When I first heard that Steven Spielberg was working on a movie called "Munich," dealing with the aftermath of the murders of the Israeli Olympic team at the 1972 Olympics, I assumed the film would create a wild political controversy months in advance of its release, much like "The Passion of the Christ" and "Fahrenheit 9/11" did in 2004. But somewhat surprisingly, such a controversy never materialized. That might be because Spielberg has largely kept details about the film under wraps. But more likely it's because, unlike Mel Gibson and Michael Moore, he's not a shameless media whore.
Spielberg, who I believe is the greatest living American filmmaker, breaks his silence this week in Time magazine with the one and only interview he has planned for the film, talking a bit about the movie, and about how he wishes to show the humanity of both sides in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, while also bashing the International Olympic Committee for their refusal to ever adequetely memorialize the victims of the '72 massacre. I can't promise the film will be good or not- and I'm sort of glad that unlike the two 2004 films, this one has not been preemptively reviewed, sight unseen, by everyone in direct accordance with their political prejudices. But I am prepared to give Spielberg the benefit of the doubt, and I can't wait for the film.
Posted by Stephen Silver at December 5, 2005 07:42 PMI totally disagree with you about the Greatest Living American Filmmaker part. He is def. one of the greats but not he greatest..can we say Amistad and Hook??
Just because someone is box office platinum doesn't mean they are the greatest.
You may be placing way too much faith in a useful idiot who loves Communism, but everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Posted by: syn at December 6, 2005 02:22 PMThose whose sole raison d'etre is to kill and maim as many jews as possible have forfeited whatever "humanity" they once, if ever had.
Maybe he will next make a movie about how hitler loved cats, ya know just to show the humanity on both sides.
I am sure this is just the type of the over the top comment you were referring two, but there really can be no moral equivilence in this conflict.
If you believe, as I do, that the Jews have a right to live in Israel free of terror, and if you believe that the Arabs wish every last Jew in Israel (if not the world) to be slaughtered, then you really can't see humanity in the murderers of 11 innocent athletes, who paid for their crime of being Jewish with the ultimate price.
I have commented on this site before about how Spielberg's silence regarding Israel was deafening given is appointed position as Scribe of the Shoah, now we know why.
It seems that while the Nazi's were bad, those who share their ideology, yet are facing Jews who can fight back, have a side to the story. Sickening.
Posted by: J. Lichty at December 6, 2005 04:32 PMMy comment got erased but... the minute i heard Spielberg brought it Tony Kushner to "soften" the terrorists i suspended any intention of giving him the benefit of the doubt.
Posted by: Petitedov at December 6, 2005 05:36 PM