About Pretend It's a City

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• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music / Soundtrack

About

Pretend It's a City is a biographical documentary television series that premiered on Netflix in 2021. The show stars writer and humorist Fran Lebowitz, who also co-created the series with director Martin Scorsese. The documentary follows Lebowitz as she shares her thoughts and opinions on a range of topics, from New York City to art, politics, technology, and everything in between. Throughout the series, Lebowitz offers her signature witty and sardonic commentary on various aspects of modern life, often in conversation with Scorsese himself. The show provides an intimate look at Lebowitz's unique perspective and her love-hate relationship with New York City, where she has lived for many years. Pretend It's a City offers a blend of interviews, archive footage, and staged conversations between Lebowitz and Scorsese. The series also features appearances by notable personalities such as Alec Baldwin and Spike Lee, who discuss their experiences and interactions with Lebowitz. The series consists of seven episodes, each focusing on a different theme or aspect of Lebowitz's life and career. With its combination of humor, insightful commentary, and New York City backdrop, Pretend It's a City offers an entertaining and thought-provoking exploration of one woman's unique perspective on the world.

Making / Production

Pretend It's a City was conceived and co-created by Fran Lebowitz and Martin Scorsese. The idea for the series originated from Lebowitz's previous collaborations with Scorsese, particularly in the 2010 documentary film "Public Speaking." The production of Pretend It's a City involved extensive interviews with Lebowitz, as well as staged conversations between Lebowitz and Scorsese. The series was filmed on location in New York City, capturing the vibrant energy and essence of the city that is central to Lebowitz's stories and anecdotes. Scorsese's signature documentary style shines through in the series, with a combination of interviews, archive footage, and cinematic visuals. The collaboration between Lebowitz and Scorsese brings their respective talents and insights together, creating a captivating and entertaining viewing experience.

Actors

• Fran Lebowitz as herself - Lebowitz plays the central role in the series, sharing her thoughts and opinions on a range of topics.
• Martin Scorsese as himself - Scorsese appears in the series as both a co-creator and an interviewer, engaging in conversations with Lebowitz.
• Alec Baldwin as himself - Baldwin makes a guest appearance, discussing his experiences and interactions with Lebowitz.
• Spike Lee as himself - Lee also appears as a guest and shares his perspectives on Lebowitz and New York City.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Pretend It's a City is the second collaboration between Fran Lebowitz and Martin Scorsese, following the 2010 documentary film "Public Speaking."
• Lebowitz is known for her sharp wit and satirical humor, which is showcased throughout the series.
• The series offers a nostalgic look at New York City in the past, as well as Lebowitz's observations on the changes and developments over the years.
• Pretend It's a City received positive reviews from critics, who praised Lebowitz's humor and Scorsese's direction.

Awards

Pretend It's a City has not received any major awards as of now.

Quotes

• "I smoke because it's fun. It's the only reason!" - Fran Lebowitz
• "New York City: the only place where people actively avoid eye contact, as if stating you see them brings you one step closer to making them speak to you." - Fran Lebowitz

Music / Soundtrack

The soundtrack for Pretend It's a City features a mix of carefully selected music that complements the storytelling and atmosphere of the series. The songs range from classic New York City tracks to modern tunes, adding an additional layer of enjoyment to the viewing experience. Some notable songs include:

• "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra
• "Walk on the Wild Side" by Lou Reed
• "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys

Overall, Pretend It's a City offers a unique and entertaining exploration of Fran Lebowitz's perspective on life, New York City, and everything in between. With its blend of wit, humor, and insightful commentary, the series is a must-watch for fans of biographical documentaries and those interested in the vibrant world of New York City.