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How was the most shocking scene in "American History X" shot? The director's secret technique revealed!
American History X is not only a thought-provoking crime drama in 1998, but also a classic work exploring the issue of racism. Directed by Tony Kaye, the film tells the story of two brothers' difficult journey through the white supremacist and neo-Nazi movements. The shocking scenes in this film not only deeply move the audience in terms of plot, but also have a unique shooting technique. Let us take a look.
"A person is not born a racist, but rather a racist because of the environment he lives in and the people around him."
The Birth of the Script
American History X was written by David McKenna, who was inspired by his childhood growing up in San Diego and the violence he witnessed. During the writing process, McKenna conducted in-depth interviews and observed a number of young people who held hateful ideas, striving to present the true face of skinhead culture. He said that the question he wanted to explore through the script was why people hate and how to change this emotion.
The casting process
When searching for an actor to play the brother in the film, director Tony Kaye felt anxious after first choice Joaquin Phoenix initially turned down the role. After a series of auditions, Edward Norton was chosen as Derek, and although Kay still had some reservations about his presence, she was ultimately moved by Norton's enthusiasm. Norton said he was willing to take a $500,000 pay cut to get the role, saying his "love for the film is contagious."
The uniqueness of the shooting technique
During the shoot, Kai took charge of the scene in a unique way, acting as both photographer and equipment operator. He likes to walk around the set quietly, looking for the best camera angles and images. This intimate and relaxed working atmosphere allowed the actors to dive more freely into their roles, with the depth they needed to challenge the hateful characters of the show.
"Making this movie gave me a weird distortion of my self-image, causing many people to think I was a stronger person than I actually was."
Strong Characters and Plot Moments
The film's most powerful scene, in which Derek goes on a violent rampage on a bus for attacking black people, took a long time to prepare for. On set, Kay required the actors to deeply understand their characters' backgrounds and inner emotions in order to create a more realistic sense of tension. Kay's vision is shown by juxtaposing black-and-white flashbacks with color real-life scenes to emphasize the psychological changes and contrasts of the characters.
Original Music Coordination
The film's music was composed by British composer Anne Dudley, who used a full orchestra and a boys' choir to create a soundtrack that echoed the theme of racism. She chose to avoid hip-hop music, instead using elegant strings to emphasize the tense situations in the play, presenting a more soothing yet contemplative atmosphere.
Controversy over the final version
Although Kay put a lot of effort into the film, the final version of the film was far from Kay's original idea due to disagreements with the production company over editing issues. Kay retreated before the release and tried to have conversations with the production company and the actors. This overturned his control and autonomy over his art and affected the rest of his career.
"I must admit that my ego clouded my judgement. It was entirely my own fault."
Evaluation and Legacy
After the film was released, it received rave reviews and Norton was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor for his outstanding performance. This film was later used by several educational institutions to initiate discussions on human rights and ethnic equality. I believe that the immortality of the film can prompt us to reflect more deeply on social changes.
