bush era, I could see my experience in theirs, or I could see their experience in mine." That's what he was excited about. So I created an advisory board because they didn't put any money into it, they weren't going to be producers or executive producers. But they were excited about the film and gave notes on that early cut. Since then, they've given me advice about approaching festivals and distribution. They really acted in an advisory capacity.'


'I grew up knowing Jake a bit [during summers in Martha's Vineyard] when I was a kid. But my parents don't really know — I mean, I wouldn't consider them family friends. I would consider Jake a friend.' And now Jake has a chance to use his influence to support his friend practically and professionally.


Over the last couple of days we have been discussing the growing number of actors linked to Nailed, not to mention the chance of locals to get in on the act in a week of castings for extras, which reminded me of this interview with Seth Rogen, who was an extra in Donnie Darko. His job was to lurk in the background and his motivation was, bemusement and bafflement. This was clearly intentional on the part of director Richard Kelly.


'You know, honestly, I did that movie – I mean, my part in it is so minute – but I was kind of just around a lot, one of those things where I’m just caught in the background of a lot of shots, just, like, in the high school a lot. So I was there a lot. And I really had no idea what the movie was about! I didn’t get it at all! And I remember being at a party with the director (Richard Kelly) about halfway through shooting, and I was really drunk, and so was he, and I was just, like, “Dude, I don’t get it, man!” And he was, like, “I don’t think anyone’s gonna get it, man! I’m really scared!” It turned out great; I think it was just beyond me...and still is, to some degree! But it definitely makes sense on a much greater level now. It’s amazing. I knew it seemed good; I just didn’t understand why it was good. It just seemed like something interesting. It’s really funny to me that that turned into this huge cult thing, and that people in England are grafitti-ing “Donnie Darko” on walls. It’s great. I couldn’t be happier for Jake (Gyllenhaal) and Richard Kelly; those guys are great guys. I’m glad I was there to watch it, even though I had no clue what I was watching at the time!'


And finally

Maggie Gyllenhaal has been speaking more about what it was like to act in a whole new genre of movie: 'They took really good care of me. I thought I might get bruised up but in fact, I didn't. They really knew what they were doing. I was scared to do some of the action stuff I had to do, and I did it once, and I was like, 'Oh, this is a blast!''


Thanks to Monica for the link. Includes pictures from IHJ.