- Title: USA: Eastwood's "Gran Torino" drives home message of tolerance
- Date: 11th December 2008
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (DECEMBER 09, 2008) (REUTERS) ANGELINA JOLIE ON THE RED CARPET WITH PAN TO THE THEATER CLINT EASTWOOD ON THE RED CARPET PAN OF ARRIVAL LINE (SOUNDBITE) (English) CLINT EASTWOOD, ACTOR/DIRECTOR, ON "GRAN TORINO" TAKING ON POLITICAL CORRECTNESS, SAYING: "One thing, when you get past 70 - a friend of mine said when you get past 70, what can they do to you? Not a whole lot. So, now is a good time to play it. You can't worry, you just have to go straight ahead. One of the problems is that people are walking on eggshells all the time. A society that is walking on eggshells cannot have a whole lot of fun. Walt certainly doesn't walk on eggshells, he tramples everything else. At least he is learning, he didn't asked to learn but he's forced too." ANGELINA JOLIE BEING INTERVIEWED (SOUNDBITE) (English) CLINT EASTWOOD, ACTOR/DIRECTOR SAYING: "I've always maintained that you can always learn something. That is the reason that I keep working and have never thought about retiring, is that I can always learn something new in every picture. This was a character that was that. He starts out as one thing and learns about tolerance and stuff through the least likely people in the world." ANGELINA JOLIE POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS CLINT EASTWOOD POSING WITH WIFE DINA
- Embargoed: 26th December 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA2XLJY8XC8J4NJGU65F3G4B93H
- Story Text: Clint Eastwood's latest film "Gran Torino" teaches lesson of tolerance.
Legendary actor/director Clint Eastwood takes on "political correctness" in his latest film "Gran Torino," a story of hope and tolerance. The Academy Award winner, who directs and stars in the film, arrived on the red carpet with his wife Dina for Tuesday night's (December 9) world premiere. Angelina Jolie, who currently stars in the Eastwood directed drama, "The Changeling," was among the others attending the event held at Warner Bros. studios.
"Gran Torino" is Eastwood's first film role since his Oscar-winning "Million Dollar Baby." He plays retired auto worker Walt Kowalski, an ironwilled veteran living in a changing world, who is forced by his immigrant neighbours to confront his own long-held prejudices. Though he initially wants nothing to do with them, he becomes a reluctant hero after standing up to local gang-bangers. The showdown sets in motion an unlikely friendship that changes the lives of both.
Part of "Gran Torino's" appeal is its honesty in abandoning political correctness. In the film, Eastwood's character insults every ethnic group he comes across, something he says was necessary to convey the film's ultimate message of tolerance.
"One thing, when you get past 70 - a friend of mine said when you get past 70, what can they do to you? Not a whole lot," Eastwood told Reuters. "So, now is a good time to play it. You can't worry, you just have to go straight ahead. One of the problems is that people are walking on eggshells all the time. A society that is walking on eggshells cannot have a whole lot of fun. Walt certainly doesn't walk on eggshells, he tramples everything else. At least he is learning, he didn't asked to learn but he's forced too."
The 78-year-old actor says its films like "Gran Torino" that are the reason he keeps working.
"I've always maintained that you can always learn something. That is the reason that I keep working and have never thought about retiring, is that I can always learn something new in every picture." said Eastwood.
"This was a character that was that. He starts out as one thing and learns about tolerance and stuff through the least likely people in the world."
The film, "Gran Torino" opens on December 12. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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