Interview

It's like speed-dating: eleven introductions, each no longer than eight minutes. That's Emmanuel Benbihy's second collective full feature, New York I Love You, which was released on Friday. Three years coming since Paris Je T'aime, which inaugerated the Cities of Love series, New York I Love You is a collaboration between a small entourage of writers and directors. Last month, I talked to the producer about the future, pretty people, and balding Natalie Portman's head.


FRANCESCA MARI: How were the segments selected?

EMMANUEL BENBIHY: We tried to have people who are very different...Diversity is crucial to art and crucial to cinema. That's a very strong European statement: All people should be able to have images of themselves.

MARI: Facebook photos don't do?

BENBIHY: It's important to make sure that people who have a strong local culture can grow up with characters starring in these films and programs that they can identify with.  Otherwise, they can't assess consequences.

MARI: Did anyone get away?

BENBIHY: I was hoping that the black community would be more represented. It's not a big deal, because if you quote me on this, I'm killing my own self [laughs]. Woody Allen doesn't have black characters and it's okay. No one's criticizing him for that. It's an unfair trial, but we tried.

MORE »