C&L WELCOMES JOHN CUSACK FOR A LIVE BLOG SESSION on WAR Inc.
By Howie Klein Sunday Apr 20, 2008 4:50pm
After being wowed by John Cusack's incredible new film, War, Inc, John Amato and I persuaded John Cusack to come over to C&L for a live chat a little closer to the official release date. And today's the day. This week the film will start rolling out in the Toronto area and then in New York City. So at 3pm (PT) John is bringing two of his co-writers with him, Mark Leyner and Jeremy Pikser, and they'll be talking about the movie and answering questions for an hour or so. I spoke with John about it and he gave me some insights into why he made the movie. He also recited this inspiring piece by Arundhati Roy to me:
Our strategy should be not only to confront empire, but to lay siege to it. To deprive it of oxygen. To shame it. To mock it. With our art, our music, our literature, our stubbornness, our joy, our brilliance, our sheer relentlessness-- and our ability to tell our own stories. Stories that are different from the ones we're being brainwashed to believe. The corporate revolution will collapse if we refuse to buy what they're selling-- their ideas, their version of history, their wars, their weapons, their notion of inevitability. Remember this: We be many and they be few. They need us more than we need them. Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.
Please join John Amato and myself with our special guests in the comment section.
As with other live chats, we ask that you limit your comments to the topic and stay respectful to our guests.
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I'm here. The Cusack team should be here in 10 minutes or so...It's a wonderful movie that C&Lers will get completely
I cannot wait. Thank you, John for making this happen.
Hi John - I'm looking forward to seeing it.
Question for the team: Do you expect attacks from the right wing over your movie, or have you already have been attacked?
Christopher, I asked him that and he said he gets attacked by them already
He's been pretty vocal about all their favorite topics
RagingGurrl @ 3:
John Amato and I were talking with Norman Lear this weekend about co-sponsoring some screenings around the country. Where do you live? It's important that as many people as possible see this movie
It's an important film because it takes the Haliburton's to the next level...
How about during the shooting...any flack? Protests? Threats? Pressure?
I have a question for the Cusack team: Has there been any concern that the comedy/humor aspects of the movie might undermine the believability or seriousness of the underlying themes?
John,
Taking Haliburton to the next level is what? One rung up from hell?
Please tell me this movie is going to be wide release. I missed Grace is Gone because of the limited release and would have really liked to have it here. I live in a military town and there are plenty of people who could have easily related to it.
DownWithTyranny @ 7:
I'm in Tribeca NYC :-)
DownWithTyranny @ 7:
How about a screening in Sacramento?
hi it's cusack here! hi everyone. and much thanks to C&l for having us
What other companies beside Halliburton were enriched by this war?
RagingGurrl @ 3:
Hi!
RagingGurrl @ 13:
Unlikely, but a screening in Charlotte, NC would be awesome
howdy! Welcome and thank you for coming
thepoetryman @ 9:
grace here... johnny, jeremy and leyner will be on in a sec...
John, Mark, Jeremy, welcome to C&L. I can't wait to see the movie again. A film like this, though, leads me to one conclusion: that for the sake of the future well being of our country Bush and Cheney and their cronies have to be held accountible. Otherwise the fantasy elements of War, Inc will become mundane reality. Have you thought about impeachment?
I should have said big companies.
I'm looking forward to the film. Like many of the folks here, I'd love to hear about the distribution plans.
Thanks John John and everyone.
This will be more informational than anything we will see on the cable news.
Halliburton - Profits in Billions
Hi. I'm Jeremy Pikser, one of the writers.
DownWithTyranny @ 18:
Hello Mr. Cusack,
I surely respect all of your role choices..really looking forward to seeing War Inc. I also thank you
for introducing me to "The Shock Doctrine" It really opened my eyes. I'm wondering where do you
see the U.S administration in 10-15 years? I always love and respect your honest answers :)
Don't work too hard now! lol
Hugs, Jen
John- are you in favor of a non interventionist foreign policy ?
is tyhis going through?
Hello Mr. Cusak
I often hold my head out of my bedroom window and yell..."I'm a whore!!!!"
Ty for the movie and involvement!!
Hi guys. Welcome to C&L and the blogoshere.
Mr. Cusack, I'm a fan of your movies, and one of my favorites was the dark comedy Grosse-Pointe Blank, from what I've seen in the trailer for this film it looks like a similar approach, during the creative process, was there ever any concern that taking a somewhat light-hearted approach to the subject matter would dilute the underlying message and maybe people wouldn't realize that stuff like this is really going on?
Or was it one of those 'you have to laugh or cry' kind of situations, delving into this subject matter?
Any thoughts on the presidential election - specifically how a warmonger like John McCain is seen as a hero?
John Amato @ 353:
Thanks John A! You have proved once again that this is the BEST site online!! Keep on, keepin' on!!
Thanks to all of you for doing such a movie. Hope it makes it into a lot of theaters.
What happened to "Grace is Gone". I keep searching but nothing.
just one, is that you really on your facebook page. Sorry couldn't resist asking.
john cusack @ 355:
any chance of a sequel ?
john cusack @ 355:
any suggestions for where we can start to take back control?
John Amato @ 357:
As usual . . kudos, John.
John,
I don't believe there is a "left" or a "right", only divisive bullshit. At the top all we have are bought and paid for shills and all talk of "liberal" or "conservative" seems to be the cake of "free speech" that we are allowed to eat... your thoughts?
BenFranklin
Thanks to the War, Inc. Group for coming on!
John Amato @ 353:
just to reiterate johnny, thank you so much to john amato, howie klein and crooks & liars for having us here... and thank you all for joining us! this was great!
Shoot, I missed Lou Dobbs. Now I won't know what is dearly wrong with our country.
Thank God for C&L and the War, inc. crew!
I would like to see movie that deal with our news media-
I wouldn't know how we can get our media back, but I think losing it was the first fence knock down to allow the rest to run rampant over.
my question, is there a follow up movie dealing with the media more directly?
most particular to the 9/11 media frenzy, and I can't think of a better day to start with the nonsense of the media.
Awesome. Come back John Cusack. Anytime. Your always welcome :)
I think I ticked-off John Cusack. Didn't mean to; he's my favorite actor.
BenFranklin @ 367:
I went to the african film festival, and most of the movie there dealt with such divisiveness and how it all end up exploiting the people for money to the empire at that time.
Why does Hilary Duff stick a scorpion down her pants?
john cusack @ 168:
great points! thanks!
Hats off to John C and John A.
Definitely want to go see the movie when it makes it (if it does) to South Florida.
John, about the Hillary Duff scene. Was the scorpion de-stingerized? For lack of a better term?
well, thanks for doing your civic duty, cusack. here's hoping more of you hollywood types start spending a few more saturday nights at home, at least 'til we all wrap up this beltway exorcism.
round up all the help ya can, these suckers are tough!!
Cusack pass the Audition?
i can't believe i am late to the party.
ok john (cusack of course but hugs for amato), gotta tell you i am going to see War, Inc because i see ALL your movies because you are beyond yummy. always have been, always will be. massive hottie. glad your head's screwed on in the left direction.
in solidartity, and thank you very much.
annie
I wanted to ask him what kind of kitchen appliances he has and did he buy an extended warranty.
john cusack @ 283:
I walk away for a bit and am boggled by this. You still get my *squee* from comment 58, but I reserve the right to look quizzical.
;)
Hi John Cusack, sorry I'm three hours late here (I was sticking signs up on San Diego Freeways.) Listen, a few years back I did some meme spreading with the phrase "War is good for the economy like cannibalism is nutritious." by e-mailing various fan bases and telling them their particular idol was responsible for the phrase. I told the U2 fan club it was Bono, John Lennon fans it was him, David Bowie, Bertrand Russell etc. etc. One of these groups was the "John Cusack for President" fan club and I told them it was your quote. Sorry about that.
Thanks for your understanding John, I've wanted to get that off my chest for awhile.
I am sorry I missed the chat. So awesome to know that the great John Cusack - whose acting I have always admired and whose activism only makes him that much greater in my eyes - regularly visits here.
I am going to scroll thru comments after I ask this (now rhetorical) question to see if it was already answered... what I would like to know is, how do we end this empire when this nation is so addicted to oil? Our economy needs it badly and if we are going to avoid future wars for oil, we must attack the problem at its root and that is the fact that without relatively inexpensive oil, our economy grinds to a halt. This nation really needs a serious effort to get off the oil addiction. Without that, we can agitate all we want but financial interests will ensure that we continue to kill for oil.
I'd also like to know what hope we have to reclaim our republic when the Pentagon is constantly propagandizing the people and it sure seems that there is a fair number of Americans - usually low-information voters - who actually like the idea that we are killing foreigners who have stuff that we want for ourselves. What do you do about these people?
So sorry I missed this live, but thank you for bringing John Cusack today. A great actor I have watched since way back when, he has matured in his craft and now presents one film after another challenging his audience to think. It's so nice to see that he has such a good grasp of what is going on in this country politically as well.
I haven't had a chance to go back through all the comments yet, so forgive if this has already been raised but I also commend his interview with Naomi Klein for those wanting to learn more about his perspective and keen sense of what-should-be obvious.
Thanks C&L for the live blog event!
Dang I missed it as well.
I really liked what John had to say about Stewart and Colbert.
Dear Crooks and Liars (John A, et al),
I was sent a link to your website about two years ago and I've been a fan ever since. Thank you for what you do, you are one of the million reasons we have not completely succumbed to despotism and empire ... yet.
I am a defense contractor, and an Air Force veteran. I was virtually alone at times at work in my opinion just a few years ago, but that has inexorably changing for the better. There is a growing awareness among many of us whom make their living working in the much maligned military industrial complex. Many of us see (most only recently) that we are heading down, very quickly, on a path that will not end well for our country or for humanity.
I work on a strictly defensive system (missile warning) which until Clinton left office felt like a perfectly reasonable and noble thing to be a part of... and for a while felt more so after 9/11... now, nearly seven years later, I feel I’ve been a small part of something, something big, something perverted, something unbound, and ultimately perhaps, dangerous for the survival of human beings as a species.
I am a patriot, and a human being that wishes nothing but improved life for all mankind. These two things should never be at odds, but I'm am deathly afraid for my young son and my fellow human beings that we have through stupidity, fear, and greed, unmoored these two values irreparably. I hope I am wrong, but fear that I'm not.
Sincerely,
Steve B. Colorado
PS Dire as I see it; I hope my words will lay still by those who thought we as a nation would not survive the Cold War. Please let us not live in fear for yet another 50 years.
Steve B,
You, sir, sound like a good man indeed. Good to know you are among those that get it...
Peace.
john cusack @ 355:
I just hope it plays in Peoria.
Godspeed in the good fight, jc and company
SWANKY MODES!
john cusack @ 209:
please the fairness doctorine is dead. why should we honor it
and no one on the right has to?
Mr. Cusack,
I have followed your work and your career until The Martian Child. I do not understand why you allowed the story to become a heterosexual story when it was a true story based on a gay man. This hit me because of the integrity you have shoulder in keeping things true. That said, why should we believe you will will keep integrity to the truth this time with War, Inc?
I love th Arundhati quote - this film looks like its going to shock the establishment-looking forward to its release in Australia.Will there be promotional trips in the pipeline down under??
john cusack @ 31:
Yes it is! Don't fret!
john cusack @ 31:
I hear you loud and clear!!!
just hit the refresh comments tab often!
We see you John. You can refresh the comments and view all the incoming...They aren't bombs in the green zone though..hehe
Mr. Cusack, Did you enjoy filming this movie a little more than any other film you've done?
john cusack @ 28:
I'll be seeing it at the Tribeca Festival on May 1st. Will there be a Q&A session during the festival?
Why did you feel the need to make War Inc?
John, undoubtedly films that address this debacle of a war and administration are important. However, they have unfortunately not been received too well by the masses even though they have received high critical praises. Any thoughts on why the American public has "ignored" this genre and are you concerned the same will happen with War Inc?
P.S. I'm a huge fan of your films. :)
john cusack @ 21:
Sorry. No answer with the comment. Could you give it another go, John?
I just read that John McCain called himself a war criminal on 60 minutes. curious to know if this is really true or if it was taken out of context. Maybe it's just me, but I would think at least SOME voters might not want to elect a confessed war criminal.
I'm in favor of a foreign policy that doesn't use murder as an extension of economic policy...the great writer Naomi klein has said that it's best to look at iraq as not just a war crime but and incredibly violent armed robbery...i'm paraphrasing because i can't remember the exact quote..but i agree...
the marshal plan i can get behind -- this is the anti Marshall plan
Darrell @ 396:
He had nothing to do with that. It had been changed into a heterosexual story long before he got involved. And that was just a studio movie that he did to stay busy, he wasn't a producer or anything.
Just thought I should clear that up, because I'm a big fan of all things Cusack, and I really believe he's worthy of your trust.
I know there are a lot of questions guys. Just grab one and go with it or just make a comment....
john cusack @ 31:
Yes, can see it
Hi John and everyone. Looking forward to seeing this movie at some point. Wish it were more available in remote locations, but hopefully enough people will go and see it on the opening dates and more releases will become available. Trailer looks great.
John,
I love your work and can't wait to see this film.
How do you think War Inc. will be received in the mass media?
Hi John. Are you new to replying to blog comments?
by the way john and howie didn't persuade us we were chompin at the bit!
Dave @ 52:
He very well may be, and that's understandable. Be nice
Why don't the big hitters in the music and film industries get together and use their personal wealth to put together some sort of major motion picture or marketing campaign to show the large corporations for what they are? Your film will only be known by a small percentage of the population whereas a major film would reach a much larger audience. Is there not enough support in the community? Or is it too hard to get that message out in todays corporate driven media? One last question WHERE'S MY TWO DOLLARS!!! Thanks and good job
I've got to say, because I don't know what kind of feedback you are getting from neo-cons about the movies you're doing and the flack you're giving them, but keep it up! My family and other military families are burnt out and disillusioned with this thing. There is no sense of trying to right a wrong or defend democracy, and by people like you putting the story out there, maybe something can finally be done and an end can come of it.
So for the movies you've made, for the fantastic writing and searing sarcasm, thanks guys. You have decibels and a voice, and you use them both well.
Do distributors balk at the "controversial" nature of a film such as War, Inc? Did you face any resistance in the early stages of getting the film up?
John C. - First allow me to geek out for a sec like any fangirl would. *Squee!*
Okay, now allow me to try and regain my dignity by asking when you first felt the urge to delve into politics? So many entertainers put their toes in the water, others shy away completely, and still other dive headfirst into the deep end. Was there something specific that triggered it for you? Or just a slow buildup?
Thanks for reading!
Hi John. The movie looks great. Plan to see it. Regards to Joan too: she rocks!!
I love the Arundhati quote, but I, personally, won't be able to "hear her breathing," until Bush/Cheney are out of office for good. I don't trust them.
From what I hear they did. That's why they made the movie w/o studio help.
john cusack @ 48:
Thanks for the reply.
Hello Mr. Cusack,
Do you really think that a Democrat President would really get the troop out of Iraq?
John would you ever consider running for a seat in government?! You make a hellova lot more sense than most politicians out there, i should know im English and you should hear some of the rubbish they speak over here!
Ps. War inc had better make it to England, ive got my popcorn on order...(-;
Are there plans for screenings in Phoenix, AZ?
Jen @ 29: