Stone Hopes Europe Will Like 'Alexander'

Yahoo! News ^ | November 25, 2004 | AP

[El Conservador]

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Filmmaker Oliver Stone, whose "Alexander" got a lukewarm reception from critics in America, said Thursday he thought the three-hour epic would get a better welcome in Europe.

Stone visited the Stockholm International Film Festival to pick up a lifetime achievement award and promote "Alexander," which was having its European premiere in Stockholm.

"I think one of the reasons I am being honored here in Sweden is that (Europeans) tend to see me a little differently than they do in the U.S.," Stone told reporters.

He said the film "is not an easy movie, but then I've never made easy movies." His previous films include "JFK," "Born on the Fourth of July" and "Platoon."

Stone said the timing of the award gave him a reason to escape media attention surrounding Wednesday's U.S. premiere of "Alexander," which chronicles the life of the ancient warrior-king Alexander the Great. The film's depiction of Alexander as bisexual has come under particular scrutiny.

"To be here is a delight," Stone said. "Lifetime achievement awards don't come and go. ... I may make better films yet, or I may not. This is a moment of my life that I'd just like to pause and enjoy."

Stone will receive the Bronze Horse award from the festival Friday night. Previous recipients include Roman Polanski, David Lynch, Lauren Bacall (news) and Gena Rowlands.

[El Conservador]

Sure they'll like it...

[Ginifer]

The picture cost $150 million to make and is getting lukewarm reviews here, but you never know with the Europeans.

[Fintan]

Filmmaker Oliver Stone, whose "Alexander" got a lukewarm reception from critics in America, said Thursday he thought the three-hour epic would get a better welcome in Europe.
 

 

Undoubtedly.

[185JHP]

Relying on widespread ignorance, stupidity and lack of taste in old europe? He must have been there...

[DameAutour]

I don't understand this movie. The main reason people have any interest in Alexander whatsoever is his grand conquests and the epic battles.

No one cares about his personal life. So why make a movie with that as the theme?

[Free ThinkerNY]

I'm sure Stone's movie will be a big hit with his good friend, Fidel Castro.

[peyton randolph]

Europe is filled with poofters. They'll love Alexander switch-hitting.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

Trash runs in the Stone family. His nephew, Matt Stone, makes similar donkey dung.

[Xenalyte]

Because Stone doesn't make epics. He makes dude movies about head traumas. Joe Queenan wrote a stellar essay about the theme in Movieline.

Think about it. Salvador, Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Any Given Sunday (which I didn't see, but it's a football movie so someone has to get clocked in the head) . . .

The Doors had no head trauma, but the guys all did enough drugs to have the same cumulative effect, plus having Meg Ryan as a groupie would be like a home lobotomy. Wall Street has none that I can think of, but it does have Sheens in it, causing internal head trauma to all of us who viewed it.

I haven't seen Alexander the Fabulous and won't, but I will bet quite good money that there's head trauma in there. It has battles! All KINDS of head trauma opportunities.

[Xenalyte]

Matt Stone is not Oliver Stone's nephew.

But then, you're actually Trey Parker, so you know that.

(I think you're cute, btw.)

[DameAutour]

I just realized that there are a great many Oliver Stone movies I have never been unfortunate enough to see. May my misfortune continue.

[F16Fighter]

Europe loves homoerotica...

They may however be disappointed by Stone's lack of penile close-ups...

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

His nephew, Matt Stone, makes similar donkey dung

you have no clue what your talking about

[Miss Marple]

You are exactly right. It is similar to a book of Dick Cheney's favorite recipes or a story about how Patton organized his filing system.

[Cogadh na Sith]

What are you doing out of the kitchen!?

Git yer B*&ch a$$ in the kitchen an' make me some Pie!

(I kid... I read your post about TG smoking seegars with the guys.)

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

I always enjoy your posts because you are the same age as me and have many of the same interests. 'Cept Ren Fair(e)'s--I play the bagpipe semiprofessionally and I'm too much of a snob to enjoy those ;).

[Xenalyte]

I am deeply saddened on your behalf, and I hope I can continue to be so for a long time. ;)

[demecleze]

Every time there is some great historical leader people say he was gay.

They do this for cour de lion as well.

I wonder if they would say this to King Richards face?

I think this is because most of the establishment in universities is hardcore left, so any small detail that may be construed as the person being gay is portrayed as truth.

The truth is that in Hellenic culture homosexuality was subject to harsh laws. There are instances that people accused of homosexuality would commit suicide for shame.

Alexander was quite puritan, was highly prohibitive of rape and homosexuality in his army and there is a primary source that indicates his disgust with the very idea.

I am not saying that it is impossible that he was, but rather there is no evidence. Thus, if one were to portray him properly it would be heterosexual Alex not homo.

I have not seen the movie but apparently they portray him as a reckless destroyer. But he was really a builder.

The same thing is done with Joan of Arc, all indications are that she tagged along with the knights and they let her stay as they thought she brought them luck.

Anyway, this movie is an atrocity.

[Xenalyte]

And I you!

Oddly enough, the Guy and I were discussing wedding plans today, and we're trying to decide whether to have a piper lead our procession.

Ordinarily I'd say yes, but I have taken a huge shine to the carillon, and I would love to find a way to work it into the ceremony, and I'm not sure how the bagpipe would fit. Might be kinda jarring.

[VOA]

Europe is filled with poofters. They'll love Alexander switch-hitting.

I haven't seen the film. One of the criticisms of the film in the review in
The Los Angeles Times was that Alexander's relationship with his suppossed male sweetie
is portrayed (soft-peddleds/sanitized) in Stone's film as just something like
platonic male friendship.

(that sort of disappointment by the LA Times staff tells you what their
agenda is all about!)

[Cogadh na Sith]

BTW I usta be 'chookter' until the ex started cyberstalking me...

I'm not sure how the bagpipe would fit. Might be kinda jarring.

I understand your reluctance, but there are wonderful tunes out there--soothing and uplifting.

Some great tunes for a wedding: "Our Ain Fireside" (a Breton piece), "Strathcona's Wedding" or "Highland Wedding". Ooooh--'Dark Island' for the wedding march!

A piper at the reception is a Great Thing in that he'll stay and play and entertain as long as the beer and whiskey lasts!

There are some great pipers in Texas--see if you can find someone from 'Hamilton Pipe Band' they are fantastic. D'ya know what the difference between piping at a funeral and a wedding is?

At a funeral you have one less critic of your playing....