CALLIE KHOURI (Writer/Director)
What was it like to adapt a 350 page book into a workable script?
Well you know, it was every bit as much fun as you'd think it'd be (laughing). We really had to make some pretty tough choices about what was going to be there and what wasn't. I finally decided I had to focus as much as I can on the mother-daughter story and the friendship, and then weave as much with the guys in as I could. I felt like the Shep and Vivi aspect to the story was so important to understanding everything. It worked out great. It kind of wove itself together in a very focused way.
Do you think there is a sisterhood in Hollywood?
I think that there is but it might not be like the one that you see. I certainly have a network of friends, myself, that were incredibly supportive. My friend Jessie Nelson who is also a director... We're very, very close and I run everything by her. A lot of women writers get together and there's definitely support there, and understanding.
What are the difficulties of marketing a film like this with all the blockbusters out there?
I'm so glad you asked. I think that if we can get the word out to female audiences that if you get out there the first weekend like the boys do, then you'll start seeing a lot more movies marketed directly to you, too.
But this movie isn't just for females.
No, it's not but you know, I think that's the primary audience and I'm really proud of that because I think it's a really underserved audience. I think that if the audience responds - studios don't have any kind of pre-formed prejudice about what they will make - it's much less expensive to make this than it is to make “Spider-Man.” They'd love it if they could make money on movies like this.
Do you think that women directors are still being judged differently?
That's really hard to say. All you can do is look at the bottom line and factor it out from there. It would seem as if they are. But are they? I don't really know. Maybe they are. God, I hope not. It's 2002, can we just move on, please?
Bonnie Bruckheimer at the Premiere of "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood."
Photo ©Rebecca Murray. All Rights Reserved.
Is there a good support group in Hollywood for women in film?
When I first started many years ago, women were not kind to each other. I think it was because there were so few - there was like one at each studio. They weren't really anxious for another one to come up and take their place, so they weren't as kind to each other. But now I think we all really support each other. I know that when it's a movie with a woman producer, I go out the first weekend to see it, absolutely. We're trying to get women to support women's movies by going on the opening weekend - don't wait. When the studios see that they don't go, then they say, "Why don't we just do one for teenaged boys instead? Why don't we do another 'Attack of the Clones?' "
How difficult is it to market a movie for women in the midst of these action-packed blockbusters?
Warner Bros. was amazing. They decided they wanted to put it out in the summer and they never changed their minds. They never had any doubts about it. They felt that it was the right thing to do, and we'll find out on Friday.
What about this incredible cast? How did you manage to attract all these people?
Can you believe it? I can't say I did it. Callie Khouri was the one who went after so many of them. Sandy Bullock is a really good friend of hers and she begged her and chased her and went all over the country after her. I think that her script and the material were really good and everyone is looking for a great role so that was what did it.
There's a lack of good roles for women and a lack of movies aimed at women.
Always. That's because women don't go out, they don't get out to support the movies. They say, "Oh, I'll wait. I'll see it on video or I'll go in a few weeks." You can't do that. You must go to the movies and support the movies for women and then they'll be more of them.
