USA: Legendary Hollywood director Barry Levinson talks about his latest film, a documentary
Record ID:
1531313
USA: Legendary Hollywood director Barry Levinson talks about his latest film, a documentary
- Title: USA: Legendary Hollywood director Barry Levinson talks about his latest film, a documentary
- Date: 2nd May 2009
- Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (APRIL 30, 2009) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) BARRY LEVINSON, DIRECTOR, "POLIWOOD", SAYING: "I think their greatest influence is in the fact that some have certain projects, social issues that they're concerned in and they make people aware of that. I think that's where their greatest strength is, not necessarily in how you're going to vote, because, you know, I don't think that's the key. I think that somehow they can talk about an issue that might not get the attention otherwise. And that's where their greatest strength."
- Embargoed: 17th May 2009 11:15
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Film
- Reuters ID: LVA8NBF3B2K7FR0DPOU05LRU09WN
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Academy Award-winning director, Barry Levinson has strayed from his usual realm of narrative film-making with his latest project, "Poliwood".
The documentary explores the tension between Hollywood and politics.
Levinson filmed a group of actors at the Republican and Democratic National Conventions during the 2008 U.S. Presidential election. He spent a great deal of time tracking their meetings and debates and interviewing them.
"It's exhilarating to shoot a documentary because you're really running and shooting. And you're surprised by a lot of things and you don't necessarily know where you're going to go next. You just try to follow the events as they unfold," said Levinson.
The film includes well-know stars like Anne Hathaway, Susan Sarandon, Tim Daly, Matthew Modine and Ellen Burstyn.
Levinson says that it was interesting to see the reactions of people to the actors at the conventions and how they are often perceived as being pretentious because of their fame and wealth. He says he doesn't think Hollywood stars have a great deal of influence over how Americans vote, but rather an unconscious, subtle affect on their opinions.
"I think their greatest influence is in the fact that some have certain projects, social issues that they're concerned in and they make people aware of that. I think that's where their greatest strength is, not necessarily in how you're going to vote, because, you know, I don't think that's the key. I think that somehow they can talk about an issue that might not get the attention otherwise," he said.
Levinson also assumes an uncomfortable position for himself in "Poliwood" -- he is often on-camera and also narrates the film.
"I hated me being on camera. It's something that I'm not interested in doing and didn't want to do," he said.
Levinson's "Poliwood" naturally draws comparisons to his 1997 political film, "Wag the Dog". The director won an Oscar Award for Best Director for his 1988 film, "Rain Man" starring Dustin Hoffman.
"Poliwood" has its Tribeca Film Festival premiere on Friday (May 01). - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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