Chapter 581： The Banner of Our Fathers: Heroes of the Battle of Iwo Jima

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

Clint Eastwood also won the Best Director Oscar 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 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 Dunn, "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 is definitely not the situation Dunn wants to see.

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

It's hard!

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

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

Although "The Departed" has profound humanistic feelings, 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.

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

It's not the situation Dunn wants to see either.

"The Departed" is his first solo film, and he hopes for a perfect result!

At present, "The Departed" has been approved with a budget of 85 million US dollars, the crew has begun preparations, and the script is also starting on the line.

It was impossible to stop.

What may change is the "Million Dollar Baby" shooting schedule.

Now that Clint Eastwood is in the final stages of production on Mystic River, the Million Dollar Baby project won't start for at least eight months.

It's better to push him to change his mind.

First "Banner of the Fathers", then "Million Dollar Baby."

Staggering the two best works of "The Departed" and "Million Dollar Baby" to lead the Oscars, this is the best result.

This kind of thing, has been unclear on the phone.

Dunn made a special trip to Warner's studio and saw Sean Penn who was dubbing in the later stage. After a brief chat, he found Eastwood.

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

Eastwood was a little surprised.

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

"Huh? You mean..."

"Yes, I want you to put the boxing movie on hold for now and adapt this novel first."

Eastwood pondered: "But I have already agreed with Warners that after the production of "Mystic River", the next film will start the boxing film."

Dunn shook his head and said, "As for Warner, I can come forward."

"This……"

Eastwood hesitated, disrupting his shooting plans for the next few years.

Tang En said: "Actually, this is also out of my selfish consideration. Didn't you say that in the next movie, you want to invite Nate to star? But she hasn't filmed for a year, and she needs to give her some time to get back to acting. Feeling. I want her to be at her best and be involved in your film work."

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

Eastwood's face improved.

Dunn continued: "Besides, the cost of your past few movies is relatively low. You said the budget of the sports boxing movie is less than 20 million US dollars? Clint, I think you should have a better budget. Big challenge."

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

Tang En said with a smile: "Of course, you are an artist. However, even if it is a humanities film, it must be a humanities blockbuster. All resources will be used, and the budget will not be too low."

As long as the war theme is involved, especially if the Navy is involved, the budget cannot be kept below $100 million.

Of course, $100 million in nominal terms.

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

Dunn also attended 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 "The Banner of the Fathers" to be released this year than to delay for a few years? If you really prepare for that first A boxing movie, this kind of opportunity to give a gift to the victory of World War II, but there is no way."

As soon as these words came out, Eastwood became even more embarrassed.

Immediately, he sighed and shook his head again and again, "Dawn, I'm not worried about this. In fact, for the book "The Banner of Our Fathers: Heroes of the Battle of Iwo Jima", I have an unprecedented bold attempt. I I've worked with Warners for years and they'll support my adventures, but..."

Dunn chuckled in disapproval, and said formally: "Director Eastwood, have you forgotten what I said? As long as it is your film, no matter the subject matter, budget or style, I will have no reason for it. Full support! This is definitely not a polite word!"

Eastwood gritted his teeth and said, "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 perspective of the United States and Japan respectively. Human nature is always complicated, there is no hero who is always righteous, and there is no devil who is always evil. But This kind of 'conjoined film' model of the sister chapters is unprecedented, and no one can predict how the market will react." Eastwood said slowly.

Tang En said firmly: "One movie is called "The Banner of the Fathers", and the other is called "Iwo Jima Letters", I am optimistic about this kind of innovation!"

"Don?"

Eastwood froze for a moment.

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

Eastwood said solemnly: "But you have to understand that the angle of the Japanese side, which is the "Iwo Jima Letter" you said... Well, the name is very good, you can consider it. This angle is purely Japanese. From the perspective, there is suspicion of beautifying the Japanese army and vilifying the US military. This is likely to lead to great public controversy!"

Dunn smiled and shook his head.

He was foresight, and the other party's worries were just the opposite!

In the previous life, "The Banner of the 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 ideas. But in general, there is not much breakthrough from the past war films.

This has disappointed the film critics and the media throughout the United States with director Clint Eastwood.

Think he made a failed movie.

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

"Iwo Jima Letter" is the artistic level that a real film master should have.

In the film, the spirit of Bushido, which represents the evil side of the Japanese army, is rather broken than broken, and the spirit of sacrificing that sees death as home is admirable.

On the contrary, the U.S. military, which represents the righteous side, has shown a lot of cowardice, cowardice, fearlessness, and brutal killing of prisoners in violation of international conventions.

Justice also has an evil side, and evil also has its righteousness.

This kind of profound dialectical thinking, novel and far-reaching, makes the film ignore the justice of the war and think about the humanity behind the war.

In fact, the masterpiece "The Devil is Coming" in the mainland 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 ignorantly led the way for the Japanese army. angle is not deep.

But even so, it was banned.

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

Therefore, Dunn deeply disapproved of Eastwood's concerns said lightly: "A movie is an artistic processing of reality. Every angle means more thinking. War is a game of politicians. A grave for soldiers, a **** for civilians. Anti-war is war against all definitions.”

"Politician's game, soldier's grave, commoner's hell..."

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

This paragraph seemed to have entered his heart!

This is the fundamental reason why he made the book "The Banner of Our Fathers: Heroes of the Battle of Iwo Jima" into two American and Japanese films.

War is like life. There is no absolute justice and no absolute evil.

Behind every war, there are untold and inexhaustible pain.

This is the real anti-war!

There can be no evil war, nor should there be a just war!

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

Clint Eastwood is an old cowboy and, at the same time, a politician with too little power. He wants to express his ideological and political demands through movies.

Now, the situation in Iraq is very tense!

"Okay! Since that's the case, let's make two films, "The Flag of Our Fathers" and "Iwo Jima Family Letter". I'll contact Steven. Dunn, Warner's side... It's up to you to negotiate."

Tang En smiled, "No problem!"

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

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

All he cares about is whether the other party can make movies according to his own blueprint.

So far, the effect is good!

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

Dunn in Hollywood, what else can't do?

(Sanqi Chinese)