On the latest episode of Unqualified, Lena Dunham joins Anna Faris to talk about learning from heartbreak, her latest project Catherine Called Birdy, and so much more.
LISTEN NOW: Anna Faris Is Unqualified - Lena Dunham
After first reading the book Catherine Called Birdy at just 10 years old, and re-reading it at least twice a year for the next decade, Lena has finally turned the novel into a film. “It’s about a girl named Catherine, they call her Birdy, in 1290 England,” Lena explained. “She’s 14 and she basically gets her period and her parents decide it’s time to get her a husband.”
Joking bout the absurdity of it all with Anna, Lena continued explaining, “She’s like I’m not f***ing doing this, I don’t want to be a lady, I don’t want to get married, I’m not interested, it’s like about her revolt against the customs of her time.
“I just love movies that are aimed at teens, specifically teen girls. I love books that are aimed at teen girls and I love things that honor the intelligence of young women because I was so hungry to feel seen at that age. So this is sort of my ode to, and loving hopeful gift for teenagers.”
Opening up about one of her biggest heartbreaks — ending things with by her wonderfully nice and comforting college boyfriend. After crying about it for two months, while walking the streets of New York “eating vegan hot dogs,” and visiting Central Park, Lena got the following advice from her mom.
She said,“ I think you’re gonna find that there’s a certain elegance to having your heart broken.” Expanding on what her mother meant by adding, “cause you can kind of sit there and be like I’m a person who feels, I’ve been through this thing, and I’m moving through the world with my head high, knowing that even in this pain I am full of love and clarity.”
Other topics up for discussion included directing advice from Lena, Anna’s 2008 movie The House Bunny, in light of the Secrets of Playboy documentary, and the conflict of wanting and not wanting to be noticed. As well as the difference between British and American men, how Lena met her husband, and more.
Then, Lena and Anna talk with Haley who, after a drunken night, slept with a good friend after he told her that his long-distance relationship wasn’t going well. Now the couple is married, the wife knows everything, and Haley is getting all the blame.
So, obviously, your next move is to press play and listen to the entire episode above!
Anna Faris Is Unqualified is here to give you relationship advice from completely unqualified Hollywood types with new episodes every week.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram