Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut: A fresh take on ‘Blink Twice’
A new voice behind the camera
Despite her extensive experience on movie and TV sets, Zoë Kravitz found herself in uncharted territory when she stepped into the director’s chair for her debut film, Blink Twice. At the Los Angeles premiere, Kravitz shared her initial hesitation with the traditional director’s call to action. “It was crazy. I think I started saying, ‘Let’s go!’ because ‘Action!’ gave me anxiety,” she confessed. “It was ‘Let’s go!’ and ‘Here we go!'”
The plot thickens
Blink Twice weaves a gripping tale of two friends, portrayed by Naomi Ackie and Alia Shawkat, who are invited by a tech mogul, played by Channing Tatum, to join him and a group of friends on his private island. The ensemble cast, including Christian Slater, Simon Rex, Haley Joel Osment, and Levon Hawke, finds themselves in a whirlwind of chaos after days of indulgence in drinking and drugging.
A teaser of things to come
Channing Tatum reminisced about the early stages of the project, recalling the creation of a teaser for the psychological thriller. “I knew we were in for a true creative grind, and that’s why it’s such a good movie,” he remarked. The teaser set the tone for the intense and immersive experience that Blink Twice promises to deliver.
Praise for Kravitz’s direction
Naomi Ackie couldn’t help but commend Kravitz’s directorial prowess. “I think after the first take, we were all like, ‘Alright, mate, you’re doing it!’ There’s a lot that you do as a director and there’s a lot that you have to have a handle on, and she handled it so well,” Ackie said. Filming in the sweltering heat of the Yucatan during the summer presented its own set of challenges, but Kravitz’s resilience and leadership shone through.
Nature’s unexpected co-stars
While snakes play a pivotal role in the film, it was the spiders that posed a real threat to the cast and crew. “There were baby scorpions and tarantulas, and I was getting bitten by fire ants and stuff,” Ackie recounted. “It was my fault because there was a sign that said, ‘Do not step here because of fire ants,’ and I stepped there.”
A family affair
Although Zoë Kravitz’s rock star father, Lenny Kravitz, did not attend the Los Angeles premiere, he made a notable appearance at the London premiere. Not only is he a proud dad, but he also makes a cameo in the film. “It’s for a split second,” Zoë Kravitz said, laughing. The cameo features Lenny Kravitz in a video post as Ackie’s character scrolls through Instagram, showcasing him working out in a gym in a see-through tank top, leather pants, and sunglasses. “I just thought it would be funny,” Zoë Kravitz explained.
A spiritual presence
While her mother, Lisa Bonet, does not appear in Blink Twice, Zoë Kravitz emphasized her mother’s spiritual presence throughout the filmmaking process. “She was my anchor throughout the whole film,” Kravitz shared, highlighting the emotional support that Bonet provided.
Looking ahead: Big Little Lies Season 3
As the conversation shifted to future projects, Zoë Kravitz expressed her excitement about the potential development of Big Little Lies Season 3. Both Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon have hinted at the possibility of a new season. Although Kravitz has yet to see a script, she remains hopeful and eagerly anticipates the continuation of the beloved series.
Final thoughts
Zoë Kravitz’s journey from actress to director with Blink Twice marks a significant milestone in her career. Her unique approach to directing, combined with a compelling storyline and a talented cast, promises to captivate audiences. As we await the release of Blink Twice, it’s clear that Kravitz’s directorial debut is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in her artistic journey.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit the Blink Twice page.