Mary Kay Cook Answers Five Questions
August 6, 2020 by Screenmag
SXSW critics' pick I USED TO GO HERE is Chicago-made and heading into its digital release worldwide this Friday. Riding high with a stellar 91% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a rave from the Chicago Tribune's Michael Phillips, Producer Mary Kay Cook stopped by to play Five Questions with SCREEN...
SCREEN: Why should everyone go see your new film I USED TO GO HERE this weekend?
MARY KAY: It's a fantastic film from writer/director Kris Rey, lauded by audiences & critics alike, with amazing performances from Gillian Jacobs, Jemaine Clement, and a roster of local Chicago talent. Supporting independent film is critical right now, if we're to keep the industry going, and provide space for under-represented voices to be heard. Plus, who couldn't use a laugh right now?
SCREEN: In the spirit of I USED TO GO HERE... if you could have done one thing differently in college, what would it have been?
MARY KAY: I would have advocated for myself more strongly. I loved my education at The Theatre School, DePaul University, but I felt so privileged to be there, I was nervous to rock the boat or disrupt the status quo. I hadn’t really found my voice there yet.
SCREEN: What's your go-to karaoke song?
MARY KAY: Pretty much anything Neil Diamond., since my Mom was a Diamond Girl. He’s the first celebrity I ever met - we baked him brownies while he was on tour in Detroit in the 80’s.
Enjoy a quick preview of SXSW critics' pick I USED TO GO HERE:
SCREEN: What has been your favorite "stay-at-home" activity over the past few months?
MARY KAY: Home-brewing kombucha! I drink it every day.
SCREEN: What's inspiring you today?
MARY KAY: The traction the Black Lives Matter movement is getting inspires me. It's now a part of the national conversation and affecting change in a real, tangible way. Ultimately, I think art is inherently a political statement. And the sweet spot for me is amplifying marginalized voices and stories.
BONUS QUESTIONS!
SCREEN: Best summer vacation ever?
MARY KAY: When I backpacked solo across Europe before my senior year of college. It was totally liberating and I learned so much about myself and my relationship to the world.
SCREEN: If you could appoint ANYONE to be President of the United States, who would it be? Why?
MARY KAY: I would bring back Barack!
Click here to buy or rent Chicago-made I USED TO GO HERE today!
And click here for Five Questions with I USED TO GO HERE director Kris Rey!
Photo Credit: Joe Mazza/ Brave Lux