Video interview: John Turturro talks FADING GIGOLO – directing Woody Allen, music and more

Video interview: John Turturro talks FADING GIGOLO – directing Woody Allen, music and more

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I can safely say John Turturro is one of my favorite actors of all time. His chameleon-like ability shines in movies like THE BIG LEBOWSKI, QUIZ SHOW and DO THE RIGHT THING. He’s turned in stellar (yet under-appreciated) performances in films like BARTON FINK and the insanely funny BRAIN DONORS. John has also proven himself as a competent director, helming four previous cinematic efforts. His fifth is FADING GIGOLO, in which he also stars as a man in his 50s unexpectedly thrust into the world of sophisticated prostitution by a father-like figure played superbly by Woody Allen (a rare acting appearance in a movie he didn’t also direct). It’s a rather excellent character study that goes beyond the basic premise, and even explores Jewish religious customs and their effect on relationships. I had a chance to sit down with Turturro during his recent appearance at the USA Film Festival, and you can watch that interview below. This is one of those opportunities where I wish I had an hour to chat, but it was just an honor to sit down with one of the finest actors currently working on the big screen today.

FADING GIGOLO is now playing is select theaters.

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About the Author

Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff.