MacDowell — who can also be seen in “The Way Home,” her new time-traveling Hallmark series — held the rescue pup she calls Lazy Daisy for its desire to be carried as she talked about her enduring love for Paris, nightly audiobook listening and why being in nature is her happy place. These are edited excerpts from the conversation.
The Projectionist Chronicles the Awards Season
The Oscars aren’t until March, but the campaigns have begun. Kyle Buchanan is covering the films, personalities and events along the way.
- The Tom Cruise Factor: Stars were starstruck when the “Top Gun: Maverick” headliner showed up at the Oscar nominees luncheon.
- An Andrea Riseborough FAQ: Confused about the brouhaha surrounding the best actress nominee? We explain why her nod was controversial.
- Sundance and the Oscars: Which films from the festival could follow “CODA” to the 2024 Academy Awards.
- A Supporting-Actress Underdog: In “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” don’t discount the pivotal presence of Stephanie Hsu.
1
Walking in Paris
I moved to Paris when I was 20, and there’s that thing like ownership. It’s a piece of me. And I love it because I know how to walk there. Don’t ever go to Paris with someone who doesn’t want to walk. I always go to the Tuileries and everything around it — the Orsay, the Orangerie, the Jeu de Paume and the Louvre. And Rodin’s Garden, just so gorgeous and beautiful and romantic.
2
Hiking in the Smokies
My sister Beverly was a teacher, and when she retired at 65, she started leading backpacking trips. I have backpacked with her. We did Mount LeConte, the third tallest mountain in the Smokies. It has an old historic lodge and cabins from the 1930s, no roads there. You hike in, no electricity. Weathered old mountains, not new like the Rockies. Beautiful hardwood forest streams. Wildflowers. Views to make you weep along the way.
3
Climbing Stromboli
I did a movie with Harvey Keitel called “Ginostra” a long time ago, and we shot it on Panarea. It’s one of the Aeolian islands in Italy, and it looks out on Stromboli. My son Justin and I climbed Stromboli, and that was just magnificent. I mean, it’s a live volcano. You can sit there and watch it erupt, and I think there’s people that camp there. You can dig in the sand, they told me, and bury a chicken and cook your food. And then when you come down the other side, it’s like you’re flying.
4
’70s Music
I love all ’70s music — Led Zeppelin, the Who, Fleetwood Mac, the Allman Brothers, Carole King and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. I was supposed to go see Ringo at the Greek Theater, but I can’t go this time. I’m looking for something like that. I love “Abbey Road,” the Beatles. I used to listen to it under headphones and feel like my heart would just soar.
