Steven Spielberg
Interview By: Dan Portnoy
DanPortnoy @TheCinemaSource.com
When you hear the name Steven Spielberg many things come to mind. When I hear it I think of one word, success. Over the years success and Spielberg have become synonymous, as his pictures have grossed some of the highest numbers in history. The explanation for his countless achievements is his uncanny ability to tell a story, as well as his overwhelming dedication and love for the art of filmmaking. In his most recent feature film War of the Worlds (adapted from the H.G. Wells novel) Spielberg returns to the Science fiction genre once again, and unlike E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, these aliens don't want to make friends.
In this new installment to the Science Fiction genre, a massive attack is being mounted against Earth, carried out by an alien species that has dwelled beneath the planets surface for years, biding their time. In the past, Spielberg has been known to portray extra-terrestrials as tame, non-confrontational beings that befriend a member or members of the human race; however, in War of the Worlds this alien species is intent on destroying the Earth's population. 'I thought, well why can't I try my hand at the kind of film that Ridley Scott made when he did the first Alien, which is one of my favorite science fiction movies, and this is something I had always wanted to do. I wanted to do War of the Worlds ever since I read the book in college before I actually became a filmmaker. I knew I wanted to do some version of it'' Some version it is indeed. Compared to the 1953 variation, only the basic premise is the same; aliens attack world, humans must defend themselves. However the extravagance and on-screen intensity in Spielberg's version make this film one that contemporary audiences will widely enjoy.
The thing that makes Worlds different than most alien invasion movies is that the aliens come from within the earth as opposed to from another planet or galaxy. 'I didn't want to do the whole death from above clich' that we see so often in Science Fiction movies when you look up at the sky and it's raining down terror and death upon you.' The emergence of the aliens from within was something that Spielberg came up with on his own. His innovation is a defining characteristic of him as a director, which allows for an even better and more original storytelling.
But what, if anything, drew Spielberg's attention and interest to the Science Fiction genre in the first place' 'Science fiction, the genre, is the great escape for moviemakers.' That being said, you may notice that much of Spielberg's success doesn't come solely from this particular genre. Let's not forget the widespread acclaim for The Color Purple, Schindler's List, and Saving Private Ryan. 'My movies go from Historical Drama to Science Fiction. I love going back and forth from history where I'm really contained and where I have to be more of a reporter or photojournalist than an imagineer, and science fiction where I don't have the constraints on where we can take these stories.' These stories push the limitations of the Science Fiction genre and introduce concepts that cause audiences to question the boundaries of our world. 'Science fiction is not a subconscious thing at all; to me it's a vacation. It's a vacation away from all the rules of narrative logic; it's a vacation away from physics and physical science. It lets you leave all the rules behind and fly...science fiction gives me a chance to really soar.'
Genre aside, this is the first film that Spielberg has worked with young new screen sensation Dakota Fanning. He expressed his wonder and respect for Dakota's growing talent with a father like admiration, 'she's got an incredible extraordinary gift,' and he directed and spoke to her like an adult. 'I never talk to children as is if they are children, especially in my professional work.' Well whatever he did it worked, because once again Dakota outdoes herself, providing passion and exuberance within her role.
Not only was she gaining popularity from the movie going public at large, she was also exchanging letters back and forth between Spielberg's children. 'She communicated with all my kids, all my kids are huge fans of hers. My little girls would send her notes and she was answering every one of them and sending them right back through me. We had a whole mail service going between my two youngest and Dakota during the whole movie.' The rapport that Spielberg forms with his actors is reflected in the final product of the movie, and becomes one of the many reasons that actors are eager to work with him. Including Tom Cruise - this is his second movie with Spielberg holding the reigns.
Today, despite many recent big budget pictures, movie theaters have seen better days. In response to the recent box office slump that the film industry continues to endure, Spielberg has a practical solution to the ongoing problem. 'Just make the kind of movies (people) want to see.' It seems reasonable enough, hopefully this summer will provide a much needed box office boost. And with the release of War of the Worlds and other summer blockbusters it may just happen. 'When the right movies come up' people show up for them.' It must be true. Why' Because, it's coming from Steven Spielberg, a man whose made a career on filling the seats of movie theaters.
Just keep those hits coming Steven and things will be all right.
