Lori Rosene-Gambino Reflects On “Intimate Civil War” Behind Immersive Thriller ‘Anniversary’

Now playing in theaters, Anniversary is a first rate political thriller/family drama that features a stellar ensemble (led by Diane Lane) and a knockout screenplay from Lori Rosene-Gambino. CinemAddicts co-host Eric Holmes interviewed Rosene-Gambino who explains why the movie is an “intimate civil war.”

Diane Lane is Ellen, a Georgetown professor who is happily married to restaurant owner Paul (Kyle Chandler). They invite their children and friends for their 25th anniversary, and that happy day takes a turn when their son Josh (Dylan O’Brien) brings home his writer-girlfriend Liz (Phoebe Dynevor). Liz’s book leads turns the United States political and social culture on its head, and the family’s gradual decline is displayed in future anniversary get togethers. Rounding out the ensemble are Madeline Brewer, Zooey Deutch and Mckenna Grace.

Screenwriter Lori Rosene-Gambino and director Jan Komasa started their work on Anniversary during lockdown. “ We wanted to do sort of like, an intimate civil war,” said Rosene-Gambino. “How do you see it with inside a family? How do you not tell all the exterior stuff? And that was motivated by the kind of story that Jan wanted to tell. It was definitely the idea of this contained story that we were trying to make suspenseful. (It was) horrifying just seeing how after so many years between the 25th and the 30th anniversary – it causes so many changes within the family.”

Check out our full interview with Lori Rosene-Gambino:

Anniversary is now playing in theaters. Let us know your thoughts of the movie in the comments!

We review Anniversary on this week’s CinemAddicts:

https://cinemaddicts.podbean.com/e/cinemaddicts-episode-318-anniversary-everyone-asked-about-you-junkie-smoke-signals/