In a small Santa Monica video store surrounded by films of all genres quality and significance one of America’s most controversial directors sat down to speak to a wall-to-wall crowd of about 100. Exposing society’s weaknesses and ruffling political feathers has been the goal and result of Oliver Stone’s movies for the past 30 years.
On Friday Feb. 13 he brought those strong opinions to the well-known store Vidiots as he prepared to celebrate and discuss the release of his most recent film “W.” Released on DVD Tuesday Feb. 10 the film follows the life of former President George W. Bush and specifically his difficult and divisive presidency – a role Stone said he foresaw for Bush ever since they first met in 1998.
“When we first spoke I noticed his magnetism and thought ‘There is something about this guy; he is going to rule'” Stone said to the crowd. “He has a certain stubbornness which I respect him for – even in the face of absolute stupidity he never waivers.”
However Bush’s stupidity according to Stone was an aspect of his character that would have easily distracted audiences from the dramatic plot. He instead decided to take a deeper look into Bush as a human being with intentions of explaining the motives behind his executive decisions.
“I would not make a movie where you hate the character going in because it is very hard for the audience to follow. People already come into this story with a lot of emotion and baggage Stone said. It’s like taking a surfing ride with [Bush’s] character – there is a lot more going on underneath but good luck getting past the surface.”
If and when viewers decide to break down their personal filters and take an unbiased look at the film and its protagonist deeper questions according to Stone will be asked. His effect on President Obama’s administration for example is a question looming over some American’s heads and is something that Stone said will be analyzed for generations.
Taking a look into past decades Stone’s films consistently deal with issues of historical significance. However at the time of their completion the storylines always seem to discuss a particularly raw and recent subject matter for the intended audience. “Last Year in Viet Nam” (1971) “Platoon” (1986) and “Born on the Fourth of July” (1989) all dealt with the devastating effects of the Vietnam War a tender issue at the time. Stone is no stranger to plucking the emotional heartstrings of Americans. Already having made the leap into dangerous movie territory with war and corrupt politics at the centerfold he saw Bush’s story as an open-door invitation.
“Studios were not interested in making this movie at first and a lot of people asked me why I was telling this story now since he’s on his way out Stone said. That’s not the point. This is the most dramatic reversal in political thinking in my lifetime – bigger than Reagan or Nixon.”
Continuing with his ever-present theme of societal criticism and political exposés Stone is working on a documentary concerning the life of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Although documentary filmmaking breaks his usual theatrical portrayal mold Stone said his passion for uncovering the raw truths behind individual actions fuels his desire for something a little different.
“I think the fact that we as Americans have the ability to make films like this is amazing Stone said. I cherish the right to question our political leaders their ideas and their actions. I always have and always will take that very seriously.”