Both Lesley Paterson and All Quiet on the Western Front have previously attended the Academy Awards. In 1930, a year after the anti-war novel was first published, Universal Pictures produced a film adaptation that won five prizes, including Best Screenplay.
Lesley’s role at a prior event was considerably less glamorous.
She recalls,
“I truly waited tables 18 years ago.”
“It was thrilling at the time. I recall passing through the security checks and wondering who would be seated at my table. I had Jennifer Lopez and Judi Dench. I recall it being pretty overpowering, so who knows what Sunday will be like.”
On Sunday, Lesley and the new film adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front will be in Los Angeles for the 95th Academy Awards. Netlfix’s German-language film has been nominated for nine awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay.
When Lesley and her husband first relocated to California, sixteen years ago, the initial draft was written.
Erich Maria Remarque’s novel had always been a school favorite in Stirling, and she and her then-co-writer Ian Stokell believed it was ripe for a film adaptation.
But, it was not an easy sell. Years of rejection forced her to squander her triathlon winnings and re-mortgage her house to keep the idea alive.
Ultimately, in the year 2020, a conversation at a film trade expo in Berlin led to a collaboration with a German team led by filmmaker Edward Bergen.
Felix Kammerer had never appeared in a film before, and his primary experience was in television, yet Netflix commissioned the film, and production began.
Seven Baftas, including Best Adapted Screenplay, were awarded to the picture, making it the year’s biggest winner.
Director Edward Bergen spoke first, and despite Lesley’s compliments, the event was cut for television coverage.
She is skeptical that the Oscars will provide another opportunity.
“It’s very difficult because you only have 45 seconds and there are three of us, and we’ve been told multiple times that only one of us can talk, so obviously our director and co-writer Edward Berger will be the one to speak,” she explains.
“Thus, the answer is that I do not know. I’d want to say a few words, but we’ll have to wait and see whether the opportunity presents itself.”
Children from the two Stirling schools Lesley previously attended, Allan’s Primary and Stirling High, are among those expressing well-wishes for Sunday. She has already told elementary school students that she will participate in an assembly about her Oscar experience.
“It has been so lovely to hear the encouragement and to know that I am motivating others to pursue their aspirations. I’ve received numerous letters and notes stating that I was about to abandon this screenplay or endeavor, but you’ve inspired me to continue. To feel like you’re making an impact – what an honor! That’s all a storyteller can hope for.”
Lesley Paterson and her husband Simon Marshall, a sports psychologist and uncredited screenwriter, have now established their own production business and intend to produce a feature in Scotland before the end of the year.
She comments,
“I’m pretty excited about that one”
It is a psychological thriller set in the Scottish Highlands. It is deep and gloomy and deals with mental health issues, yet there is also a great deal of action.
I’m quite pleased with the script, it has a great director and a fantastic production crew, and we’ve submitted for numerous grants from organizations such as BFI and Creative Scotland.
We have some equity and intend to acquire more. The plan is to film in the months of October and November, so it will be great to return home to do so with a local team and cast to bolster the Scottish film industry.
On the eve of the ceremony, the most pressing topic for the majority of Hollywood is what to wear, and Lesley reveals she was late for our interview because she was attending a dress fitting.
“I was there with couture designers who flew over from London expressly to dress me for the Oscars. It’s extremely strange for a small girl who prefers to go out in the mountains in trainers and mud to be there with them. Everything is pretty strange.”
And her sole clue?
“It will undoubtedly be bright and bold, and I’ll be flashing a little leg, but that’s all I’ll say.”
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