Robert Zemeckis
The master of cinematic spectacle hits new heights…
Initially renowned for adventures like Romancing The Stone, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and the Back To The Future trilogy, Zemeckis won an Oscar for Forrest Gump and gravitated to more sombre fare like Contact, Cast Away and Flight. The Walk, based on Philippe Petit’s high-wire dance between the Twin Towers, is a return to his playful, spectacular roots…
Was the primary objective to put viewers out on that wire? Exactly. Movies give you an immersive experience better than anything else, and 3D just makes it more spectacular. We worked hard to enhance the sense of height and vertigo – which lenses to use, the best way to move the camera, how to layer atmosphere in. You’ve always pushed tech boundaries, but the story comes first, yes? I never run around and say, “Ooh, there’s a new device, let’s find a story that we can use it in.” It’s always, “Ooh, this is a really compelling story; how can we present it in a way that’s fresh?”
The Walk is more vibrant than a lot of your recent films… The energy, the vitality and the outlandishness of the style are all an outgrowth of Philippe’s character. Obviously, none of this should have been in a movie like Flight.
You started out as Spielberg’s protégé. Are you still close? We always see each other’s movies. We’re not competitive at all and we love each other’s work. I’d never be interested in making any of the films that Steven makes and I’m sure he’s not interested in making anything I make. He exec-produced your Back To The
Future trilogy. When did you last watch those movies? A couple of years ago because the kids were watching them. They’re good. But I’m astounded that the original movie is still as popular now as it was 30 years ago. I suppose it has a universal story: the wish-fulfilment of a kid going back and seeing what his parents are like is a timeless idea. These days blockbusters are about saving the world. Back To The Future is an intimate family drama…
Oh yeah. No one would make it today. Certainly no one would make a family fantasy with terrorists and incest! The problem is, big movies are now so expensive that to make their money back, everybody has to go see them. And if everybody has to go see a movie, it can’t be about anything. No one would make Forrest Gump today; no one would make Cast Away today. There’s not been a remake of Back To
The Future. Would you consider it? I’ve been approached, of course. I’d never do it. To me, aside from it being a money grab, what’s the point? You can always watch the original. I think films are historical documents and they should be preserved that way. You’re known for spectacle and technical innovation but you’ve also worked with heavyweight actors like Jodie Foster, Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington… Oh, I love it. That, by the way, is the real spectacle. When you work with really good people who are confident in their ability, your job as a director is to just know when you’ve got it.
What’s left for you to achieve? Nothing [ laughs]. Look, it all comes down to the material. I’ve got some really cool movies that I want to do, and I’ll keep doing this as long as they let me. But it is different now. It’s really difficult [ to get greenlit] because my movies are risky.
ETA | OUT NOW The Walk is available on DVD,
Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray.
‘If everybody has to go see a movie, it can’t be about anything’