Heads Up Hollywood

"Million Dollar Baby" is a rare good film, and won the best picture at the 77th Academy Awards.

Clint Eastwood also won the Oscar for Best Director for the second time in his life because of this film.

Martin Scorsese's masterpiece "The Aviator" was defeated by "Million Dollar Baby" and lost the Oscar.

In terms of artistry and excitement, "The Departed Walker" is of course much better than "The Aviator".

Even in the eyes of film critics and the media, "The Departed" is another representative work of Martin Scorsese after the two masterpieces "Raging Bull" and "Taxi Driver".

Now, because of Twain, "The Aviator" has been delayed, and "The Departed" has been brought forward.

In other words, "The Departed" and "Million Dollar Baby" will meet in the 2005 awards season!

This was definitely not the situation Dunn wanted to see.

Can 'The Departed' Beat 'Million Dollar Baby' at the Oscars?

It's hard!

Even "The Departed" is likely to be wiped out by "Million Dollar Baby".

"Million Dollar Baby" is too inspirational, too in line with Oscar's aesthetics, and too suitable to become a masterpiece and promote Oscar's values.

Although "The Departed Walker" has profound humanistic feelings, the old Martin's personal style is obvious. The two male protagonists are both good and evil, like two bastards, which will eventually cause a lot of controversy.

Taking a step back, even if the Oscars play a balance game, two films, one won the best picture, and the other won the best director.

It was not the situation Tang En wanted to see either.

"The Departed" is his first movie, and he hopes to have a perfect result!

Right now, the project of "The Departed Walker" has been approved with a budget of 85 million US dollars. The crew has already started preparations, and the script is also starting to work on the front line.

It was impossible to stop.

What may change is the shooting plan of "Million Dollar Baby".

Anyway, now that Clint Eastwood is in the post-production period of "Mystic River", the "Million Dollar Baby" project will not start for at least 8 months.

You might as well push him to change his mind.

"Flags of Our Fathers" first, then "Million Dollar Baby."

Let the two masterpieces "The Departed" and "Million Dollar Baby" stagger and lead the Oscars respectively, this is the best result.

This kind of thing can't be explained clearly on the phone.

Tang En made a special trip to Warner's studio, saw Sean Penn who was dubbing in post-production, and had a brief chat before finding Eastwood.

"What's the matter, you still have to come here in person?"

Eastwood was a little surprised.

Tang En said with a smile: "I really like the book "Flags of Our Fathers: Heroes of the Battle of Iwo Jima". I can't wait to see it on the big screen."

"Huh? You mean..."

"That's right, I want you to temporarily put aside the boxing movie and adapt this novel first."

Eastwood pondered and said: "But I have already made an agreement with Warner. After the production of "Mystic River", the next film will start the boxing-themed film."

Tang En shook his head and said, "Warner, I can come forward."

"this……"

Eastwood hesitated slightly, which disrupted his shooting plan for the next few years.

Tang En said: "Actually, this is also out of my own selfish considerations. Didn't you say that you want to invite Nat to be the starring role in the next movie? But she hasn't filmed for a year, and she needs to be given some time to find her acting skills." Feeling. I hope she can bring out her best state and participate in your film work."

This kind of reason is in line with the appetite of an artist.

Eastwood's complexion improved.

Tang En went on to say: "Besides, the cost of your past few films was relatively low. You said that the budget of the sports boxing film was less than 20 million US dollars? Clint, I think you should have a more Big challenge."

Eastwood shook his head and said, "Even if I shoot "Flags of Our Fathers", it must be a humanities film, not a pure war film."

Tang En smiled and said: "Of course, you are an artist. However, even if it is a humanities film, it must be a humanities blockbuster. It will definitely use all resources and the budget will not be too low."

As long as the subject of war is involved, especially if the navy is involved, it is impossible to keep the budget below $100 million.

Nominally, of course, $100 million.

In fact, "military expenses" can be reimbursed through the Ministry of Defense and the Parliament.

Twain even participated in last year's "Democratic Spring Conference".

This reimbursement is at least between 20 million and 30 million US dollars.

Eastwood did not speak, and remained silent for a long time.

Tang En then said: "In 2005, it will be the 60th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Japanese War. Wouldn't it be better for "Flags of Our Fathers" to be released this year than to delay it for a few years? If you really prepare for that first This kind of opportunity to pay tribute to the victory of World War II with a boxing-themed movie is gone."

As soon as these words came out, Eastwood's expression became more and more serious.

Immediately, he sighed and shook his head repeatedly, "Twain, that's not what I'm worried about. In fact, I have made an unprecedented bold attempt with the book "Flags of Our Fathers: Heroes of the Battle of Iwo Jima". I I've worked with Warner for many years, and they will support me in taking risks, but..."

Twain chuckled disapprovingly, and said formally: "Director Eastwood, have you forgotten what I said? As long as it's your movie, regardless of subject matter, budget, or style, I will give it no reason. Full support! This is definitely not a polite remark!"

Eastwood gritted his teeth: "Since that's the case, I'll just say it straight. I have a very bold idea about the adaptation of that book."

Tang En was like a mirror in his heart, so he could only pretend not to know, "Oh? What?"

"I plan to make two films at once, depicting the fierce battle on Iwo Jima from the perspectives of the US and Japan respectively. Human nature is always complicated. There is no eternally righteous hero, nor is there an eternally evil devil. But This kind of "joint movie" model of sisters is unprecedented, and no one can predict how the market will react." Eastwood said slowly.

Tang En said firmly: "One movie is called "Flags of Our Fathers" and the other is called "Letter from Iwo Jima". I like this kind of innovation!"

"Twain?"

Eastwood froze for a moment.

Tang En smiled slightly, and pointed to his own brain, "Don't forget, I'm a young man, and the most important thing I lack is innovation! I can even play manga movies and imax movies, and play a 'joint Movie', what's so strange?"

Eastwood said in a deep voice: "But you have to understand that the Japanese side's angle, that is, the "Iwo Jima Family Letter" you mentioned... Well, this name is very good, you can consider it. This angle is purely Japanese. It is suspected of beautifying the Japanese army and vilifying the US military. This is likely to cause great controversy in public opinion!"

Tang En smiled and shook his head.

He is prophetic, and the other party's worries are just the opposite!

In the previous life, "Flags of Our Fathers" was released in the United States, although it also deeply analyzed the cruelty of war and the complexity of human nature, and promoted anti-war thinking. But in general, there is not much breakthrough from past war films.

This made the entire American film critics and media circles disappointed with director Clint Eastwood.

Think he made a failed movie.

But two months later, "Letter from Iwo Jima" was released, and immediately won unanimous praise from the entire American film critics!

The penetrating three-pointer of "Letter from Iwo Jima" is the artistic level that a true film master should have.

In the movie, the Bushido spirit, which represents the evil side of the Japanese army, is vividly displayed. The spirit of sacrifice that regards death as home is admirable.

On the contrary, the U.S. military, which represents the righteous side, has shown a lot of cowardice, timidity, fear, and non-compliance with international conventions.

Justice also has an evil side, and evil also has a righteous side.

This kind of profound dialectical thinking is novel and far-reaching, which makes the film ignore the justice of war, but think about the human touch behind the war.

In fact, the mainland masterpiece "The Devil Is Coming" has also explored this angle. The Japanese army sent food to the common people, and stayed outside the village so as not to disturb the people. The common people led the way for the Japanese army ignorantly. The angle is not deep.

Even so, it was banned.

Future anti-Japanese war films can only go in the direction of "magic works".

Therefore, Twain was deeply disapproving of Eastwood's concerns, and said lightly: "Movies are the artistic processing of reality. The more angles, the more thinking. War is the game of politicians, the graves of soldiers, and the graves of civilians." Hell. To be against war is to be against war by all definitions."

"Games for politicians, graves for soldiers, hell for civilians..."

Eastwood's eyes lit up suddenly, and he muttered to himself.

This passage seems to have entered his heart!

This is the fundamental reason why he wants to make the book "Flags of Our Fathers: Heroes of the Battle of Iwo Jima" into two movies in the United States and Japan.

War is like life, there is no absolute justice or absolute evil.

Behind every war, there is unspeakable and endless pain.

This is the real anti-war!

There cannot be evil wars, and there should be no just wars!

In today's world, there are too many wars launched under the guise of justice.

Clint Eastwood is an old cowboy, and at the same time, he is also a politician, but the power is too small. He wants to express his thoughts and political demands through movies.

Now, the situation in Iraq is very tense!

"Okay! If that's the case, let's shoot the two films "Flags of Our Fathers" and "Letters From Iwo Jima" first, and I'll contact Steven right away. Dunn, Warner...you will be in charge of the negotiations."

Tang En smiled, "No problem!"

He doesn't care about Eastwood's personal feelings.

Whether the United States fights or not has nothing to do with him.

He only cares about whether the other party can make movies according to his blueprint.

So far, the effect is good!

Even legendary directors like Martin Scorsese and Clint Eastwood can play with applause.

Tang En is in Hollywood, what else can't he do?