Fresh Air: Best Of – Benicio del Toro & Molly Jong-Fast

Host: Tonya Moseley
Guests: Benicio del Toro, Molly Jong-Fast
Release Date: June 21, 2025

Benicio del Toro on "The Phoenician Scheme"

Timestamp: [03:44]

Tonya Moseley opens the episode by welcoming Benicio del Toro, an acclaimed actor known for his portrayal of complex and morally ambiguous characters. Del Toro discusses his latest role in Wes Anderson's film, "The Phoenician Scheme", where he plays Zsa Zsa Korda, a wealthy 1950s industrialist grappling with survival after multiple assassination attempts and seeking reconciliation with his estranged daughter.

Timestamp: [05:47]
Del Toro reflects on Anderson's unique direction, stating, "Wes is a great director, and we know him as a director and we know his films, but really he is maybe a better writer." He emphasizes the depth and reconstruction arc of his character, highlighting Zsa Zsa's journey towards redemption influenced by his relationship with his daughter.

Timestamp: [07:20]
Del Toro elaborates on the aesthetic of Wes Anderson's films, describing them as "like being in a pop-up book" due to the meticulous set designs and real artwork integrated into the scenes. He notes, "The first thing you're trained to, if you do film, you train yourself, is to erase the camera. It's not there."

Timestamp: [09:44]
Discussing the physical aspects of his character, Del Toro mentions the importance of wardrobe in shaping Zsa Zsa's persona. "The shoes of Zsa Zsa were like, you know, good, strong, big shoes. They were like you can walk over crocodiles with these shoes," he explains, attributing this detail to the collaboration with renowned wardrobe designer Melena Cananero.

Timestamp: [14:13]
A pivotal moment in the interview, Del Toro shares insights about his on-screen chemistry with Mia Threpleton, who plays his daughter. "There was a moment there in between scenes... and we kind of looked at each other and no one blinked," he recalls, highlighting the emotional depth and intuitive understanding required for their roles.

Timestamp: [20:44]
Del Toro touches upon his versatility as an actor, referencing his early role in "The Usual Suspects" and how adopting a unique accent helped make his character memorable. "It was a decision made between the director and myself, because it's correct," he states, underscoring the importance of authenticity in his performances.

Timestamp: [22:14]
Reflecting on his training with Stella Adler, Del Toro shares, "It changed my life... the actor needs to understand what the writer is trying to say." He credits Adler's teachings with instilling a deep respect for the craft of acting, equating it to professions like medicine and law in terms of importance.

Timestamp: [25:50]
Del Toro reminisces about his transition from Puerto Rico to Pennsylvania for boarding school, highlighting the cultural and personal adjustments he had to make. "Playing basketball created a language right there and I think music also," he notes, illustrating how sports and arts facilitated his integration.

Molly Jong-Fast on Her Memoir "How to Lose Your Mother"

Timestamp: [35:28]

Tonya Moseley introduces Molly Jong-Fast, political analyst on MSNBC and author of the memoir "How to Lose Your Mother". The memoir delves into her tumultuous relationship with her mother, Erika Zhang, a celebrated feminist novelist known for her 1973 book "Fear of Flying".

Timestamp: [37:19]
Molly begins by summarizing her mother's impact: "Fear of Flying... captured the American imagination. I think that American women were really primed. They needed to be given permission and to sort of go forth and explore sexually. And my mother was happy to give it," she explains, setting the stage for the cultural significance of her mother's work.

Timestamp: [38:58]
Molly discusses the shifting societal norms of the 1970s, emphasizing how her mother's work intersected with pivotal events like the Roe v. Wade decision. "There was an expression in the late 60s and early 70s, smash monogamy. Standards were really changing," she notes, providing context for her mother's literary voice.

Timestamp: [40:05]
Addressing her mother's personal life, Molly confesses, "she was also very much a product of 1942," elaborating on the generational and societal challenges Erika faced in her quest for identity and autonomy.

Timestamp: [42:03]
In a revealing conversation, Molly shares, "Fame is in this country amazing... it's a thing that makes people have a different relationship with reality." She acknowledges the dual-edged nature of fame, illustrating how her mother's addiction to it created both opportunities and personal struggles.

Timestamp: [45:10]
Molly candidly discusses her own struggles growing up in a family overshadowed by her mother's fame. "I was doing cocaine and I was drinking a lot before I checked into rehab," she admits, shedding light on the personal cost of her mother's public persona.

Timestamp: [48:13]
Touching upon the theme of betrayal, Molly addresses the fictionalization of her life in her mother's novels. "Do you feel like you betrayed her? Yes. I would write this book even if she were 100% clear," she asserts, clarifying her intentions and the therapeutic nature of her memoir.

Timestamp: [51:19]
Molly contrasts her own feminist ideals with those of her mother, stating, "I know I can be without a man. I adore my husband... but I know that my identity is not so dependent on him." She acknowledges the foundational role of second-wave feminists in shaping contemporary views on gender and autonomy.

Timestamp: [53:12]
Concluding her interview, Molly reflects on the complexities of having a famous parent. "Fame is... the closest thing we have to magic," she muses, encapsulating the allure and pitfalls that come with being in the public eye through her mother's literary legacy.

Conclusion

Tonya Moseley wraps up the "Best Of" episode by highlighting the profound conversations with both Benicio del Toro and Molly Jong-Fast. Del Toro's exploration of character depth and collaboration with Wes Anderson offers listeners an intimate look into the craft of acting, while Jong-Fast's memoir provides a raw and honest examination of fame, family dynamics, and personal growth.

Notable Quotes:

• Benicio del Toro:

  • "Wes is a great director, and we know him as a director and we know his films, but really he is maybe a better writer." [05:47]
  • "The first thing you're trained to, if you do film, you train yourself, is to erase the camera. It's not there." [09:44]
  • "It was a decision made between the director and myself, because it's correct." [20:59]

• Molly Jong-Fast:

  • "Fear of Flying... captured the American imagination. I think that American women were really primed." [37:19]
  • "Fame is in this country amazing... it's a thing that makes people have a different relationship with reality." [42:03]
  • "I know I can be without a man. I adore my husband... but I know that my identity is not so dependent on him." [51:19]

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and emotional narratives presented by both guests, providing a holistic view for listeners and readers alike.