Jason Schwartzman’s been a totemic determine so lengthy it may be onerous to separate participant from half. Starting as idol of teenage riot Max Fischer in Wes Anderson’s “Rushmore,” the actor’s spent a quarter-century inhabiting quite a few sorts — stuffy writers, disgruntled husbands, mourning widows, drug addicts, a bumping PI on HBO’s perpetually ill-appreciated “Bored to Loss of life” — which have doubled as progressions {of professional} versatility and real-life getting old.
Like Jean-Pierre Léaud earlier than him, Schwartzman is seemingly now solid for the load his title and visage can carry. (Look no additional than the sensible, self-lampooning episode of “Tim and Eric’s Bedtime Tales.”) This sequence continues with “Between the Temples,” which finds him taking part in Benjamin, a cantor whose mourning for his deceased spouse finds focus in periods with Carla (Carol Kane), a fellow widow who decides now’s excessive time to obtain the Bat Mitzvah she missed 60-or-so years prior. A brilliantly formed scriptment from Nathan Silver and C. Mason Wells makes very best scene companions of the 2 — they type considered one of cinema’s snuggest odd {couples}.
IndieWire sat down with Schwartzman in New York, discussing “Between the Temples” amidst inquiries into and observations on his exceptional profession, and started with a dialogue of his uncle Francis Ford Coppola’s guide “Stay Cinema and Its Methods.”
This interview has been condensed and edited for readability.
IndieWire: Whereas prepping this interview I used to be studying this guide. [Pulls out “Live Cinema and Its Techniques.”]
Jason Schwartzman: Oh, wow. Oh, wow. That’s so humorous. This can be a nice guide.
Oh, so that you’ve learn it.
No, I’ve learn it. It’s improbable.
I’m actually having fun with it. Appropriate “Megalopolis” prep.
Effectively, that is like… [taps book] Actually it’s like theater, which he loves.
You come from possibly the nice, preeminent inventive American household.
[Pause] Mmm…
Effectively, it’s fairly good.
Thanks.
And being on this huge artists’ household, is there some expectation that everyone is watching, listening to, studying everyone else’s work?
Do you imply now, within the current tense, as I’ve gotten older, or do you imply as you’re youthful?
Perhaps each. Like when you, rising up, had nights the place you watched “You’re a Massive Boy Now” or found them in your personal time.
[Points finger]
The latter.
That one. Yeah. [Laughs] If this implies something, I didn’t see “The Godfather” till I used to be 17. I don’t know why. However I assume I used to be into… I don’t know.
Spending 16 capturing “Rushmore” is a good excuse for not seeing “The Godfather” till you have been 17.
No, no, I had seen it earlier than I shot “Rushmore.” So I assume I noticed it once I was 16 … Are you asking about sharing concepts and that sort of factor? As a result of I like your query; I wish to offer you an attention-grabbing reply. That’s query.
It’s actually much less romantic than that. If, when “Priscilla” comes out, it’s anticipated you’ll go see that. There’s a burden of expectation on you.
I don’t really feel a burden of expectation, however I really feel that I wish to see it. And I did. And I beloved it… I imply, I went and noticed “Longlegs” the day it got here out as a result of I’m a fan of my cousin Nicolas [Cage]’s work, and I like to see the place he’s at. As I might be with any individual I’m a fan of. To me — and possibly that is nuts — simply in the best way you possibly can study a lot about somebody from the guide they’ve of their bag, seeing a film of anyone, it’s form of like that’s the place they’re at.
I do know it’s a collaborative course of and never simply the actor’s full… you realize, it’s edited, it’s labored on, it’s a collaborative factor. That’s what I really like a few new album popping out and going to see a brand new film by somebody. As a result of I’m like, “What are they going to do subsequent? The place are they at now?” Not that I don’t additionally communicate to my household personally, however I believe there’s one thing else that, when you’re a fan of somebody, you possibly can solely actually get from seeing their work. Particularly one thing like “Priscilla”: [Sofia Coppola has] written and directed this factor. I wish to learn about the place she’s at and what she’s fascinated with. What she’s occupied with. What she needs to movie. The place the digital camera’s going.
It’s simply that form of factor. So there’s no expectation different than simply the respect that I really feel for her — particularly, in that instance. And it’s onerous to make a film, and I wish to know the way it goes. It’s not like I’m getting updates. I do know she’s making this film. However I wish to see what she’s been doing, nevertheless it’s not required. And my emotions definitely don’t get damage if nobody sees mine.
You weren’t calling them each week asking in the event that they watched “Bored to Loss of life.”
I may say virtually the alternative. “Please, don’t watch something.” I don’t just like the imposition. There are such a lot of issues to see and do, and everybody’s so busy, I’m not telling individuals. In the event that they discover it, they discover it. I’m not telling anybody about it. [Laughs]
My microscopic model is that, once I write one thing new, it’s simply… please depart me alone.
That’s the factor: That’s simply your loved ones. It’s so embarrassing. [Laughs] However that mentioned, I’m attempting as onerous as I can. Everybody’s busy. It sounds such as you and I are a bit of related; I’ve a factor the place I don’t wish to bug anybody. However that may, as time goes on, I notice be interpreted as “you don’t care.” The reality is: You actually care. You simply don’t wish to additionally… not inconvenience…
To individuals my age, you’re a totemic determine. I watched “Rushmore” once I was 16 — nice film then, nice film now, however the excellent age to find it. My mates and I noticed ourselves in Max Fischer — for higher and worse — whereas round that point “Bored to Loss of life” premiered, and it was such a imaginative and prescient of what our lives as adults in Brooklyn could possibly be.
Proper. Proper, proper, proper.
Then “Pay attention Up Philip” comes out once I’m a senior in faculty. Its irascible-intellectual character fascinates whilst you attempt to heed the film’s warnings. And within the final two years it’s been “Asteroid Metropolis” and “Between the Temples,” each of which I discovered very shifting for underlining how lengthy I’ve been watching you onscreen.
Mmm. Thanks — very a lot.
The comparability I make — which hopefully you don’t blanche at an excessive amount of — is that you simply’re the American Jean-Pierre Léaud.
Oh, my. Don’t say that. However he’s my man … Yesterday I did a factor for MUBI. I talked about “Stolen Kisses,” and I mentioned he’s my favourite actor, and I even have a signed poster, to me, from Jean-Pierre Léaud. It’s the best possession. It says, “To Jason — Jean-Pierre Léaud.” I didn’t get it; somebody received it for me as a present. It’s, like, the best factor. I can’t imagine it. A part of me nonetheless believes they simply received it signed for a generic “Jason” they usually received it to me, however — nonetheless.
He’s additionally now solid for the residing historical past that’s. “Biography” is a giant phrase to make use of, however in a quarter-century you’ve gone from precocious teen to, twice, a widower.
Nathan [Silver] was not completely happy about that, by the best way. In the course of whereas we have been making [“Between the Temples”], he mentioned, “What? You’re a widower in ‘Asteroid Metropolis.” “Yeah.” “However you’re a widower on this.” I began pondering, “Effectively, what number of issues are you able to… be?” If you happen to’re gonna attempt to act in stuff, there’s solely so many issues that may occur to you.
Within the span of your profession, do you see your self as having a form of onscreen narrative?
Of my very own life? Not likely … Hold going with the query a bit of bit, as a result of I wish to get it proper. I believe there’s two variations of a solution. Like, am I conscious of it?
If there’s a development of a lifetime onscreen that you simply’ve lived, and if there’s curiosity in persevering with to play roles that aren’t actually your personal biography, however they comprise a sure span of human expertise.
Is there one thing that connects them, in a method, to my human expertise? Effectively, to start with: I don’t spend an excessive amount of time fascinated with [it]. I haven’t seen lots of these motion pictures in a very long time. It’s humorous, as a result of I used to be speaking to Carol [Kane] about this. I’ve by no means actually been ready the place I do know what I’m going to do subsequent. It’s so onerous [laughs] to get in a film. After which for a film to get made, as you realize, so many little issues should go proper. Like I say: I believe, over time, I’ve by no means been in a scenario the place I knew what I used to be going to do whereas I used to be doing one other factor. In a method, every mission has actually been its personal standalone expertise, and I actually have tried — once I work, on a technical degree — to faux that is the primary film I’ve carried out. I attempt to carry my expertise, however I don’t attempt to get hung up on one thing being carried out in a different way.
I really feel like lots of people get upset on set. “Effectively, it wasn’t like this on my different factor.” And I simply type of assume, “Proper. As a result of that is how we do it — this one.” So I attempt to not maintain onto any issues like that, by way of the best way it’s carried out — the method. I simply go, “That is how this one’s being carried out.” So: no. However I’ll say that I believe once I look again — even simply trying again on this film — I see, to do that film, Nathan and I’ve been speaking about it for therefore lengthy. He was like, “This character talks slowly. And he strikes slowly. And he’s actually inert. And he’s simply moping.” I believe that, trying again, I believe that I ended shifting loads earlier than making this film and going within the solar. Like, once I take a look at myself within the film, I see an inert individual. You understand what I imply?
Completely.
And I see this lack of vitality. It’s bizarre. Every factor is form of like, it turns into like a biography. I can take a look at it and bear in mind how I felt on the time, once I see a film. I bear in mind how I felt or what I used to be listening to.
They’re attention-grabbing in that method, the place they do chart my private expertise. Even when the flicks aren’t biographical, they’re private in that they’re who I used to be, in a method, behind them. In order that’s been attention-grabbing to consider. Simply in the best way that you simply look again and also you see a photograph, and also you see your self in a t-shirt and go, “Oh, my God. I assume that man wore that shirt.” You understand what I imply?
I believe, as you become old, you’re not even fascinated with it, actually — it simply begins to occur. It’s simply, like, there turns into a report of you, and that turns into your quote-unquote “life.”
I believe that’s a significantly better method of framing my query.
However I will say one factor: This was the primary film I ever did the place I knew I used to be going to do one other film proper after. The Luca Guadagnino. And in [“Queer”], my character could be very a lot the alternative — very, simply, filled with exuberance — and I believe it was attention-grabbing. As a result of I consider them as being, though they’re completely unrelated, as being associated. As a result of I knew I used to be going to get to be so exuberant in that film, I knew I used to be simply going to decide to holding it again on this one. As a result of I’m simply going to place all of the eggs within the basket of this man, right here, and that was form of cool. It was attention-grabbing. I’d by no means carried out that earlier than.
I talked to [“Between the Temples” screenwriter] C. Mason Wells a pair weeks in the past. He raved about you as a superb author. However you, as a author, are inclined to work collaboratively. And also you solely have one directing credit score — an episode of “Mozart within the Jungle.” I ponder if there are ambitions to go extra into both — solo as a author, longer-length as a director.
You understand, it’s humorous. You’ll do one thing in your cellphone, and somebody seems to be at it and goes, “You gotta be a director!” You’re like, “Why? As a result of I made this video on my cellphone? That’s not a film.” I love to make issues, and I like to movie issues and I really like tales.
You’ve made lots of music.
And I really like music. If there was one thing that I may direct that I’m like, “I might love to try this.” However that hasn’t… I additionally really feel like there’s lots of people making motion pictures, and there appears to be this factor of like, “Oh, you need to make a film.” No. You shouldn’t simply “make a film.” [Laughs] I don’t know. Why? Additionally, I don’t know if it comes from being, initially, a drummer, however I like being a part of the… group. Like, I all the time performed teen sports activities rising up. I by no means performed tennis; I performed baseball. I really like the collaboration of sports activities. However writing, for certain. And for me, collaborating is extra enjoyable as a result of I already know what I’m pondering. It’s a lot extra enjoyable to listen to what another person is pondering primarily based on… like, I all the time favor conversations once they spin uncontrolled, and it’s onerous to spin uncontrolled off your self. Though, I’ve tried to do it. Truly, I had my radio present on Sirius XMU, and I used to do lots of the episodes the place I might report 4 of myself, and I might simply discuss to myself, and that was actually enjoyable, truly. Form of cathartic.
However I might like to direct one thing. I’ve some concepts for issues. However on the finish of the day, it’s form of bizarre. As a result of once I directed “Mozart within the Jungle,” I fucking beloved it. However I may also say that it’s bizarre, as an actor, to provide a notice to Gael García Bernal. He would do a take, and I’m like, “…OK. So ought to we simply go?” Who am I to be like, “Are you able to attempt…?” It’s bizarre as a result of then I’m like, “That’s how I might assume I might do it. I like how he would do it.” However I might love to direct one thing. I’d like to co-direct one thing! Despite the fact that you’re speaking about solo, I believe co-directing can be actually enjoyable to do. However what I’ve form of discovered, the extra I’m watching somebody: Most individuals are co-directing, anyway. Simply the enter from everyone is so important. Everybody’s form of co-directing — besides some individuals.
In different phrases: It’s such a collaborative factor, and I believe as I’ve gotten older, possibly I used to be simply held again; possibly there was lots of worry. However I don’t know. I’d love to inform the story. However what’s the story? I don’t know. I’ve all the time been so envious of those who know the factor. Spoon put out its demos of the “They Need My Soul” album. I used to be simply listening to the demos — Britt Daniel’s dwelling demos — and I’m like, “How did he know that’s the…”
I perceive this too nicely.
“How did he know that’s gonna be the one to work on that’s gonna turn into that?” It’s so onerous. That’s what’s spectacular about anybody who makes one thing: the choice to spend the time on it. That’s the baffling factor. And I’ve form of gotten away with it, for higher or for worse: form of liking it when my choice will get made. I really like when there’s a storm and you may’t depart your own home. So if there could possibly be a inventive model of that [laughs], it will be good.
“Between the Temples” opens in theaters from Sony Footage Classics on Friday, August 23.
