July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Part Two: Woody Allen – The Man With The Golden Mind:

In part one of the interview with Woody Allen, auteur extraordinaire who has made one film a year since 1965, he talked about the casting of his latest film, “To Rome With Love,” which, for the first time in a while, puts him in front as well as behind the camera. He explained his choice to begin shooting his films in Europe and made some surprising comments on some of his seminal films such as “Annie Hall” and “Hannah and Her Sisters.”

The following has been edited for continuity and print purposes.

Of all the films you’ve made, is there one that is most memorable for you?

Allen: You know when you make a film, it’s like a chef that works on a meal. After you work all day in the kitchen, dicing and cutting and putting the sauces on, you don’t want to eat it and that’s how I feel about the films. I work on it for a year. I’ve written it, I work with the actors, I edit, I put the music in, and I never want to see it again. When I begin a film, I always think that I’m going to make “The Bicycle Thief” or “Grand Illusion” or “Citizen Kane” and I’m convinced that this will be the greatest thing that ever hit celluloid. Then when I see what I’ve done, I’m praying that it’s not an embarrassment to me. I’ve never been satisfied or pleased with a film that I’ve done. I made my first film in 1965 and I’ve never seen it since. I don’t like them because there’s a big gap between what you conceived in your mind when you’re writing and you don’t have to meet the test of reality. You’re home and it’s funny and it’s beautiful and it’s romantic and dramatic and then you have to show up on a cold morning and the actors are there, and you’re there, and you don’t have enough of this, and this goes wrong, and you make a wrong choice on something, and you’ve screwed up here, and see what you got the next day, and you can’t go back. There’s such a difference between the idealized film in your mind and what you wind up with that you’re never happy. You’re never satisfied. I’m always thankful that the audience bails me out and have liked some of them in spite of my disappointment (laughter). So for me, I’ve never liked any of my films because they’re always less than the masterpiece that I was certain I was destined to make.

In the film, the Alec Baldwin character takes a trip down memory lane. If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?

Allen: What would I tell myself? Don’t do that! (laughter). I would like to go back in time, but just for lunch (laughter). I would not like to live in the past because there are all those drawbacks that I’ve mentioned in my other movies. You don’t get anesthetic when you go to the dentist, you don’t get antibiotics, you don’t get the things that you’re use to now – cell phones, televisions, faster ambulances – things that are very convenient. But it would be fun, if every now and then, just to meet a friend for lunch at Maxim’s in Paris in 1900 or go back to 1870 just for a couple of hours and then come right back to Broadway.

Your character in “To Rome With Love,” equates retirement with death. Do you feel the same way or would you step away from the camera?

Allen: Retirement is a very subjective thing. There are guys I know that retire and they’re very happy. They travel all over the world. They go fishing, they play with their grandchildren, and they never miss work at all. Then there are other people, and I’m one of those kinds, that like to work all the time. I just like it and can’t see myself retiring and fondling dogs (laughter). I love to get up and work. I have too much energy and too much nervous anxiety. So I don’t see myself retiring. Now maybe I’ll suddenly get a stroke or a heart attack and I’ll be forced to retire, but if my health holds out, I don’t expect to retire. The money could run out (laughter). It could be sooner or later the guys that back the films get wise and then they say that this is not really worth all the suffering and might stop giving me the money. But, I still wouldn’t retire. I would write for the theater or write books.

The Roberto Benigni character has fame suddenly thrust upon him. How do you feel about fame in your own life?

Allen: As the chauffeur in the film says, life is tough whether you’re famous or not famous and in the end, it’s probably, of those two choices, better to be famous (laughter) because the perks are better. You get better seats at the basketball game, you get better tables and reservations, and if I call a doctor on Saturday morning, I can get him. There are a lot of indulgences that you don’t get if you’re not famous. Now, I’m not saying it’s fair. It’s kind of disgusting (laughter) but I can’t say that I don’t enjoy it (laughter). There are drawbacks on being famous, but you can live with those. They’re not life threatening. If the paparazzi are outside your restaurant or your house, and actors make such a big thing of it, and scurry into cars and drape things over their heads. You would think they were going to be crucified or something. So the bad stuff is greatly outweighed by the dinner reservations (roaring laughter).

You’ve mastered the art and study of relationships in your films. What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about love?

Allen: I was saying to someone before about the important things in life you never learn anything. You know, you could learn technological things – you could learn about specific things, but real problems that people deal with in any subject – existential subjects or romantic subjects, you never learn anything so you make a fool of yourself when your twenty, you make a fool of yourself at 40, at 60, and at 80. The ancient Greeks were dealing with these problems. They screwed up all the time, just as people do now. All over the world relationships between men and women are very, very tricky and very difficult and you don’t learn anything. It’s not an exact science. You’re always going by instinct and your instinct betrays you because you want what you want when you want it. So it’s very tough going and most relationships don’t work out and don’t last long and when you see one that’s really lovely, it’s a rarity. It’s great that two people, with all their complex, exquisite needs, have found each other and all the wires go into the right places and it’s great. So, I’ve learned nothing (laughter). After years and years of failure, I’ve not got anything to say. No wisdom (laughter).

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...