Peer Review: Marta Cunningham

Who are three contemporaries that you admire?

The contemporaries that I am enjoying the most are Ava DuVernay, Barry Jenkins, and Sean Baker. I am usually not a “crier” when watching a film but Ava’s last film Origin had me ugly crying on the plane back from South Africa to the States. I gave up on the little Kleenex I had - it couldn’t keep up. The performance she was able to get from Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and the rest of the cast was remarkable. 

All of these directors are very selective with the people they bring into their lives. From “soup to nuts” as they say. You cannot compromise on vision. 

Jenkins and Baker are both indie darlings and my goal in the next year or so is to follow suit. I'm writing a film right now. I want to call them up and pick their brain, all of it - their process and their choice of story. Impeccable. I want to be like them when I grow up. But seriously, Jenkins directed a James Baldwin classic, If Beale Street Could Talk. Love it.

I love the texture and feel of their films. They are so beautifully executed and deliberate but with this frenzy and such incredible life. All of these directors are very selective with the people they bring into their lives. From “soup to nuts” as they say. You cannot compromise on vision. They obviously have the qualities it takes to make great art and sell great art. They know what they want and how to get it. That is a craft within itself

DuVernay’s last film Origin had Cunningham ugly crying on the plane back from South Africa to the States. 

Please share 3-4 pieces of work that exemplify great direction.

This is a hard question because Do The Right Thing made me want to become a filmmaker. I am sure a lot of Black artists feel this way. And Taxi Driver is a film I have studied for years. But filmmakers, I think, are a better way for me to answer this question. Five directors I have studied the most are John Cassavetes, Sidney Lumet, David Lynch, Wim Wenders, and Gus Van Sant. 

 I learned, by watching their work, to give 300% of yourself to every project, no matter what. I work very hard to do that on every project.

I love Cassavetes' work. He is without a doubt one of my favourite directors. Maybe it was because he was an actor as well, so the fearlessness and the trust he built with his stable of actors, including and especially, his wife were in my mind some of the best filmmaking ever made. A Woman Under the Influence is my favourite film of his. Gena Rowlands was astounding. It is so painful to watch but you don’t want to miss one frame. 

Lumet and Van Sant are both so in love with the craft and you can feel their fingerprints all over it, every frame. I want to have that fire for everything I do and make, even if I didn’t write it or produce it. I want people to know who directed it. I learned, by watching their work, to give 300% of yourself to every project, no matter what. I work very hard to do that on every project. I think you can feel that in their work. Tireless and undefeated. And making films and TV is gruelling!

Above: Gus Van Sant, Wim Wenders

The power of rehearsal is what I learned from Lumet’s book Making Movies, I’m rereading it for the billionth time right now. He loved actors and making them feel safe. He understands them. It is a necessity for a director to have empathy in general but without a doubt for their actors. So many people do not. 

I love especially the element of surprise in Van Sant’s films. It’s what he's so brilliant at. He will bring a topic into your life you've never thought about and make it feel like it’s an old worn-out sweater. Masters. 

Besides being on the beach or in the ocean with my children, being on set is the best place in the world. I love it so much. 

From Lynch, I learned to not be afraid to tell a really disturbing story but handle it with care, effortlessly. Every frame, and the breath in between as well. 

And from Wenders, the cold harsh reality in the choices of his films, and his unwavering need to keep every inch of humanity very much alive. They are all masters and true geniuses. I feel like Parasite has this level of genius and cruelty and care of the characters in the film. But again, another master, Bong Joon-ho has made many great films. 

A Woman Under the Influence is Cunningham's favourite Cassavettes film. 

What do you like most about the work that you do? 

I love being on set. I am a set person, as they say. I love actors. I love them. What they do is so difficult I find it hard to put into words. Some people like talking about it, and then freak out once the day has arrived, but besides being on the beach or in the ocean with my children, being on set is the best place in the world. I love it so much. 

I love actors. I love them. What they do is so difficult I find it hard to put into words. 

Doesn’t matter where, how much money, just the energy and the people, and that we get to do this for a living and people pay us to this is just the biggest gift going. Don’t get me wrong I am a prep person. I am extremely meticulous about my prep days but when it’s time to get up at 4 am or be on set from 6 pm to 6 am, I am down. 

Above: John Cassavettes, Sidney Lumet, David Lynch

What was your journey to becoming a director? 

I was a professional ballet dancer at 14 years old. I got my first pay check and it was 98 dollars. I said, “This is not for me.” Haha. It wasn’t the pointe shoes, it was the check! I couldn’t see myself killing my body every day for no real financial reward. I take my hat off to the people who stick with it. Their grace is indestructible. I watched Do The Right Thing, and as I watched Spike Lee do his thing as the actor, writer, producer, and director I said I want to do that! I still haven’t. Maybe I will be in my first narrative feature.

You must be patient and stay open minded so you do not miss an amazing opportunity to create, because your stupid ego gets in the way.

How has working as an actor and a TV show director helped? 

The thing is, I know I have an edge over a lot of directors working in episodic because I was an actor. I love actors. I love them. What they do is so difficult I find it hard to put into words. The amount of pressure and stamina they must have, and ease - it’s tremendous. So if they have an off day, relax and give them a break - look at what they have to do! None of us would have jobs without them. 

Films are green-lit because of them! Not many of us have what it takes to be that vulnerable in front of the world. Think about it. People ask me if I miss it. I think for a long time I just wanted to focus on learning my new craft of directing, but after two films and 40 episodes, I think I am ready to go back to it. 

Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing inspired Cunningham to pursue filmmaking over a career as a ballerina.