The Innocence of Filmmakers

On the anniversary of our now fabled 09/11, angry mobs in Egypt and Libya attacked US embassies. In Libya, a US ambassador and three other Americans were killed. While this Libyan attack may have actually been linked to a predetermined al-Qaida plot (because killing diplomats is always a good way to start a war), news sources report that the violence has been linked to outrage over an anti-Islamic American film.

One can argue that the filmmaker has the right to make this film, especially if he is American. One can argue that making such a film is embarrassing, intolerant, and irresponsible; especially since any depictions of the Muslim prophet Mohammad are forbidden in Islam. One can argue that the filmmaker put himself in danger, following the footsteps of Theo Van Gogh. One can argue that if he is Coptic, he may have placed other Coptics in danger. One can also argue that the actions by Islamic extremists, including the choice to attack US embassies, have nothing to do with the film or its maker. Terrorists of any religion or creed are opportunists by nature. There are many arguments to be made about who is right and who is wrong. However, this is a filmmaking blog. We'll focus on the film heard around the world.

The Innocence of Muslims is an amateurish production, shot on what appears to be a soundstage. The film has financial backers and consultants with alleged ties to the Coptic and Israeli communities. The cryptic "Sam Bacile", now revealed to be Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, had been previously convicted on fraud charges. Five million dollars spent, and real sand wasn't even used. That is half the budget of your average 90s-era, star-studded romcom. Given the filmmaker's reputation, I say the backers were severely duped. The Innocence of Muslims is the type of video that no one would ever pay attention to, and no one did until recently. The original video was posted more than two months ago.




No wonder Muslims are offended. But there is something else. Watching the video above, you might notice something is a little....off. Not just the blatant oversimplification of a major world religion. I have read Jack Chick tracts more accurate. But technically speaking, something is off. The dialogue seems overdubbed. And it is painfully obvious. Then you realize something even more sinister than offending 1/7 of the world's population is at play.



That's right. The actors in the film were mislead about the production.To them, the film was titled Desert Warriors. It's one thing to lie to your actors to get a good performance out of them. Hitchcock did it all the time. It's another thing to put a price on the head of your actors in order to further your own cause. And as predicted, a fatwa has been declared on the actors. If you are going to make a film insulting a large part of the global population, at least have the balls to let your actors in on it.

Happy Filmmaking.

One week away...Who are you choosing?

In one week, the November election will be old news. The United States will have a new president that will shake up a few things in Washington and history, regardless of the win. So if this is a filmmaking blog, why am I talking about the election?

As any mediaheads will tell you, political discourse dictates social discourse, which in turn, dictates how artists see the changing world around them. Depending on the outcome, many filmmakers will attempt to capture, in their own way, an interpretation of the results. And if you live in California, like I do, you are aware of many the propositions that could shake up the rest of the nation: such as the infamous Prop 8.

Some of our best films grew out of political discourse. Casablanca grew out of World War II. Apocalypse Now, although an adaption of the European Imperialism-era novel Heart of Darkness, was also inspired by the Vietnam Conflict. Then you have Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, which is a film many compare Obama's road to.

If Obama were elected, films like Head of State, which specifically points out the hilarity of having an African-American POTUS, will become seriously outdated. If McCain were elected, many films about vets and war might emerge. And with Sarah Palin in the mix, that short-lived show with Geena Davis as a VP who finally finds herself President might be given a second look.

Filmmakers are the most political people I know, but many are not as liberal as the general public would like to think. All in all, Hollywood, however risky, is a conservative machine, which resorts to the same working formula over and over (sequels, anyone?). Part of this working formula is to stay topical, but not too topical. However, given the stakes in this election, whatever happens next week will change the face of popular culture for generations to come.

Happy voting (and filmmaking)!