Might the rift be good marketing for the film?
Ivory: Maybe. Even though [the French and Americans] admire each other, they don’t understand each other. They’re like a couple. Merchant: The French have their own position as far as politics or food or music is concerned. And they are forever—with great fervor—standing by it, no matter what the world has to say. That’s why they are French. That’s why they have 140 cheeses. TONY: Do you think there’s a chance that the freedom-fries, dump-the-Bordeaux rancor could hurt the film? Ivory: I don’t know how it will play in some of these communities that have all the flags and yellow ribbons. Merchant: This film is so entertaining. Anyone can identify with the two American sisters. TONY: You two are often described as being complete opposites—oil and water. How did you ever decide that you could work together? Merchant: There are certain things you share. For example: music, Satyajit Ray films, Indian art and, of course, living in America. I came here as a student and saw this American who h
