Lake Bell, who is usually cast as the quirky best friend in the majority of films she's in, comes into her own in this independent comedy about a struggling female voice over artist. She asks the question 'why are female voices so rarely used on film trailers?'
Lake Bell revealed in an interview with Yahoo! Movies that she was trying to address more than an inequality in the film industry with her new movie In A World, if we subconsciously associate power and a sense of omnipotence (which is needed for narrating film trailers) with manliness, thus culturally its preferable for us to hear a man narrating. Or that "resonance" makes it "easier and more authoritative to hear".
Another reason for doing the film is Bell's own strident stance on the power of speech and intonation she uses the insipid use of "sexy baby talk" as an example emphasising the importance of using your voice as it "is such a profound tool for communication and how you are perceived".
That all sounds terribly deep and philosophical yet that's not how it comes across in the trailer with Bell showing off her vocal skills (the Russian Star Wars impression is something to look out for).
The main name you'll know, in a cameo role, is Eva Longoria. Bell and Longoria have previously worked together in Over Her Dead Body. Other actors include Fred Melamed (The Dictator), Demetri Martin (Take Me Home Tonight), Michaela Watkins (The Back-Up Plan), Ken Marino (Role Models) and Rob Corddry (Hot Tub Time Machine).
In A World has received great reviews and has won, even before its general release, the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the Sundance Film Festival. Hardly surprising considered Bell wrote, starred and directed in the film.
Lake is a Zooey Deschanel type character who thrives in this self-deprecating, quirky girl meets the big bad world style of comedy. Even so, it does seem like good fun even with the cheerful reminder of the underlying issues of sexism within the film industry.
In A World is out in UK cinemas on 13th September 2013.
Lake Bell (L) at a L.A. screening of Black Rock and Eva Longoria (R) at the Global Gift Gala
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