Flashback: Peter Bogdanovich and the Woman Behind the Auteur
Jan 24, 2025
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In this engaging discussion, Polly Platt, a talented film production designer and the creative partner of Peter Bogdanovich, reflects on their vibrant journey in Hollywood. She shares charming stories from their life, including a memorable trip with John Ford. Polly reveals the challenges of balancing her roles in love and filmmaking, including her contributions to the groundbreaking film 'Targets.' The conversation explores gender dynamics in cinema, emphasizing the often-overlooked significance of women behind the camera.
Polly Platt's transition from mourning her first husband to forging a creative partnership with Peter Bogdanovich exemplifies resilience in personal reinvention.
The podcast reveals the complexities of auteur theory, highlighting how it can overshadow women's contributions in a male-dominated film industry.
Polly's struggles in balancing motherhood and her creative aspirations underscore the societal pressures women face in both personal and professional realms.
Deep dives
The Impact of 'The Girl with the Needle'
The film 'The Girl with the Needle', directed by Magnus von Horn, is highlighted as a notable selection from the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. This dark fairy tale focuses on Caroline, a young factory worker in post-World War I Copenhagen, who faces the harsh reality of unemployment, abandonment, and an unwanted pregnancy. As she becomes involved with Dagmar, who runs an underground adoption agency, the two women develop a bond that is deeply tested by unforeseen circumstances. The film has received acclaim for its performances and cinematography, earning nominations at prestigious awards such as the Golden Globes and the Oscars.
Exploring Polly Platt's Relationship with Peter Bogdanovich
The episode delves into Polly Platt's personal journey as she navigates her marriage and collaboration with filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich. After a tumultuous period marked by the loss of her first husband, Platt meets Bogdanovich, leading to their artistic partnership in the 1960s. Their shared passion for cinema is evident, as they engage with prominent figures of the film industry, creating a unique bond through their cinephilia. However, the dynamic begins to shift as Polly finds her identity increasingly wrapped around Peter's ambitions, foreshadowing future tensions in their relationship.
The Role of Auteur Theory in Cinema
The podcast discusses the influence of auteur theory on the perception and treatment of filmmakers during the 1960s, with a focus on how it shaped Peter Bogdanovich's career. While the theory elevated directors as the primary creatives behind films, it also inadvertently sidelined the contributions of women like Polly Platt. As the couple immersed themselves in film culture, they interacted with legendary directors and navigated the changing landscape of Hollywood together. This exploration raises important questions about gender dynamics in the industry, particularly regarding recognition and credit for collaborative work.
Polly Platt's Unsung Contribution to Targets
Polly Platt's role in the film 'Targets' exemplifies her significant yet often overlooked contributions to filmmaking in her partnership with Peter Bogdanovich. Despite her creative input, including screenplay ideas and production design, she primarily received lesser credits, showcasing the gender biases prevailing in Hollywood at the time. The podcast reveals her frustrations with not being recognized for her essential work, as she seamlessly transitioned between roles in the production process. This experience underscores the broader systemic issues many women face in the film industry, where their efforts may be overshadowed by their male counterparts.
The Challenges of Balancing Family and Career
The episode highlights Polly's struggles in balancing her burgeoning career with new motherhood as she and Peter raise their daughter, Antonia. As responsibilities shift, Polly faces the reality that her artistic pursuits are increasingly challenged by domestic duties, leading to emotional strain. The podcast recounts her realization that Peter's limited involvement in parenting exacerbates her feelings of isolation in Hollywood. This narrative not only reveals the personal cost of their partnership but also reflects the societal expectations placed on women in both family and professional spheres during the time period.
This episode was originally released on June 3, 2020. Listen to help prep for the next episode of our new season, The Old Man is Still Alive.
After the death of her first husband and creative partner, Polly moves to New York, where she swiftly meets and falls in love with Peter Bogdanovich. Together Polly and Peter build a life around the obsessive consumption of Hollywood movies, with Polly acting as Peter’s Jill-of-all-trades support system as he first ingratiates himself with the previous two generations of Hollywood auteurs as a critic/historian, and then makes his way into making his own films. Together, Polly and Peter write and produce Targets, Bogdanovich’s first credited feature, and also collaborate on a documentary about the great director John Ford. By the time Polly gives birth to their first daughter, she believes she and Peter are an indivisible, equal creative partnership — regardless of how credit is distributed in Hollywood.