Andrew Scott joined co-stars Ethan Hawke and Margaret Qualley and director Richard Linklater for the world premiere of their new movie, the Ireland-filmed Blue Moon, at the Berlin International Film Festival on Tuesday.
Linklater and long-time collaborator Hawke have teamed up again for the "one-scene" musical drama, which is set in 1943.
Blue Moon sees Hawke play lovelorn and troubled Broadway writer Lorenz Hart, whose credits include The Lady Is a Tramp and the song that gives the film its title.
Written by Robert Kaplow (Me & Orson Welles), Blue Moon was filmed in Ireland last summer. It was produced in association with the Dublin-based Wild Atlantic Pictures.
The dense, lyrical script sees Hawke take centre stage for almost the entire 100-minute movie.
It unfolds like a theatre production inside a hotel and bar on the opening night of the musical Oklahoma! with Qualley playing Hart's love interest, Elizabeth Weiland.
Linklater told journalists in Berlin that he had "always loved this period so much - the 1930s and 40s musical theatre, the craftsmanship of it".
The aim had been to produce a film that echoed the songs written by Hart and his composer partner Richard Rodgers, played in the film by Dubliner Scott.
The cast of Linklater's latest also includes Bobby Cannavale and Scott's fellow Irish actor Simon Delaney.
"Our goal with this movie was if it could be like a Rodgers and Hart song too. If it could be beautiful and kind of sad and funny, all at the same time," Linklater said.
The 64-year-old director is back at the Berlinale festival 11 years after winning the Silver Bear award for Best Director, the second-top prize, for his epic Boyhood film, which also featured Hawke.
Blue Moon is one of the most star-heavy contenders in the main competition at this year's Berlin International Film Festival, which showcases independent arthouse movies and documentaries from across the world.
Last year's event was overshadowed by a political row in Germany caused by criticism from actors and directors of Israel's bombardment of Gaza.
The festival's new director, Tricia Tuttle, vowed beforehand that the Berlinale would not "shy away" from current events, but she hoped the news agenda would not eclipse the on-screen stories.
The jury, helmed by US director Todd Haynes, is set to hand out its awards on Saturday evening.
Source: AFP
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