When Lena Dunham first read Julia von Heinz’s script for Treasure, she was shocked.
The “Girls” author’s grandmother had just passed away at age 96, and Dunham found herself thinking deeply about her heritage. “Treasure,” based on Lily Brett’s 1999 novel “Two Many Men,” follows a woman who travels to Poland with her Holocaust survivor father (Stephen Fry) to confront her family’s tragic past. The film follows Ruth (Dunham), a journalist. Not only did Dunham agree to star in her film, but so did her production company, Good Thing Going.
Dunham and her producing partner Michael P. Cohen are both Jewish, and Dunham said the story “resonated incredibly with both of our families.” variety The Berlin Film Festival will premiere “Treasure” on Saturday night.
“After we read the script, we both looked at each other and said, ‘This is a piece of work that we can proudly pass on to our children that we’ve created.’ “I’m proud to say that,” says Dunham. “Michael’s grandma had already seen it, and she thought, ‘If my nan likes it, that’s good enough.'” She gave me a rave text review and I said, ‘Can Nan text? “I thought. ”
“‘Girls’ might not have been a good fit for Nunn,” Dunham laughs, and Cohen interjects.
“It was funny because my grandmother came to the premiere of the first season of ‘Girls,’ and I don’t think she liked it,” Dunham recalled. She said, “I think she was excited because she thought, ‘Wow, Lena can wear so many cute dresses.'” But she liked to think that way. [‘Treasure’] she will be too [would enjoy] …It was very special and emotional to show this work to my remaining family members. ”
Below, Dunham talks about the timeliness of “Treasure,” the recent “Girls” revival, and what we can expect from her new Netflix show.
Please tell us a little about working with Frye. How did the father-daughter bond develop?
When I sent my mom the first picture of us together in costume, she said, “Oh my gosh, I think I know who your real dad is.” And he also happens to be a gay cultural icon in other countries. But it can happen.
To be honest, we didn’t have much time to prepare together. Stephen was studying Polish intensively and I was in the writers’ room for the show I was currently on. So we met once and then went to Poland. But I think it meant something to her to be the only two native English speakers in this set. We just melted into each other. Basically, we talked every day from morning until night. There were even moments where he would get irritated with me, like his father, and tell me to “stop calling.” But there’s also an incredible bond between two Jews who go to these places. The first day we spent together was at the world’s largest Jewish cemetery in Poland, home to the graves of many non-surviving and surviving family members. And each place we went hid further keys to parts of our identity that we didn’t understand. And that experience brings you together very quickly.
Had you been to Poland before filming “Treasure”?
I went to Poland once when I was in college, but it wasn’t a trip to find my identity, it was a trip to drink with the boys. And actually, at that point I didn’t know. My grandmother always said we were Hungarian, and in fact, Hungary is where the only surviving member of our family immigrated. All of our family members, including my great-grandmother, are actually from Poland, about 25 miles away from where we filmed. So on this trip, I felt a whole new resonance. Also, on this trip, I was a sober working person who was interested in metabolizing these experiences.
I couldn’t overstate how powerful it is to go to Auschwitz in particular and experience that place and understand that there is a city of people living around that history. We think of it as a horrible ruin, but in reality there are horrible ruins, and people continue to live around them. I think the really important movie that came out this year was “Zone of Interest.” They shot less than four miles from where we were and had a lot of the same crew. So, to watch that and realize that as much as everything that befalls Stephen’s character is happening, there’s an alternate reality of people who are just living and ignoring it, it’s me. It was really fascinating for me. This work teaches us a lesson. That means we cannot continue to look the other way when we see wrongdoing. We must always be on guard to preserve our humanity.
“Treasure” by Stephen Fry and Lena Dunham.
Whether intentional or not, it is certainly a very timely film given the current conflict in the Middle East. What do you hope people get from it?
That’s strange because Julia has been trying to make this movie for over 10 years. But my hope is that this horrific event will serve as a catalyst for deep reflection and continue our mission to ensure that nothing like it ever happens again, to Jews or anyone else. . What I love about storytelling is that when you learn someone’s story, their trauma, their truth, you can’t help but empathize with them. They also say that most Americans don’t think they know about transgender people, but once they do, that perception may change. So I hope this film reaches people who may have a distorted perception of what it means to be Jewish. I also hope that this film encourages a really, really strong message of opposition to racism, xenophobia, and discrimination in all its forms. hatred.
I’d like to ask you about the upcoming Netflix series “Too Much” starring Megan Stalter and Will Sharp. Much like the plot of the show, as someone who moved from America to London after a breakup, I couldn’t be more excited. What can fans expect?
You are literally our audience. We are looking for girls who pulled geography after a breakup. We shot for three weeks and it was an amazing experience. I mean, Megan Stalter is a joy and a treat, Will Sharp is an absolute genius, and we have a great cast lined up that will be announced soon. I’m sure you’ve experienced the fact that even though Brits and Americans speak the same language, there are a lot of totally weird gaps in how we identify. And also, I love seeing women in crisis getting what they deserve in a good way. That’s what we’re aiming for with this show. Also, speaking of this time of the world, I’m trying to create something that’s full of love and joy, and hopefully sharp and edgy, and includes all the naughty scenes that people are used to from me, but at the core. I’m trying to create a kind of underlying message of love and hope. .
Everyone’s been rewatching “Girls” this year, and it feels like a new generation is discovering it. What does it mean to you that people still love this show?
It was crazy and wild and not what I expected. My cast and I share funny memes when someone sends us them. I will be 38 years old in May. I started writing this show when she was 23 years old. I thought, “If I could make a pilot, it would be a great life experience.” Does that mean people still watch shows that aired before Instagram was invented?! What the heck? So, to those leading the revival: I’m looking at your TikTok mashups. I’m technically incompetent and don’t use Instagram much, but I appreciate them. I am receiving love and it is felt so much and I am grateful.
Did you see the clip of Marnie (Allison Williams) singing “Fast Car” in the final season that resurfaced after Tracy Chapman’s Grammy performance?
I love how Alison always said this while filming “Girls.” This is very embarrassing. ” And I think, “That’s not going to be a big deal.” And they become memes for the next 20 years. Sorry about that, Alison.
Like when Marnie performed Kanye West’s “Stronger.”
I think she was credited with changing some of the lyrics. We are very grateful to Alison.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
