Read our exclusive interview with filmmaker Vivi Friedman, who’s making her feature directorial debut with the comedy-drama ‘The Family Tree,’ which is now in select theaters. The film follows the dysfunctional Burnett family in suburban Serenity, Ohio, as wife and mother Bunnie, played by Hope Davis, develops short-term amnesia following an accident. She gets a second chance at happiness with her husband, Jack, portrayed by Dermot Mulroney, from who she was planning on divorcing before she was injured. Bunnie is also given a second chance to improve her relationships with her children, 17-year-old twins Kelly, played by Britt Robertson, and Eric, portrayed by Max Theriot. Friedman discusses with us, among other things, what the casting process was like for the lead characters, and why she was compelled to discuss such controversial, serious topics as gun control and the definition of marriage, in the movie.
Shockya (SY): When you began working on ‘The Family Tree’ seven years ago, there were issues, such as the definition of marriage and gun control, that were emerging throughout the U.S. that made you worried and politically aware. Why did you feel it was important to discuss these topics in the film?
Vivi Friedman (VF): Well, I think I’m always interested in things that are happening around us. I think that equality is important, and it’s important to live and let live and be good to each other. I think a movie with these things may open our eyes, and make us think a little bit more, and be a little bit more aware of what’s going on in our own lives, and be better people.
SY: You grew up in Finland with a background in general tolerance and open-mindedness. Why do you feel it’s important to bring these ideals to the U.S., and do you think the movie will help make people more open-minded?
VF: It’s kind of an interesting question, because I think when people see the movie, I think it’s sort of a polarizing film, overall. I think there will be people who will love it, and there will be people who strongly object. I think it depends on what their mindset is when they watch the movie. Someone who is more open-minded and tolerant, perhaps, will be more open to the movie and its message. Some others may find it more offensive. So I don’t know if it can convert those. But I think entertainment is a wonderful tool to make people think and be aware. Hopefully there will be a few people who will leave the theater, and next time there’s a controversial question, they’ll be more open-minded, I hope.
SY: What was the casting process like for the main characters, particularly Jack and Bunnie, since their marriage was the main relationship in the movie?
VF: All the producers, (including) Allan Jones and J. Todd Harris, and the writer, Mark Lisson, and myself, were working on casting and who would be ideal for these roles. I always admired Hope Davis, I think she’s an amazingly talented actress. I was trying to think for the role of Bunnie, who would sort of pull off the complexities of Bunnie’s character, someone who would be plasticy Barbie Doll, and an evil person in some ways on the one hand, and a good person on the other. Also, who would be sexy and beautiful. I’ve always thought of Hope Davis as such, and she hasn’t really played such roles. I thought it would be an interesting challenge for her in that way. I’m incredibly, incredibly lucky and fortunate and blessed to be working with her. On the other hand, I was hoping for the role of Jack to find an actor who would portraye him in one way or a certain way, but who would have the acting chops to sort of do something else as well. I thought Dermot Mulroney was so talented. He could do any spectrum of the role. He could do it so broad, and the way he could do this small comedy and play the role of Jack was delightful.
SY: What was Dermot and Hope’s working relationship like, given that Jack and Bunnie’s working relationship was deteriorating, particularly in the beginning of the movie?
VF: Hope and Dermot were friends ahead of time. They also played a couple in ‘About Schmidt,’ so they were really comfortable with each other. I think they had a wonderful working relationship, where they brought this perkiness out in each other. It was a pleasure to a part of that.
SY: Britt Robertson was an interesting choice for Kelly, as the role was completely different than the character she’s known for, Lux, in The CW’s ‘Life Unexpected.’ What was it about Britt that lead you to cast her?
VF: You know, we did a lot of casting for the young roles. She was just so amazingly good. She has this sweet little baby face that she can be this innocent girl, and then she can be a tough teenager. She brings such a sensitivity to the role, and a sense of humor as well. In the casting process, she was so much better than anyone else we saw. Once I saw her, there was no other choice.
SY: While the film touches on serious subjects, it’s also a comedy. What was your approach to including the jokes in the story?
VF: You know, comedy is always a difficult genre, especially broad comedy is very difficult. It’s not my interest area, I like darker subjects. We’re dealing with subjects that can be red flags for some people. I just wanted to treat them kind of gently, you know. My intention was never to be insulting. I think it takes a lot to shock people. I don’t think that was our goal anyway. But it was to take these events, by their uncertainty, to bring attention to the problems people have while seeking their identity and their sense of self and happiness in the world.
SY: One of the main messages in the film is that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even if it’s different than our own. Did you have any difference in opinion with the cast, or with Mark, who wrote the film, or the rest of the crew?
VF: I think everyone embraced that whole concept on every level. Everyone was entitled to their opinion, even if they were wrong. I personally always loved to be proven wrong, if the reasons are right enough. So was Mark, he was the same way. We don’t care where the ideas came from, if they’re good. But that was the main message, and it was a lovefest on the set. Everyone was allowed to be who they are. I think the whole crew loved the process of working on it, as did I. We had a really, really great time working on this film. We had lots of fun. We have lots of hope that maybe it will be a little different, that will be perceived well. When you’re trying to work on something that’s slightly different or told a little differently, you hope that others will perceive it that way as well. You have to take that everyone’s entitled to their opinion, even if they’re wrong.
Written by: Karen Benardello
