Josh Safdie on 'Marty Supreme' dream scene

Josh Safdie, co-writer, co-editor and director of the film 'Marty Supreme,' breaks down a first-act dream sequence in which Marty sees himself as a winning, almost superhero figure and speaks by phone with Kay Stone, the former movie star played by Gwyneth Paltrow. Safdie describes the scene’s exchange, including the line, 'I’m going to make an apple appear in that bowl.

And if I do, you’re going to blow off your little rendezvous ...' He says he asked Timmy to play the sense of winning 'to almost superhero levels' and called Kay Stone 'beautifully and tragically played by Gwyneth Paltrow.' The director says he shot Marty’s side and Kay’s side at the same time, lighting two hotel rooms that are conjoined by a door so the actors could talk on period telephones in real time and he could capture each character’s emotional point of view.

Music plays a key role: the cue is called 'The Apple,' by Dan Lopatin. Safdie says the apple is the ultimate sign of winning, and that Lopatin orchestrated a Viennese choir of about 30 voices to give the cue a 'heavenly vibe.' Safdie adds that Kay’s point of view acts as a surrogate for the audience, seeing Marty in his full dream and being reminded of a hustle she once chased.

Cinematographer Darius Khondji and Safdie tried to emulate the 'glory and awe' of 1949 newsreel championships.

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