Scarlett Johansson says she was pressed to remove Holocaust narrative from directing debut

"Johansson said that during the film's pre-production phase, one of the film's backers threatened to pull out unless the plot elements relating to the Holocaust were cut out. I mean, if they'd said, I'll only back this if you shoot in New Jersey', or We need to get this done by the spring', then that would have been one thing. But they were objecting to what the film actually was."

"[The film] had to be about what happens when someone gets caught in the worst lie imaginable; if not the Holocaust, then what could it be? They offered no alternative. It was just: This is an issue.' Johansson said she refused to make the required changes and the backer dropped out, meaning the budget was no longer covered. It was really shocking, and I was so disappointed. However, Johansson said distributor Sony Pictures Classics stepped in at the last minute and filming went ahead."

"In the same interview Johansson reiterated her support for Woody Allen, for whom she starred in Match Point, Scoop and Vicky Cristina Barcelona between 2005 and 2008, saying: My mom always encouraged me to be myself, [to see] that it's important to have integrity, and stand up for what you believe in. Allen has been ostracised by much of the film industry in the wake of allegations by his daughter Dylan Farrow that the film-maker sexually assaulted her in 1992. Allen has been the subject of investigations in respect of these allegations but has never been charged."

Scarlett Johansson faced pressure from a backer to remove Holocaust-related plot elements from her directorial debut Eleanor the Great. The backer threatened to pull funding unless those elements were cut. The film stars June Squibb as a retired Jewish widow who inadvertently joins a Holocaust survivors group and then plays along with the imposture after realising her mistake. Johansson said the story had to confront what happens when someone is caught in the worst lie imaginable. Johansson refused the demanded changes, the backer withdrew, and Sony Pictures Classics later stepped in so filming proceeded. Johansson also reiterated support for Woody Allen amid allegations and investigations; he was never charged.

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