Interview with Javier Bardem
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In the drama "Beautiful" Javier Bardem plays a man of hard life, who has to make hard choices. In an interview with the resource Collider actor said that the actor's profession allows him to look at the world every time like with new eyes.
- What have attracted you at the role of Uksbal?
A lot of. I'm a big fan of director Alejandro González Iñárritu, and I knew from his previous works, he works great with actors. But beyond that, I am very interested in the material itself. The script was amazing and my hero was a very controversial figure. Many facets of his character had to be able to open, and I was sure in advance that it will be hard but rewarding work.
- How did you work on the image of your hero?
Making this film, we with Alejandro, figuratively speaking, holding hands overcoming the highest mountains that get on our way. For him it was a novelty to work with only one actor for five months. So we really had to cover each other back and believe that the result of this difficult journey would be fruitful. We talked about very important things. And we knew it. Spotlight was directed on them. This trip was worth to be committed, and we deal with it.
- After this amazing role have you looked at the world differently?
What's good in the profession of actor and the gift of being an actor, so this is that you are "forced" to look at the world with different eyes. Death for Uksbal does not mean the same thing for others. For Uksbal it is a signal for recognition and reassessment of his life. You cannot even imagine what my character feels in a given situation. You'll have to force yourself to become him, but you will realize that you are someone else, not you. This role will not change my own attitude towards death, but we all understand the concepts mind. We listen to the news, read newspapers, watch for the opposing passers, perceive this world, but the actor is obliged to pass through all this by himself. I was very lucky that I got a chance to be there and "pretend" Uksbal. And portraying him, I became him in fact. Not that I knew for 100% of his feelings, but I survived by his feelings in a rather emotional manner. It's not like the fact which you can understand with the mind.
- Filming in a movie with such high level of mental stress for five months, how did you manage to hold your own emotional balance?
I do not know how I did it. I’ve just done it.
- How do you deal with Alejandro?
He's one of the greatest directors of all times, considering what films he shoots and how he does it. It is not easy to have such talent. And he's the director who works with the actors. Your heart may break into pieces, but if the camera is not on the place, all will be in vain. He knows where to put the camera. He knows how to sustain a pause. He knows when to start music. He knows how to make a correct installation. He knows how to help you in your game. That's how good he is.
- Did you come to the image of Uksbal by studying its pros and cons?
I saw a man in him. I do not believe in stereotypes. We are doing something right, something wrong, at least 20 times a day. As an actor, you have no right to judge. One of the great Spanish actresses said: "We, the actors, are advocates of those heroes, which we play. We must protect them, no matter how we can do this".
- What will you feel when you will be nominated for an Oscar for this role?
It's very fun, and it's a great honor. It's something that you were not dreaming. And then, when this happens and you find yourself on stage and try to share your joy with all of your dearest, you know that do not have time, so you have to narrow down these people. But everybody understands, because they all my twin souls.
- Would you like to work with the Coen brothers once again?
Yes, I would like. It’s insanely fun with them. I hated them, but it was very fun. They made me this ugly haircut. Everyone thought that it was a wig, but it was my own hair (laughs).
Christian Bale is one of Nanjing Heroes
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Expansion of Western actors in the eastern cinema still continues. Christian Bale will play a major role in the new film of Zhang Yimou's "Nanjing Heroes", who will talk about Japanese war crimes in the Chinese city of Nanjing.
Yimou now plans to shoot in a big way: the budget of "Nanjing Heroes" is almost equal to the amount spent by John Woo for "Chibi" ($ 80,000,000). It is worth noting that the most successful Chinese film "Tangshan da dizhen" was filmed for a more modest sum in $ 25 million.
However, participation of Christian Bale in "Nanjing Heroes" will automatically bring to the project the interest of Western viewers. I must say that the star of "Batman" is not the only Hollywood star, attributed to the Yimou film. The director has gathered the special effects masters’ team who worked on the film "Saving Private Ryan" and "The Dark Knight."
Last year, the director Frolian Gallenberger filmed the story of Nanking nightmare, as shown through the eyes of Jon Rabe, a German entrepreneur, who managed to save about 200,000 ethnic Chinese. About Chinese Oskar Schindler there are a lot of movies, but will Rabe become a hero of Yimou drama is not yet known.
Christian Bale will play an American priest, John, is helping many Chinese to avoid death. "I met with Christian in America and was amazed at how seriously he approached the role, shoveled a lot of books on the subject" - Zhang Yimou said in a meeting with Chinese journalists. The director showed the assembled fragments of films with the actor, many of which are generally not shown in China.
40% of speech in the "Nanjing Heroes" will be in English, the other 60% in Mandarin Chinese. Who else will act, along with Bailey, is not yet known - the director has not announced the cast.
The highest grossing film of Zhang Yimou is an epic drama "Hero" with Jet Li. Tape with a budget of $ 31 million in worldwide box office earned 177.2 million dollars, with 53.5 of them were in the U.S.. "House of Flying Daggers" and "Curse of the Golden Flower", which followed the "Hero", were less successful.
Last year, Yimou shot remake of the debut film by brothers Coen "Blood Simple".
Meanwhile, the director shoots a new tape. Action melodrama "Under the shadow of the hawthorn" is developing in China, early 70's. First, the world will saw the painting at the Berlin Film Festival.
On the question whether the involvement of Christian Bale is a part of a plan for expansion of Chinese cinema to the American market, Yimou replied: "In any cases, Chinese cinema should strive to expand the boundaries, but the choice of Bale was a coincidence, since the main role according to scenario is designed for English-language actor."
Shooting of "Nanjing Heroes" will begin in January 10 in China. Thus, Christian Bale will have time to work abroad, before falling back to don the costume of the Dark Knight for the third part of the Batman saga. Christopher Nolan is planning to start work on the film in May 2011.
Terry Gilliam and retro-fiction “1884″
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Like Christopher Nolan has taken the patronage over the new "Superman", Terry Gilliam will be the curator of the project "1884" - steampunk that combines puppets and computer animation. The film director is Tim Ollive, working with Gilliam ever since the "Life of Brian."
Ollive has been doing special effects and animation in the Terry’s movie. Their latest collaboration to date is "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus." New project stands apart from other works of duo. First, they will withdraw the actors act out their roles, and then their eyes and mouths will transfer to the computer-generated head. Decorations will be collages of miniatures, films, paintings and old photographs.
"1884" would cost producers of only 8 million dollars. The project is in development for a year but in the network we can see the test material.
Despite the fact that the action develops in 1884, the film supposedly shot in 1848, "for forty years before the birth of cinema." The main character named Horace Kitchengeim just flew to the moon, secured it for the British Empire and is now preparing for his most dangerous journey in life - to Europe.
Terry Gilliam likes test trailer "1884" very much. "It does not look like a sleek studio work in Los Angeles. Immediately evident that the master worked, and much, how amazing the movie scale and design."
Tim Ollive has written the script in collaboration with other Gilliam partner Dennis De Groot. The test was shot in the bathroom of the future filmmaker. "Well, finally, the bathroom will get its normal destiny", - says Gilliam.
Terry himself has stuck to the stage of searching for funding for "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote," and recently shot a short film "The Legend of Hallowdega".
Prison for Iranian director Jafar Panahi
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The world of cinema has repeatedly stood up to defend the director Jafar Panahi, who was arrested in Iran. Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Juliette Binoche and Francis Ford Coppola have expressed their support for Iranian counterpart. But yesterday, the director was sentenced to six years in prison. In addition, the court rebuked Iran Panahi making movies for two decades.
For his debut film "Badkonake sefid" ("White Ball") in 1995, Jafar Panahi was awarded the Golden Camera at the Cannes Film Festival. Golden Lion of Venice Film Festival has been awarded to Iranian director for the movie "Circle" about four women who are fighting against discrimination based on sex. Grand Prix of the Jury at Berlin festival Panahi has gotten for melodrama "Offside" where by the plot Iranian girls burst on the Iran-Bahrain game to cheer on the national team.
Panahi is actively supporting the opposition "Green Movement" and in July 2009 was arrested by the authorities for propaganda against the existing regime in the country. The director joined the march of mourners for the victims of Protestants who disagreed with the election results. Jafar was left to go but on his own recognizance.
In February 2010, the director was arrested again and together with his family and colleagues has been sent to prison of Tehran, where he went on hunger strike. During the Cannes Film Festival, Jafar Panahi was left to go, but now he should back in prison again.
Yesterday, an Iranian court sentenced Panahi to six years in prison. Also he is forbidden for the next twenty years to shoot and produce films and write scripts to travel abroad and give interviews to any media - foreign or local.
In a recent interview director said: "When a filmmaker does not remove the film, this is equivalent to being in prison."
Film critics say that the ban on setting Panahi film - a real disaster for the Iranian cinema.
Dangerous “Unstoppable”
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So, we have another (the fifth) joint work of director Tony Scott and actor Denzel Washington. As in the previous their project (rather mediocre thriller "The Taking of Pelham 123"), Tony returns to the trains, though this time without the terrorists and shooting, making the largest bias at the side of the disasters films genre, rather than pure thriller. However, the main difference between these two projects, primarily in the fact that “Unstoppable” turned out far more balanced and smooth film than its predecessor.
The plot of the movie is based on real events that took place in Ohio in 2001. Two employees of the railway station, a veteran engineer Frank and a young guard Will have to join the operation to stop kilometer carry, which has in its tanks hazardous chemicals and the accident will certain lead to the death of the whole city.
By itself, the story is very simple and does not contain any shocking surprises or unexpected twists. Moreover, it has a very significant amount of beaten along and across stamps and clichés inherent in the films of this genre: the main characters always have problems with family, whether a bad relationship with the daughter or a young father, which the court does not admit to his own child. And so greedy bureaucrats throughout the film will only hinder, rather than correct the situation.
In general, the movie is rather good. Maybe the matter is in it's sincerity, cordiality, if you want. Americans have always been able to show reliably and touching friendship of two seemingly completely different characters: Frank, being an experienced mechanic, not a particularly-and respect of his team-mate Will the newcomer, but a common goal unites these two seemingly quite opposite characters. So to follow these metamorphoses of characters is quite interesting.
But of course, it is not the only dignity of the film. Firm direction by Tony Scott with his mad editing and constant play with light filters are also present, albeit with some modifications. Abandoning permanent flares and piling frame, Scott demonstrates the highly specific, but very suitable tape camera work.
No less enthusiasm causes and sound component of the film. Exciting musical compositions by Harry Gregson-Williams added even more suspense to an already spectacular episodes delivered crashes or chases.
And although the general impression about the film is rather positive than negative, there are also some puzzling moments. But they all are the matter of taste!
"Unstoppable" - good, strong film-catastrophe, watching which, you can have fun and spend time. But the main problem of the film is that it is not pretentious and is suitable only for a single viewing. You can enjoy local suspense music or acting, but the result will still be the same: after a while this movie will just weathered from your head, because nothing new or memorable it can offer.
Steven Soderbergh: rumors of leaving
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According to Matt Damon, director Steven Soderbergh is going to leave the cinema. So the film version of TV series "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." could be the last film of director.
Damon is currently shooting in the thriller "Contagion" by Steven Soderbergh, and confirmed that plans of director to go away from the movie have not gone away. Director of "Traffic" in the fall 2009 said that is not going to shoot after fifty, so that in the next 4 years he will find another occupation. It seems that Steven Soderbergh is set firmly.
"He has been talking about it for several years, so it is already close to implementation, - tells Matt Damon in an interview with "LA Times". - He wants to draw and believes that he is still young enough to make a new career. Everything that could offer him a movie, he was tried and a few tired of it. He is no longer interesting in telling the stories. He says: "If I see another plan, shoot over another's shoulder, I’ll knock out my brains."
All the same garrulous Matt confirmed that in summer Soderbergh will shoot "Liberace" with Michael Douglas.
"Then he will have another movie with George Clooney, and then he would resign."
"The movie with George Clooney" - nothing like filming the series "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.", for which Soderbergh agreed to take in mid-November this year. Shooting will begin or end of 2011 or early 2012.
Damon is not happy with the idea of Steven Soderbergh.
"After I had starred in Clint Eastwood's, I came to Steve and said:"Listen, Clint lifts and drags from it, in spite of his age and he is already 80!" He replied:"Yes, but Clint is a storyteller, and I’m not. For an actor or a writer, well or for any person working in the film, Steven leaving is a big loss. I can spend 40 years on to become a great director, but I never achieved what he can. And he gets and leaves. "
Soderbergh is being always very critical to his own works. In particular, he once said that duologue about Che Guevara was a "mistake on the first day of shooting."
Jon Favreau has left Marvel
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As reported by LA Times, Dec. 14, 2010 Jon Favreau said that he was leaving the post of director of "Iron Man" franchise and is ready to follow the example of filmmakers such as Guillermo Del Toro and David Fincher involved in projects relating to the theme parks Disneyland and its classic characters .
Favreau intends to remove the "Magic Kingdom" - a family adventure fantasy with classic Disney images, "had such a great influence on the imagination" on creative people of his generation.
"Fincher will film a movie "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo" which is based on works by Jules Verne, and is associated with Disney in connection with a picture released by the studio in 1954 and thematic attraction in the park. As for Del Toro, he has been already approved for the post of director of a new version of "Haunted Mansion".
Favreau respectfully spoke of the legacy of Walt Disney Company and definitely made it clear that his break with Marvel Studios is not hasty decision, as well as not the result of damaged relationships. The main impetus was a desire to "find something that will ignite a spark" in him as a filmmaker, and give a chance to impress the audience, "and do it easily through the project, which is not a priori impose certain expectations". Favreau also said that while working on the stage of post-production sci-fi western "The Cowboys vs. Aliens", he spent several weeks engaged in the study material for the new film.
"Walt was able to make me pass through the whole range of emotions in childhood: from fear to regret. Films interspersed with rides in the theme park are my dream and had a great impression on my child's mind. When I first heard about "Magic Kingdom", I was going to visit Disneyland with my family. I made a bunch of notes, and I was not hard to fill the entire diary of ideas on the proposed concept. After that I was lucky to get as a tour guide, Tony Baxter, who knows every nook in Disneyland. He gave me the archival materials on the concept-art and acquainted with the original version of Disney. "
Favreau is no longer participant of well known franchise, earned over a billion dollars in worldwide box office, which gave a good push career to Robert Downey Jr. and Marvel Studios has made a serious player in the business of producing blockbusters. Nevertheless, Favreau is producer of "Avengers" movie, which will combine many superhero comics of Marvel.
"We both with Marvel have reached maturity. The years spent together were very important. Kevin Phage (CEO) has a good grip: he has many franchises, and deftly manages, and I'm happy that I could initiate a world in which these characters now live ... "Iron Man" gave me a great opportunity, and we with Kevin had have a lot great moments in a career related to the project. I'll be glad to see what other directors will be able to do in the development of this franchise. "
Favreau said he would be happy to remove the "Magic Kingdom" also because he will try to be different from the movie "Night at the Museum" and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", which basically have a similar concept - an adventure in the company of the classic cartoon characters who play supporting roles. Favreau also expressed a desire that "Magic Kingdom" will have the same spirit as his other film - the family comedy "Elf" (2003) with Will Ferrell in the starring role.
"It's great when I can combine the parents and children on an emotional level, and through humor. I can’t wait, when once again begin to mix everyday life and adventure."
Director Jean-Luc Godard decided not to go for his Oscar award
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The legend of world cinema director Jean-Luc Godard, who not so long ago has been awarded of an honorary Oscar by American Film Academy, has decided not to go for a statuette.
The main intrigue associated with the award and it host, was that Godard is known for his rejection of the American establishment (but director love to the classical Hollywood cinema is not a secret). The first time, representatives of Academy were not able to reach the recipient. But in the end it all clarified the director's wife Anne-Marie Miville.
79-year-old avant-garde and the classic of "new wave" now lives in Switzerland, where he leads a quiet life. Godard's wife said that her husband does not like the fact that "it's not the Oscar, but he thought at first that everything will happen at the ceremony, and then discovered that there a separate event in November"(Receiving of honorary awards is now really going on in the autumn). But from the prize director doesn't decline, according to his wife it would be more convenient, "that someone from his team presents him there."
"Moreover, Jean-Luc does not want to fly to America, he is too old for such travel. Would you have done such a long journey for a piece of metal? He is, in general, had liked to fly. When we had had to visit Paris, he went there by plane, and I bought a train ticket to enjoy the rivers and fields. Once he flew to Japan for an award, but he did it for the fee".
In addition to Jean-Luc Godard, honorary Oscars were also awarded actor Eli Wallach, the film scholar and documentarian Kevin Brownlow, as well as Francis Ford Coppola, award a special prize for his own production activities.