Everythings all right, mom… he begins, pacing as she knits in the corner.
Everythings all right, Homer, she repeats.
Its only that youre becoming aware of a world in which youve been a child.
Credit: Roberto Ricciuti/Getty Images
There was a day I thought, Oh, man.
I cant protect my kid from everything.
HopefullyIthacais about how fierce and frail life really is.
Ithacaopens in limited release on Sept. 9.
Check out an exclusive first look at the films theatrical poster after EWs full interview with Ryan, below.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Its great to see you back in movies and taking charge as a director.
MEG RYAN:Honestly, it was the story; I just felt like I could tell it.
The world felt unsafe, and thats when I discovered the book.
I cant protect my kid from everything.
Its a difficult moment.
HopefullyIthacais about how fierce and frail life really is.
What I found as a director is that youre really the conductor.
You get to be in the processes of all these other artists.
Do you think operating a set as a director will influence how you act in the future?
[Laughs]I dont know about that.
But, the magic that happens is with these actors, and the crew understands that.
Everything is set up, at least on my set, for all of that magic to happen.
What did that mean to you, to have him on set for your directorial debut?
Hes just so dear.
Hesodid not have to do that.
It took him a day to [shoot his scene].
At the end of his time, he says to the crew, All right, gather round.
It was such an act of friendship.
I love him so much.
Id just taken such a big break.
Ive been doing so many other things in my life, and happily doing those things.
Its just too hard.
I felt, as a mom, thats what my fastball for this whole bit of storytelling was.
Do you think people seem to be more critical of actresses when they direct movies, though?
We saw a lot of negative reaction to Angelina JoliesUnbrokenandBy the Sea, which many people called vanity projects.
We didnt hear that phrase hurled at Ben Affleck when he directedArgo.
Did you experience any sort of skepticism from anyone when you said you wanted to direct a film?
I think, for this particular bit of storytelling, it was important that a mother tell the story.
Thats different energy than a fathers.
Where it fits in the world of how people appreciate our film or female directors, I dont know.
Its just a labor of love from an important perspective Ive cultivated in my life.
