Part salute to the ineffable act of artistic creation, part theme park attraction,The Walkdoesnt pigeonhole easily.
But then, Zemeckis films rarely do.
The enforced wait turned out to be fortuitous.
That doesnt though, make him a slave to the new-fangled.
Zemeckis is a firm believer that content dictates form.
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And you get the sense that he wishes others would follow suit.
Zemeckis is no fan of George Lucas-style back catalogue tinkering, or 3D rereleases of 2D pictures.
We met with the director at a Mayfair hotel to chat aboutThe Walkand the job of movie-making today.
While we talk, a persistent chorus of political chants can be heard from outside.
A demonstration on the pavement opposite has necessitated a swift room change and the windows to be slammed shut… [Laughs] Oh yeah!
Because you might exert a level of control.
That [points outside] would ruin your whole shooting day, right, right, exactly.
Would you callThe Walka film about the drive to create art?
Yeah, the need to express yourself creatively, having that passion to accomplish a dream.
Could be, yeah.
What are the complexities of that one-line story for you?
I think thats where the complexity comes in.
Its like asking a painter why he painted that painting.
Philippe cant answer why he did it.
Why didthatbecome your dream?
That, he cant answer.
It strikes me that there are parallels between Philippes dream and what you have to do as a director?
Very, very, very similar.
I identify completely with his unrelenting passion, completely.
You cant do it alone.
You have to have help.
Have you done similar in the past?
I dont put people in physical danger, but you do have to inspire people.
You have to inspire people to give everything theyve got to help the project.
And convincing them to believe in your dream in particular?
Yeah, believe in it, I guess thats the word.
Have faith in it maybe.
How easy is it to convince the money guys?
Thats very difficult and it gets harder every year, its very difficult.
It feels as though it should get easier for you every year.
That by this point, they should just hear your name and sign a check?
See, life doesnt work that way.
It gets harder because its a very unique art form.
Well, it knows what it wants to do but what it wants to do is impossible.
So thats why its paralysed.
Going back to when you madeForrest Gump, the success of that obviously wasnt guaranteed.
Whats changed between then and now?
First of all, movies have gotten much more expensive.
Well, you see, I thinkThe Walkis a four-quadrant movie and its about something.
Then its not a very interesting thing to watch and it just becomes a lot of action.
Yes, yes, it has.
I dont know why, but it has.
I dont know why that is.
Maybe because you have to pay to see them?
You have to pay for your cable subscription though, but you could see anything on cable TV.
Subscription usually frees up cable shows creatively, but in cinema you think it restricts things?
Directing is compromise seems to be sort of your interview mantra.
So, can you tell us where they were inThe Walk?
[Laughs] There isnt like…
I have no complaints aboutThe Walk.
I made it and Im very happy with what happens.
Its more like small stuff.
Otherwise you dont get movies made?
Or youre just in a constant state of distress because youre not happy with everything.
You have to kill your darlings, you have to do that or your movies just wallow in self-indulgence.
Can we talk about the narration inThe Walk?
You described Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a host rather than a narrator.
That he doesnt narrate it, hehostsit.
Yeah, think of a movie likeAnnie Hallwhere Woody Allen talks directly to the camera.
He hosted that movie you could say.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt could just address the audience.
Its something that I think is part of everyday life in the world of Skype.
Everyones used to information coming right at them from the camera.
You prepare and rehearse with actors a lot.
I like to, yeah.
Well, its not every scene, but sometimes there are things that I need other opinions about.
Does it change when youre collaborating with actors who are also directors?
Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks, Joseph Gordon-Levitt…
…Jodie Foster, right.
Working with actors who are directors is magnificent.
Because they understand the art-form intimately and they know exactly how everything works.
Something that is really,reallyhelpful is theyre never late.
Avoiding that kind of situation must be a matter of getting the casting right.
Is that still the case?
I mean, a lot of people got hurt for no reason, and yeah, it was bad.
I guess thats one place where, as a director, you cant compromise.
Oh yeah (laughs).
Well, thats what a directordoes.He rewrites the screenplay but he uses images.
One guy uses paper to write on and another guy uses the images.
Im respectful of writers.
I think that just for doing a directors job, you dont deserve a writing credit.
Thats part of the collaboration.
And I understand you find yourself editing less now than you used to?
What, on-screen, has given you the same sensation that youve given us there?
Why those two in particular?
Theyre uniquely cinematic stories.
Can you cite any more recent examples thanThe GodfatherandJawsthat achieved that same thing for you?
Sadly no [laughs], sadly no.
I kind of feel the same as Ive always felt.
And youre going to keep doing that?
Im going to just keep doing that as long as they let me.
Robert Zemeckis, thank you very much!
