Even before Harvey Weinstein was exposed for his serial sexual abuse, the former mogul terrified filmmakers for different reasons: His propensity to meddle in the editing process and veto the visions of young filmmakers .
In a new interview with The New Yorker, Field recalls his dismay when he learned Weinstein’s Miramax company had picked up his debut feature, “In the Bedroom,” at the Sundance Film Festival. While the film was overwhelmingly praised at festivals, Field said he knew Weinstein’s reputation for re-editing films could jeopardize the response to its theatrical release. He said the movie was ultimately saved by a suggestion from an unlikely source: Tom Cruise.
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“I was crying in the bathroom,” Field said. “I called Tom Cruise and said, ‘Something terrible happened.’ He basically said, ‘This is how you’re going to play. It’s going to take you six months and you’re going to beat him, But you have to do exactly what I’m going to tell you, step by step.”
Field went on to explain that Cruise told him to let Weinstein change the film as he pleased without objection, and then waited for the re-edited film to underperform with audiences. Once that happens, Field should alert Weinstein to the strong reviews the original cut received and suggest he release that version.
That’s exactly what Field did, saying the program works exactly as Cruise said. “In the Bedroom” went on to be a huge success and was nominated for five Oscars, with Field nominated for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
While Field is currently enjoying a critically acclaimed “TÁR” awards season, he’s no stranger to the difficulties indie filmmakers often face. His notorious struggles to secure financing for his projects resulted in a 16-year gap between his second film, The Little Kid, and TÁR. In a recent interview with IndieWire, he talked about how the theatrical landscape has become increasingly hostile to art directors who want to see their films screened on film.
“I mean, making movies hasn’t changed anything,” he said. “I think the moviegoer’s world has changed dramatically in a way that I probably don’t need to add. Others speak at least as well or better than I do, and are attacked or irritated by it. But let’s put it this way. I Went to Tech Theater in NYC today and it was depressing. Super depressing.”
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