We have a world obsessed with fame and success. The most telling thing about this global disease is that when asked what they want to be famous for, most people haven't got a clue - they just want to be famous. I translate this as a need to be noticed - to have one's life recognised as being significant and of value. It's a particular malady of the highly individualised and materialistic West.There may have been a time when it was sufficient to have a place within one's own family or small community. Without getting soppy and idealistic about it, earlier tribal systems at least provided a place of belonging and valuing. It seems to me that the collapse of this and the rise of the media means that we are all seeking recognition in a realm where by definition only a very few will achieve it.
Those who do find a place in the public eye, particularly in the artistic realm, often cast a long shadow. By this I mean that their 15 minutes of Warholism is built on years and years of struggle, pain, endurance and rejection. No one is interested in this period because it doesn't make good copy. It's not the path to instant success that so many are seeking. It's the dark elephant in the room of achievement.
Another feature film I'm co-writing on explores the issues of fame, and their destructive effect on people who are 'lucky' enough to find it. When I hear people interviewed on the back of their artistic success, the thing I listen for these days is evidence of that long shadow.
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Mike your story sounds like it is well within the nzfc's mandate and nationalistic agenda. Which in itself has not always made for the best films. But you sound like you have a good story with some passion and talent behind it. Reading through your posts one has to wonder how they do in fact feel about the project. Because it seems to me like they are doing everything they can to avoid making the film while still maintaining procedure. It just seems to me that they should be more helpful on their end. More clear of where they do in fact stand with the project. Maybe the film commission should be run by actual filmmakers. Be the cat. Hang in there.
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