The likable Adam Brody and Hugo Becker supply the male support in the new femme-centric film “Damsels in Distress,” from writer-director Whit Stillman.
HitFix caught up with the duo, who spend a large chunk of the interview discussing the film’s somewhat enigmatic auteur.
“Damsels” is the indie filmmaking icon’s first film in more than a decade, although Brody says that Stillman wasn’t very forthcoming with his reasons for his long break from making movies. Becker elucidates (sort of) by saying that the perfectionist writer-director spend years in Europe honing multiple scripts and trying to raise capital for “Damsels” and future films.
Taking place at an elite university, “Damsels” centers on a group of girls looking to upset the traditionally male-dominated culture at the school.
The low-budget “Damsels” was the impetus for Becker’s first trip to the U.S. — in the summer of 2010 –although visa issues caused a delay for the actor. He later appeared on The CW’s “Gossip Girl.”
Becker and Brody are jovial and like to goof around, but they disagree about how much rehearsal they had for the film’s dance number. When Becker recalls that Brody skipped a key rehearsal, Brody jokingly responds, “I think it shows in the movie, unfortunately.”
The film also stars Greta Gerwig, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Analeigh Tipton and “Parks and Recreation” star Aubrey Plaza.
“Damsels in Distress” is now in limited release in the U.S.