NOVEMBER 4, 2006ÑYou know the story: boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, boy and girl tie the knot.
But in Gray Matters, the boyÕs sister also falls in love É with the girl.
Sue KramerÕs directorial debut stars Heather Graham as Gray, an advertising executive who realizes sheÕs gay following a drunken bedroom encounter with her future sister-in-law, played by The RecruitÕs Bridget Moynahan. But coming out isnÕt the hardest part for GrayÑitÕs struggling to keep her attraction a secret so as not to ruin her close relationship with her brother (EdÕs Tom Cavanagh).
A sophisticated romantic comedy in the same vein as Kissing Jessica Stein and Imagine Me & You, Gray Matters will receive its Florida premiere on Saturday, Nov. 4 during the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. Kramer will introduce her film and then answer audience questions following the FLIFF screening.
Film South Florida spoke with Kramer in advance of the FLIFF screening. What follows are excerpts from the interview that will be run in its entirety upon Gray MatterÕs South Florida release in February.
Film South Florida: What do you hope to achieve by screening the film in a festival such as FLIFF?
Sue Kramer: WeÕre lucky: we have a distributor [Yari Film Group] and we should be in Florida theaters in February. So itÕs nice to give Florida audiences a little sneak peak. IÕm hoping, praying that the audience likes and embraces the film.
Film South Florida: So is it too late tweak the film based on the reaction of festival audiences?
Kramer: Absolutely. The film is done. ItÕs locked. IÕm not going to film festivals with the hope or want of changing anything. It is what it is and IÕm proud of it.
Film South Florida: Have gay and straight audiences reacted the same to the film?
Kramer: ItÕs different. The reaction at [gay and lesbian film festival] Outfest came from a very personal placeÑcoming out is a big element of the film. And during the Q&A that followed, the audience shared their personal stories and how the film related to them. It was a wonderful experience. Mostly gay women filled the audience, and it touched them in a close place. The Hamptons [International Film Festival audience] was more general and they laughed at different times. General audiences relate to the film as a romantic comedy with deeper issues, that itÕs about being yourself. They embrace the movie, but they mean as much personally. At Outfest, I was so moved that so many girls came up and thanked me for making a film that finally depicted gay women as beautiful, smart, go-getters and for making a film that they could take their grandmotherÑor anyone else, for that matterÑto see.
Film South Florida: What inspired Gray Matters?
Kramer: I have a gay sister. IÕm straight. I made the film to honor her. I knew about the problems of coming out, and the fears. I wanted to make a movie that used comedy to get a deeper message across. If itÕs entertaining, and it makes people laugh, somehow it will get the deeper message across. ThatÕs a great way of telling a story.
Film South Florida: How tough was it to direct your first film?
Kramer: Unbelievably hard. Maybe as hard as a woman becoming pope. It was a six-year battle of getting it made and convincing people I could direct and that I could pull it off and letting me remain true to my vision. There were a couple of stops and starts. É But IÕm a very persevering person. I never take no for an answer, which helped to keep going. Nothing could stop me from making the movie. Luckily, I got [Crash and The Illusionist producer] Bob Yari onboard, and he gave me the creative freedom I needed.
Film South Florida: And that included ending the film just as Gray's new life begins?
Kramer: ItÕs not the point of the movie to wrap everything up in a neat little bow. It was more important that this girl is comfortable with herself, that sheÕs able to admit who is she and that she feels comfortable in her own skin.
Film South Florida: How do you feel now that the filmÕs made and is several months away from being released?
Kramer: Tired. I had a baby at the same time I made the film. IÕm awaiting the birth of the project with its release. But itÕs exciting. The film festivals screenings are the contractions. The birth will be in February. I canÕt wait.
Gray Matters screen 9 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Parker Playhouse, 707 N.E. 8th St., Fort Lauderdale. See the FLIFF schedule for more details.
Back to top |
