How Cord Jefferson and Celine Song Grabbed Oscar Success With Their First Movies

TheWrap magazine: A conversation with the directors who got Best Picture nominations with their film debuts, “American Fiction” and “Past Lives”

Cord Jefferson and Celine Song
Cord Jefferson (Randy Shropshire for TheWrap), Celine Song (Getty Images)

“Do you think they would put me in the Memoriam at the Oscars if I got killed?” ‘

“American Fiction” writer and director Cord Jefferson was driving in the rain in Los Angeles while doing a joint Zoom interview with “Past Lives” writer and director Celine Song when he asked that question, his phone attached to his dashboard and his eyes darting across the wet L.A. streets ahead of him.

Song immediately groaned and scolded Jefferson. “I don’t like morbid jokes like this,” she said with a grimace — and, to be fair, just a bit of a smile. “I don’t know why you’re laughing.

Comments