Dakota Johnson on her directorial debut with Vanessa Burghardt: ‘Very close to my heart’
In a roundtable press conference at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on Sunday, American actress Dakota Johnson shared new details about her feature directorial debut, a collaborative effort with her co-star from Cha Cha Real Smooth, Vanessa Burghardt, describing it as a project “very close to my heart”
Having first announced her advent into the industry of film directing in May during the Cannes Film Festival, Johnson will lead the small, character-driven film written by Burghardt. The Madame Web star also highlighted her consternations about directing her first film while adding that she felt it her responsibility to do so, talking about her protective instincts toward Vanessa. “I’ve always felt that I’m not ready to direct a feature. I don’t have the confidence, but with her, I feel very protective, and I know her very well. I can see this world, so I just won’t let anybody else do it. That’s the real answer.”
The subject of the film is yet to be revealed but has been speculated to be related to Berghardt’s experiences living as an autistic person in an often painfully neurotypical world, explaining Johnson’s total involvement in the film. Johnson explained this interest as a desire to practice her philosophy that spotlights a set that presents itself as a safe space, providing a comfortable environment for all working there, a philosophy that stemmed from her own previous experiences. “I don’t want to face people who are not willing to collaborate,” she says. “And then there are obvious things. We all know what a toxic set is by now. We’re artists, so there’s room for expansive personalities, and we’re working with emotions. I love a healthy argument on a set, and I also believe that the most excellent idea wins. It’s not a fight. It’s not a race. It’s a collaboration”, stressing her commitment to empowerment, kindness, and understanding the importance of collaboration in her line of work.
Johnson was at the Karlovy Vary International Festival to receive the prestigious President’s Award for her fundamental contribution to film and cinema around the world, besides two recent releases she starred in, Celine Song’s Materialists and Michael Covino’s Splitsville. The former 50 Shades star just finished filming the Michael Showalter-directed adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling psychological thriller Verity, which also stars Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett. Getting candid about future dream roles, Johnson said that she earnestly looks forward to hopefully playing a “psychopath” one day, and maybe even “an action film.” “I’m open to anything. Certain things [just have] to align.”
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