WHETHER IT'S ACTING, DIRECTING OR WRITING, THERE ARE MANY WAYS IN WHICH JOSHUAH MELNICK IS EXPLORING HIS LOVE FOR THE WORLD OF CINEMA. THIS MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH GIVES US PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER THE SENSIBILITY OF THE AMERICAN 25-YEAR-OLD TALENT. WE MET UP IN PARIS AND DISCUSSED JOSHUAH’S LATEST PROJECTS, WHY ACTORS ARE THE AGENTS OF EMPATHY AND HIS COMFORTABLE APPROACH TO FASHION.

You've worked on a wide range of projects recently both as an actor, director or co-writer. How do you combine these different roles?
I think it depends on the context and the people I’m involved with. Though the crafts themselves are different, they’re all just about externalizing feelings into material that can be experienced by other people, and hoping they feel something too. It’s all about squeezing out as much aliveness as possible. I think writing and directing are the most similar but acting takes the most courage which then makes me a better writer and director. The writer is the architect and the director has to execute the plans and maintain the vision of the film. But the actor is the one who breathes the story into existence. They’re the ones who carry it inside of them and make it come to life. I have a lot of respect for that work.

Are there any films that have had a profound impact on you and that inspire you?
Yes, a lot. A Woman Under The Influence by John Cassavetes, Badlands by Terrance Malick, Flowers of Shanghai by Hou Hsiao-Hsien, Little Children by Todd Field. 2001 Space Odyssey and A Clockwork Orange by Stanley Kubrick. Her by Spike Jonze. Love is the message, the message is Death by Arthur Jafa. The Last Waltz by Scorsese. Drugstore Cowboy by Gus Van Sant. Boogie Nights by PTA. A lot more!

What kind of movie would you like to play in and/or direct?
I’d like to make movies in all different genres. There’s a comedy/drama that I wrote that I’m excited about acting in, but I want someone else to direct it. I’d also love to act in a spy thriller. An action movie. A Pixar movie too. Period pieces are really fun. I think for directing, smaller indie dramas and then maybe something bigger eventually.

In your opinion, what does it mean to be an actor in this day and age?
To entertain, to make people feel alive… I mean literally their job is to just bring stories to life which requires them to shed their mask until some universal truth is revealed, which I think requires relentless courage and curiosity. I’m learning though. Actors are like agents of empathy.

What is your relationship with fashion?
Practicality, comfort and context. I want it to make sense, and be comfortable. Then it’s all situational. I tend to like to be chameleonic so I wear clothes where I can, as best as possible, exist in different situations throughout the day. I don’t like outfits that beg for approval from other people. I just wear what makes me feel confident.

If Celine was a movie, what would it be?
Maybe Eyes Wide Shut by Kubrick meets James Bond. Or Kids by Larry Clark meets Whiplash by Damian Chazelle. Kind of crazy combinations. Something punk and sexy but also so classic. Like it’s rebellious but has also always existed.

What are you working on at the moment and what are your upcoming projects?
I just finished writing that comedy/ drama feature that I mentioned before called Summer Penny, the title may change though. I’d like to shoot that soon. I’m also acting in a film next month called Please Don’t Feed the Children which is a psychological thriller shooting in New Mexico. I also just executive produced a short film by Angalis Field who directed a film I was in that played at Sundance last year. I’m really excited about this music project I co-wrote that will be out in September too.

All clothes Celine Homme

Interview and photography by Hanna Pallot

MULTIPLE AT ONCE

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