By Briyah Paley

Last week, my friends and I went to see Woody Allen’s new movie, “Anything Else.” I had forgotten it was even one of his films because he’s not in any of the movie ads or posters. Dreamworks, the studio which produced it, wants it on the down low, but Woody co-stars in “Anything Else,” and he also wrote and directed it. He’s a funny, integral part of the story. But the trailer focuses on the stars, Jason Biggs of the “American Pie” movies and Christina Ricci of “Now and Then” and “The Adams Family.” It was edited to eliminate not just Woody’s image but also anything that sounds like him. Woody’s movies don’t make much money, especially his recent work. It makes sense for Dreamworks to try to boost profits by reaching out to young moviegoers like myself. But they act like knowing Woody is associated would keep people away.

Maybe we can blame it on his nasty breakup with Mia Farrow and the affect his marriage to his adopted step-daughter have had on his popularity, but the truth is that Woody has done fine work. People might give “Anything Else” a chance because of the younger stars and Woody’s disappearing act. If they do, they’ll see a return to Woody’s classics, “Annie Hall” and “Manhattan.” Biggs is playing Woody’s role and Ricci is in the Diane Keaton role.

What bothers me about this new marketing tool is that Woody Allen has gone along with it. I can’t exactly call him up and ask him why, but it seems to me that he wants to have another hit and make more money so he’s agreed to take himself out of the picture so his new project isn’t labeled a “Woody Allen Movie.” But what would be wrong with that? I happen to love Woody’s movies. I’m from Manhattan, so I have to admit I connect with his vision of the city and disdain for all things Los Angeles, but in his new movie, there are other changes as well. His character actually contemplates moving to L.A. and he drives a car, a red convertible, something we have never seen him do before. Are you having a late-life crisis, Woody?

I, like other people, go to see Woody’s movies because they’re entertaining but they also make you think. This move does just that. He throws in all sorts of paranoia about how to survive in this post September 11 world, like having a survival kit to protect yourself against the crazies of the city.

It’s always fun to watch a film or television show that is filmed in your hometown. You would think it would be less exciting for me because it happens all the time, but it’s actually not. I love seeing my city in films. I even know one of the extras in “Anything Else,” and I dated his nephew. It’s this kind of random knowledge that Woody gets and I get too. This isn’t to say you can’t enjoy a Woody Allen film if you’re not from New York, but it’s pretty cool if you are.

So Woody, if you ever happen to stumble upon this column, you should know that I’m a huge fan, I’d love to be an extra in one of your films and don’t sell yourself short. People will see a movie because you’re in it, not because of some dude who was intimate with a pie.