TheWrap Screening Series: ‘Philomena’ Director Stephen Frears on Balancing Comedy and Tragedy

“There was tragedy and comedy going on at the same time. It was the double thing that I really liked and thought was very, very clever,” said Frears

Stephen Frears

Stephen Frears dropped by TheWrap’s Awards Screening Series Wednesday night to discuss his film “Philomena,” which stars Judi Dench as a woman who teams up with a journalist (Steve Coogan) to find the child she was forced to give up for adoption 50 years earlier.

Coogan, who actually co-wrote the script with Jeff Pope, also produced the Weinstein Company drama with Tracey Seaward and Gabrielle Tana.

“There was a script I guess they worked on for nine months and then I said I’d do it,” said Frears, who leapt at the chance to work with Judi Dench again after successful collaborations on “The Queen” and “Mrs.

Want to keep reading?

Create a free account, or log in with your email below.

 

Gain access to unlimited free articles, news alerts, select newsletters, podcasts and more.

 

Comments