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[Interview] Sitting In Bars With Cake is one of the more unique titles to come from an Prime Video Original this year, and it delivers on its name. The story follows two 20-somethings named Jane (Yara Shahidi) and Corinne (Odessa) who devise an unconventional plan to meet men by baking cakes and bringing them out to local bars – sort of a culinary come hither. Just as things are looking up and Corinne is given a promotion by her tough-as-nails boss Benita (Bette Midler), the girls receive devastating news that changes the course of their lives.

 

Cinefied’s Cassandra Hager sat down with the film’s director Trish Sie (Pitch Perfect 3, The Sleepover) to talk about what drew her into the emotional rollercoaster of a film – and what it was like directing one of the biggest Hollywood icons of all time. While Cinefied didn't review the title, for reference the film sits at a Tomatometer Score of 80% (as of 9/11/23).

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THE PREMISE: "Based on the cookbook Sitting in Bars with Cake by Audrey Shulman."

 

You Can READ THE FULL INTERVIEW Below! 

Cinefied: When I finished your film, I was sobbing. It moved me so much. You’ve done a lot of great work in the past and you have your pick of projects, so what was it about this film that really drew you in?

 

Trish Sie: I was so ready to do something that had a bigger heart and soul to it. I love music and dance and comedy… but I just wanted to tell a story about really interesting people. The fact that this is a true story made it even better, because I feel like there are so many people out there living wild stories every day. Being able to tap into something that really happened felt very special. It was a no brainer. I looked at these characters and everything that happened over the course of a year. It was such an amazing opportunity.

 

Cinefied: Odessa deserves to be such a star. She was amazing in this film.

 

Trish Sie: She is magnificent. She just absolutely sparkles.

 

Cinefied: Looking into this film I saw a lot of comparisons to Beaches, and Bette Midler is in this movie! What do you make of that comparison, and how cool was it working with Bette?

 

Trish Sie: I mean, I love that comparison. I saw Beaches when it first came out. I have watched it since, and I love that movie so much. I don’t think there is really a modern equivalent to it, so any time someone compares it to that movie I’m just like, ‘Thank you, thank you. Put it on my tombstone!’

 

But you know, this is a different movie and it’s for a different audience and generation. It was such a thrill to let her bring it full circle and to see her in this role, in a different context from Beaches. She is such a fabulous and iconic person, and I think for a lot of us she represents that strong, feminine energy. It was kind of perfect.


Sitting In Bars With Cake premieres on Prime Video September 8, 2023.

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