Ben Affleck has moved away from the prominence of an epic actor that he showed during the nineties and then his romantic comedies of the 2000’s, landing him more into a directing role. His recent piece is a conceptually intriguing story of American family members abducted in an incident related to the attack on the American Embassy in the 1979 Iranian crises. The movie filmed in LA, New York and Turkey but takes place in Tehran offers an up close look at what was occurring nationally with the over throw of the religiously powerful yet somewhat liberal leaning Shah. Affleck plays the part of a CIA agent in addition to directing the film. When considering the dual role in making the movie before eventually casting himself, he sought advice from other director/actor dualists like Clint Eastwood and Woody Allen. Their recommendation was don’t under play the importance of scenes involving yourself. Many behind the scene and on camera stars tend to not shoot much footage of themselves out of fear for the appearance of conceit. However when taking a dozen cuts of scenes of him, Affleck assured the rest of the production team this it wasn’t out of self-righteousness but rather sagacious advice from respected directors.
Moonrise Kingdom
In a recent interview with Wes Anderson in the New Times Magazine, he describes his humble, reclusive auteur lifestyle as a screen writer and director, that has eclipsed him to the forefront of cinematic prodigy in such films as Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums and others . When not taking in the simple nuances as a pastoral resident in Paris, Wes has been at work on his latest film “Moonrise Kingdom.” Currently in theaters, it is about two young adolescence who find each other after the boy, Sam, wanders away from a boy scout retreat in a New England coastal town. The troop leader who is undoubtedly dismayed in dealing with the missing scout is played by Edward Norton. Bill Murray, a centerpiece of many Anderson films, plays the young girl Suzy’s father. Bruce Willis has a part as the town’s police chief. A stunning cast mocks up for the making of what’s to be a placidly toned but captivating, sensation of a movie.
