Luis: Firstly Mr Lurie, I would like to thank you for granting me this interview. I really appreciate it, am flattered. I like the trend of motivational underdog sports related stories coming back to the film industry. I hope this encourages our youth and anyone who is down and out. What makes "Resurrecting the Champ" unique to this type of genre? What made you write and pursue this storyline? What are the advantages of being the director of your own screenplay ?
Rod Lurie: Well, the premise of your question is just a bit off. "Resurrecting the Champ" is certainly an underdog story, but not in relation to the sports world (though it is set in the arena of sports journalism- boxing specifically). Josh Hartnett plays a young reporter and father who has to overcome his own deficiencies to become proficient in both of those "jobs." It is something that I think most fathers will be able to relate with. I know that I can. I hope that by the end of the film, the audience will feel the same triumph that they did at the end of movies like "Rocky" or "The Rookie."
Though I wrote much of the screenplay, the WGA awarded credit to Allison Burnett and Michael Bortman. (There is an unwritten rule that only up to two writers can get credit) Chris Gerolmo, who is a fine writer, also did his share of writing. I came on the film and executed my own version of the screenplay incorporating elements of all three versions. But I do have enough of a sense of authorship in the screenplay to be able to say this about directing what I have written: It simplifies life. There is a unity of thinking about what the film is about. When you talk to the actors about the motivations of the characters there is no guessing. You know.
Luis: As to the story line of the fallen athlete (Jackson), why do you think some successful people sabotage their own success and prosperity?
Rod Lurie: One doesn't land on success and prosperity. It lands on you. It changes your life. Suddenly. The people around you change. Suddenly. Sometimes fame and what it brings with it can not accomodate the personalities of the people who have obtained it. Gary Busey once said to me, "If you think it sucks to be rich and famous, try being poor and famous."
Luis: As a writer, I can relate to Harnett's character's need to pursue the ultimate article that will put me to the top… did you have a similar experience when you were out there as a writer?
Rod Lurie: I did. And what a thrill it was to find that story (one was a piece on criminal activity at the National Enquirer). And what a thrill it was to find that elusive interview subject. I miss it.
Luis: I commend you for your choice of great actors from Harnett , Hatcher, Alda and Jackson… how did you get to this ensemble (combination)? Any anecdotes about your casting process?
Rod Lurie: This movie first started to be developed by Mike Medavoy about ten years ago. Back then, Sam was far too young for the role (he still is, but managed to pull it off) and , anyway, it wasn't my film. Morgan Freeman was the man at the time. In fact, Morgan was one of the film's producers. He was connected to the film for almost nine years. For that period of time, he was the only person we had in mind, For various reasons, it became not possible to do the film with him. Although we had lost a great actor, it also allowed us the sheer excitement of being able to think differently than we had for almost a decade - something that any artist will tell you is thrilling. We went to Sam right away who accepted it almost instantaneously. It was then that we sort of got treated to an all new Champ.
Luis: As a critic turned successful filmmaker, what are the advantages of being able to be in both sides of the ballgame?
Any suggestions for a reviewer like me who has also done his feature film ( I am sending out my feature film called "Multo" to different festivals )?
Rod Lurie: First of all, congrats on your film. Simply having made it is a huge achievement. I think that there is not that much benefit in having been a critic other than you are compelled to have seen just about everything, which, consequently, ensures that you have a great deal of ideas stored in your brain.
I must say that if I ever went back to criticism, I would be better at my job. It's too detailed to get into here, but I would say that I would be far less snarky, farless concerned with showing off how clever I can be when making attacks on film makers and actors. The sheer work that goes into making a film alone should free the people who put in that effort from the kind of personal attacks I used to make.
Luis: For me, Sundance means Stamp of Approval …..What does Sundance Film Festival mean to you and why?
Rod Lurie: It really is kind of a stamp of approval, isn't it. People are wowwed when they hear a film is up there. The festival has launched some of the all time great films. I don't think that we are necessarily at that level, but its nice to have ourselves somehow connected to Soderbergh's movies or Tarantino's. Its an honor, really. Being up there also gives the film a stamp of independence - a film made by film makers who care about the project rather than executives who care about the product.
Luis: What words of wisdom do you have for filmmakers who would like to be in Sundance Film Festival in the future?
Rod Lurie: If I were wise I could answer that question.
Luis: If you don't mind me asking, what are the different selling points of your film "Resurrecting the Champ?"
Rod Lurie: This is a story, in the end, about fathers and sons. And that has a huge appeal, I think. Really, the antecedent for "Resurrecting" is "Kramer versus Kramer". I showed it to my cast and crew before we began. I wanted the honesty of that beautiful film to seep into the collective. That was a film that was meant for fathers, for anybody who has ever had a father, for women who want their husbands to be good and decent men for their children, and for anybody with a heart. "Resurrecting" tries to hit the same nerve. Whether or not we succeed at the 'Kramer" level is unlikely - we don't have as talented a director - but we are sure trying.
There is one other thing. It may be as much of a negative as a selling point as it is a positive. That is that almost all the actors are working outside their iconographies. Sam is way outside "Pulp Fiction" or "Shaft" or "Snakes on a Plane." Josh is a married father, not a hearththrob. Kathryn Morris play a stern detective in "Cold Case" Here she's as empathetic as can be. Even Alda shorn his hair for this film - a look he's never had. When actors play away from what has brought them to the big dance and they succeed -- that's a call for some kind of celebration.
Luis: Congratulations Mr Lurie and I think you deserve all the successes in your life. I am so proud of you! Have a great 2007 and a great Sundance 2007 premiere!
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