Me and You and Everyone We Know is the new film directed by Miranda July. It opens in New York City at the IFC Center on June 17, 2005 and will be shown across the country in July. The film and the writer/director/actor Miranda July continues to receive accolades, such as Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, #1 in Filmmaker Magazine's "25 New Faces of Indie Films" in 2004, etc.

I enjoyed the film and a few hours after watching it, I had the pleasure of interviewing the writer/actor/director of Me and You and Everyone We Know, Miranda July. I was surprised to learn, it was her first feature film.

Filming can be a long process. How long did it take her to write Me and You and Everyone We Know? “ Started writing it in June 2001, shot it in June 2004. It was a backburner project. Wrote on it a couple of days per month…was a hobby,” Miranda July stated.

There are several lessons to be learned from watching the film. Sometimes things are not what they seem and in life you should keep an open mind. When asked what lesson would she like the audience to walk away with after watching it, Miranda responded, “Something is possible that wasn’t possible before.”

Many will be surprised to learn that Miranda not only wrote and directed Me and You and Everyone We Know, but she also starred in it. Miranda shared her take on wearing multiple hats. “Acting and directing was frustrating at times…not enough time to go over film…but in the end it gives me a lot of joy.”

Every writer has his or her own writing process; Miranda is no different. “I write free form… Acting and directing was frustrating at times…not enough time to go over film…but in the end it gives me a lot of joy.”

“Terrifying when making first film…self taught…hadn’t worked on a set…dealing with that…having no real experience,” Miranda stated, after being asked if she faced any challenges while filming her first film.

The actors also contributed to the enjoyment of the film. There were a few scenes where the child actors really took over. Miranda stated, “I chose people who seemed to have qualities of the characters.”

After you watch the film, you’ll agree the actors chosen were good choices.


Miranda gives the following advice to aspiring filmmakers and screenwriters: “Start with what you have…make a film with any video camera. Write based on what you feel.” She went on to say that an agent/manager is not necessary. “I didn’t have one until a few months ago.”

Miranda has a unique way of telling a story and is already busy on her next film. Although she was reluctant to give me details on the new film, if her first film is any indication, I already know it’ll be a success.

Miranda July is living proof that with talent, hard work and determination, you too can succeed.

Me and You and Everyone We Know will be at a theater near you. Visit the website: http://www.meandyoumovie.com for updates.