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Welcome to simplystreep.com, an information source
on the American actress Meryl Streep, best known from her Oscar-winning performances in
"Kramer vs. Kramer" and "Sophie's Choice". Her work on
screen, stage and television, a career that includes some of the most acclaimed films of the
last 30 years, has achieved critical acclaim and earned her the business' most prestigious
awards. This unofficial website provides a base for fans which is regularly updated with all essential
news on Meryl's work, an active message board plus extensive archives, media and more.
Enjoy your stay! |
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| AMC BACKSTORY: SOPHIE'S CHOICE |
Since 2001, AMC takes a look at highlights of the American Cinema and gives each of them a
30 minute spotlight. "Sophie's Choice" was among those films and its Backstory aired in 2001.
Altough information on this program is very limited, it featured interviews with the film's
producer, Martin Starger, actress Jennifer Lawn, who portrayed Meryl's daughter in the film,
as well as one of the costume designers, remembering Meryl's dedication to the shooting in
Yugoslawia. Interviews were accompanied by many background information on the film (such as the
casting of a young actress from the Czech Rebuplic for the part of Sophie until Meryl showed
her interest) as well as many stills from behind the scenes. From what I've seen, I don't know
if Meryl was interviewed herself. 
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Martin Starger:
Everybody at that time in Hollywood was trying to get Meryl Streep. So you can imagine when I
put down the phone I said to myself this is unusal - in different words to myself - we have
Meryl Streep wanting to do a picture - and we have Alan [Pakula] as a director who must go with this unknown
Czechoslovakian girl. So what happened is, I learned later, Meryl called Alan, "Mr.
Pakula?", "Yes?", "This is Meryl Streep. I under-stand you're doing Sophie's Choice, I've read the
book, I love it - and I'd love |
you to consider me." And she made this phone call like an
unknown actress who just came off the bus, although she was an Academy Award winner... and she
came over to his office, saw all the pictures of the Czechoslovakian girl and read for him.
And days went by, Alan called me and said, "Marty, I've been thinking, I have a wonderful idea.
Why don't we go with Meryl Streep? (laughs).
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Jennifer Lawn:
Meryl actually spent a lot of time with me and every day, after the filming, we'd play - she'd
be rolling around the floor in the lobby with me. And she got me to trust her so much. I thought
she was better than my real mom - and I told Meryl AND my mom that (laughs). We'd go out shopping
to the markets together and she'd spend time with me like whenever time she had in between our
shots and maybe dinner she'd just come and play with me for a while. She was really sweet and
I really trust- |
ed her - because as soon as I was in her arms, everything was fine, didn't matter,
and all the people we were filming with I would always hold up against her because everyone
was extras from Yugoslawia. So she was the one I could speak with and she gave me a lot of time.
Which I think is one of the reasons why they wanted an American child so that Meryl could really
bond with them before they actually get to play mother and child.
| ADDITIONAL CAST & CHARACTERS |
Martin Starger
Jennifer Lawn |
... Himself
... Herself |
Detail page on "Sophie's Choice"
Information, links and photos on the film
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