I SMILE BACK, based on the 2008 novel of the same name by Amy Koppelman and starring Sarah Silverman, is discussed with director Adam Salky from the 2015 Sundance Film Fest premiere of the movie. We talk about working with Sarah Silverman, adapting I SMILE BACK from a novel, the importance of passion in filmmaking, Salky’s 2009 film DARE, and more in this Insiders interview hosted by Sebastian Twardosz. FILM AND GUEST INFO: I SMILED BACK is a drama directed by Adam Salky based on the 2008 novel of the same name by Amy Koppelman. The film stars Sarah Silverman as an attractive, intelligent suburban wife and devoted mother of two adorable children. She has the perfect husband in Josh Charles, a pristine house, and a shiny SUV for carting the children to their next activity. However, just beneath the façade lie depression and disillusionment that send her careening into a secret world of reckless compulsion. Only very real danger will force her to face the painful root of her destructiveness and its crumbling effect on those she loves. At the core of I Smile Back’s power is an indelible performance. Sarah Silverman reinvents herself as a dramatic actress in the career-defining, intensely layered, and heartbreaking role of Laney. Deftly directed by Adam Salky (Dare, 2009 Sundance Film Festival), I Smile Back is at times darkly humorous but also harrowing and unflinching as an authentic, humanizing portrait that offers no easy resolution for a damaged woman struggling to come to terms with herself. I SMILE BACK, Adam's second feature directorial effort, premiered in U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. Adam made his feature film directorial debut with DARE, a Grand Jury Prize Nominee of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, also in the Dramatic Competition Category. DARE was acquired by Image Entertainment, released theatrically that year, and distributed in dozens of international markets. It features Emmy Rossum, Zach Gilford, Alan Cumming, Sandra Bernhard, the first starring role of Academy Award nominee Rooney Mara, and was produced by Mary Jane Skalski (WIN WIN, THE STATION AGENT).​​​ Pursuing a deep interest in new media content creation, Adam has directed viral videos with over four million hits on YouTube, and recently directed UNCABARET, an unscripted pilot produced for Amazon.com. Adam served as an advisor at the Sundance Labs, and has guest lectured on directing at Columbia University and various high schools. When between projects he is an adjunct professor at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts teaching directing. A magna cum laude graduate of Emory University, Adam completed his MFA with honors at Columbia University's Graduate School of the Arts Film Division where he directed several award winning short films, and won three prestigious prizes including the James Bridges Award, one of the highest honors in the film school. Adam currently lives in LA. ADD’L LINKS: http://vimeo.com/68508446 http://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/sundance-film-review-i-smile-back-1201410914/ http://thelip.tv http://thelip.tv/show/the-insiders/ More Full Episodes of The Insiders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2_YWDUMY3Q&list;=PLjk3H0GXhhGfdpMud9LKPglOOF-Xmq_gm&index;=1 The Insiders Short Clips Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGbGujZFWWQ&index;=1&list;=PLjk3H0GXhhGe9WCjQi0OOm8XgE6g0mlDf https://www.facebook.com/thelip.tv http://www.youtube.com/theliptv EPISODE BREAKDOWN: 00:01 Welcoming Adam Salky of I SMILE BACK to The Insiders. 00:20 Developing I SMILE BACK and adapting from a novel. 03:50 The importance of passion in filmmaking. 06:30 Meeting and working with Sarah Silverman and DARE. 07:50 Getting into filmmaking through self-discovery and film school. 10:00 Developing DARE from a short into a feature. 12:10 DARE, Movie Clip. 13:10 Working with representation.

• published: 13 Feb 2015
• views: 5518