BY: ANNALEE WALTON
A washed-up actor known for his iconic role as a superhero in Hollywood decides to make a comeback in the fine arts, re-establishing his career and finding himself in the process. Sound familiar? A bit like a certain Batman we all know and love?
Michael Keaton stars in Alejandro Inarritu’s new film “Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Innocence)“ as a washed-up actor known for his iconic role as Birdman who writes, directs and stars in his own play but must face a new industry, his family as well as his past self. Many would say that this self-aware film was in fact Michael Keaton’s comeback, but just as creator Inarritu put it, “He is one of the few persons that has worn that cape and is a pioneer of that superhero thing, but at the same time he has the craft and the range to play in drama and comedy and where very few actors in the world can do that.”
With the wonderful help of Moroch partners and Fox Productions, ten college students from corners of the nation, including myself, had the marvelous opportunity to listen in on a conference call with the creator of Birdman, Alejandro Inarritu. Producer, writer, and director, Inarritu brilliantly conveyed this film to appear as one continuous shot with the film score written as a single drum solo. When asked about the complications in blocking and shooting such a feat, Inarritu explains that although it was only 29 days of shooting, it was lots of rehearsal time in preparation.
“We rehearsed a lot before arriving to the set and so basically it was very intense and meticulous work of precision with actors and camera and the crew and everything was designed to match the needs of the film that was basically pre-decided in rehearsal, so it was an inverse process.”
Inarritu said that through during filming the irony of telling the story in the given situation was comical “because really we were laughing at ourselves, as we were doing the film about the industry that we are in, so we were reflected, so that was very funny.” This film was not only stacked with an incredible cast (Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton), but with actors who brought their knowledge of the industry to the camera and the stage.
It’s funny to find all this funny, given Inarritu’s history with solely drama features. This refreshingly black comedy addresses a multitude of grim ideas with a chuckle that we all covered our mouths for in the audience. It was odd to laugh as a viewer, given the serious reality of the story, but at the same time the irony was just unbearably funny. Inarritu comments, “I think with a sense of humor so then it becomes a much more attractive thing to be explored and observed. And after having making so many dramas I needed a vacation and I want to add some sugar to the plate…The first time that I laugh in a set, so that was great.”
An implausible job to do the part of director, writer, as well as producer for such a large feature, Inarritu simply says, “I think there’s no other way to make it. I think if you have a film that is personal or you even basically are hired as a director to make a film…there’s no other way to not produce it because I think it’s part of the film. Producing means a lot of decisions that will impact your film one way or the other from the budget to the casting to the money you will spend or the locations…”
And we salute you Mr. Inarritu. Muchisimas gracias Señor for the delightful movie that has already taken the States by storm, as well as touched many corazones and even more funny bones.
