David Puttnam on ‘Discovering’ Alan Parker, Being Ready for Luck and James Dean’s Famous Line in ‘East of Eden’

As I delve into the captivating life and career of David Puttnam, I am struck by a profound sense of admiration for this remarkable man who has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema and politics. His journey is a testament to the power of determination, luck, and above all, seizing opportunities when they present themselves.

Between 1982 and 1986, the United Kingdom experienced an exceptional era of filmmaking. During this time, four movies – “Chariots of Fire” (1982), “Gandhi” (1983), “The Killing Fields” (1985) and “The Mission” (1986) – garnered a grand total of 19 Academy Awards, with two consecutive Best Picture awards. Notably, all these movies, except for “Gandhi,” were the creations of David Puttnam.

To this very day, few personalities are more linked with a cinematic renaissance for their nation. In his Oscar acceptance speech, Colin Welland, screenwriter of “Chariots of Fire,” declared, “The British are coming!” The primary British figure in Hollywood’s sights was Puttnam. He assumed the position of CEO at Columbia Pictures in 1986, making history as the first and only foreigner to serve on the board of the MPA.

In 1995, Puttman received knighthood and concluded his filmmaking journey at age 56 in 1997. This was followed by his appointment as a life peer the same year. In an interview with EbMaster, he expressed that after completing ‘Memphis Belle’, he felt he would not surpass the films he had already created. From 1997 onwards, he has devoted his life to activism, focusing on both educational and environmental issues, following his appointment to the United Kingdom’s House of Lords.

27 years following his departure from the movie business, David Puttnam made an appearance at the Seville European Film Festival in Spain. There, he conducted a Masterclass on the Craft of Movie Production, attracting a large audience comprising producers, directors, and students. At the conclusion of his session, some attendees rose to their feet in appreciation, offering him a standing ovation.

Led by EbMaster, the Masterclass revolved around a talk given with a unique blend of enthusiasm, personal stories, determination, humor at his own expense, and a warm smile. It included insights from him on ten different aspects of what was said, as well as a look into David Puttnam’s life and his films.

He’s Not Done Yet

83-year-old Puttnam served as president of the main competition jury at the Seville Film Festival, delivering a second Masterclass on the use of music in film and a discussion with fellow jury member Jeremy Irons on the art of creating an iconic film, “The Mission,” in which Irons starred. Most people his age might have found such a workload challenging, but few have worked as diligently as he has since leaving school at 16. Puttnam believes that our purpose is to improve the world. His website and CV list two director positions and eleven roles, most of which are in education. The Seville Film Festival was undoubtedly enriched by his leadership of a lively Industry forum, Frame, which attracted prominent speakers from Spain and became one of the festival’s main highlights.

And the Passion and Belief Remains

Speaking as a cinema enthusiast, I wholeheartedly concur with his sentiments from that past interview. In my view, if we craft our narratives and uphold our values authentically, it’s those consistent, impactful films that have the power to strengthen us, foster connections, and make us feel significant within our respective generations. During a Masterclass in Seville, he passionately expressed this belief, wrapping up with an emotional climax during “The Killing Fields,” one of his most remarkable works. As John Lennon’s “Imagine” filled the air, he sat on that Seville stage, his head bowed, visibly moved, tapping his foot to the rhythm of the music.

David Puttnam: The Origins

Puttnam didn’t initially work as a film producer; instead, he began as a moviegoer,” he shared, displaying on the screen behind him an image of himself, around twelve years old and dressed in school uniform, watching a film alongside a young Alan Parker, also around the same age and with a crew cut. As a child, “I was enamored with American films,” he admitted in Seville. Upon moving to the U.S. to assume the role of CEO at Columbia Pictures in 1986, he felt like he was coming back home.

But His Influences Multiply

At the age of 15, he was profoundly amazed by James Dean’s character Cal Trask’s words in “East of Eden,” a significant film in ’50s Hollywood cinema with liberal themes: “A man is defined by his choices, and it is his choices that make him a man.” However, speaking to EbMaster, Puttnam revealed that as a young movie enthusiast, his epiphany came from watching Italian neorealist films one night at London’s National Film Theatre. He still believes that neorealism was the most impactful cinematic movement ever, and some of his movies, such as “Local Hero,” draw heavily from this influence.

A Master of Crossover Movies

During the mid-60s, his career within the advertising industry provided him with marketing skills, as he shared with EbMaster. These diverse influences contribute to understanding the remarkable films produced by Puttnam, a blend of Hollywood’s audience appeal, moral integrity, innovative ideas (often numerous), and a focus on social or cultural significance, more commonly associated with European cinema at that time. It is not surprising that many of his movies are based on real events or are inspired by historical facts, adding originality to their plots, particularly in “The Killing Fields,” and making the subjects they tackle relevant. In Seville, Puttnam encouraged, “Catch the spirit of the times!

Modern Fables

As a movie enthusiast, let me share my thoughts on three unforgettable films: “Chariots of Fire,” “The Killing Fields,” and “The Mission” (1986). These movies stand out not just for their gripping narratives, but for the exceptional moral heroes they portray.

A Post-WWII Producer

The line “If might makes right, then love has no place in this world; I cannot endure living in such a place” was spoken by Jeremy Irons’ character, Father Gabriel, as he attempted to dissuade Robert De Niro’s character, Mendoza, from waging war against the invading Spanish and Portuguese forces. This quote was highlighted by David Puttnam during his speech at Seville’s opening ceremony, praising it as a powerful and moving line written by Robert Bolt and brilliantly delivered by Jeremy Irons. In a documentary-feature titled “The Long Way Home,” Irons is portrayed as a “Blitz baby.” According to Puttnam, this role had an impact on people. Puttnam’s films often express regret for violence and promote love, with “The Killing Fields” being described as “really a love story.” Puttnam has also been an advocate for a unified Europe, standing against Jack Valenti and the MPA to include the E.U.’s national film incentives in the early ’90s GATT freer trade talks.

Amaze Me!

These movies are designed to impress viewers, as Puttnam’s boss at the advertising agency would say, “Impress me!” Indeed, each of Puttnam’s Oscar-winning ’80s films features moments that convey their grandeur: the opening shot depicting Cambridge in 1919, the dramatic scene of a priest scaling towering waterfalls, and the portrayal of Pol Pot evacuating Phnom Penh’s entire population.

Connecting With New Generation

Puttnam’s Masterclass was designed to provide a platform for him to connect with a fresh group of young filmmakers and students who made up the majority of his audience in Seville. He wanted to hear their perspectives on his ideas. Throughout his career, Puttnam has shown a keen interest in discovering new talent, often nurturing it from its early stages. For instance, “Chariots of Fire” and “The Killing Fields” were initial projects that he supported. Puttnam played a significant role in Ridley Scott’s debut film, “The Duellists,” and even helped Alan Parker, whom he discovered, to write his first screenplay (“Melody”) and eventually direct it during production. As Puttnam recalls, he was shooting on a school field when he encouraged Parker to take the second camera and a focus puller for some additional footage. Four hours later, Parker returned and declared, “That’s it. I’ve found my calling.

‘Are You Ready for Luck?’

According to Puttnam himself, his key milestones in life have frequently been influenced by good fortune. He acknowledges being “extremely fortunate” to work alongside Parker, Scott, and Charles Saatchi at the same ad agency. Similarly, his elevation to the House of Lords was a stroke of luck. If Puttnam, along with the French government, managed to outdo Valenti, it wasn’t due to their own efforts but rather because President Clinton withdrew support for the MPA’s ambitions. In his Masterclass, Puttnam stated that everyone will encounter lucky moments, and they will come. However, he emphasized that being prepared when luck strikes is crucial: “Are you truly ready when opportunity knocks? When the break comes, the moment arrives, the meeting takes place, or the script is handed to you?” Few individuals as a filmmaker and activist politician have been as prepared for their opportunities as David Puttnam, who seized them with great vigor, skill, and moral integrity.

2024-11-18 14:47

David Puttnam on ‘Discovering’ Alan Parker, Being Ready for Luck and James Dean’s Famous Line in ‘East of Eden’

Read More

Minority Mindset