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On this episode of Indie Film Weekly, Glen Reynolds and Jason Connell speak with filmmaker Segan about his film The Only Living Pickpocket in New York. The film stars John Turturro as Harry Layman, an aging pickpocket whose old-school skills are fading in a changing city; after stealing from the wrong person, he races across New York’s five boroughs to recover something unexpectedly valuable, risking his life and his family, including his invalid wife Rosie.
Segan explains building empathy for a flawed criminal, balancing humor and tension, and drawing inspiration from filmmakers including Lumet, Spike Lee, Jonathan Demme, and films like Friends of Eddie Coyle and Mikey and Nicky. He recounts casting Turturro (plus Buscemi, Esposito, Maslany), pickpocket training with Apollo Robbins, shooting challenges in real neighborhoods and on the subway, editor Hilda Rosula’s role in pacing, and music choices featuring Gary Lionelli’s score, LCD Soundsystem, “Native New Yorker,” and Bobby Short. Segan describes premieres at Sundance and Toronto, and securing distribution with Sony Pictures Classics.
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York opens in NY & LA October 23 and nationwide on October 30.
00:00 Show Intro And Premise
01:07 Meeting Noah Segan
01:37 Building Harry Layman
03:05 New York Film Influences
04:36 Family Blind Spots Theme
05:42 Casting John Turturro
07:20 Ensemble Chemistry
08:47 Pickpocket Training
09:56 Rosie Relationship Craft
11:15 Shooting In The Boroughs
13:46 Editing Pace And Tone
15:59 Dylan Comic Contrast
17:11 Music Score And Needle Drops
20:18 Dancing for Rosie
20:40 Landing the Opening Song
21:30 Designing the Ending
23:00 Sundance Premiere Rush
24:53 Audience Love and Awards
25:50 Sony Classics Deal
27:56 Quick Cuts Theater Habits
30:14 Movie Memories and Favorites
32:53 Final Cut New York Legacy
34:03 Release Dates and Goodbye
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