EXCLUSIVE: KEITH DAVID JOINS WACHOWSKI’S ‘CLOUD ATLAS’

One of the most underused, under-appreciated actors in Hollywood is The Mighty Keith David, a true screen talent and presence who has made every project he’s been associated with better since his first major role in John Carpenter’s “The Thing.”

Nothing’s been formally announced yet, but I’m told Mr. David is in Berlin working on “Cloud Atlas” after another actor didn’t work out. He’s joined an A-list cast that includes Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving Jim Broadbent and Susan Sarandon.

The Wachowskis are lucky to have him.

Here’s a synopsis of the science-fiction drama:

We already know that Cloud Atlas is going to be weird. Directed by Tom Tykwer and the Wachowski siblings, the project, based on the book by David Mitchell, is about six different characters with six separate storylines in six separate locations in six different eras and the actors will all be playing more than one role. If that isn’t enough, however, actor Ben Whishaw has informed Vulture that it gets even weirder. Speaking with the site to promote his new BBC show, The Hour, Whishaw revealed that not only are all the performers playing multiple roles in Cloud Atlas, but they will be switching races and genders as well. “I.m doing three,” the actor said.

If you want to know why I’m such a fan of the two-time Emmy winner, rent “Pitch Black” and “Requiem for a Dream” and closely watch his introduction scenes. If the story allows for any kind of nuance, David never shows all of his cards and therefore you never fully know what the true intentions of his characters are. In both of those films, when you first see his character, you have no idea whether he’s a good guy or a villain. Best of all, throughout the rest of his performance, you’re always under the impression that at any time he could turn in some unexpected direction.

Something’s always hidden, something unseen and unspoken is always going on. With little help from the script and using only his talent, David always tries to give his characters an inner-life, which makes him an actor with a very rare quality today… He’s interesting.

WHO SAID THESE WORDS IN A 1988 SPEECH OPPOSING THE ALTERING OF FILMS:

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Was it so long ago? In 2004, there was incredible optimism in the film business. “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy had arrived to thundering conclusion. The third installment of the series, “The Return Of The King,” had just swept the Oscars and grossed over a billion dollars in worldwide box office.

A billion!

The future for other such projects was unending. Think of the possibilities. You could have very successful films that were also vast award winners. But alas, it was not meant to be.

Through a combination of factors, many of the decision-makers in Hollywood developed a small panic. Many felt that films should be used for political advocacy and not just entertainment, while others feared all films would turn into what they called “hollow epics,” without any real narrative direction. They didn’t want to see every film become a “Troy” or “Master and Commander: The Far Side Of The World.”

So sadly, because of a combination of these two factors, decisions came fast and furious in Hollywood to stop this perceived menace. Films were scaled down and many films were turned into more “self serving” modules where filmmakers could create infomercials that covered political issues, social issues, and anything else they felt was needed to change what they perceived as evil in the world. And why stop there? They even went so far as to create characters based on real-life people they despised. (“Day After Tomorrow’s” infamous Dick Cheney character come to mind).

Wow. So creative…

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What is the difference between art and entertainment?

There is, obviously, some overlap: Not all art entertains (though some does); not all entertainment is art (though some is).  At bottom, it seems, the difference is one of intent – the artist seeks to connect us with larger meanings, larger truths about the world, about ourselves.  The primary focus of art is therefore to illuminate, with any entertainment had in the process merely a bonus.

The goal of the entertainer, on the other hand, is perhaps less sublime, though no less worthy – to distract, to tickle, to stimulate the fancy.  Entertainment is at bottom diversion, and I say this without a trace of disdain – often it is the quality and quantity of our diversions which makes the difference between a joyful life and a merely bearable one.

One year ago this weekend, a beating black heart pulsed in summer’s midst: The Dark Knight.  It was big-budget, comic book based franchise movie, made for popcorn eaters seeking suitable summer diversion.  And It delivered beyond the filmmakers wildest expectations – the masses were so entertained that they lifted it up into the box office stratosphere in grateful recompense. (more…)