Fresh Air Best Of: Scarlett Johansson & June Squibb / Mark Ronson
Oct 4, 2025
Scarlett Johansson, a two-time Academy Award nominee making her directorial debut with 'Eleanor the Great,' shares her emotional journey in directing, especially casting Holocaust survivors. She reflects on her family's history and the urgency of preserving memory. Joining her is Mark Ronson, Grammy-winning producer, who reminisces about his vibrant 1990s New York club experiences. He discusses DJ techniques, navigating identity in hip-hop, and the physical toll of his craft, while embracing the rebirth of vinyl in his performances.
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Directing Without Moralizing
- Scarlett Johansson says a director's job isn't to judge characters but to invite audience empathy.
- She aimed for viewers to abandon judgment and feel compassion for Eleanor's deception.
Cast Survivors To Honor Authenticity
- Johansson insisted on casting actual Holocaust survivors for support-group scenes.
- She coordinated with community groups and foundations to find survivors who wanted to participate respectfully.
Finding Family Lost In The Holocaust
- Johansson recounts discovering relatives lost in the Holocaust via Finding Your Roots.
- She describes the gutting experience of reading handwritten registers listing names, ages, and causes of death.
