Photos surface from Clint Eastwood’s new movie THE HUMAN FACTOR – A solid bet to be in the Best Picture race?
by Steve MasonIf I was forced today to guess which 2009 release will win the Academy Award for Best Picture, I would first complain that it’s impossible to guess right. Then I would put my money on Clint Eastwood’s The Human Factor (Warner Bros). In mid-March, it’s silly to start discussing which upcoming movies will be Academy Award contenders, but there are some films, still in production, that seem to have the pedigree to “go all the way.” Eastwood’s next movie as a director, based on John Carlin’s Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela & the Game That Changed a Nation, seems like a decent bet.
Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman acquired the film rights to the book, and he will play a post-prison Nelson Mandela with friend Eastwood directing. The Human Factor will tell the story of how the 1995 World Cup Rugby Final between heavily-favored New Zealand and underdog South Africa helped to heal the post-Apartheid racial divide. Matt Damon, sporting blonde hair, has reportedly trained hard in order to credibly play South African captain Francois Pienaar. Some photos have begun to show up from the current production.
Eastwood is riding high from the success of his Gran Torino (Warner Bros), which has now passed $145M domestic. He’ll stay behind the camera for Factor, and it is probably where he is most comfortable these days. In a business where the average director burns out quickly after a short burst of artistic excellence (see Francis Ford Coppola), Eastwood has directed seven films since turning 70 (starring in just three – Blood Work, Million Dollar Baby and Gran Torino). In that span, he has won two Oscars, for directing and producing Million Dollar Baby, and nominated for four more, for producing and directing both Mystic River and Letters From Iwo Jima.
There is no reason to believe that Eastwood is slowing down. He directed both Changeling and Gran Torino last year, and, as a rugby fan, he jumped at the opportunity to direct The Human Factor. His movies are always top secret, so we won’t hear much about it until fall, but it’s safe to anticipate a platform release starting in early December.
Steve Mason is on Facebook and now also on Twitter.
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60 Comments
Spike Lee is upset Eastwood did not cast a black actor for the role of Francois Pienaar.
Actually the movie sounds like a whitewash of the criminal Mandela and the craven swine that do their best to ignore what South Africa turned into in part thanks to Mandela…
Nelson Mandela was busted with 800 pounds of dynamite in his car. Later they found thousands of grenades and rifles. Be very suspicious of any film that doesn't accurately contextualize the plight of the Whites in South Africa.
I know you are making a joke, but just wait.
I can already hear Spike…
"Why does he have to focus on the WHITE star of the rugby team?"
I agree with Lawhawk. As a mahjor Eastwood fan, I have a feeling this is the moral equivalency Eastwood I like to pretend doesn't exist. I hope I'm wrong, but MATT DAMON? Already, I'm cringing. Our luck will have it where Eastwood will have a crappy movie, marvelous sucess with said movie, and then decide to retire.If that's the case, I'd have soon had him end on Torino. *sigh*
I'm betting you didnt like "Mystic River". For me, Penn and Mr Sarandon turned me off.
You would undoubtedly be right, if I had seen "Mystic River." Those who know me from this site would immediately recognize that the double-whammy of Penn and Sarandon is an automatic disqualifier for any viewing by me. The cringe factor would just be too much.
I'm pretty sure you're right, and I hope that if he does go down that road he still has one more movie left in him. This would be a terrible epitaph.
WTF?? Because Apartheid was such a gentle and just system?
Agreed. I read Mystic River, do I get any points for that? Personally, I didn't care for it, so if the movie is anything like the book, and stars Sarandon and Penn, then I can't say as I missed out. I couldn't watch Dead Men Walking, either.
I love the true movie magic that Eastwood is bringing to the silver screen. It's insightful and thought provoking. I don't know if I'll watch this movie though knowing Damion is in it. I don't care what color he bleaches his hair he's still an idiot as far as I can tell. That is the down side to speaking out on a regular basis as an actor it becomes tough as a viewer not to see that same person trying to pretend to be someone else.
If I can get a version of this movie with Damion's head obscured by many distorted pixels I might watch it.
Eastwood is remarkable alright, and the pc subject wont hurt his Oscar chances any more than it hurt Sean Penn's this year.
You'd figure Clint Eastwood of all people would make a War on Terror movie supportive of the troops and the US. But no he's doing a safe feel good movie about nelson Mandela (*sigh). Way to go, Clint!
Wonder if he will cover the poisoning of the New Zealand team so that South Africa could steal the win.
No offense, but this whole topic belong in the "who cares?" column. Could anything be more irrelevant than annual academy awards?
"Matt Damon, sporting blonde hair, has reportedly trained hard in order to credibly play South African captain Francois Pienaar"
Nuff said. Won't be watching Matt Damon in anything. It's a waste of money.
ATTENTION! Reportable Case! My above post did not go to Moderation!
Mandela was a communist. Bad. But as a conservative, I am not willing to defend apartheid South Africa, nor deny any oppressed people the imperative of revolution. And as world history has shown, some revolutions come out right, and some don't. Mandela was a bad guy who actually didn't do all that badly while he was in office. His wife was a cold-blooded murderer, and his political allies didn't turn out to be nearly so moderate after the revolution. Bishop Desmond Tutu was Mandela's useful idiot (sort of like today's Archbishop of Canterbury). But covering up Mandela's violent actions, for good or ill, will not serve history well.
It will all come down to: Is this the "Gran Torino" Eastwood or "Million Dollar Baby" Eastwood? The morally certain "Dirty Harry" Eastwood or the moral equivalency "Letters from Iwo Jima" Eastwood? Only time will tell. But the casting of the slimy pseudo-intellectual Matt Damon is definitely not a good sign.
Now, wait a minute, guys. I don't care for Matt Damon's politics (or Penn's or Robbins's) any more than anyone else here, and you're all probably right: Matt Damon being in a movie that even touched on Nelson Mandela is a bad sign.
But to act like ANYTHING he's in automatically means it's liberal claptrap? I've personally enjoyed several Matt Damon movies. I mean, did NONE of you like Good Will Hunting?
As for Dead Man Walking, that was one of the most Christian movies to come out of Hollywood. When I think of the three principle people behind it, I wonder how it was possible that they were able to make that movie and not dilute the message.
Their politics aside, there are some actors who are (for me) too annoying as actors to waste money on. Matt Damon is one. Julia Roberts is another. Tim Robbins (Mr. Sarandan) in spite of his politics is a marvelous actor who always turns in an excellent performance. I suspect Forrest Whitaker is a rip-roaring Lefty, but IMHO he is the best actor working in film today. His "Last King of Scotland" was overpowering.
That said, I do think the Conservatives and Moderates who are tired of being propagandized under the guise of entertainment ought to do what the Lefties would do if this were happening to them — BOYCOTT.
You had me till Matt Damon.
http://the100mostannoyingthings.blogspot.com/
But to act like ANYTHING he's in automatically means it's liberal claptrap?
Certainly not, but there are some actors whose very public and ceaseless activism has supplanted their art. In many cases, they are better known as outspoken celebrities than for their acting. Fine, that´s their choice. Just don´t ask me to watch Clooney, Penn, Damon et al. on screen, trying to buy into their characters while trying to ignore the one thing they keep shoving in my face the rest of the time: their inane opinions. It´s like casting John Kerry in a movie – doesn´t matter how good he is, it´s John F´n Kerry.
I won't go to any movie Matt Damon is in. Period!! Gran Torino was great!!! Liberals have ruined Holly Wood for me.
that is true. Sad to see Eastwood go down that PC road. I can't stand the holly wood left. Won't pay to watch their movies , ever!!
El Gordo has a point. Who can watch Damon and think he's "good Will Hunting" or the spy guy? No! He's Matt Damon, political activist. Same with George Clooney, Barbra Streisand. They sacrifice the ability to become their characters in the name of political ideology. Maybe it's good for conservative actors to be grey-listed (and they are, make no bones about it) — that way they don't become political beings but rather the characters they play.
If any movie is made about Nelson Mandela it should be about the genocide of whites in South Africa that he unleashed.
I can't see how Matt Damon can surpass his performance in Team America: World Police.
I remember that world cup, it was pretty good except that Australia didn't win! Oh well, after they lost everyone was going for RSA so it turned out ok'ish in the end.
It was right to oppose Apartheid. But now Apartheid is history, and what should stop us from admitting that the Mandelas are in fact not modern saints? It´s not appropriate to sing his praises again and again while ignoring his dark side. The facts on the ground are changing. Some of the current rulers of South Africa are inept, some are vicous, and that gets people killed (or in the case of Mbeki, dying from AIDS). There was a time when Mugabe was hailed as a great liberator.
As for the movie, why go back to Mandela again? What does it achieve? Unlikely as it sounds, even the last Rambo movie with its focus on the Burmese junta was more timely and relevant.
Even the Departed?
So, I take it you were pro-apartheid?
Can't say I was aware there was a glut of Mandela movies. I also never heard of this game or its significance. I know South Africa didn't become Disneyland once Apartheid ended. (I was horrified when Winnie Mandela's criminal deeds came to light–I had admired her a great deal) But maybe the film will inspire people there to do better? To look at what they overcame and get back on track? Since I don't share the Damon dislike so prevalent here, there's no downside for me. Love Eastwood, Freeman..and Damon. Just hope he can nail the accent.
Too bad, you missed a great movie
How *exactly* is this movie "PC"? Moreover, considering NONE of you have seen one second of this film, how in the hell do you know what's actually in it?
Mystic River was overrated. You didn't miss much, LawhawkSF.
He never will. Just as Tim Robbins peaked early with Howard the Duck.
Feel free to explain how suggesting a film be made about the genocide of whites in south Africa would make someone pro-apartheid. Apartheid is in the past, the genocide of whites is happening now. Do you support the current genocide of whites in south Africa?
Movies, just a few. But he is ever present as a secular saint and an absolute moral authority, the full Gandhi treatment, which after the first 20 years gets annoying. Would-be Gandhis end up in shallow graves every day because they face less considerate regimes. Who knows their names?
Don´t get me wrong, I´m not ideologically opposed to this movie. It might be very good. Will it inspire people to do better or will it inspire them to feel like righteous victims? I´m not in a position to know.
That was my thought too, but I gave it a try anyway. I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't hate it. One plus was (spoiler!) Penn offing Mr. Sarandon.
Outstanding, Carolyn. A genuine lol.
Well, Gran Torino was hardly PC, which is likley why it was snubbed at the Oscars. Seems like Eastwood does just enough of the PC stuff to keep him in the game for the other stuff. I don't know if that's actually his strategy or if he just looks for a story he wants to tell. Either way, I'm glad for the occasional Gran Torino.
I've gotten several replies saying that it wasn't so bad. Maybe when it's on TV (for free) next time, I'll give it a try. I'm guessing that even for free, I'll still want my money back. I'll take some anticonvulsives before it starts.
Farm attacks are not "genocide". Frankly, considering what the white minority did in South Africa for half a century, if this is the worst that has happened, then the whites have been lucky.
In other words, you do support the genocide of whites, or at the very least condone it. You're truly a disgusting human being.
I guess I'm just still able to separate the artist from the art. Otherwise there are few actors I'd be able to watch. Even if I want to watch Lord of the Rings I have to forget that Ian McKellen is not only gay (which I have no real issue with; his sexuality is his business) but an activist who hates religion.
i will not pay any money to watch these liberals act in movies. I saw the Departed for free when I moved and got HBO and so on for free. I didn't think much of the movie anyway. Needless to say after the 3 months were up on the free HBO, that went to. Holly wood lost me as a customer many yrs ago. I went t o alot of movies but now only a few each year at most. I went to see Gran Torino and before that American Carol. 300 and the Passion. They were the last four films I have seen in a movie theater. Thats crazy just thinking about it. 4 films in 4 yrs. Well I saved some money.
Disappointing, but I didn´t even know about his activism, so maybe he doesn´t use every opportunity to promote it. Or maybe because he is less famous. I don´t seek out such information and an actor doesn´t have to conform with my beliefs, just make it possible for me to ignore his. And there it helps that McKellen is a very good actor. Clooney or Damon are so far out of his league, it´s pathetic, so why should I cut them any slack? I hope that makes sense.
(Great, now I have an image of Clooney as Gandalf in my head – somebody please get me a lobotomy)
No, Steve, I don't support genocide of ANYONE, I am surprised that there wasn't real retribution after apartheid fell.
Where is Spike Lee now huh? I'm guessing at home bitterly attempting to channel 1993, back when he still had a career.
So thousands of South African whites being murdered and having their land stolen, all with the blessing of the Mandela government, isn't genocide and it's not "real retribution". And the friends and family of those murdered should feel "lucky" in your eyes. Somehow i doubt you'd be so flippantly dismissive if it were whites committing these crimes.
I have vivid memories of that rugby match! We were in New Delhi, and my husband went with a South African friend to watch it at (I think) the British Consulate, with a whole bunch of other diplomats. He said the South Africans were all wild with excitement, shouting "For the Volk and the Fatherland!" while the Brits and Americans cringed in embarrassment! Great fun. And the crowd really loved the Maori "intimidation" ritual the New Zealanders did at the beginning, where the South Africans looked like they were ready to charge right back; it was like a miniature battle ceremony.
No one should be killing anyone , k?
A Clint Eastwoood movie about Nelson Mandela? Duh.
The only way it would be more of a sure thing Best Picture nom is if it were a Clint Eastwood Holocaust movie or Clint Eastwood gay something movie.
AC,
My son would have definately said that was his favorite Matt Damon role, and I think you both may be right.
And you douchebags upthread wonder why the Republican Party is lilywhite and will remain so til the end of time.
So should I not read any of Doug Tennapel's comics because of his outspoken conservative and Christian views? Shouldn't one be able to seperate the art from the artist?
I feel sorry for you…..you've missed out on heaps of great entertainment because of your political beliefs.
I bet this new movie is about deifying the communist fraud named Nelson Mandela as President of South Africa with all the soccer glory in the foreground.
One thing to remember is that Eastwood is doing this at a friends request. And as for the deification of Mendela, that's pretty standard anytime you have a revolution, even one as nominally bloodless as South Africa's. Mendela the image isn't Mendela the man, but the image is a whole lot better for the purpose of national unification. Besides he served his term and stepped down in a democratic process: that alone makes him one of the best leaders in Africa. That may be faint praise, but the bar for democracy really is that low in Africa.
As for the Oscars, lets see: Morgan Freeman playing a rose-tinted version of Mendela (check), Clint Eastwood making a politically safe movie (check), an uplifting story of racial reconciliation {that grossly oversimplifies an incredibly complicated social change} (check). Have John Williams do the score, and I don't think they'll wait for the Oscars. They'll just throw Oscars at the screen during the premier.
Besides, its a movie where the New Zealanders are the antagonists. Finally we have a movie addressing the silent menace to the south, or east depending on your continent. At last those filthy kiwis will be depicted as the blood thirtsy, imperialistic savages they really are without being able to hide behind the agrarian mask of sheep farming and the girth of Peter Jackson. I hope Clint is brave enough to take on the butcher Jim Bolger, PM of New Zealand at the time. Bolgers use of the military (both Wayne and Jerry) is an unforgiveable stain in the history of the Pacific countries.
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