LOS ANGELES — You know her from major film hits like “Save the Last Dance,” “10 Things I Hate About You” and “The Bourne Identity” films. Now, Julia Stiles is making her directorial debut with “Wish You Were Here,” based on the novel by Renee Carlino.
The film is about leaving the everyday world behind to take a chance on true romance. When the perfect night with the perfect stranger ends suddenly the next morning, Charlotte (Isabelle Fuhrman) searches for answers and meaning in her disappointing life until she uncovers a secret that changes everything.
“We don’t see films like this anymore,” Mena Massoud, who plays Adam in the film, told Spectrum News. “This is a really sweet indie film, and with all the tragedy that everyone has been going through this past decade, especially with what just happened in Los Angeles, I think this is a great film to go watch and let out your feelings. It’s a cathartic film.”
Gabby Kono-Abdy, who plays Helen in the film, said the experience of seeing “Wish You Were Here” will leave folks having either known someone in the film, feeling seen and relating deeply to each of the characters.
“You’ll either leave feeling inspired to take risks or excited to hug the people that you love a little bit tighter that night,” she said.
While “Wish You Were Here” is a love story, it also touches on grief, loss and battling cancer. It’s something that hits close to home for Fuhrman, whose mother had breast cancer.
“The big message I take away from this film is, you don’t know how long you have with the people in your life,” she told Spectrum News. “This movie is about being present and being intentional about who you love. There is a way through grief and loss. There is always a way forward. Right now, there is just a lot of grief. I hope this movie can be hopeful for people.”
For the trio, Fuhrman, Kono-Abdy and Massoud, having Julia Stiles as the film’s director was a dream come true.
“You can just tell she’s a seasoned vet. She keeps everyone grounded. She’s a great leader, and that’s what you want in a director,” said Massoud.
While “Wish You Were Here” is the first film she directs, Stiles told Spectrum News she is hooked, but she still loves acting. The two, for her, go hand-in-hand.
“I’m looking for the next movie to direct,” she said. “Working as an actress affords me shorter opportunities to just be responsible for my lines and my performance and not responsible for everything else,” she said with a laugh.
Stiles said she remembers being on set shooting a film when she realized she had soaked up a lot from being on movie sets that could become a director. But it hasn’t always been easy for female directors in Hollywood. It would be great, Stiles said, if we could just acknowledge their talent and work as filmmakers in general, not just as female directors.
For Stiles, Susan Seidelman’s “Desperately Seeking Susan” was a seminal movie as a child, but watched more and more as an adult and referenced it for “Wish You Were Here.”
“I have to tip my hat to the female directors that have existed before … they had to pave the way for us before it became something that was ‘trendy’ or commercially viable. There is more support now. There’s more encouragement and more of a drive to find female directors. I felt that onset,” Stiles said.
In a message to those affected by the Los Angeles area wildfires, who find themselves having to rebuild their lives, Stiles said: “I feel for you. It has been such a scary tragedy to watch unfold from afar. Even though I am in New York, a lot of the film community is in New York, too. We are with you because we are one entertainment community. I hope you stay safe.”
“Wish You Were Here” stars Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud, Jimmie Fails, Gabby Kono-Abdy, Jennifer Grey and Kelsey Grammer. It is now playing in theaters.
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