Woody Allen on Woody Allen [Paperback]

Stig Bjorkman (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1995

In this title, the filmmaker shares his inspirations, anxieties, and frustrations in a self-portrait that goes behind the scenes of his films, glimpses his Brooklyn childhood, and considers his opinions on a range of topics from jazz to New York City.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Fans of Woody Allen have long waited to hear him tell us in his own words about his life, his tastes, and his films, but until recently he has been reluctant to give lengthy interviews. This book is the conversation we've been waiting for, a dialogue with Stig Bjorkman in which Allen speaks openly about himself and his art. Bjorkman invites the writer/director to talk at length about his lesser-known movies as well as his famous ones. We also learn about Allen's filmmaking technique, his feelings about his stock company of actors, his influences, and why Stardust Memories and The Purple Rose of Cairo are his two personal favorites. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

In this collection of interviews with Bjorkman, a Swedish filmmaker, Allen emerges as a disciplined worker, far different from his famed persona as self-pitying and neurotic. The book will delight-and relieve-his fans. Allen discusses his craft and ouevre, with a chapter devoted to each film in chronological order from Take the Money and Run to Manhattan Murder Mystery. He recommends "Socratic" learning rather than film school and reveals that he once did many takes but now, with increased confidence, infrequently reshoots scenes. He defends his portrayals of blacks against criticism from African American groups that he casts them only as menial characters, explains that his temperament determines the length of his films ("Scorsese's body rhythm is longer") and knocks American movie reviewers who "gush tremendously over populist junk films." There's virtually nothing here about his recently turbulent personal life, though Allen comments that, "one must be very lucky" to achieve a deep, lasting relationship. Photos.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Grove Press (November 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802134254
• ISBN-13: 978-0802134257
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,730,702 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Frank and enlightening discussion, November 9, 2002

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R. J. Marsella (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Woody Allen on Woody Allen (Paperback)

A very relaxed and interesting discussion regarding the development of Allen's style and indivisual films that is very entertaining. This is an excellent companion to his earlier films. Bjorkman asks excellent questions that keep the discussion flowing in a chronological sense yet allow for Woody Allen to address many interssting topics related to his work.
The focus here is really the body of work and not Allen's personal life. Like sitting with a bottle of wine and talking to two intelligent filmmakers about their craft.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Simply Amazing!!, July 14, 2003

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Sugar1000 (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Woody Allen on Woody Allen (Paperback)

The only reason that I didn't give this book 5 stars in because it only goes up to Husbands & Wives. For anyone who loves Woody and wants to hear him speak in detail about his films, other films and his ideas, this book does not disapoint. I have many other books by or about filmmakers and this is certainly up there with the best. Woody talks about Bergman, Godard, Fellini, Truffaut, Hitchcock and many other filmmakers and films he likes. He discussed in depth each of his films from What's New Pussycat? to Husbands and Wives. This book is a must for fans of Woody Allen and for fans of film.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must for any film friend, January 29, 2000

By 

Bjorn Clasen (Rolléngergronn, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Europe) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Woody Allen on Woody Allen (Paperback)

This book simply is a must for people who are interested in film!

Whether you love or hate Woody Allen's work, there is a great deal to learn on film history from this book.

Stig Björkman knows so much about all aspects of film and therefore delivers an outrageously professional interview. But still, the interviewer stays humble, asking questions showing a profound knowledge of the subject. Since Woody Allen is very good at answering in a direct but well thought about way, it never gets boring and never seems primitive that the book is written simply in direct dialogue.

What I personally appreciate as well is that the talk is purely about film and about Woody Allen as an artist - his private life does not enter unless it is closely related to the discussed subjects. So you get a very relevant view to Woody Allen's career. Because of Stig Björkman's high professionalism, and because of Woody Allen's conversation talent and open mind.

It never gets too intellectual either. In fact, it makes you want to watch the Woody Allen movies you haven't had the opportunity to watch yet.

The only minus is that the book is some years old so that it does not contain discussions on his recent very interesting films.

But as it is an unrejectable document on film history, "Woody Allen On Woody Allen" does belong on any film friends' bookshelf!