NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Uma Thurman was anything but calm when she kick-started her first stint with Paul Schrader, and it was the legendary director’s love for Taylor Swift that came to the rescue.
The ‘Pulp Fiction’ actress shared her experience of working with Schrader at the ‘Oh, Canada’ premiere during the New York Film Festival on Saturday, October 5.
Thurman confessed she was nervous about working with the 78-year-old director but became comfortable after learning he was a “huge” fan of Swift, according to People.
Paul Schrader’s remarks defending Taylor Swift made Uma Thurman relaxed
Speaking at the premiere, Uma Thurman voiced her delight in being directed by Paul Schrader for the first time.
“I’m a really big fan of Paul Schrader. So to get to contribute, to lend myself to his piece, and get to see him working was a real, real privilege,” she said.
Nevertheless, she recounted her nervousness about collaborating with the Oscar nominee until she realized his love for the pop icon.
“I was very nervous to meet him, you know, this macho filmmaker [who] made these legendary films,” Thurman recalled. “And as I was on my way to the meeting, a person driving me was Googling and she’s like, ‘Oh my God, he’s a huge Taylor Swift fan.’ I was like, ‘What?’ And then I read Paul’s quote or tweet about defending Taylor and I was like, ‘Oh, I’m fine.’”
The 54-year-old actress said Schrader was “a big softie” who maintained an excellent working relationship with the whole cast, which included Richard Gere, Jacob Elordi, Victoria Hill, and Michael Imperioli.
Thurman also hailed his directing style despite the movie being shot at speed due to lack of time. According to her, she witnessed a “master of cinema” effectively capturing exactly what he wanted and needed, possessing the “entire vernacular language of cinema at his fingertips.”
‘Oh, Canada’ is a drama movie based on Russell Banks’ 2021 novel ‘Foregone’.
Paul Schrader’s love for Taylor Swift
Paul Schrader’s past remarks and his social media posts proved his excitement about being a Swiftie.
For instance, in April, he posted the cover of the pop star’s debut album ‘Taylor Swift’.
“This girl became Taylor Swift. There’s a movie there,” he wrote. “What’s the best article written about the TS phenomenon?”
Speaking to Variety in August, the screenwriter acknowledged he was in “awe” of the ‘Bad Blood’ singer’s success.
“It’s not so much the music that entrances me, it’s the phenomenon. The Elvis-ness of it all,” Schrader noted. “You have to look in awe at how well she and her people have created this empire.”
Schrader, who has collaborated with Martin Scorsese as a writer and co-wrote for multiple movies, is known for films including ‘Taxi Driver’ (1976) and ‘American Gigolo’ (1980).