This Sunday, the much-anticipated Super Bowl LVIII will take center stage, not only for its thrilling football match but also for its iconic commercial slots—considered the most coveted advertising real estate of the year. Among the famous faces featured in these cinematic interruptions is renowned filmmaker Greta Gerwig. Gerwig reflects on her unexpected foray into Super Bowl advertising with a blend of excitement and disbelief. “I didn’t have a Super Bowl ad on my bingo card,” she chuckles during a recent conversation. This sentiment encapsulates the unique blend of surprise and joy that can accompany creative endeavors, shedding light on how such experiences can stand apart from more traditional work.
Gerwig, currently situated in London, reveals the complexities of enjoying the Super Bowl remotely, especially while having small children. With family scattered back in the U.S., she expresses a desire to witness their real-time reactions to her ad on video. This longing to connect with her roots while being physically distant highlights the emotional ties that shape our experiences—both in the realm of family gatherings and public displays like the Super Bowl. “It will still be surprising to see it,” she muses, which speaks to the unpredictability of life and how art can transcend geographical boundaries, creating shared moments of joy even from afar.
Transitioning from the atmosphere of her living room in London to the communal vibe of Super Bowl gatherings, Gerwig reflects on her family’s traditions surrounding the event. “I very much get into the food and the gathering,” she states, acknowledging that the appeal of communal meals goes beyond sustenance; it fosters human connection. This emphasizes the value we place on moments spent together, particularly during festive occasions like the Super Bowl. The culinary experience becomes a focal point for connection, transformation, and joy amid the electric atmosphere of a game that captivates millions.
Delving deeper into her eating rituals, Gerwig humorously discusses the challenges of ordering takeout for her diverse friend group. With varying dietary preferences—ranging from cheese-free selections to vegetarian and gluten-free options—she highlights the communal aspect of food through her strategic use of Venn diagrams to accommodate everyone. This candidness sheds light on the modern culinary landscape that includes considerations of individual preferences while simultaneously emphasizing the joy of sharing an abundance of food. “That’s why I like to have a lot of people over… it’s so nice the next day to have it for lunch,” she adds, reinforcing how meal-sharing can create lasting memories.
When it comes to selecting restaurants, Gerwig expresses her personal favorites, mixing nostalgia with satisfaction. From Sugarfish in Los Angeles to Five Guys in London, each choice unveils layers of her identity as an artist influenced by her surroundings. The act of enjoying a quintessentially American burger brings warmth to her heart, acting as a tether to her past, especially while navigating a new environment. This emotional resonance reveals how food can serve as an anchor, nourishing both body and soul while facilitating the creative process.
Creative individuals often draw inspiration from their past, and for Gerwig, that involves indulging in nostalgia-inducing treats like Diet Dr. Pepper and Cheetos. “I think when I have those things, it makes me feel like I am somehow my kid self,” she notes, revealing a familiar struggle that many encounter when seeking inspiration. She finds joy in the simplistic pleasure of classic Cheetos, which conveys her belief in the small delights that feed creativity. The connection between food and inspiration poignantly demonstrates how seemingly trivial experiences can fuel artistic pursuits.
Exploring the idea of shared meals further, Gerwig reflects on their significance in her creative process. Taking a moment to emphasize the rhythm and relief that dining together provides amidst the chaos of production schedules, she identifies communal meals as a vital element of creativity. “It gives you off-the-clock time that has a different rhythm,” she says, highlighting the contrasting tempos of work and play. For Gerwig, these meals play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community among co-workers, further enriching the collaborative dynamic often seen in filmmaking.
Drawing attention to specific memories, Gerwig fondly recalls sharing Sunday roasts during the pre-production phase of Barbie. The narrative of gathering around the table echoed the quintessential British experience, emphasizing that there’s magic in both the cooking and the sharing that brings people together. These culinary memories serve as poignant milestones in her creative journey, blending the line between art and life. As she mentions the joy of group dinners in her current project, one can sense an ongoing commitment to nurturing connections through food, underscoring how communal experiences serve as essential sustenance for both creativity and the human spirit.
In essence, through Greta Gerwig’s reflections, we begin to grasp how the act of sharing meals not only connects us to others but also nourishes and inspires our creativity. As the Super Bowl approaches, we are reminded of the cherished traditions that unite us, celebrating the indelible link between food, community, and artistic expression.
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