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.
Filed Under: Culture/Life/Entertainment, Movies / Movie Reviews
Tags: Live chat, Movies
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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?
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
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.