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The tragic story behind American History X: How the director and screenwriter struggled to complete the film?
The 1998 American History X is an American crime drama film directed by Tony Kaye that explores the impact of white supremacist and neo-Nazi movements. Behind the film, the creators faced tremendous difficulties and controversies, especially in the editing and final presentation of the film. These struggles profoundly affected their careers.
"I tried to make a point in the script that a person is not born racist, but learns it through the environment and the people around him."
Screenwriter David McKenna wrote the script based on his own experiences growing up. He was inspired by his childhood in San Diego, where he witnessed a lot of hatred and prejudice. His collaboration with producer John Morrissey ultimately resulted in the film. It was the power of this work that attracted New Line Cinema to invest in its production.
During the filming of the film, director Kay had major disagreements with the final cut of the film. Kay wanted to keep the cut of his design, but was frustrated by having to deal with changes required by his company.
"I fully understand that I am a first-time director, but I need the same autonomy and respect as Stanley Kubrick."
Kay was extremely disappointed with the final version edited by Edward Norton. Kay's original cut version was 95 minutes, and the final version of the film was 113 minutes long. He was extremely dissatisfied with the 18 minutes added, and even had considerable controversy over the length of some scenes in the film. This battle between the director and the production company also caused Kay's career to suffer a heavy blow.
When the film was first released in the United States on October 30, 1998, despite moderate box office returns, Kay chose not to see the film because he was deeply disappointed with its final presentation. After that, his career stalled for a long time.
The story of "American History Derek's character goes from being a fanatical white supremacist to reflecting on his own beliefs, a process that prompts the audience to think about growth and change. The film's depth was widely praised for its superb performances by Norton and Furlong.
"This film shockingly shows the roots of racism while simultaneously showing the possibility of redemption."
In addition, the film uses many strong visual elements and music to enhance the emotional conflict. The score composed by British composer Anne Dudley gives the film deeper emotion and impact. Whether it's music or acting, the film showcases the complexity of human nature and the promise of redemption.
"American History Although the film faced many challenges, it ultimately found a place in American culture and education, being used to promote discussions about racism and hatred.
How do you overcome the internal and external struggles to create thought-provoking works of art?
