Violent Delights

Uh... sure.

Tati_SwanJones

the title sounds boring though

TPF1138

I don't know about boring. It's simple, and deliberately undramatic, but it is ultimately a summation of the book's central premise. 'It's what I do' means 'this is who I am', 'this is how I experience life, how I see the world, how I communicate'. 'It's What I Do'.

That said, you're right, it's probably not punchy enough to sell a movie. As I've said from the beginning, I expect the studio to ask for a change...

mlkj13

I haven't read Lynsey's book yet, so I'm not sure of the themes/life experiences in it, but I wonder what perspective Spielberg will take when fictionalizing her story.

Has anyone read it?

TPF1138

I've read it alright.

As to Spielberg's perspective: It's worth noting that he's been interested for a while in making something that deals with modern military conflicts, but obviously from a North American POV. This is what initially attracted him to American Sniper.

He struggled in that case though, I think, to reconcile himself with the moral quandaries inherent in telling the story of a sniper. Indeed, I think most projects dealing with modern warfare pose an issue for Spielberg, because they generally lack the kind of morally sound central figure he tends to prefer.

A photojournalist documenting those war zones though, seems like it would solve that issue for him, and provide a perspective he can latch onto. One that allows him to explore that world as an observer who gets drawn in as a result of circumstance, but who is otherwise morally uncompromised by the conflicts she's documenting. In fact, given Addario's stated goals of using her photography to spotlight the suffering of those caught in these wars - the survivors, the casualties, and the refugees - in the hopes of, not just igniting sympathy but, motivating action, and her standing as a human rights activist, feminist, and respected humanitarian, she would seem a perfect protagonist for a Spielberg picture.

According to Addario too, Spielberg had 'a lot of questions about her relationships and embedding with the military'. Suggesting that, while the movie will no doubt condense, relocate, and shift around the events of Addario's life as it seeks to dramatise them, the director is very much engaged with delivering the essence of her story. Of who she is, and what she does...

Violent Delights

more explosions!

TPF1138

Jen's Herald

i hope some of the theme of the film is a message to inspire others to go bravely and selflessly into the line of fire to expose the horror, futility, and truth of war and conflict, through photography and written words.


the pen is truly mightier than the sword.

Violent Delights

... with explosions.

sunworshipper

... slowly walking away while everything explodes behind her. Wait, I better write this down!

mlkj13

Thanks Tony. Given all that, I can see why Speilberg would want to highlight her life and show the truth she sees.

Tati_SwanJones

yeah I think is just whatever "it's what I do" Okay good for you

TPF1138

That's been my sense since reading the book. It feels right up Spielberg's street.

Tati_SwanJones

its a boring title

Violent Delights

give us some alternate titles from your time with the book, then.