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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Scarlett Johansson on her newest role: film-maker
Few movie stars today win over critics and convey Old Hollywood glamour as effortlessly as Scarlett Johansson does, all while seemingly impervious to the industry's convulsions. Now 40, she has been famous most of her life. She turned 10 the year her first movie, North, opened in 1994; four years later, she was upstaging Robert Redford in The Horse Whisperer. In the decades since, she starred in cult films and blockbusters, made a record with Pete Yorn and earned a couple of Oscar nominations. Between hits and misses, she also married three times (most recently to Colin Jost) and had two children. The kind of diverse professional portfolio that Johansson has cultivated can make life more interesting, of course, but it's also evidence of shrewd, career-sustaining choices. In 2010, she made her critically celebrated Broadway debut in a revival of Arthur Miller's tragedy A View From the Bridge. (She went on to win a Tony.) That same year, she slipped on a bodysuit to play lethal Russian superspy Black Widow in Marvel's Iron Man 2, a role that propelled her into global celebrity. On Tuesday, Johansson publicly took on another role when she presented her feature-directing debut, Eleanor the Great, at the Cannes Festival . Playing outside the main line-up, it is the kind of intimately scaled, performance-driven movie that's ideal for a novice director. READ MORE Scarlett Johansson with June Squibb at the Cannes Film Festival. Photograph: PascalJune Squibb stars as 94-year-old Eleanor, who, soon after the story opens, moves into her daughter's New York apartment. Life gets complicated when Eleanor inadvertently ends up in a support group for Holocaust survivors. It gets even trickier when a journalism student insists on writing about Eleanor. A friendship is born, salted with laughter and tears. I met with Johansson the day after the premiere of Eleanor the Great. She first walked the festival red carpet in 2005 for Match Point, returning last year with Asteroid City. (She's also in The Phoenician Scheme, which is here, too.) It had rained hard the day of her premiere, but the sky was blue when she stepped on to a hotel terrace overlooking the Mediterranean. Seated in a quiet corner shaded by a large umbrella, Johansson was friendly, pleasant and a touch reserved. Wearing the largest diamond that I've seen outside of a Tiffany window, she kept her sunglasses on as we talked, the consummate picture of movie stardom. Scarlett Johansson said she could identify with the story of Eleanor the Great. Photograph: Sam Hellmann/The New York Times Here are edited excerpts from our conversation. Q: Tell me about the genesis of the project. A: I have a production company called These Pictures, and we get all kinds of submissions. I wasn't looking for something to direct at that moment. I read it because I was fascinated to see what June Squibb was starring in because I love her, and I was so surprised by the story. It had a lot of elements of films that I love, independent films from the 90s and early aughts. It was New York-based, very character driven. And the plot device was so surprising. It made me cry. I immediately called my producing partner and was, like, I can direct this. I know how to make it. Q: Not everyone just thinks they can direct. A: When I was much younger, I thought I would end up doing that eventually. In my early 20s, I became focused on understanding my job as an actor better. I was creatively engaged with the directors I was working with, taking on different roles that were challenging, and I veered off that path. The timing was right when the script found me. It felt like an extension of the work that I've been doing as opposed to this big unknown. And June was ready to make the film. She had energy and was committed to doing it. Q: Did this story speak specifically to you because of your family experience? A: I could identify with the character's story, and, of course, I identify as Jewish. I had a very formidable grandmother who I was incredibly close with. She lives inside me and I think of her very often. She was, you know, a character and not unlike Eleanor. She could be kind of impossible. [ Laughs. ] [ Cannes 2025: Clapologists get it wrong, an acidic Israeli satire is too hot to handle, and Scarlett Johansson serves up schmaltz Opens in new window ] Q: How did it start to come together for you as a movie? A: I look at New York in a cinematic way. I've spent so much time strolling around as one does and just spending time observing. I'm a people watcher; it's one of my great pleasures. And when I read a script, I can see it as a film in my mind. I already had ideas, so it was more about having a dialogue with the cinematographer where we could have a conversation and get to the same conclusion. I knew I wanted beautiful portraits of June, to show her in this very pure way. The actors were so committed and had such dramatic stamina. I just needed to photograph them in a way that was uncomplicated. Q: When you were younger, at one point did you realise, 'Oh, women make movies too'? A: It was fortunately a given because I worked with so many female directors when I was a kid. So, I guess I just never really thought about it as this gendered thing. Maybe I'm spoiled in a way or I take it for granted because I did work with so many female directors and continue to. Actually, the other day, I was reading an interview with Natalie Portman, and she grew up in film working with female directors. It was kind of the same thing for her. Maybe we both got lucky that when we started working, there was more opportunity for female directors. It's kind of balanced out in that way. Um, I don't know if it's totally balanced. [ Laughs. ] Scarlett Johansson with husband Colin Jost at the Cannes Film Festival. Photograph: Doug Peters/PA Wire Q: Do you want to keep directing? A: I do. It felt very fulfilling. We had such an amazing shooting experience. The feeling on set was so familial and creative and positive. It was really, really joyful. You don't always have a joyful experience on every movie that you make, but as I've gotten older, I have a lesser tolerance for the unpleasant experience. [ Laughs. ] Q: Your mom was your manager. Did you talk about the kinds of things that you wanted to do? A: She became my manager out of necessity, and, I think, at first, it was on a protective level. As I grew up and became more of a person, I had my own desire and ideas. I was fortunate that my mom was very supportive of my artistic desire, integrity, all of that. She loves film-makers and actors and performance, and she respected me as an actor. Scarlett Johansson at the screening of Eleanor the Great the the Cannes Film Festival. Photograph: Mohammed Badra/European Pressphoto Agency Q: Did your mother talk to you about how to avoid being exploited? A: My mom and I are very close. Because I was born and raised in New York, I already had a sense of my own street smarts, in a way, and I don't think she was so worried that I was going to be taken advantage of by people in the industry. Q: I read a profile of you from 10 years ago by a female journalist in which she describes you as a sexy child – A: Ew! Q: I know! It made me think about how media representations can be complicit in that exploitation. A: That's hard to control because you're giving an interview and sitting with somebody for an hour or two, and whatever the takeaway is, it's out of your control. I did an interview with Barbara Walters and she asked me what the sexiest part of my body was or my favourite part or something like that. You can see that I was mortified, but still feel obligated to answer it. Q: As an industry veteran, do you feel optimistic about American movies? A: I think it'll balance itself out, and some of the players will change. It's just going to take a lot of time. The strike was really damaging, I think, more damaging than Covid; that has proved very, very challenging. There'll be a lot of big movies this summer, and I think even smaller movies like this film, when you see it in the theatre, it's amazing because everybody's crying and together. When you can see something moving with an audience, you're kind of buzzing afterward. I think it's about offering variety and studios that are committed to the theatrical experience. I think that we can climb our way back up – I think so. This article originally appeared in The New York Times . 2025 The New York Times Company
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Urvashi Rautela claps back at Diet Sabya for targeting those ‘elevating India's pride on the global stage': ‘You thrive on venomous attacks against outsiders'
While several Indians made notable appearances at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, not all of them made positive headlines. Even as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Alia Bhatt were widely praised for their ethereal looks and magnetic presence, model-turned-actor Urvashi Rautela faced significant online trolling, both for her attire, which failed to impress many, and for allegedly blocking others on a hotel staircase by holding a photoshoot on the steps. Now, Urvashi has stepped forward, slamming the online trolls, particularly popular fashion commentator Diet Sabya, for spreading 'fake claims'. She maintained that she and her team had secured full permission to shoot on the staircase and claimed that Diet Sabya 'thrived only on venomous attacks against hardworking outsiders'. The fashion commentator, however, responded to Urvashi's remarks with sarcasm, while implying that their survival did not hinge on the actor. Controversy explained | Sandeep Reddy Vanga slams Deepika Padukone for playing 'dirty PR games', 'putting down a younger actor' after being replaced by Triptii Dimri In a lengthy note on social media, Urvashi wrote, 'To my global fans & supporters, the Cannes Festival community, and champions of truth, I rise with unyielding strength against the cowardly lies of Diet Sabya, a faceless page that dares to falsely claim I blocked a staircase. Let the truth reign: my team secured full permission for a photoshoot on a designated staircase, as did others, in strict adherence to every rule of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, which I honour with unwavering respect.' She also maintained that the Diet Sabya page on Instagram was trying to pull down those trying to 'elevate India's pride on the global stage'. Urvashi also called on netizens to boycott the page. The actor continued, 'Diet Sabya, a cheap imitation of Diet Prada, lacks even an ounce of originality, thriving only on venomous attacks against hardworking outsiders who dare to shine. Their baseless narratives target those, like me, who elevate India's pride on the global stage. I have blocked and reported this irrelevant entity, and I call on all to dismiss their envious slander.' Also Read | Dhanashree Verma breaks silence on life after Yuzvendra Chahal divorce, says she is a changed person who hopes to inspire others Here too, Urvashi did not refrain from tooting her own horn and noted, 'My charisma, forged through relentless dedication and international acclaim, remains untouchable. No one, not Diet Sabya, nor their petty lies, can dim the light of Urvashi Rautela, a force that leads and inspires. No matter how hard you troll me, we will never pay you like others.' The issue began after Diet Sabya posted a video of Urvashi Rautela purportedly blocking others on a staircase. 'Not the First Lady blocking everyone's way for her photo op,' read the text on the video, while the account sarcastically dubbed her 'the first woman of the world' in the description box. In another carousel post, the page claimed she 'hogged the (Cannes) red carpet and was asked to leave.' A post shared by DietSabya® (@dietsabya) A post shared by URVASHI RAUTELA (@urvashirautela) Responding to the Daaku Maharaaj actor via Instagram Stories, Diet Sabya shared a meme of a TikToker eye-rolling and then bursting into laughter. 'Oh no, what will I do now? She's coming for me,' read another post. The account also quipped: 'Charisma. Uniqueness. Nerve. Talent. Global. Superstar. Pride. Fans. First Woman. Triple. Miss Universe. Dubai Visa Etc.' In another post, Urvashi Rautela called out a news article that claimed that she was 'trying to be Aishwarya Rai with 0 charisma'. Pointing out that Aishwarya was 'iconic', Urvashi maintained that she, however, does not intend to be anyone's duplicate. 'I'm the blueprint,' she said. 'And charisma? Sweetheart, if you could measure it, I'd break the scale,' the actor added.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘My charisma is untouchable': Urvashi Rautela hits back at Diet Sabya over Cannes stairway row
The glittering backdrop of the Cannes Film Festival was briefly overshadowed by an unexpected online showdown, one involving actor Urvashi Rautela and the popular fashion watchdog Instagram account, Diet Sabya. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After facing heat for allegedly blocking a hotel stairway during a photoshoot, Urvashi has come out swinging, labelling the accusation as 'cowardly lies' and branding the account a 'paid troll.' The controversy began after a video posted by Diet Sabya showed Urvashi posing in a golden gown on a hotel staircase, while guests waited awkwardly behind her. The caption read, 'Not the first lady blocking everyone's way for her photo op.' Social media reactions were swift, with many users slamming her for ignoring basic etiquette. 'She has nooooo manners whatttttt so ever,' one user commented. Another added, 'It's called basic courtesy! Clearly she doesn't have it!' In response, Urvashi took to Instagram on Tuesday with a strongly worded statement addressing what she called a 'baseless narrative' aimed at tarnishing her image. She clarified that her team had secured full permission to shoot at the location and emphasised that many others were also allowed to photograph on the same staircase. Addressing her 'global fans, supporters, the Cannes Festival community, and champions of truth,' the actor wrote: 'I rise with unyielding strength against the cowardly lies of Diet Sabya, a faceless page that dares to falsely claim I blocked a staircase. Let the truth reign: my team secured full permission for a photoshoot on a designated staircase, as did others, in strict adherence to every rule of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, which I honour with unwavering respect.' Urvashi didn't stop there. She directly criticised Diet Sabya for being, in her words, 'a cheap imitation of Diet Prada' and accused them of lacking originality and thriving on 'venomous attacks against hardworking outsiders who dare to shine.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Their baseless narratives target those, like me, who elevate India's pride on the global stage. I have blocked and reported this irrelevant entity, and I call on all to dismiss their envious slander,' she added. 'My charisma, forged through relentless dedication and international acclaim, remains untouchable. No one, not Diet Sabya, nor their petty lies, can dim the light of Urvashi Rautela, a force that leads and inspires.' She concluded her statement with a jab that seemed aimed not just at trolls, but at a wider ecosystem of social media negativity: 'No matter how hard you troll me, we will never pay you like others. #paidtrolls' For the outing in question, Urvashi wore a dramatic, shimmering cape-style gown by Joli Poli Couture, paired with a statement Judith Leiber bag. Though she attended Cannes in a personal capacity this year, she was spotted at multiple screenings, representing Indian glamour on the global stage. Whether this online feud continues or not, one thing's certain, Urvashi Rautela is not one to take criticism lying down.
India Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Paid trolls can't dim my light: Urvashi blasts Diet Sabya for Cannes staircase jab
Actor Urvashi Rautela called out the fashion watchdog page on Instagram, Diet Sabya, for 'falsely' accusing her of blocking a staircase for her photoshoot at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this month. In a damning note on Instagram, the 31-year-old talked about her success as an outsider, and referred to Diet Sabya as a 'paid troll'.She made a strong-worded post, clarifying that her team had taken prior permission from the authorities at the Cannes event for her photoshoot at the popular staircase. Rautela mentioned 'venomous attacks against' a hardworking individual like her, and called it 'envious slander'.advertisement"To my global fans & supporters the Cannes Festival community, and champions of truth, I rise with unyielding strength against the cowardly lies of Diet Sabya, a faceless page that dares to falsely claim I blocked a staircase. Let the truth reign; my team secured full permission for a photoshoot on a designated staircase, as did others, in strict adherence to every rule of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, which I honour with unwavering respect (sic)," she wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DietSabya (@dietsabya) Rautela added, "Diet Sabya, a cheap imitation of Diet Prada, lacks even an ounce of originality, thriving only on venomous attacks against hardworking outsiders who dare to shine. Their baseless narratives target those, like me, who elevate India's pride on the global stage (sic)."advertisementThe actor further asked her followers to block the fashion page and report it on Instagram. The former beauty queen underlined the importance of not giving attention to the 'petty lies' spread by Diet concluded, "I have blocked and reported this irrelevant entity, and I call on all to dismiss their envious slander. My charisma, forged through relentless dedication and international acclaim, remains untouchable. No one not Diet Sabya, nor their petty lies can dim the light of Urvashi Rautela, a force that leads and inspires. No matter how hard you troll me we will never pay you like others #Paidtrolls. With unbreakable resolve, Urvashi Rautela (sic)." Instagram/ Urvashi Rautela In a video that went viral, and was also shared and commented upon by Diet Sabya, Rautela was seen posing on a staircase at a hotel in Cannes, while people kept waiting for her to finish the has become one of the regular Indians at the Cannes red carpet every year. She is known to wear her blings and the choicest dresses by international designers like no one else at the red Reel
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Urvashi Rautela calls Diet Sabya ‘paid troll' for claiming she blocked guests at Cannes: No matter how hard you troll...
Actor Urvashi Rautela has called out the Instagram page Diet Sabya for accusing her of blocking a hotel stairway while posing for pictures at the Cannes Film Festival. Urvashi clarified that she had permission to shoot at the location and slammed Diet Sabya, labeling them a "paid troll". Also read: Urvashi Rautela gives internet 'secondhand embarrassment' as she blocks stairway for photo op at Cannes: 'No manners' Urvashi took to Instagram on Tuesday to slam the fashion commentator Diet Sabya, sharing that they tried to pull her down by claiming that she blocked a stairway when she was getting her photos clicked at the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival. The statement is addressed to her 'global fans, supporters, the Cannes Festival community, and champions of truth'. 'I rise with unyielding strength against the cowardly lies of Diet Sabya, a faceless page that dares to falsely claim I blocked a staircase. Let the truth reign: my team secured full permission for a photoshoot on a designated staircase, as did others, in strict adherence to every rule of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, which I honour with unwavering respect,' she wrote. The actor called Diet Sabya 'a cheap imitation of Diet Prada', saying the page lacks 'even an ounce of originality, thriving only on venomous attacks against hardworking outsiders who dare to shine'. A post shared by URVASHI RAUTELA (@urvashirautela) 'Their baseless narratives target those, like me, who elevate India's pride on the global stage. I have blocked and reported this irrelevant entity, and I call on all to dismiss their envious slander. My charisma, forged through relentless dedication and international acclaim, remains untouchable. No one not Diet Sabya, nor their petty lies can dim the light of Urvashi Rautela, a force that leads and inspires,' she added. Urvashi concluded her statement, writing, 'No matter how hard you troll me we will never pay you like others #paidtrolls'. Urvashi recently faced backlash for a video that showed her seemingly blocking a hotel stairway for a photoshoot in a golden gown at Cannes, posing for pictures while ignoring hotel guests trying to pass by. Many social media users criticised her for prioritising her shoot over the convenience of others. On May 23, Diet Sabya posted a video of Urvashi posing for photographs on a hotel stairway, while guests waited behind her. The caption read, 'Not the first lady blocking everyone's way for her photo op.' A post shared by DietSabya® (@dietsabya) 'I'm sorry she has nooooo manners whatttttt so ever. Shes representing India unfortunately, and behaving like that isn't getting anyone anywhere,' wrote one, with another mentioning, 'It's called basic courtesy! Clearly she doesn't have it ! Stepping aside and saying please pass through isn't going to kill anyone'. 'Why do we lack etiquette,' one comment read. For the said outing, Urvashi opted for a shimmering, cape-style Joli Poli couture number complete with a Judith Leiber statement bag. Urvashi was attending the film festival in a personal capacity, and attended several screenings.
