Marlene Rhein is a writer, director, and actor known for The Big Shot-Caller (2008), My Parents Are Crazier Than Yours (2013) and The So-So You Don’t Know (2017). She directed 2Pac Shakur’s last video, All About You (1996) and Amy Winehouse’s F-Me Pumps (2004). She was selected by Filmmaker Magazine as one of their “Top 25 New Faces of Independent Film.”
Hi, Marlene! What an impressive portfolio of work and we’re excited to speak with you! Thank you for granting the interview. You’re a writer, director, and actor. If you can, sum up in three words how incredible your journey has been.
Surreal. Frustrating. Growth.
Surreal – because in one moment or season of my life I’m on set in a foreign country working with an icon on a big budget video, leading a team of 20, buying expensive clothes and feeling on top of the world, and in the next moment or season, I’m waitressing to pay the bills and wondering if the world will ever see my work.
Frustrating – because I want so badly to get my work out to the world and sometimes it feels like it’ll never happen. Or I’ll take a look at the films and TV shows being made and think, “Is this what the world has come to?”
Growth – for the above frustrating reasons, I’ve been forced to develop enormously as a person and seek for happiness inside myself rather than out there. To find my own value and worth rather than wait for the world’s validation.
Let’s talk The So-So You Don’t Know web series. We checked out your website and the tagline reads “A Dark Comedy About Urban Loneliness.” Tell us what inspired the series.
I was “dating” a guy I really, really liked. But he had zero intention for commitment. The more he didn’t text me back, the more I needed him to. The more he ignored me, the more I plummeted. I couldn’t understand how in this big lonely world, people don’t want a real connection. And in the utter darkness, I experienced I was either going to self-destruct or write a comedy about my pain. I chose the latter.
Where is it filmed?
We film THE SO-SO YOU DON’T KNOW in all boroughs of New York City. Mostly Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. NYC is a character in and of itself in this show.
We know what makes this series unique, but makes it unique to you in your own words?
It delves deep into the human condition in a very modern, relatable way. It’s not afraid to touch upon the fact that deep inside all of us is the need to connect, be seen and be loved.
You’re also a writer and director. You directed 2Pac Shakur’s last video, All About You (1996) and Amy Winehouse’s F-Me Pumps (2004). Wow, wow, and wow! So sad we lost them both! Tell us about your approach to directing to starkly different artists. Was it challenging? How did you come up with a concept for their videos?
The 2Pac video was one of the most challenging videos I’ve ever done in my life. First of all, I was 26 years old at the time and quite shy. The whole time I was like, “Holy shit, I’m directing a 2Pac video.” My approach is always to stay centered in the creativity. In my passion for the music and what I really want to say with it. A reason the 2Pac video was so challenging is that we had less than a week to prepare, the budget was $300,000, and the whole idea was his, except for the idea to have him rapping on the toilet (my idea). I had very little creative input, and that for me is very difficult. I’m just executing something else I don’t really believe in but have to find the motivation to lead the troops and carry it out. When I directed Amy Winehouse she wasn’t as huge as she would be later and I was able to come up with my own idea. In London in general, I was afforded greater creative liberties – they respect artistry much more over there – and I had a great time coming up with things I didn’t have to water down for the ‘masses.’ She was very hands on and down to earth. When you’re working with bigger artists, there’s always a lot of pressure from all areas and departments with their own interests. You’re lucky if you’re able to gain any creative satisfaction.
To date, what has been your most challenging production?
On one of my first Hip Hop videos in LA, we were filming in an abandoned area, and I had a guy pull a gun on me for money. But, that wasn’t even my most challenging video. I’d say it was for a pop group I was directing in Europe, and I wasn’t into the music at all and nothing was going right. Without my passion, I have nothing. I told myself I couldn’t continue to do projects just for the sake of directing work. It’ll come back to bite you in the ass.
Is there a story you would love to really sink your teeth in and see it produced?
I feel passionately about ending dog fighting (as a rescued Pit Bull owner) and would love to make a movie where in my imaginary world, the people who abuse these dog are brought to justice.
If there was one thing in the world you could change, what would it be and why?
I would make education more accessible, mandatory and free. I would pay teachers BETTER and send them to all parts of the country so we could have less ignorance. And more compassion. We need smarter, more compassionate humans.
Are there any projects you would like to add that we haven’t mentioned?
I also have other web series I’ve done previously including MY PARENTS ARE CRAZIER THAN YOURS, and ANGRY GLADYS. All dark comedies.
Complete this sentence, if I had an opportunity to do anything I want, I would do ___________.
I would film and star in my dance movie, WHEN THE BASS DROPS. It’s the passion project of my lifetime.
Have you ever dated someone you knew wasn’t right for you, but it was better than being alone? Slept with someone sub-par just for a crumb of human affection? Been ghosted? Had your texts unreturned? Felt lost in a sea of millions where everyone’s got it together but you? Then you need to make an appointment with Marcia. She’s running a Groupon special for new clients. Welcome to THE SO-SO YOU DON’T KNOW, a scripted series that’s so relevant to the endemic of loneliness and low self-esteem, it’ll give binge-watching a new meaning. This dark comedy revolves around an off-color NYC therapist and the relatable clients who come in. Each is suffering some form of isolation or unhappiness, but never suspects that love is an inside job. While Marcia, the therapist, is the only recurring character (until the follow-up season when each character returns) the star of the show is the patient du jour. We immerse ourselves in their world, pre and post therapy, as well as the hilarious and heartbreaking ride known as therapy with Marcia.
See more about the show and watch the episodes here www.thesosoyoudontknow.com.
Connect with Marlene:
Facebook: The So So You Don’t Know
Twitter: @MarleneRhein
Instagram: The So So You Don’t Know
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