SHADES OF relevance
BOOK CLUB LAUGHS IN THE FACE OF AGEISM
The Fifty Shades of Grey book series is a worldwide phenomenon and the hilarious new film Book Club is about four women reading the trilogy. But in a surprising and fun twist, all the women are in their sixties!
Director and co-writer Bill Holderman says, “In society and in Hollywood there’s a tremendous amount of ageism, a belief that at a certain point your relevance is over. Forget society. If you believe there’s another chapter, the only obstacle to overcome is your own thought.”
Before the idea for the film, which will hit Kiwi cinemas on August 16, came along, Bill sent a copy of the trilogy to his mum as a mother’s day gift, coincidentally, his friend and co-writer
Erin Simms did the same.
Although this is Bill’s directorial debut and features predominantly women, he knew it was the project for him.
“I think the decision to direct came because I didn’t want to have someone else do it,” he explains. Also important to Bill is giving credit for the film’s success to his leading ladies, Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen. “They did it.
I did nothing. I stood back and watched the magic happen and tried to make sure that we were pointing the camera in the right direction. I got lucky.”
Oscar-winning actress Jane says she enjoyed every moment of working with Bill.
“It’s weird to be directed by someone that could be your son,” teases Jane. “And yet he commanded respect without even trying. Bill is a wonderful director.”