More than just a gleam in Mama’s eye now. It’s in Variety, and its official, the Paint It Black movie is shot and wrapping. Amber Tamblyn, a true force of nature, who fell in love with the book back in 2007, wrote the screenplay, fought to get it made and in the end, directed it as her debut behind the camera. Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development) and Janet McTeer (OBE, Tony winner, 2 time Oscar Nominee) are starring, along with Alfred Molina (“Call me Fred”) as Cal, Nancy Kwan (The World of Suzie Wong!) as a refashioned Sofia, Emily Rios as Pen and Rhys Wakefield as Michael, plus Chris Palko (Cage) as Nick Nitro, and Mish Way from White Lung as Lola Lola.
It’s been an incredible journey–the book was optioned before, and with a screenplay that was truly–OMFG. It took someone who loved it, fought for it, was passionate about it–to finally get this done. And no one can be more passionate than Amber Tamblyn, believe me. And now, these ultimately talented actors. How she did it, god only knows.
Always a strange thing to walk in and see your book reimagined in physical reality. I don’t care if a movie paints by the numbers or breaks out and does its own thing as long as its a work of art that adheres to its own logic, and man, this is that movie.
Janet Fitch's Blog 