Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire was promoting his film, Punk, and spoke to Agentinnen.Net about the film as well as details on Mission: Blacklist and Rob. This is the first interview we're getting of the director speaking at length about Rob and filming in Iraq. It's pretty awesome what he has to say. I highlighted some of it:
- "He has a good personality."
- "That's why he's so famous...why you like him...he's so unique and I'm very interested in working with this guy."
- "I saw Cosmopolis...I think he did a great performance. He was amazing in that film. Very different from his real life at the same time you believed this character, I mean he's amazing."
- "My character in Mission: Blacklist is a tough character because it's not at all what we can imagine from Robert Pattinson or what we know with this guy. It's going to be very interesting. I'm sure it's going to be great because he's really intense."
- "I know he's a great actor...I'm really excited to be working with him on this film."
- "We're going to do the set in Iraq. We're going to work with Eric Maddox. It's going to be interesting."
- He's going to work with professional Iraqi actors.
- "To do a good movie, you need to take risks and try to find different ways to do films. Not doing it the same way as everyone is doing it. We have to try and change. Try to imagine some different stuff and different way of working with the actors and shooting the film."
- "Going to Iraq for me is really important because it's going to be so different from shooting there as to shooting in LA in a studio, for example, even for the actors, being there and understanding how it was and meeting the Iraqis. You need to understand the structure and everything. It's part of the process."
- At 24:00, he starts to talk again about his pre-production experience with Mission: Blacklist and the prep work - 5 weeks in Iraq, sleeping in Saddam Hussein's palace etc.
- At 26:00 next project is Mission: Blacklist filming next year (we know it's scheduled for summer 2013)
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86 comments:
Another director is giving rob praise, and woopie! it's not for twilight... way to go robert.
It is really great to see Rob getting the praise he deserves. He really is a good actor and I cannot wait to see him in this movie. I am so proud of Rob and look forward to this next chapter in his life. I wish you all the best Rob.
Iraq is going to be seriously hot at that time of year, rob will probably still be able to wear a hoodie! ;)
i think we'll all be dreading him going there and so pleased when he is back safe and sound. fantastic things to read and hear about him and i am very pleased the film is going ahead for rob, he seems excited about making it. its very reassuring to hear about his great roles post twilight :))))
So, unless situations changes in a bad way there, Rob will go to Iraq. *sigh*
I can understand Sauvaire's point of view, but he's willing to go far for the sake of art and authenticity. As this will be a movie that will have the interest of many ex-soldiers who were there, it can be an advantage that it is filmed at the original location. It's gonna be a challenging role for Rob, I'm curious to see if Eric Maddox is gonna be there too.
Rob will be in some hot places next year: the outback of Australia in summertime, Iraq in summertime. He's gonna miss rainy London I guess.
I liked how Jean-Stéphane talked enthousiastically about his career and his motivations. The interviewer wasn't very energetic IMHO. After he had said a lot about Rob and Mission Black List, she asked him what he was gonna do next. :))
ell, I'm very glad he sees how good Rob is. Pity he is so blind about Iraq and movie-making. IF we want real, we can go there. If an actor wants a feel for that situation, let him read and imagine. A good actor does not need to replicate a situation in its entirety. As I've pointed out before, DDL sat in a wheel-chair and arranged to be fed, to get the feel of Christy Brown. He DIDN'T have his spinal severed for realism, for 'understanding the structure.' Robert Pattinson did not build up and then bring down the economy, yet he got into the head of Eric Packer and gave life to the character. And Iraq isn't even the same situation now as it was then, at the time the story takes place; the people they meet on the streets now will not be the same nor will the experience of the Iraqi actors, so the claim for authenticity goes down the toilet, like shyte ought to.
Good News :-) doors of a acclaimed exciting acting career is opening wide for Robert Pattinson. On * his own very talented acting abilities and accomplishments. This is what we all wanted for him :-) and it is happening-) *tear of joys* God-Speed Rob :-) MBL ...wow
Can't wait for this movie. It sounds so interesting and I love that Rob is going outside the box with this role.
panic
Yeah Im with Solas on this one, really don't see why they have to go to Iraq!!!!
They really do not HAVE to.
I understand your concern for Rob, but he really wants this experience and everything in life is a risk. When you think your the safest, especially living in California, a 7.5 earthquake comes along and shakes that safety net right from under you. I am certain they know the risks involved and will take precautions, they will be very mindful of all that is going on and will have security checks everywhere, however, there still may be something that they did not foresee or an everyday accident. So many examples of people filming in the US and deathly accidents take place, like on the Twilight Zone or The Crow, you don't need to go to danger zones for them to occur. We will be worried for Rob, but if he is willing to be there for the role, I support him and the director. As for Christy Brown, that is an extreme, DDL was not going to sever his spinal chord for the role. Anyway, that is just my POV, we just need to say prayers or whatever we need to do for Rob's safety. I am certain he is going to bring it for this role and with Eric Maddox there, he will be great support for Robert.
IK. I have a mixed feeling about this project. On one hand I'm excited to see him as a war hero and what it might mean for his future as an accomplished actor. But on the other hand, I don't want him near Iraq and it seems that this director is determined to be done in there.
Hope if they shoot in Iraq it will be hush hush.Or tell people they are going to shoot on April but in reality they will do it on February so it will be fait accompli.
Following Rob"s career is like the man himself,sure is never boring.
i totally agree....i haven't watched the interview yet, only read the comments here and it made me panic. as excited I am about the project and the role, I really truely HATE the thought he goes to Iraq. and I really panic now. the closer we come to the date they want to shoot the more i will hate the thought and the reasons they name.
I'm not just concerned for ROb, although for him, certainly. I am concerned for anyone involved in this project, as well as any project proposed for danger zones, and I am concerned and frustrated and aggravated with this bull-shyte about needing realism, about people calling themselves actors and directors who apparently do not how to act nor to direct actors enough to get a performance out of them, that they have to resort to actual acts and actions. I have had enough real horror in my life; I don't need to know that actors are going through it as well just to deliver a film. I support Rob in that I wish the best for him but I don't think that this is the best for him, and I do think that he can deliver a performance and the film, and the feel of the situation, by learning, speaking with Maddox, etc., rather than being in a present-day situation which is dangerous without being authentic to the reality of the period it is supposed to depict. Of course DDL was not going to sever his spinal chord, yet there is a movie star who will be having real actual (not acted) sex on screen, etc. I don't know totally what snuff films are other than watching CSI and a cronenberg film, but it feels like people are going in that direction. I want to see ACTING, not the actual stuff. I've seen the actual stuff.
As for danger being around every day--yes, there is, and people on sets do as much as they can to eliminate or diminish the dangers, if not out of human compassion then out of need for insurance, and to go looking for it, to deliberately go to an area where there are still bomb attacks, explosions, people angry about what Americans and Brits did to their country, people angry that Saddam is no longer their leader, people who think nothing of taking bribes for giving information of locations, etc., is beyond stupid and self-destructive to me. I know that adolescents love to joy-ride and push the envelope, but the grown-ups in their lives try to guide them to choose wisely and safely. Taking risks, like looking into yourself and facing fears and insecurities, and playing roles you are afraid to play, I can understand. Taking deliberate risks with one's life and lives of others is something I do not tolerate well.
Unless something is really necessary, like getting one's family out of danger, or rescuing a fallen comrade, MY POV is it is just adolescent and/or downright stupid to go deliberately into a danger zone.
I so agree on the danger. People really underestimate what the middle east can be like and this area is still completely unpredictable and volatile. There is a push to kidnap westerners and a movie shoot is quite a target. If embassy staff could be so easily killed (yes in another country, but issues are similar) than a movie set is impossible to sufficiently protect in addition to the travel back and forth. Authenticity is great but in this case, there are plenty of other dessert countries that are not as dangerous and can do far more to ensure the safety of the actors and the crew than the most extensive security staff in Iraq.
I'm still not convinced that this is a wise decision. This guy sounds like a risk taker for the sake of the art. All well and good unless he's risking the body and limb of Mr. P. How much are they willing to spend on security? Does he have a clue what a coup it would be for the terrorists to take out Robert Pattinson?
I agree. As I said in my comment above, he sound's like he's all about taking risks for the sake of his art/authenticity, and in this case it's BS. It doesn't have to be filmed in Iraq and I'm sure there's plenty of middle eastern born actors here in the US who will gladly audition for parts. The word "hubris" comes to mind to describe this director's thinking.
I agree Solas very risque,for the sake of art,but hopefully if they do go it will be hush,hush&only the crew will know where they are,but they
are grown man,but some man never grow up,nad he does sound a bit like it.And we sound very much like mother hens LOL.
They could also fly Iraqi actors to another location and of course use other middle eastern actors. They could film in another middle eastern country, most of which have been breaking out in their own anti-Western rioting etc but a number of which are still not a war zone and who have more of an established film industry w highly qualified locals for the crew. You can hire all the protection you want there but it is a 100% unpredictable location. I haven't listened to the interview yet, though will, but the director is obviously looking at this project and the security and risks involved through a Western prism and it simply does not apply here.
Robert is making choice from informed place. Robert may want real and want to go there. If situation was felt to be so unsafe Robert insurance would not allow him to go, the choice may not be his. Crew on the film also have an knowledge choice to shoot this movie. You are nice to worry.
okay tell me I just misunderstood what this NUT case said please tell me they are not actually fliming there that I'm over recacting and that they will find a desert in the states or in Australia tell me this is a dream and that I am just imagining it and that they are not going too Irag if they are DUDE HAVE YOU LOST WHAT'S LEFT OF YOUR FKING MIND?! there is such as(location wise) exagarating okay I need too clam down maybe this article is not legit?? and that some of it might be alittle exagarated possibly???
i just had a thought. this director comes from documentary films right? and of course you make documentaries at the location the film is based on. i go out on a limb here, but maybe he kind of forgets that the rules for documentaries don't apply to movies. maybe is so used to it that he doesn#t want it any other way. but it's not necessary to shoot the film in Iraq only because it plays there. never was before. i am convinced it is stupid to do that.
Agreed!
O/T...Solas, I can't hear you................ can you please send the link to my email?
luvthepretty@hotmail.com
I'm inclined to agree with you that the people who insure Rob and the production will do a risk assessment before agreeing to sign on to insure them.
It's too risky IMO. Rather to film in Israel, our true allies, and under protection of Israelie Military, which is second to none. They'd still have the look and the feel of the region without as much danger. Either way should keep it under wraps to be on the safe side.
RRR0000BBBB!!! Your Mum don't like it...there's ONLY one of YOU...Please, please, be safe. All we can do is pray..
of course this is not a wise a decision it is war torn country and damn dangerous and not safe and the second they all land there(IF they go) they better have the US miltary there too protect them and be their bodyguard or something because it's not safe and now I am so way beyond worried and scared this guy has NO idea what the hell he is doing I don't care if he is a "pro" this is a worn torn country a very dangerous country my father went too Terhran(which I think is near Iraq and Iran) and he said(and this was about a year or so before the hostage crisis)that they had curfews and if you did not obey the rules and were caught being out past curfew well all I can is you better pray they don't catch ya this fool has NO Idea and Dean better be an ex-miltary man and has the experience too know what a mad bomber looks like this country is in the news 24/7 and it's never good....that country has had in with us for years and Rob may not be able to flim because they could be held up in the hotel due too bomb threats or just about anything like machine guns going off anything that is how scary it is and how unpredictable it can be and it scares the royal shit out of me and Rob being a high profile person that really adds fuel too the fire even more Prince Harry had some death threats when he served in the war torn part of Iraq
There is NO such thing as hush hush once they land they better have the whole us miltary too protect them it is NOT safe it is a war torn country nothing is secret or hush hush they will know and before ya know it all hell will break loose and it won't be pretty
panic is just an understatement THIS MAN IS FKING INSANE!
I agree...and this is INSANE they could go too Austraila and they have a wide range of desert or the states like maybe the Mojave desert or whatever but NOT Iraq!
I haven't watched the video, but I will.
Meanwhile, although I am not knowledgeable about the situation, I am worried about this project in Iraq. I know every person from Iraq is different - they are obviously not all violent but you are talking about going into their country, a Western movie making production, and portraying how we from the West conquered their country and took down and found your leader in a fox hole. It could be preceived as a rather hubrustic project. I mean it is true that actors always want a job, but what a coup to take out a Western, Hollywood movie star - one of the biggest in the world. An IED would be quite the gut punch to one of the most profound symbols of Western culture - the movie. It almost seems cavalier to prance in and execute your artistry. I always understood Rob to be a bit street smart and I hope he will be. I know he wants to be cool but...
I feel you leah,I know all of us here wish and pray that Rob doesn't have to go to Iraq but the thing is,all of this is out of our hands.All we can do is wish for the best case scenario and pray that somehow,someway Rob will come out safe and sound.Of course the safest way is for Rob not to go there but then again....
I agree I wish I misunderstood this article and I sometimes wonder about the authenicity of this article if it did'nt get lost in the translation but it looks like it might be flimed there and I am scared out of my head..by the way I am watching Twilight on FX and then at 9:30 is New Moon again for the 40th time
Glad to see that others share my real apprehension about this shooting in Iraq. This guy needs to be brought back to reality before something bad happens(some real harm coming to Rob and the rest of the cast). One can only hope that the financers of the film can reason with him . There are other places in the Middle East which are safer and look just as authentic.
OK sent it-- please let me know if you get it (or not) and if it works (or not).
It isn't informed, that's the point. And it isn't real, because the situation now is not what it was when Saddam was captured. Even with all the explosions and 'suicide' bombs (murders) that went on then (and still do now), there was a strong American and British (I think) presence that allowed for more movement and power. Now, there is not that protection, and there is a built up resentment without the parameters of inhibition and intimidation due to occupying forces that there were then .
Good thought and that he doesn't get that he has a very famous actor with a worldwide/internet fandom on his little excursion there for the sake of it looking authentic. If I'm not mistaken, terrorists have computers and internet access.
I thought I was going to watch it but apparently I'm not subscribed to HD FX? Don't get that...I have HD for everything else. Wasn't on regular FX channel. Did you have to subscribe to it?
Yes, it only makes less sense why this guy is so determined to film in Iraq. In truth, I don't think it will happen because of the amount of money they will have to pay for insurance and security. This isn't a big budget film to say the least, and the amount they will have to pay to film in Iraq hopefully will be prohibitive. I hope.
exactly.
Could the audio on this be worse?! The interviewer spoke in a whisper/mumble w her head hanging down and all that background noise. All I could think while listening to him speak was "Are you for scuba?" from Along Came Polly.
Lallie it's on my FX, not in HD. I have a lame cable provider.
looks like he thinks it is really impotrant to shoot in Iraq. just hope there wil be extra safety measures
I respect your POV and I am sorry to hear you have lived through horror in your life. I hope wherever he films that he and the crew that support them are safe.
Thanks. I survived, but many did not. I also hope that he and crew are safe, wherever they go, but I really hope that reason will prevail and that they will not go deliberately to places that are clearly a danger. He's an actor, not an embedded reporter.
Uh DITTO!!!
This is going to sound dumb, but why would Rob willingly go into Iraq - all because he's made a commitment to be in this film and he's so dedicated? If he signed a contract is there no way out of it? I don't understand why any actor would agree to go there.
I totally agree. I'm extremely nervous, and am frightened for his safety. It's not worth the risk.
I can understand that an actor who feels insecure and wants to face his fears might mistakenly think it brave and a wonderful thing to stick himself in the midst of a danger zone. I can understand that an actor concerned with what others think of him, not wanting to seem a sissy, might go along with stupid dangerous decisions. I don't know if this is the case with Rob, however. I also can understand that a director who does not really know how to draw an effective performance from actors might hide behind the cry of realism, to take the place of effective movie-making. I don't know if this is the case with this director, however. I do not know how contracts work in this field (nor in most fields) but I would hope there would be some guarantee of safety, and there is no way safety can be guaranteed in Iraq nor in most places in the mid-east. ANd I do not think that any insurance company will insure anyone going there, nor anyone in a job that involves risk to limb and life, G-d forbid. What makes this director or anyone associated with this film think that they can do better than soldiers and reporters who have been harmed???Again, to me there is a difference between art, including art of film, and reporting. Everyone involved can watch news film clips, interviews, to get a feel of what happened at that time in that place; they all can work with Maddox to understand his experiences, without being in that place at this time, which, as I've said, is already a different reality from what it was at the time of Saddam/s capture.
Maybe someone with more knowledge in MidEastern affairs can tells us if there is still a green zone there in Iraq. If there is a green zone and that is where I hear that Saddam's palace was located then they should be pretty safe in the green zone,however, if that has been eliminated I guess they will decide when it comes close to shooting if they will film in Iraq or have scouted other locations in case the locations in Iraq are too unstable and unsafe to film there. I am certain he knows how popular Rob is, and one of the conditions I am certain before Rob signed the dotted line was if he was prepared to film in Iraq. It seems like Rob is all up for it in interviews I have seen him speaking about filming in Iraq and he seems to know what he was getting into. I am knocking on wood that no harm comes to him or the crew.
Is this what they call machismo these days?
The director is totally letting his documentary instincts carry him away to la-la land, where all over-the-top machismo guys go.
What is the matter with him?
And from the sounds of it, Rob is not immune.
" Even on the way you shoot the film so going in Iraq for me it's really important because it's gonna be like so different shooting there as shooting in LA in a studio for example for the actors, I mean being there and understand how it was and meeting the Iraqis who are like unique and intense and great people and understand this culture and everything, I think it's part of the process."-Sauvaire.
Yeah, Sauvaire, it'll be f*cking different. I'm sure the Iraqi culture has a lot going for it, but that is not the point. The point is, you could get hurt or killed, Mr. Director and if one hair on Robert Pattinson's head is jeopardized because of your foolishness, I'll head the posse.
The story is great, the role is great and Rob's acting will be great. Those things were never in question. The question is, guys, what will happen to you when you're in such a dangerous place? Are you guys out of your frigging minds.
Sorry, had to get that off my chest....haven't read thread yet. Where's the emoticon for GRRR!!!
Great comments from you on this topic, Solas. I made a comment not having read the thread because I was so angry at the director, I jumped in. I'm sorry, but he sounds like a child. It's so reckless; I called it misplaced machismo in my other comment. I feel like putting Sauvaire across my knee and giving him what for. And I think you might have hit on something vital when you say: "I also can understand that a director who does not really know how to draw an effective performance from actors might hide behind the cry of realism, to take the place of effective movie-making." And there's Rob caught up in it, perhaps, as you said, not wanting to seem chicken and going along with it. You've raised all the important points that I can think of. I'm fuming at that stupid man. And, frankly, afraid. Laurfi mentioned some horrible things I've already thought of but haven't written because I didn't want to voice them. Saying the words makes the possibility more real.
Yes, hubris. Good word. I can't even think anymore. This director is a child trying to be a macho man.
Don't know about insurance and all that, not in this case, but everyone had better get super stress pay. This is the time for Rob to ask the moon. Of course, I'm sure he hasn't. Guessing he's making pittance again because it's another indie flick.
As Nerfy would say: Ditto!
Satine, it does seem as if Rob is up for it and that scares me too. To me, it is probably the only decision he's made that I worry about. His life, of course, but I wish he would listen to Solas.
"It almost seems cavalier to prance in and execute your artistry." You got that right.
I'm reading a lot of negativity regarding the director but it's his film and obviously if Rob didn't want to do it,he wouldn't...Rob isn't a stranger to terrorism,we used to have IRA bombs,we had the bombs on 7/7,he nows there'll be risks in filming in Iraq.
And I do think that authenticity is what the director is about,Johnny Mad Dog would be half the film it is without that edge of truth and of being there.That's the director's calling card and probably a big part of the reason Rob wants to do the film.
We shall see.
It is scary, I am not making light of this, it is just that he is an adult and it is his decision. We can be scared and protective of him but in the end it is his life and he knew what he was getting into. Does it make it right, is a debate that Solas makes very valid points about the danger and why do directors need to travel into places that are unsafe for the realism of the film. Playing devil's advocate, some directors just choose to film documentary style and perhaps want the realism of the location to add to the story. The only thing I will say is this could be a huge awakening for Robert to really see what goes on in a country like Iraq. He may come out of this differently and more profound just for being there. As I said I do not disagree with your anguish over his safety, but there is nothing we can do, but only lend our support and hope and pray everything works out whether in Iraq or out of it.
I think you are absolutely right, especially the part about the director wanting the film to be authentic and truthful, that being his calling card, and Rob wanting to do this film because of exactly that, that is Robs own personal choice to do so .People should not forget that Rob is a grown up ,probably has insurance and security advicers etc etc, and he is definately not naive .........
¨
Agree we shall see whether or not he goes but director is important to Rob. I think we should all trust Rob's judgement on this one. He is a grown man, there was alot of talk about him making his own decisions about his private life, this should surely extend to his career as well.
WOW!!!! this movie sounds VERY EXCITING!!!! the more details i learn about it
the more i can`t wait for the movie! pretty sure that Rob will be MIND-BLOWING
in it!!!! and i am also pretty sure that wherever they decide to shoot
EVERYTHING WILL BE JUST FINE!!!! thouth i would prefer them not to talk that
much about the exact location...just.....just to be on the safe side
Satine86, thank you for writing this post I could not agree with you more, it reflects exactly what my thoughts have been about this !
I dont disagree with the saftely issues either but I see a great challenge and possibly an awakening for Robert in going to a place like Iraq.
He could learn so much going there, coming out of his safety zone so to say, being with people in another culture, percieving things in a different way,isolated from the western world perhaps, away from the fandom, feeling the pulse of life perhaps ? I know many are going to disagree with me on this, but so be it, I still think like you Satine86 that it could become an awakening of some sorts for him, and he may need it to proceed onwards, who knows.
Robert will have his advisors help him. He will not be making decision alone. Politicians travel to Iraq all time. They are safe, Robert will be. If he go he will have security. Filming will be short as outside shot only, rest in studio in US. Crew will be there longer for more filming. Maddox not with team when capture Saddam captured so not for Robert to be there for that filming.
Thank you Lotte. I know we all want the best for Rob and his safety on this site and may have differences of opinions, but that is what makes the life so interesting.
I wish people would stop treating Rob like he is a little boy. He knew what he wanted to do and if it meant going to Iraq I am certain, he and others in his entourage (including Nick, his agents, his family and friends) spoke to him knowing the risks. This director is not the first or will be the last to go into locations that many feel are unsafe. I respect Rob and what he wants to accomplish and yes there is definite risk, but blaming the director or naive Rob is silly. You may disagree with the director but to call him a child is also calling Rob a child since he has agreed to go on location with the director.
First of all, not everyone travelling there is safe. Second of all, there are those in the know of projects who let others know when westerners are doing a project, and their whereabouts become known and vulnerable. Third- Security means diddly-squat there. Fourth, and as you note, the essence of the role of Maddox is the working out of the location of Saddam, not being out looking for him, and so Rob would not really have to be there at all, and, as I said, the reality on the ground now is not what it was at that time in many important ways anyway. Fifth-- it is not only ROb's safety that concerns me; I don't think anybody outside of what is necessary (saving family or comrades) ought to go there. The crew is not disposable, in my eyes.
I see that we disagree on this issue, but I want to say I didn't see GUest seeing Rob as a child (she did say the director sounds like a child). Rob himself has made it clear that he doesn't like to seem a sissy (I won't use the term he uses) and i can see that as a factor. i am not so sure that Rob's entourage would favour this, but I don't know. I respect Rob as an intelligent and insightful person and I respect his right to make choices, especially informed choices--even his right to make stupid choices-- but I do not respect every choice he makes, and I question the motivation of some of his choices, just as I do with anyone I observe. I also see a difference between seeing the director as a child and seeing Rob as a child; the director has his reasons and Rob has his reasons, and because they are not the same, the categorization is not necessarily the same.
I've spoken with someone who was on the ground recently, as well as in the 'Shock and Awe' part, as well as in the aftermath, hunting for the 'deck of cards', etc. I cannot tell you everything, but the conclusion, his conclusion, is that the decision to go there now is foolish, unnecessary (it is, as I said, based on information from him, a different situation and so the claim for authenticity which I question a need for anyway is bullshyte), and 'hubris.'
yeah that's true I agree but what they could do is flim it either in a austrailian desert or an american and they can still make it look authentic I get that they want some realism some kind of authencity of the picture and too actually be there but again they can do it without going there and I wish the director would see that hell we don't even know if it has been set in stone that Rob is actually going
thank you and I was saying too selfishbiach I get that they want some realism in the movie and too make it look authenic but like I said they can do it in the Austrailian desert or the american desert and still make it look real and create the illusion that they are there and before that do some research learn their culture and what not learn as much as they can
I can relate to the idea that 'Saying the words makes the possibility more real'-- it is like giving the evil eye, or giving the universe an opening for something. But I do not believe in this case it is a matter of making a safe situation unsafe, but rather pointing out the realities of an unsafe situation to prevent the terrible possibilities.
Thank you, Solas. You understood me perfectly, and added more important perspective with your response. I have always been one of those who actually says something like what Satine was saying, in regards to Rob, that we should treat him as an adult and not hover over him, to treat him as a man. In this case, the director himself is being childish and I stand by that. And, for reasons like Solas has pointed out, Rob has decided to go with it.
I hope this project keeps getting pushed off until either reason prevails and they realize they ought to do it elsewhere, or, even better for innocent people, that the situation becomes a safe one for everyone.
I understand your point of view and its reasons and while it is always good to be 'awakened' to 'what goes on in a country like Iraq' (for anyone), I feel risk should always be weighed against this too. I agree also that he might become more profound because of such an experience, as we all would, but again, at what cost. And there are so many other ways to open your eyes to the world than by putting yourself deliberately in possible danger.
I think we agree in many ways, but stand differently on how to weigh the risks against the benefits.
I very much like what you say Satine! I want Rob to be safe but I also want to give everybody involved the credit that they CAN measure up the danger as it is humanly possible. Rob seems to be a considerate person about his choices and not naive. Life is not safe per se and bad things can happen anywhere, even in our so called civilized countries. I think that fear should not dictate our moves - it would make us miss out on so many possibilities - but to act from a positive attitude on the background of an objective asessment of risks.
Actually, Lea, Jean-Stéphane is telling it to the interviewer and explaining why, no article we can distrust this time :)
That's what's worrying me, Lallie. Jean-Stéphane has never worked with famous actors as far as I know. I'm afraid he's underestimating the frenzy that working with such actor will cause. If I understood well, he hasn't a partner or kids to take care for so it's just him and his job. On the other hand, Rob knew whom he was dealing with when he signed for the project. But ... if they succeed, filming their project in Iraq, Rob will get a lot of respect from movie goers and nobody can accuse him for being a pussy or not manly anymore.
That's his way of working, mizzz and being a documentary maker he's used to take risks for sake of authenticity. He talks about Mission Black List as a movie/documentary so .. If think that if they'll go to Iraq, this movie is gonna get a lot of buzz and it will become an anticipated movie in military circles. The question remains if it'll be worth taking the risks.
When it got know at the time Rob was going to play in MBL, a poster came here to tell us she was Iraqui (sp?) and that the situation was quite safe in certain pars at the moment.
What I wonder, satine, is how Iraqui people are thinking about their former president and the Americans. The subject of the movie worries me a bit. Are they glad that Hoessein is caught or do they regret? How do they judge the intervention of the Americans that led to the capture of Saddam? It's not that they're making an innocent documentary, it's about their president and the one who's interrogations led him to discover Saddam.
I'm surprised that Jean-Stépane talks so openly about the location of his film, very easy for let's say Al Quaida to find out the wherabouts.
Hi Solas, wow that was very informative. I asked in a previous comment if anyone knew about the the green zone and I do not know if you were speaking specifically about the zone or Iraq in general. The thing is we probably agree more than we disagree. I don't want any harm to come to anyone on the set or outside of it in case there was a surprise bombing. However, what I disagree with is demeaning the director because you disagree with him, calling him stupid or sounds childish. I would hope by next summer if it is still very volatile in that area that the production company would let the director know there is no way they can film there and use an alternative location. However, as an artist the director seems to be very passionate about his work whether you agree or disagree with it. As for Rob, there are plenty of things that I do not agree with Rob about, but they are my beliefs and he needs to follow his, and we can speculate all we want to about his life and his motives in wanting to film in Iraq, but it is his decision. I do feel though we can have a real debate on all of this in a cordial discourse without calling people names. As I said we may disagree on some issues but I find your comments informative but if anyone calls someone a name I will call them out for it.
I am not as knowledgeable as Solas in International affairs, you would have to defer to her or someone else on the site, my beef is mainly questioning Rob's judgement and the judgement calls on the director. I do worry that it could be very dangerous but I also hope that by the time this movie is filmed there may be another venue or things have calmed down over there. Crossing my fingers.
My sentiments exact.
I've read Solas' comment after my reply to yours :)
I don't know if she's experted or not, who is apart from the army, but I also try to trust the director's judgement, Rob's judgement and the insurance conditions.
Solas, you are a fascinating individual and I found your comment informative, sad, and interesting. As I said previously, I agree with many of your points and I am glad we agree on name-calling. I hate that you had to go through such trauma in your life, I can't even fathom what that must be like, I have been blessed in my life to never have witnessed such atrocities. I live on the West Coast of the USA in California. I was born and raised in Southern California and aside from one major earthquake in 1994, that I really did not know we were having until it was actually over because I live across a freeway with trucks always shaking the house, I could never know what you and others who have lived through something like that have gone through. I wish you could write the director and ask his motives. We have only heard a snippet and so I am not going to speculate why he wants to go there other than for realism. However, I do agree a good film does not need to have the impact or realism of the story by actually shooting on location to make it feel real. I did read the book and only 1 or 2 scenes Rob would actually need to be in Iraq if they want realism because as you stated most of the book takes place in an interrogation cell. Anyway, I think we may always have a slight difference of opinion, but I did find your comment fascinating and please continue whether we agree or disagree to keep putting forth these thought provoking comments.
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