Scarlett Johansson: “Trump is a psychopath. “I’m terrified of what might happen in November” | Culture

after a night of the event-premiere of his comedy Fly me to the moon, Scarlett Johansson (New York, 39 years old) welcomes journalists in a room at the Ritz Hotel on Friday morning. Slightly built, she wears large glasses, behind which you can see red eyes, which make any contact lens wearer sympathize and understand. On one of the bracelets on her right wrist appears the word “Mother” written in it made up of cubes with letters. It may be a gift from her eldest daughter Rose, nine years old. There will not be time to confirm this, because the talk descends into politics Fake news.

Both themes are visible Fly me to the moon, established in the late sixties, a few months after the arrival of the crew of Apollo 11. Johansson plays a propaganda genius hired by the Nixon government because of the media’s less interest in the project than in the potential achievement. And as he starts up the propaganda machinery, he clashes with the mission’s flight director (Channing Tatum) with predictable passionate flirtation. For half of the film, the propagandist is tasked with proving the moon landing wrong in the hangar: a well-told lie is better than a poorly disseminated truth.

Ask. The film talks about the United States being truly united after a mission, when its population shared dreams, and underlines how far they are from that feeling today.

Answer. Indeed, those were different times. We managed to focus on supporting what I consider to be humanity’s greatest achievement. Today we live in a fragmented country, socially and politically. And so we are facing the greatest threat of climate change that our civilization has ever experienced. We do not face it together and it seems we are doomed to destruction.

Why. Fake news They don’t help. Was the hint at the lie that we’re navigating in 2024 clear from the beginning of the script? Did they want the audience to see the parallels?

R. Yes, it was intentional. This is how narratives are presented in the present, right?, to build bridges with the public. Even in a science fiction or superhero movie. People want to connect with what they see on screen. I find it interesting, for example, when we tell a historical event, even if it is known, you understand that there is a lot of you in that event, that you understand how the past reflects and interprets the present.

Why. At one point in the film, his assistant tells him: “This is what happens to us because we worked for the Nixon administration,” and one might think of Trump replacing Nixon.

R. Already. Trump transcends any definition. He is a psychopath, a man who breaks any category to define himself, because he places himself at the extreme.

Why. ,Are you afraid of what might happen in the presidential election in November?

R. I’m horrified. For years I refused to cooperate because of the paranoid feeling that rumors of his possible return created. I heard friends say “Trump is coming back,” and I didn’t want to fuel that fire. I thought we would find a way to stop him. I obviously didn’t live in the Nixon era, but as an adult I have lived through the Trump presidency, and those were four dark years. And I don’t want to go back to that time.

Why. Do you believe Joe Biden can beat you?

R. I am 100% pro-Biden. You can beat him. And the vision of some Democrats to have him win over a fascist is not realistic.

Why. This film was born from its production company. How do you choose a project?

R. I always think that people are reached through entertainment. Be careful without forgetting artistry. I look for projects that are capable of attracting the audience for a few hours, that absorb them and make them disappear into the story, forgetting who they are for a while. Let it be an experience.

I am 100% pro-Biden. You can beat him. And it is not realistic to consider replacing him in order to conquer a fascist.

Why. the first hour of Fly me to the moon is exemplary in tone Screwball comedy. And over the years you’ve shown that you know how to handle those kinds of absurd answers and counter-answers very well. Why aren’t there more screwball comedies filmed these days?

R. Uh, I don’t know. I’m not much of a movie buff. Yeah, my mom, who taught me some of the great titles of that genre from the Golden Age of Hollywood. And I don’t think there’s a huge appetite for nostalgic cinema either. When it comes to scripts, I’m interested in characters that, even though they’re from that period, have a modern resonance, and that have compelling conflicts.

Why. In recent years you have fought to have your rights respected before two large corporations, Disney (the actress took a percentage of the box office in theaters) Black Mother, It wasn’t as predictable when Disney released it Streaming and Rooms Together) and OpenAI (ChapGPT started using the same voice as Johansson, even though he refused). Did you know that you have become a reference?

R. Do you know what’s crazy? That both things happened to the same person, to me (laughs). Neither did I do it for activism. It just happened to me. And another interesting thing was that it happened under normal scrutiny. I was not a private person fighting against corporations, nor screaming about the danger of their decisions, but I got caught in the middle of strange circumstances. My advantage is that I had enough money and a whole team that supported me and took appropriate action. I think it’s interesting that people learn how to face these problems, how to confront the abuses of large corporations.

Why. He recently made his debut as a feature film director Eleanor the Great. How was the experience?

R. Fantastic. When I read it I knew there was something magical about the script. I was in the middle of other projects, but the opportunity came to me, and I understood that it was a good project and I knew how to do it. As a New Yorker, as a woman, there were certain things that struck me. I connected deeply with the story. The proposal came from the protagonist, June Squibb, which meant there wouldn’t be time to do the usual development, which would have to be done quickly, because June is 94 years old. The script and financing were finalized late last summer and shooting began in January. It’s been a collective effort that’s been worthwhile. And June is a brilliant actress.

All the culture that goes with you is waiting for you here.

Subscribe

Babelia

Literary news analyzed by the best critics in our weekly newsletter

Receive it