Harry Connick Jr. on the Nightmare of Singing in Greek for ‘Find Me Falling’

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00:00Certainly, here's a revised version of the text without the mention of Collider and adjusted

00:05to be more engaging.

00:07In Netflix's original film Find Me Falling, Harry Connick Jr. steps into the shoes of

00:13John Allman, an aging rock star seeking solace and rediscovery on the Mediterranean island

00:19of Cyprus.

00:21As a man whose career has been defined by a catchy song from the 80s, John finds himself

00:27at a crossroads after a failed comeback album.

00:30He retreats to a remote cliffside home, hoping for solitude and reflection.

00:36However, instead of the isolation he craves, he encounters an unexpected reunion with an

00:42old flame, Sia, played by Agne Scott, who harbors a life-altering secret.

00:49At the same time, John forms a poignant bond with a young singer, Melina, Ali Fumiko Whitney,

00:56who reignites his passion for music.

00:59Harry Connick Jr. was drawn to the project for its layered storytelling and the chance

01:04to explore the character's complexities.

01:07He reflects on the process of embodying John Allman, a man whose bad decisions have led

01:12him to a place of disconnection and regret.

01:16Connick Jr. admits that while he connected deeply with John, he would have made different

01:21choices if faced with similar life challenges.

01:24Unlike John, whose priorities have led him astray, Connick Jr. emphasizes the importance

01:30of peace and balance in his own life as essential to his creative process.

01:35For Connick Jr., creativity flourishes when his mind is at peace.

01:40He shares that he doesn't channel tragedy into his music in the way some artists do.

01:46Instead, he prefers to deal with life's challenges first and then return to his creative

01:51endeavors with a clear head.

01:53This philosophy has guided him throughout his career, allowing him to maintain a well-adjusted

01:59life that contrasts sharply with the turmoil experienced by his character.

02:04One of the most intriguing aspects of Connick Jr.'s role in Find Me Falling was writing

02:09and performing songs for the film.

02:12He found it both challenging and exciting to create music from the perspective of a

02:16character so different from himself.

02:19The task required him to stretch his creative boundaries, a process he found immensely satisfying.

02:26The song Find Me Falling, which became central to the film, is a reflection of John's emotional

02:32turmoil and longing.

02:34Connick Jr. reveals that the song was inspired by the double meaning of falling in love and

02:40the metaphorical falling experienced by those on the brink of despair.

02:44The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness intertwined with a desperate plea for connection.

02:51Writing music for a character also forced Connick Jr. to confront the idea of imperfection

02:56in art.

02:57He explains that as he has matured as an artist, he has come to embrace the imperfections in

03:03his work as part of the creative journey.

03:06The song's raw emotion, captured in a single take, exemplifies this approach.

03:12For Connick Jr., the imperfections are what make the music authentic and reflective of

03:18a particular moment in time.

03:20One of the film's unique challenges was performing a traditional serenade in Greek,

03:25a task Connick Jr. found daunting.

03:28Singing in a language he didn't understand, especially in front of native speakers, was

03:34an intimidating experience.

03:36However, the character's lack of fluency was part of the narrative, allowing Connick

03:42Jr. to lean into the discomfort of the situation.

03:46This added an extra layer of authenticity to the performance, as John Allman is not

03:51meant to be perfect in these moments.

03:54The on-screen relationship between John and Melina, the young singer who helps him reconnect

03:59with his love of music, is a central theme of the film.

04:03Connick Jr. describes the sadness he felt for his character, who, despite bonding with

04:09Melina through music, remains emotionally distant and disconnected.

04:15The music they create together serves as a bridge between their worlds, a powerful reminder

04:20of the universal language of music and its ability to convey emotions that words often

04:26fail to express.

04:28One of the most intense scenes in the film occurs when John, in a drunken state, reveals

04:33a shocking truth on stage, altering the course of his relationships.

04:39Connick Jr. reflects on the emotional intensity of shooting this scene, where he had to channel

04:44deep anger and frustration.

04:47For him, acting is about finding those moments where he can lose himself in the character,

04:53allowing the emotions to take over completely.

04:56Beyond the film, Connick Jr. has always felt a deep compulsion to create and entertain.

05:03Unlike many artists who question their career path, Connick Jr. has never doubted his calling.

05:10From a young age, he knew that being an entertainer was his destiny, and he has pursued this passion

05:16with unwavering dedication.

05:19Whether through music, acting, or any other creative endeavor, Connick Jr. embraces every

05:26opportunity to connect with audiences and express his artistry.

05:31Reflecting on his acting career, Connick Jr. shares that he never had a specific plan

05:36for the types of roles he wanted to pursue.

05:39Instead, he followed his instincts, taking on projects that resonated with him.

05:45His journey into acting began serendipitously when he was offered a role in the World War

05:50II film Memphis Belle at the age of 19.

05:53From there, he fell in love with the craft and continued to seek out roles that challenged

05:59and inspired him.

06:01Find Me Falling is a testament to Connick Jr.'s ability to bring depth and authenticity

06:06to his roles.

06:08The film explores themes of redemption, connection, and the transformative power of music, all

06:14set against the stunning backdrop of Cyprus.

06:18For Connick Jr., the experience of working on the film was as fulfilling personally as

06:23it was professionally.

06:25The chance to immerse himself in the Cypriot culture, bond with his co-stars, and explore

06:31new creative avenues made the project a memorable and enriching experience.

06:36As Connick Jr. continues to evolve as an artist, he remains committed to finding peace in his

06:42life as a foundation for his creativity.

06:46Whether through music, film, or other forms of expression, he seeks to connect with audiences

06:52on a deep emotional level, always striving to create work that resonates and endures.

06:59Find Me Falling is a powerful example of his ability to do just that, offering viewers

07:04a poignant story of love, loss, and the search for meaning in the face of life's challenges.

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