The Brooklyn Directors of Sundance
Desiree Akhavan
Appropriate Behavior
The writer-director also stars in her debut feature about an Iranian-American bisexual trying to figure out how to fit into her family and what went wrong with her ex.
What neighborhood do you live in?
I currently live on the Upper West Side. I moved here because I fell in love with a woman who works at Columbia. I was previously in Bed-Stuy, which I miss terribly.
Just how Brooklyn-y is Appropriate Behavior?
The film is heavily influenced by the fact that it takes place in Brooklyn. It’s pretty self-aware and takes the piss out of various neighborhoods, especially Park Slope and Bushwick.
Did you think Sundance was overrun with Brooklyn films?
No. A lot of solid work is coming out of Brooklyn right now. There are many different lenses to see this city through, and one story does not devalue another simply because they share a zip code.
What’s the most cinematic spot in Brooklyn?
DUMBO. Every time I’m there I feel like I’ve stepped into a Fellini film and should be wearing an evening gown.
What’s your favorite movie theater in Brooklyn?
It’s a tie between BAM and Nitehawk. They’re two very different experiences, both glorious. BAM is epic and makes me feel small and humbled by its beauty. Nitehawk is fun and relaxed and the chairs are unrivaled in comfort. Those waiters are good. They really do the impossible: provide a non-disruptive cafe experience during a film. It really depends on what kind of evening you want to have. And how conducive the L train is to your life.
When can audiences expect to see Appropriate Behavior?
They can catch the Rooftop Films screening this summer.