Ethan Hawke Reflects on Passion Projects and Filmmaking at the Venice Film Festival

Richard Linklater, who directed Hawke in the “Before” trilogy and “Boyhood,” has often highlighted Hawke’s commitment to storytelling and his ability to collaborate deeply with directors to bring out the best in a film. Linklater has mentioned that working with Hawke is like “having another writer in the room,” acknowledging his creative input and deep understanding of character development​ A-Z Quotes

Denzel Washington, who starred alongside Hawke in “Training Day,” praised his ability to match intense performances and hold his own in scenes that demanded emotional depth and raw intensity. The film was a significant career milestone for Hawke, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor​ Lib Quotes

Ethan Hawke made a memorable appearance at the Venice Film Festival, where he participated in a career Q&A before presenting Australian filmmaker Peter Weir with a career achievement award later in the evening. The session, which included lengthy discussions and even a bit of Italian, covered a range of topics in contemporary cinema, including the concept of passion projects and the challenges involved in bringing them to life.

Peter Weir receives the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement of the 81st Venice International Film Festival presented by Ethan Hawke. #Venezia81 #PeterWeir #EthanHawke pic.twitter.com/VsohtClTLm

— Romeo (@romeo_calearo) September 2, 2024

During the discussion, Hawke shared his admiration for legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola’s commitment to his craft, particularly with his $120 million self-funded project, Megalopolis. “I love that Coppola sold his winery to make that film. I think that’s amazing,” Hawke remarked. He emphasized the rarity and significance of pursuing a creative vision in an industry primarily driven by profit. “Greed runs our universe. If you say you just wanna make money everyone understands what you’re going for. I love it when people keep the great dream alive of making something magnificent. And it’s very hard because the whole industry that runs movie-making is designed to make money.”

Hawke also touched on his own approach to filmmaking, highlighting his willingness to make personal sacrifices for his art. “I have to pay my kid’s medical bills, but I would never want to be a person who wouldn’t sell their house to make a movie,” he said, underscoring his belief in the importance of creative integrity.

Critics and audiences alike have often noted Hawke’s ability to balance commercial and independent film projects. This versatility has led to comments about his willingness to take risks and explore a wide range of characters, often opting for roles that challenge him artistically rather than simply seeking mainstream success​ Lib Quotes

Hawke shared some insights into his recent work, revealing that he had just completed production on Blue Moon, his latest collaboration with filmmaker Richard Linklater. The film focuses on the final days of American musician Lorenz Hart, part of the famous songwriting duo Rodgers & Hart, and is set primarily at Sardi’s Restaurant on March 31, 1943. Hawke described the project as the “hardest I’ve ever worked in my life,” reflecting the dedication and effort he put into bringing the story to life.

Julie Delpy, who co-starred with Hawke in the “Before” trilogy, spoke highly of their collaboration in creating realistic and compelling on-screen relationships. She acknowledged how their partnership was crucial in developing the nuanced, dialogue-heavy scripts that became a hallmark of the trilogy​Lib Quotes

He recounted the unique development process for Blue Moon, which began over a decade ago when Linklater first sent him the script. “I read it and called him up and said let’s do it. He said cool, let’s make it, but we have to wait a while. He said you’re still too attractive. Let’s just put it in a drawer and read it every few years and see if we’re ready or not,” Hawke explained. This approach of revisiting the project periodically allowed the script to mature, with both Hawke and Linklater refining it over time until they felt it was ready for production.

Hawke also spoke highly of Pedro Almodóvar, whose latest film, The Room Next Door, was set to premiere at the festival. This film marks Almodóvar’s first English-language feature and stars Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore. Having worked with Almodóvar on a short film, Strange Way of Life, Hawke described him as one of the most “unique voices” he has encountered in the industry. “The way the camera moves is different. The shade of green in the shot, it all matters in an Almodóvar film,” Hawke observed, expressing his admiration for the Spanish filmmaker’s distinctive style.

ethan hawke at venice film festival pic.twitter.com/RUx9ALBUgK

— phe 🌊 met ewan mitchell and died (@targaems) September 2, 2024

Reflecting on his own career, Hawke acknowledged the importance of diversity in filmmaking and his desire to work with more women directors. “I’ve worked with men from around the world but had only worked with a few women, which is embarrassing for me to say, but it’s embarrassing for the industry because I want to,” he admitted, calling for more inclusivity in the industry.

The Venice Film Festival, which continues until September 7, remains a vibrant platform for filmmakers and artists to celebrate cinema and explore its future directions.

Key Points:

i. Hawke’s Admiration for Coppola: Ethan Hawke praised Francis Ford Coppola’s decision to self-fund his film Megalopolis, highlighting the value of pursuing creative passion over profit.

ii. Commitment to Creative Integrity: Hawke expressed his willingness to make personal sacrifices for filmmaking, reflecting his dedication to artistic integrity.

iii. Project with Richard Linklater: Hawke discussed his latest film, Blue Moon, a challenging project developed over 12 years in collaboration with Richard Linklater.

iv. Praise for Pedro Almodóvar: He spoke highly of Pedro Almodóvar, praising his unique filmmaking style and looking forward to the premiere of Almodóvar’s new film, The Room Next Door.

v. Call for Inclusivity in Filmmaking: Hawke acknowledged the need for more diversity in the industry and expressed a desire to work with more women directors in the future.

Charles William III – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News