Philadelphia Film Center Rolls Out Red Carpet for Paul Dano, Screens Directorial Debut of ‘WILDLIFE’

The theater formerly known as the Prince Theater was renamed; marquee now boasts new signage.

“And there are words, significant words, you do not want to say, words that account for busted-up lives, words that try to fix something ruined that shouldn’t be ruined and no one wanted ruined, and that words can’t fix anything. Telling.” – Richard Ford, Wildlife

Story, photos by Sharon Kozden

The 2019 Academy Awards are in the bag, the suspense over until next year. Your personal favorites either won iconic trophy statuettes or were left out of the picture. For the record, I was disappointed over Glenn Close’s loss. And yet, one of the best things about movies is that, like rabbits, they multiply … and frequently. Each year, another group of talented newcomers is unveiled; their potential star power and meteoric rises predicted, while otherwise established stars fade into oblivion or opt out of the Hollywood fame scene altogether.

One of my longtime favorite and talented actor’s work has been on a steady upward climb. Paul Dano continues to accumulate an impressive array of roles, including his memorable turn as the surly, non-speaking and people-hating brother Dwayne in Little Miss Sunshine. He more than held his own 22-year old self as Eli Sunday alongside the formidable Daniel Day-Lewis in the Paul Thomas Anderson helmed There Will Be Blood. And who can forget Dano oozing contempt as the cruel taskmaster John Tibeats in 2014’s Best Picture Oscar-winning Twelve Years a Slave? Recently, the erstwhile indie actor Dano has taken on a new role-that of director and co-writer-in his first feature film, WILDLIFE, based on a novel penned by Richard Ford and starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan.

On October 23rd, I had the distinction of covering WILDLIFE’s premier screening at the Prince Theater (recently renamed The Philadelphia Film Center) during the 27th Philadelphia Film Festival. The evening’s guest of honor was none other than Paul Dano, who also was presented that evening with an award for Artistic Achievement in Independent Film. Clearly and from the line of folks waiting outside to get in then later streaming indoors for the screening, the man has a more than solid fan base. Perhaps he added even more to it with the evening’s screening. We media arrived at 5:15 p.m. to position ourselves before the red carpet in areas designated by placards denoting our respective media outlets. We were told photo opportunities and interviews would be brief, and that a Q & A would follow the screening. I managed to secure a sympathetic ear, who understood my long-standing fandom. I was told to keep my fingers crossed that quick photo-op between Paul and myself could be arranged.

And so, our Man-of-the-Moment arrived! Looking dapper and perfectly turned out a well-tailored black suit, the newly minted director was every bit the consummate pro as he strode the red carpet with evident poise and maybe just a touch of endearing shyness. He exuded not a whit of celebrity ego. Cordial, warm, accommodating, at ease speaking to the press and the Center’s principals such as J. Andrew Greenblatt and Sharon Pinkenson, he answered (to another) the question I’d wanted to ask, namely how he came to choose the author’s novel for his directorial debut. Like Dano, I both majored in English and am a devotee of Richard Ford’s writing, having once attended a reading (in Princeton, I believe) and book-signing by the acclaimed novelist. In my vivid imagination, I’m able to share all of this with the evening’s special guest. Cut to reality during the photo-op, wherein I barely eeked out “massive fan here, Paul” as I shook his hand.

As the story goes and while perusing in a bookshop, Dano happened on the Ford novel, finding a passage that resonated with him. He then contacted Ford about optioning the novel for the silver screen. Ford simply stated, “My book is my book. Your movie is your movie.” Done, and green-lighted to move forward. With his partner Zoe Kazan, the two co-wrote the script. Dano noted the film has been years in the making. He also mentioned that he has been to Philly before to share films and that movie fans are especially involved and receptive at film festivals.

The film, about a 14-year old boy bearing witness to the dissolution of his parents’ marriage, showcases Dano’s directorial skills. He’s a natural and if his first time behind the camera is any indication of things to come, there will be (more) Paul! He stated, “I’m probably going to try to open the windows toward the next film this summer and start to day-dream. I don’t know what’s next, but I can’t wait to do it again.” Lights, camera, action. You got this … in the can, Paul!

Bright lights, Center City.

Phillywood, Hollydelphia … whatever you call it, Philadelphia is arguably the East Coast’s Hollywood.

“The Sharon Pinkenson Film Project.”

From Left, Sharon Kozden with Sharon Pinkenson.

Recognize these A-listers?

Like an actor’s stage marks, media are given their space from which to photograph the red carpet scene. Marking my territory with ‘footage.’

Hanging while networking with my press counterparts.

The Man of the Hour graces the red carpet and cuts a sharp, handsome look in chic black.

From Left, Philadelphia Film Center Executive Director/CEO J. Andrew Greenblatt and Greater Philadelphia Film Office Executive Director Sharon Pinkenson with Paul Dano.