Zoe Cassavetes grew up in Los Angeles and worked on many productions as a director, writer, producer and actress. In the 1990’s, she teamed up with friend Sofia Coppola to make the TV show High Octane, one of the first shows to be entirely shot in digital video. Zoe Cassavetes also did stints as a host of MTV’s House of Style, as well as assistant directing feature films.
Several years later, Zoe Cassavetes directed her short film Men Make Women Crazy Theory which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival (2000). In 2007 she made her first feature film BROKEN ENGLISH. Zoe has made numerous commercials for clients like Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton and Johnnie Walker and music videos and as a photographer for high fashion magazines as well as many campaigns such as Dom Perignon and Martel. She is preparing her second film to shoot in fall 2012.
Zoe was with us for the Istanbul International Arts and Culture Festival last month.
Here are her As to our Qs!
When are you happiest?
When I’m with people I love, laughing.
What motivates you?
People and their stories motivate me. Also traveling and keeping an open mind.
Which city or cities are centers of creativity and inspiration for you?
Paris is good for writing, Istanbul is good for absorbing, and New York is good for everything.
For you, what does Istanbul stand for?
I love the idea of Istanbul being part European and part Asian. I also love the warmth of the people and sophistication of the city, and all the history.
What do you think about the city (cities) you live in ?
I live in Paris and it’s a slow city. But it is so beautiful, so historic…
Which era would you have preferred to live in?
I like eras with modern medicine and plumbing. So I’ll pick now.
What’s your current source of inspiration?
I’m very into outer space right now, the stars and planets. They make me wonder although I’d never want to go into space.
Your most memorable journey?
I went on a trip with my mother when I was younger to Italy, Greece, Turkey, Isreal and Egypt. It opened my eyes to the possibility of the rest of the world.
Your favorite place to visit to get ideas?
Anywhere I’ve never been before.
Your most cherished possession?
My dog.
Who or what inspired you to become a director?
I guess growing up in a house where your mom and dad make movies?
How would you describe your world in 3 words?
Brave, adventurous, disciplined.
Key moment in your life?
When I moved to NY in my 20’s.
Favorite recent discovery?
Cool Hunting App.
Favorite artist of all times?
Maria Callas.
How will you be remembered?
Laughing I hope.
What can’t you live without?
Air.
If you could be an object what would it be?
A diamond.
What’s on repeat on your iPod?
Right now NWA.
What was the last song you sang from the top of your lungs?
Something from the 80’s on a road trip with girlfriends.
Names of people whom you think revolutionized the art world?
Charlie Chaplain, Dali, Miles Davis, Hemmingway, Godard, Warhol. Just to name a few.
What is the trait you most deplore about yourself?
I hate confrontation.
What’s your motto?
Keep going.
How do you work when you produce – what comes first the thought or the action?
A story has to come first, but in that I decide what the action could be.
What is your favorite shop?
Book stores or Stationary stores.
What would you title your autobiography?
My Mother told me life would be like this.
What’s your current source of inspiration?
Paying for food.
Who does your laundry?
Me.
Is there a creative activity that you want to pursue that you have been postponing? What is it?
Drawing.
If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional. with whom would it be?
My best friend Serena, we could kick some ass being each other.
What’s your favorite cartoon?
Bugs Bunny.