For the filming of his "Secret Dossier" the famous director started quite unexpectedly and quickly. The story of the fearless editor Catherine Graham so captivated Steven Spielberg that he, having postponed all affairs and other projects, immediately set to work.
The stars came together
The film tells about the struggle of Washington Post publisher Catherine Graham and her editor Ben Bradley, risking their career, freedom and position for the publication of classified materials about the Vietnam War. The main roles in the film are performed by the Oscar-winning Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, who also revised their work schedule to participate in the project.
Here's how the director commented on the work on the film:
"The best actors for these roles can not be found. I knew that postponing my affairs, not only because they are my friends, but also for the sake of a good project, they will definitely make this picture real. Especially since Tom was personally acquainted with Ben Bradley, who died in 2014 ".
A good script is the basis of everything.
Spielberg is known for his versatile interests, both in life and in cinema. Far from every talented director can remove fantasy and serious political dramas.
Here's how Spielberg himself talks about his project:
"I can never answer who I really am. My family, my audience can say about it, everyone has his own opinion and opinion. It all depends on the specific scenario. I do not create anything on the go and in the process of filming do not ask actors to invent something. You need an awareness of how to properly submit this or that story. There must be a real, strong history, reliable roots. These roots and is a good script. There are films about serious things and actions, where it is important to understand the essence and depth of what is happening. But there are other genres. Here, for example, this year is another my film - "The first player to prepare," here the viewer can relax completely. "
The story of a great woman
The events in question in the film took place in the USA in the 1970s. Could the 30-year-old Spielberg know that he would once film a movie about politics and a dangerous struggle for truth?
The director admires the main character:
"In those years, I was not interested in politics. The Watergate scandal I remembered only because it led to Nixon's resignation. I was completely immersed in the work. Then I was engaged in television, my career was gaining momentum, there were many projects. I was a film personality, and was absorbed in the television world. News and newspapers avoided me. I lived creativity. From my work, I was distracted only by the sad news that my university friends were dying in Vietnam. And when I got into the hands of the script of the "Secret Dossier", I just could not miss it. This is the story of a great woman and I could not help telling this truth. Her merit is great not only in the promulgation of these secret documents, it was Catherine Graham who was the first who gave the press such freedom and made it stronger. Having challenged the complex and brutal system, and knowing about the alleged consequences, she still ventured and was not afraid. If she did not then make this decisive step, it is unlikely that in the future anyone would venture to talk about Watergate and publish such documents "
Parallels with the past
The director admits that he sees in the current political situation a similar picture, the echoes of which go back in time:
"Looking at today's events taking place in the world, I get the feeling that I'm looking into the past. Involuntarily, parallels arise - Nixon and the other presidents, who do not care about the truth. But this film I shot not from the party point of view, but from the patriotic. We must protect our rights, guaranteed by the Constitution. I see these journalists as real heroes, I believe in freedom of speech, and I think the film is an antidote to fake news. I believe that cinema can influence the situation and change it for the better. The "Secret Dossier" is one of these films. I wanted to uncover the truth and give people the opportunity to understand what really happened. "
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The beginning of change
Steven Spielberg is sure that sooner or later the voices of people who appeal to the truth must be and will be heard. And the theme of harassment for the director was no exception:
"Scandals in Hollywood have become a breakthrough in the struggle for the truth of women caught in such a terrible situation. But, unfortunately, this happens not only in Hollywood. Women all over the world talk about sexual harassment and violence. I'm glad that, at last, they had such an opportunity. After all, this is a pervasive problem. This happens in factories, rural enterprises, large corporations, schools and in sports. I hope that the whole world will see and understand what is really happening. It's time to think about each one's behavior. It is time for a revolution that will lead to the adoption of an ethical code, awareness of the importance of gender equality issues. In the future, 2017 will be a symbol of the beginning of change, when people stopped being silent and their voices were heard. "