The lovely and talented Natalie Portman wants to step behind and in front of the camera for a famous memoir called A Tale of Love and Darkness. The good people over at cinematical.com give us this on the story:
Reuters has reported that the 25-year-old actress is interested in directing a film version of A Tale of Love and Darkness, Israeli writer Amos Oz’s acclaimed memoir.
Jerusalem Capital Studios is currently in talks with the actress to both direct and act in the feature — as Oz’s mother.
The story is said to be one of the best selling Israeli literary works in history. You can read a review for it here.
There are arguments for Portman directing and for her to let a pro handle this one. The material is very heavy, and it may be a struggle for not only a first time director but also a person in their twenties, this story will require a lot out of the director. Also to take a role in a film you are directing, the first film you are directing is HARD, you have to help the other actors as you act side by side, egos can be bruised, exhaustion is also probable with that much work.
I think if Portman were to produce this film it would be a much better start for her, maybe direct some of the scenes closest to her heart…something like that. Of course Portman is a very smart person (attends Harvard), and she was born in Israel and speaks Hebrew so an argument can be made that she has an insider’s perspective on this film.
Realistically speaking though I think this project is just a little too big for her at this point. I’m all for her branching out, everyone has the right to but this film will be very difficult, not impossible, but she should try a short film first, or something a bit less emotionally charged.
I can’t blame her for wanting a challenge, but this story might be more that she bargained for.
