Scarlett Johansson, who was experiencing jet lag, reunited with her co-stars Adam Driver and Miles Teller for the New York Film Festival premiere of the movie “Paper Tiger”, which kicked off the festival’s 64th year.
“I’m hallucinating,” said Johansson, who had just gotten off a long international flight to shoot another movie. “It’s 5 in the morning; a great time to be interviewed on stage.”
“Paper Tiger” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May. However, this was Johansson’s first time seeing the film (at least in the festival setting); He missed the Cannes premiere because he was filming another movie, “The Exorcist: Martyrs.”
“Don’t rub!” Johansson joked about her absence from the French Riviera.
Set in 1986, “Paper Tiger” follows two brothers, Irwin and Gary Pearl, who become targets of the Russian mob with a get-rich-quick scheme to help clean up the Gowanus Canal. Johansson plays Linda, Teller’s character’s wife.
Johansson, Driver and Teller walked the red carpet with Gray at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall and sat down for a post-screening Q&A, during which they talked about their close friendship during production.
“There’s no work involved. There’s a mutual admiration between the four of us,” Driver said. “A certain culture comes from the top down, and James creates a culture where everyone feels free. We immediately felt comfortable with each other.”
Gray added, “We had a sickeningly beautiful set. I love them. I’m not on the show today. I’m telling you the truth.”
Scarlett Johansson, Miles Teller and Adam Driver promote “Paper Tiger” at the 64th New York Film Festival.
Getty Images for FLC
Before the performance began, Gray took the stage and deliberately kept his introductory speech short and sweet.
“Years ago, when I was in film school, students would show their films and the students who talked the most [before] “They often made the worst movies,” he said. “So I’ll be very brief.”
Gray praised the producers and actors who helped bring the film to life and expressed his dreams of becoming a first-time filmmaker.
“When I say I want to be a film director, I can’t help but remember my mom and dad. ‘How are you going to do it?’ And here I am,” Gray said. “I’m not sure the moral of this.”
NYFF artistic director Dennis Lim introduced Gray as “one of the greatest living American filmmakers” and praised the director for championing a “singular” artistic vision.
“It’s not easy to make personal films in the current environment of American cinema,” Lim said. “The fact that there are 24 executive producers credited on this film speaks to that.”
The 64th edition of the New York Film Festival, which runs through October 12, will host the world premieres of “Artificial,” Luca Guadagnino’s exciting film about OpenAI founder Sam Altman; Ava DuVernay’s documentary “14th”; director Tony Gilroy’s music drama “Behemoth!” With Pedro Pascal, Olivia Wilde and Will Arnett; and Takashi Yamazaki’s kaiju sequel “Godzilla Minus Zero.”
“Premiere status is never the be-all and end-all for us,” said NYFF artistic director Dennis Lim. Diversity before opening night. “Timing is always part of it. But I think we’ve proven over the last few years that we create a pretty interesting context for launching a movie.”
“Paper Tiger” producer James Gray (center) with stars Roman Engel, Miles Teller, Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver and Gavin Goudey.
Getty Images for FLC