"Leaves of Grass" Red Carpet and Interview With Tim Blake Nelson and Edward Norton

By the time SXSW was over I had conquered over 9 red carpets! It was one busy and exciting week! But, the first Red Carpet that I covered was “Leaves of Grass,” Directed by Tim Blake Nelson, staring Edward Norton.

“Leaves of Grass” follows the lives of two identical twins (both played by Norton), one an Ivy League philosophy professor, the other a small-time and brilliant marijuana grower, intertwine when the professor is lured back to his Oklahoma hometown for a doomed scheme against a local drug lord.

As if I wasn’t nervous enough that it was my first red carpet, I was getting ready to interview a two time academy award nominee. But the butterflies soon disappeared once Norton and Nelson arrived on the red carpet with down to earth attitudes!

First on the red carpet was Edward Norton. Believe it or not, this was his very first time being part of SXSW. So we started off our conversation talking about what he thought of the festival and Austin in general. Norton said that he loves Austin and had filmed movies here before but has never been in a movie that was in SXSW. He said that he was going to try to visit some friends while here in Austin but the trip, sadly, was mostly business. Even though Norton has been nominated for an academy award more than once, he stressed the importance of being involved in independent films like “Leaves of Grass.” He said that he was actually was taking a temporary break from acting when Tim Blake Nelson gave him the script which was so intriguing that he couldn’t help but agree to do the movie.

Next on the carpet was Director, Tim Blake nelson, who was joined by his wife. Being that she is from San Antonio and He from Oklahoma, they were both very familiar and excited to be here in Austin. Nelson’s wife’s family all drove up from San Antonio to see the premier! Nelson and his wife seemed most excited to eat at their favorite restaurant here in Austin, “Fonda San Miguel.” Nelson also talked about how “Leaves of Grass” was very personal to him because he was the screen writer, the director, as well as an actor in the movie.

The next day, I got a chance to personally sit down with Nelson and Norton and talk about  "Leaves of Grass."

Don’t miss “Leaves of Grass” opening in theaters April 2, 2010