Writer-director Jason Bushman's feature-film debut, Hollywood, je t'aime was recently screened at the Los Angeles Film Festival. The tale of a Frenchman befriended by a handful of social outcasts while looking for Hollywood stardom, Hollywood je t'aime turned out to be a quirky, funny, touching revelation. The good news is that those who missed the film at LAFF will now get the chance to check it out at Outfest, where it'll be screened on Friday, July 17, at 8:30 at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood.
In Hollywood, je t'aime Eric Debets plays Jérôme Beaunez (pronounced "Bea-nie" by a clueless casting director), a befuddled blend of Jacques Tati, Buster Keaton, and Adrien Brody. ("Beaunez" literally means "Beautiful Nose.") After being dumped by his boyfriend, Jérôme ends up in Los Angeles, where "it's always summertime." Well, not quite.
While freezing at the beach, Jérôme meets a pothead drug dealer (Chad Allen, above), and from then on it's just a few (mis)steps to Hollywood stardom. Well — once again — not quite. But even if Jérôme doesn't quite become the next Brad Pitt, he at least does meet a handsome guy at a gay bar, goes on a trip to a bathhouse, meets people "in the business," gets to use LA's dismal public-transport system quite often, and, most importantly, becomes friends with a drag queen and a transvestite sex worker.
The three things I liked best about Hollywood, je t'aime are its low-key humor — Debets' comic performance, whether or not he's playing a version of himself, is simply flawless; the all-around excellent supporting cast, most notably Chad Allen, Diarra Kilpatrick as the beautiful transvestite, and Michael Airington as the moody drag queen; and Bushman's genuine, straight-on look at Los Angeles and (a certain sub sect of) its denizens.
Bushman has kindly answered several questions (via e-mail) about Hollywood, je t'aime for Alt Film Guide. Frankly, his comment on the parallels between his film and The Wizard of Oz caught me completely off guard. I hadn't noticed any connection while watching Hollywood, je t'aime, but now that I think about it … Well, it should have been quite obvious. Keep on reading…
My understanding is that Hollywood, je t'aime is the feature offspring of your short Serene Hunter. I haven't seen Serene Hunter. What are the similarities/differences between the two films?
Serene Hunter is the story of Luc, a Parisian lothario, and his sex and love relationships with several men. It's hot and heavy, and I acted in it as well, playing Luc's American lover Jon. Eric's character in Hollywood, je t'aime is Jérôme, a little more innocent perhaps, but still hunky and on the hunt for attention – through love, sex, or even Hollywood stardom.
Serene Hunter is thirteen minutes long, and it’s really a portrait of someone. (Please check it out – on a shorts DVD collection called "S Is For Sexy.") Hollywood, je t’aime is a feature, so it explores ideas and concepts in a much more fleshed-out way. The lead characters are familiar, but not the same.
Jason Bushman and Eric Debets on the set of Hollywood, je t'aime
Did you have Eric Debets in mind from the start when you wrote Hollywood, je t'aime? What was it like working with him? Also, how similar is the real-life Debets to Jérôme? Or did you get him to watch Jacques Tati or perhaps Buster Keaton movies as inspiration for his character?
Yeah, Eric has been a dear friend since 2002. I learned French largely though hanging out with him, and so I’ve picked up a lot of his personality quirks and idiosyncrasies along the way. I wrote both Serene Hunter and Hollywood, je t’aime with him specifically in mind for the lead role.
Because we’re friends, working together is a double-edged sword. It’s great, because we really do understand one another and speak the same language. But it can be hard, too, because I know what he’s thinking all the time and maybe our relationship isn’t always as professional as it could be.
No, I didn’t ask Eric to study Tati or Keaton. The role of Jérôme was written for him, so he just had to honestly play himself – which is easier said than done, and I think he did a terrific job.
The supporting cast — Chad Allen, Diarra Kilpatrick (above, with Eric Debets), Michael Airington. How did they come onboard? And what was it like working with them?
We had a wonderful casting director, Jeremy Gordon, who found us Diarra and Michael. I’d had no prior knowledge of their careers, but they both just worked for the roles I’d created.
Chad is another story. Of course, he’s sexy and charming and has been part of American pop culture since he was a child. But I never thought of him as much more than a pretty face – until Save Me. Seriously, if you haven’t seen that film you should. Chad’s performance in that made me sit up and realize he was a very deep actor. He was first on my list when Jeremy and I were brainstorming who could play Ross, and I’m pleased as punch he accepted the role.
HOLLYWOOD, JE T’AIME what a delight it was the day netflix sent it to me. It was Chad that caused me to care about seeing the film but when all was said and done Eric Debets with whom I fell madly in love with. I have friends watch the movie all the time. Bravo!