A Real Pain cast - Kieran Culkin, Jesse Eisenberg & cast talk family, film & knowing yourself

Summary

In this insightful interview, the director and actors reflect on their personal experiences and the challenges of filmmaking. Discussing their recent project in Poland, they share behind-the-scenes anecdotes about shooting in diverse locations and handling ambitious scenes. They also explore themes of heritage, personal identity, and family dynamics, touching on the influence of their backgrounds on their characters. With an eye on future projects, they hint at exciting new ventures, including a feminist reinterpretation of a classic story set in Hong Kong and Paris. The conversation is rich with personal reflection and creative exploration.

Takeaways

• 😀 The director feels more confident with each project, having gained experience in filmmaking and overcoming challenges on set.
• 😀 The latest movie was particularly ambitious, as it involved shooting in multiple locations across Poland, such as cities, monuments, hotels, and airports.
• 😀 The movie's central character, David, is described as a person with general anxiety disorder and OCD, living a stable but somewhat conventional life in the city.
• 😀 The contrast between David and Kieran's character highlights a free-spirited, off-the-grid lifestyle versus a more structured, anxious existence.
• 😀 The director feels disconnected from his heritage and doesn't feel any strong ties to his ancestry, even after visiting his family's ancestral country.
• 😀 The director identifies most with his role as a parent, especially the chaos of family life, which makes him feel most 'himself'.
• 😀 The director does not feel the need to pass down his personal heritage to his children, as they are their own individuals with their own identities.
• 😀 The film follows a group of six strangers on a heritage tour in Poland, with one character, Mara, embarking on a journey to reconnect with her roots after her mother's death.
• 😀 The director's recent book reveals a personal connection to Ukrainian heritage, with a family history involving a pharmacist grandfather who fled Ukraine.
• 😀 The character James in the film is an academic leading the heritage tour about Jewish history in Poland. He is well-meaning but often undermined by other characters, creating a dynamic with humor.
• 😀 The story of the film is about two cousins traveling to Poland to learn more about their recently passed grandmother's heritage, with themes of history, memory, and personal discovery.

Q & A

What was the most challenging aspect of making this movie?

The most challenging aspect was the scale and ambition of the project. The movie was shot in various locations in Poland, with different settings every day, including trains, cities, monuments, hotels, and even airports. The complexity and scope of filming in such diverse environments made it a unique challenge.

How does the director feel about his confidence in filmmaking after completing two films?

The director feels more confident now, having completed two films, but emphasizes that each project brings its own challenges. He acknowledges that while his confidence has grown, every film still comes with its own set of obstacles.

Can you describe David's character in the movie?

David is depicted as a product of the urban middle class, dealing with general anxiety disorder and OCD. Despite these struggles, he leads a relatively functional life, with a stable job, showcasing a character who is more structured and introspective compared to others in the film.

How do David and Kieran’s characters differ in the film?

David is a more grounded and functional character, marked by his anxiety and need for stability, while Kieran’s character is a free spirit who lives off the grid and enjoys life moment to moment, bringing a contrast between the two characters' personalities and lifestyles.

How does Mara's character evolve throughout the film?

Mara is going through a personal journey of self-discovery. After a rough divorce and years of living a privileged life in LA, she embarks on a heritage tour in Poland to reconnect with her family’s past. Her story is about reclaiming her identity and understanding the untold history of her mother.

What is the significance of the heritage tour in the movie?

The heritage tour serves as a catalyst for the characters' personal journeys. It brings them to Poland, where they explore their family histories and confront their identities. For Mara, the tour becomes a means of understanding her mother's past, while for others, it’s an opportunity to explore their own roots.

Does the director feel a personal connection to his heritage?

The director mentions that he doesn’t feel a strong connection to his Norwegian roots, nor did he find a deep emotional bond when visiting Norway. His sense of self is more tied to his family and his current life, especially his children.

What role does family play in the director’s understanding of self?

For the director, family, especially his children, plays a central role in his sense of identity. He mentions feeling most like himself when he’s at home with his kids, even in the midst of the chaos of parenting.

How does the director view his upcoming projects after the success of *Succession*?

The director expresses that he doesn’t have a clear plan for what to do next. He’s open to projects that come his way, as long as they resonate with him. He mentions enjoying his work but is also content with taking time off if the right project doesn’t present itself.

What can you tell us about the film *Emanuel* that the director is working on?

The director briefly discusses his involvement in *Emanuel*, a film based on a classic story. He hasn’t seen the original film or read the book but praises the director, Audrey, for her new, personal take on the story. The film is described as a feminist journey, and parts were shot in Hong Kong and Paris.