Faye Dunaway ‘cries’ after revealing her son’s adoption in documentary

Faye DunawayNow 83 and somewhat reclusive, the actress looks back on her extraordinary rise to fame and subsequent fall in a new documentary, which also addresses her complicated reputation and reveals previously unknown details about her life off-camera.

Dunaway was one of the busiest and best-known actresses of the late 1960s and 1970s, giving memorable performances in films such as: Bonnie and Clyde, Chinatown, Three Days of the Condor and Communication networkShe won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1996, but her reputation and fortunes were dashed. Joan Crawford 1981s Mommy dearest Rumors persisted that she was “difficult to work with” and demanding on set. As she got older, Dunaway continued to work, but she never received the significant roles or recognition that many of her contemporaries received. Meryl Streep or Jane Fonda She also did not experience a late-life renaissance. Jessica Lange.

Fayewill premiere on HBO on Saturday, July 13 at 8pm ET and feature a rare and emotional conversation with Dunaway. Laurent BouzereauThe film features in-depth interviews with the actress and her son. Liam O’Neill (One of the documentary producers) Sharon Stoneshe Mommy dearest Co-star Mara Hobel, Barfly Co-star Mickey RourkeEx-Boyfriend Jerry Schatzberg etc. For the first time, a vulnerable Dunaway speaks about the circumstances of Liam’s birth and his diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Us Weekly We spoke with Buzereau about collaborating with the Hollywood legend and opening up like she’s never done before.

You’ve dedicated your career to making behind-the-scenes documentaries of classic films – how did this documentary come about?
I grew up watching movies from the 70s. That was the era when the best movies were made and the best directors were born. [Faye Dunaway’s] His son. At one point we were talking about doing a documentary about his father. [photographer] Terry O’Neillwho sadly passed away. And then one day, just in conversation, Liam asked me, “What do you think about making a documentary about my mum?” and I said she would never agree. [laughs]

She and I started talking, and gradually she began to feel at ease. Faye is inquisitive, very smart, very sensitive. She was intrigued by the possibility. It also coincides with her accepting her condition and taking medication. She had looked into the medical side of things, she had read books. She wanted to share her story. It was very cathartic for her.

Yes, bipolar disorder was a big discovery for her. Was there any hesitation on her part to talk about it?
No, she’s the one who promoted it as a topic. But she also said that she doesn’t want to be that poster child because she feels very blessed. She’s been blessed with great doctors.

This is the first time she’s actually spoken about Liam’s adoption, right?
Yes. She doesn’t talk about it in her autobiography, she doesn’t talk about the situation at all. There was something really moving about her relationship with her son. On the first day of shooting, we started talking about motherhood. I said, “Tell me about your experience as a mother.” And she said, “That’s nobody’s business.”

And the next day, we were filming and all of a sudden she stopped and said, “I think we need to talk about Liam’s adoption.” I said, “Faye, this is totally up to you.” And she started crying, and we all started crying. And she gave an amazing speech about what was going on in her life at the time and why she adopted Liam and how it all happened. She cared about him so much and I think that was part of why she didn’t want to talk about it. It was the hardest thing for her to talk about and something she’d never told anyone.

What did you expect from Faye going into the role? She’s been labeled a “difficult woman,” but she remains highly respected among actors.
From a cinematic point of view, she is one of the last great pure actors. She literally fashioned herself, like clay. The characters she embodied were very challenging and must have influenced her. There are certainly differences between her and the actors she played, but there is a bit of those characters in her. How could she have come up with those performances otherwise? But many actresses of her generation fell victim to sexism. Once you get past a certain age, the kinds of roles you can get end.

Do you have any vision for her comeback? Do you think there will be directors or projects for her in 2024?
That’s an interesting question. She Ryan Murphy He has played some great roles in the series. [for older women]It’s not hard to imagine her playing a character in a great English drama or a great French drama. Luca Guadagnino [Challengers, Call Me By Your Name].

Besides Liam’s adoption, have you ever encountered resistance to any of the topics you’ve tried to discuss? Faye?
I was a little anxious Mommy dearest.

why?
When you achieve a perfect level in a role like Communication network or Chinatown and Bonnie and Clyde or Laura Marsand you’re always going to be reminded of the film that plagued your career… It was not a good experience, and in my eyes it was not a good film. I think it was a great performance. I blame the director; he had no control over the film or the performance. Someone like her doesn’t want to be reminded of this, because it’s a PTSD experience, it’s a scar. And she wants to be remembered for a role that she felt was a great film. Who can you blame? I was sitting with her in Cannes and a couple of journalists came up and said, “My favorite film was Mommy dearest“It’s infuriating. So she rejected the movie and is notorious for not wanting to praise its cheesiness. We’re talking about Tennessee Williams on stage.

Marla Hobel plays the young Christina Crawford Mommy dearestMara encouraged her to talk about the film. She was overwhelmed. For her, making a film with Faye Dunaway was a magical and positive experience, and she was upset that Faye would deny it. Did Faye react to Mara’s interview?
I told Faye straight away, and she was so happy, and she said, “I was so scared that I would hurt her with those really painful scenes of child abuse. I was so scared that it would scar her. I’m so glad that she’s not blaming me.”

You’ve worked with many famous actors and directors. Is there anyone you wish you could have interviewed but weren’t able to?
There were some people we couldn’t hire, but it was because they didn’t want to do it. Documentary filmmaking is super hard. You have tight budgets and tight deadlines. You try to get talent, but they can’t be hired, and they keep canceling.

Who were some of the big names that missed out?
Yeah, Jack Nicholson. [Gia costar] Angelina Jolie. Charlize Theronwho performed with her The Yard.

There’s a great deal of detail written about her obsession with applying lip balm between takes. Having been around her for hours on end while making the film, have you noticed any other interesting quirks or habits?
I experienced Blistex. With someone like her around, everything was magical. There were ups and downs in the very long interview session. [she] It was very gracious in the end. When she arrived it was going to be tough and tense.

Anything that distracts her is a problem. If my cinematographer wears a white T-shirt, you can see his shoes behind the curtain. Same for me. If I hear someone drinking and gulping while I’m shooting, it drives me crazy. I’m exaggerating. But you’re trying to create the best environment and you don’t want to be reminded that there’s a crew there when you’re talking about yourself. So if someone wears a white T-shirt and fluorescent shoes, you’re constantly reminded that there’s someone there and that might affect how you talk. I completely understand wanting to control the environment to get in the zone.

I was very surprised to see Sharon Stone as an interviewee. I didn’t know about her friendship with Faye. Did you find out anything else about their connection or kinship?
There was a bodyguard in Cannes who worked with Sharon, and he said, “Oh my gosh, they look so similar.” They’re the same person. And in the best way possible. Sharon Stone is also in many ways mislabeled and underrated and under-appreciated. But she’s extraordinary. She reinvents herself. She’s a brilliant artist and painter. She has a big heart and looked up to Faye as the ultimate consummate actor. And she’s had her ups and her downs. Yeah, well. I mean, like, Jane FondaSharon Stone is also very courageous and an iconic actress of ’80s cinema, whereas Faye is an iconic actress of ’70s cinema, and I really admire her, so it was an honor to talk to her.