Parker Posey

Parker Posey, whose name conjures up tender recollections of a terror-inducing high school vixen in 1993’s “Dazed and Confused,” possesses an edgy unpredictability that makes her a magnet for equally edgy indie filmmakers. As the title role in Hal Hartley’s “Fay Grim” -- a sequel to 1997’s “Henry Fool,” which opens Friday -- Posey, 38, is in the eye of an international political storm set in motion by her outlaw husband.

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At this point, you’re a Hartley regular. What attracts you to him?

His screenplays have a particular rhythm. “Fay Grim” is almost like a radio play -- the dialogue is really musical and there’s movement to it. People die in the movie but Hal didn’t want blood and or anything blown up. When things happen they’re not sensationalized to the point where it takes you out of the story.

In one scene, you’re running across rooftops in Paris, getting shot at, like a real action star.

That was really fun. Hal was like, “I want you to wear a coat-dress and stockings and heels and to look really sexy -- like a sexy superhero.”

The final scenes are filmed in Istanbul. How did the locals react?

I was sitting on a stoop during filming and a boy brought over a tiny stool, about two inches high -- a little straw seat for me to sit on. I said, “Thank you, thank you,” and he gestured to himself and said, “Kind, kind.” He gave me his prayer beads.

You seem to be a devoted New Yorker. What do you like about L.A.?

I like being in cities where you can go somewhere and feel like you’re in another country. Which is why I like Silver Lake -- El Siete Mares, the fish taco stand, is great -- and India Sweets and Spices in [Atwater Village]; they have everything you could want to cook Indian food.