AN EPIC BATTLE FOR A SMALL FILM TO MAKE 'ELAH,' HAGGIS FACED NATION'S GOLIATH PRO-WAR MOOD.Byline: BOB STRAUSS >FILM WRITER After two decades of writing, producing and directing television, Paul Haggis broke into movies in a big way with scripts for "Million Dollar Baby," "Casino Royale," "Flags of Our Fathers," "Letters From Iwo Jima Letters from Iwo Jima (Japanese: 硫黄島からの手紙, Iwo jima kara no tegami) is a 2006 Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning critically-acclaimed[1][2][3] ," and his Oscar-winning directing debut, "Crash." For his second writing-directing effort, "In the Valley of Elah The Valley of Elah is the valley of the terebinth (Arabic Wadi es-Sunt), best known as the place where the Israelites were encamped when David fought Goliath (1 Sam. 17:2, 19). It was near Azekah and Shochoh (17:1). ," the socially conscious, Canada-born Haggis fictionalized a Playboy article about an Iraq war Iraq War: see under Persian Gulf Wars. Iraq War or Second Persian Gulf War Brief conflict in 2003 between Iraq and a combined force of troops largely from the U.S. and Great Britain; and a subsequent U.S. veteran who disappeared soon after returning stateside state·side adj. 1. Of or in the continental United States. 2. Alaska Of or in the 48 contiguous states of the United States. adv. Informal 1. . Tommy Lee Jones For the musician, see . Tommy Lee Jones (born September 15, 1946) is an Academy Award-winning American actor and director. Biography Early life Jones was born in San Saba, Texas, the son of Clyde C. plays the young soldier's father and former military policeman, and Charlize Theron is the New Mexico New Mexico, state in the SW United States. At its northwestern corner are the so-called Four Corners, where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah meet at right angles; New Mexico is also bordered by Oklahoma (NE), Texas (E, S), and Mexico (S). cop who helps him investigate. "Elah" opens Friday. Why the title reference to the battlefield where David fought Goliath? I've always been interested in the story, and I was starting to think about the nature of bravery Bravery See also Heroism. Achilles foremost Greek hero of Trojan War; brave and formidable warrior. [Gk. Hist.: NCE, 12] Adrastus courageous Indian prince; Rinaldo’s enemy. [Ital. Lit. . It turned out well for David, and he must have been incredibly brave to stand there with this giant charging at him. But I asked myself, what kind of king would allow a boy to go fight this giant? The bravery of these young men doing this impossible task is one thing, but what's our responsibility in allowing them to do it? I hadn't wanted to do a film about Iraq. But I read this article, and I'd heard another story just before it from a veteran, and I turned those two stories into something I wanted to talk about. I wanted to ask hard questions about what's happening to veterans. It took a long time before Iraq war films started getting made. Was it a struggle to get "Elah" financed? Yes. When we were coming up with this at the beginning of 2004, we were still driving around with flags on our cars in Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. , and our president was telling us that it was unpatriotic to even question what was happening in Iraq. So trust me, it wasn't easy. I've heard it said that all these guys are jumping on this bandwagon band·wag·on n. 1. An elaborately decorated wagon used to transport musicians in a parade. 2. Informal A cause or party that attracts increasing numbers of adherents: now that the war has become less popular. Where were these S.O.B's 3 1/2 years ago when we were trying to get the money for this thing? You're an American now, but some critics label "Elah" a Canadian anti-war statement? It's not criticizing America at all. I really tried not to come down on one side or another. I have my own opinions, and they're very strong. But I wanted to tell this story through the eyes of an American who served his country, served it proudly and is very proud that his son went into the military. Veterans who've seen it keep thanking me for not making a political movie. I believe that it is a political film, but I don't think it's a partisan film. Now you're writing the next James Bond film. Tell us what happens. I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. . I'm on Page 22. "Casino Royale" revital- ized the franchise, but it was still escapist entertainment, very different from the dramas you usually do. You do deal with him as a human being, though. I like making all kinds of movies. As long as they're about human beings, I'll make 'em. "Casino Royale" was about what it means to be an assassin. You won back-to-back screenplay Oscars for "Million Dollar Baby" and "Crash," and the latter won best picture. How does it feel? It's terrific. I've been very lucky. I wrote those two scripts on spec, and it took 4 1/2 years to get them both made. And I'm glad I did it that way rather than trying ... well, I tried every other way! I just couldn't break into movies. But finally I did it with projects I felt passionate about. That seems to be my ticket, so I'll just keep doing it. Most people expected Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain" to win best picture last year. I was stunned stun tr.v. stunned, stun·ning, stuns 1. To daze or render senseless, by or as if by a blow. 2. To overwhelm or daze with a loud noise. 3. myself. I'd gone away for, like, a month before the ceremony. I went to France because it had gotten to the point where I was feeling really uncomfortable with the promotion; I felt like I was selling myself at every event. The PR machine all freaked out, but I had to go. I came back five days before the Oscars, and people were going, "Big groundswell ground·swell n. 1. A sudden gathering of force, as of public opinion: a groundswell of antiwar sentiment. 2. ." I was like yeah, right. I saw Ang Lee accepting at every single awards show up to that. So I was facing him, with my hands ready to applaud, and they said "Crash." I saw my wife standing and I thought, "Does she like Ang Lee that much?" There was a lot of anger directed your way afterward af·ter·ward also af·ter·wards adv. At a later time; subsequently. Adv. 1. afterward - happening at a time subsequent to a reference time; "he apologized subsequently"; "he's going to the store but he'll be back here . I loved "Brokeback Mountain." I would have been very proud to applaud that. All the other nominees that year deserved to win. What I feel hurt about is that films are judged one better than the next. My films are no better than "Brokeback Mountain." It's ridiculous to think that way, and it's ridiculous to pit one artist against another. Feel any guilt? I love having those two statuettes. But I hope I don't have to live through that again. Bob Strauss, (818) 713-3670 bob.strauss@dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Paul Haggis >GETTY IMAGES |
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