Michael Mann to Direct 'Waiting for Robert Capa' Adaptation
War photography was never so thrilling
Photo: Robert Capa
This sounds like a great move for Michael Mann after a pair of shoot 'em up films from the much-appreciated director didn't exactly manage to capture audience attention. Variety's Mike Fleming reports he instead is set to produce and direct an adaptation of Susana Fortes's Spanish language novel "Waiting for Robert Capa," the story of renowned war photographer.
The film is set up at Columbia Pictures, which distributed Mann's 2001 biopic Ali. The story begins in Paris in 1935, where Capa, a refugee from Fascist Hungary, met Gerda Taro, a refugee from Nazi Germany, with the intention to become photographers. The outbreak of the Spanish Civil War one year later began Capa’s emergence as the most renowned war photographer ever, and established Taro as the first frontline female battle photographer.
I didn't add additional story details Fleming included in his piece which pretty much spoil the rest of the story, but you can click here to read those if you're interested.
Perhaps what will end up being the most interesting filmmaking decision with Waiting for Robert Capa will be how Mann decides to shoot it. Several complained about Mann's use of HD camerawork for his 1930s set film Public Enemies and it will be interesting to see if he approaches yet another '30s feature in the same way.
Jez Butterworth is penning the script for the feature, which apparently Mann intends to turn into a gritty, low budget film.
I have included two additional Capa photos directly below.
Photo: Robert Capa
Photo: Robert Capa
Showing 5 Comments
~ PLEASE NOTE ~
If, in any way, your comment is an attack on the author of this post or a previous commenter, your comment will be deleted without question.
Add a New CommentNOTE: The Facebook login option has been disabled. We apologize for any inconvenience. |
Click to Read Our Commenting Rules & Guidelines
Michael Mann may not deliver sometimes, but I'll still watch anything he does.
God, do I love Michael Mann. Ali, HEAT, & Last of the Mohicans are three of the best films I've ever seen. I loved Johnny Depp in Public Enemies; however, I must admit, I am not a fan of filming period films in HD.
As I watched Mann's attempt at the Gangster Genre, I felt like something wasn't right. The images were all there: the epic storyline, the visual flourishes (particularly during the shootouts) – yet, I was at a loss. Until, that is, I went home and popped Bonnie & Clyde: Ultimate Edition into my Blu-ray player. There it was, the missing ingredient; the ingredient, that kept Mann's film from becoming great. That ingredient my friends is celluloid.
How does Watchmen look in HD? Brilliant. Casino Royale? Oh, James!
So, for the rest of you people out there currently working on period pieces: I mean you Steven Spielberg (Lincoln) and you Michael Mann (Waiting for Robert Capa).
please. No more filming in HD on your historical epics. What worked for Gone With the Wind and Lawrence of Arabia, still works. As a greater man than I once said: "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Or as the incomparable-yet-fictional Harvey Beal would have said: "I'm mad as Hell and I'm not gonna take this anymore!!"
Michael Mann is the most underrated director of his generation. His movies are masterpieces. Repeated viewings of his work produces layer after layer of additional appeal and complexity. For me Public Enemies was THE film of 2009. I have no doubt his adaptation of Capa will enthrall. I would buy my ticket now if available!
That picture at the top of the article is faked.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Falling_Soldier