Actor Jemaine Clement stars in the movie People, Places, Things. Photo / AP
Jemaine Clement is standing on the Sundance red carpet awaiting the premiere of his latest movie People, Places, Things, the first American movie in which he has a starring role. It is a very big deal.
How does he feel?
"I'm nervous, I'm nervous to be honest."
Talk later after the screening?
"I may black out," he responds in his typical droll delivery.
"Last year I was nervous, I'd directed a film [What We Do in the Shadows] and this is a similar feeling. I'm used to doing supporting roles, when I'm not nervous at all. I can't wait to see those films. But this one, agghh! I'm a little more nervous."
Clement plays a cartoonist and lecturer who is dumped by his girlfriend and struggles to co-parent his twin 6-year-old girls, played by the adorable Gia and Aundrea Gadsby.
The girls' mother, Nicole, says he was the perfect on-screen dad.
"He was great. He has a son of his own, so he was just a natural dad and was perfect with them." He made them laugh too. "He says 'hello' and you start laughing. He's hysterical."
The screening took place in the largest and most prestigious of Sundance cinemas, the Eccles, where the crowd was predominantly women who adored the movie. At the end women of all ages had their mobiles ready for a selfie. "I'm good at this," Clement said patiently as he took charge. "Say fromage!"
The movie is sweet and could even be called a chick flick. Said local paper The Salt Lake Tribune in its review, "Between the heaviness often found in Sundance indies and the juvenilia of much Hollywood product, a light grown-up romance like People, Places, Things comes on like a refreshing spring rain."
Clement says he enjoyed watching the film, which should go on to gain international distribution.
Today (NZ time) will see the world premiere of Jared Hess' highly anticipated Don Verdean in which Clement takes a supporting role. Of course, no matter the profile of the film, he will always be known as half of a certain duo. The Sundance audience was pleased to hear that he will tour the United States with Bret McKenzie next year.
"Nothing ever seems to usurp Flight of the Conchords. That seems to be the thing that people know and want to see. It doesn't matter what movie I do, it's always that for people. I don't mind, it's okay, I stand by it."
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The Australian site cited a 'heightened threat level' as the issue.