Chapter 140: Chapter 140: Spielberg’s Bow
Spielberg was stunned for a full five minutes until Adrian tentatively called his name, after which he snapped back to reality and hurriedly grabbed a piece of paper and a pen to start writing, “Brilliant! Ed! Your idea is brilliant! Yes, a striking symbolic red, the only color in the entire movie! You’re a genius!”
Adrian opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but seeing Spielberg’s excitement, he ultimately didn’t say it.
“Yes, just like that, you’ve solved a big problem, Ed! Truly, you are Hollywood’s finest screenwriter,” Spielberg said with a beaming smile as he looked at the hastily scribbled words he had written.
“It’s what I should do,” Adrian shrugged, “Anything else?”
“Yes, there are a few more matters,” Spielberg quickly responded, regaining his composure, “about casting, location scouting, and costume and prop design, I think it’s necessary to discuss these with you.”
As he spoke, he handed over the organized files to Adrian: “This is some of the information I’ve gathered on the actors, along with the plans to shoot on location in Poland, and some other things. If there are no objections, we can officially start with casting and preparation.”
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After flipping through a few pages, Adrian set them aside and took out a file from his briefcase: “I’ve been keeping an eye on actors; I think these three are perfect for the three main roles.”
“Three main characters?” Spielberg was somewhat surprised as he took the file.
“Yes, the male lead Schindler, SS officer Amon, and the Jewish accountant Steen,” Adrian nodded.
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Spielberg’s surprise turned to astonishment; he hadn’t expected Adrian to go to such lengths for a film. Curiously, he pulled out the first photo, an approximately 14-inch black-and-white headshot. The man in the photo was dressed in a suit with sharp features, deep eyes, well-oiled hair, and a charming, almost smiling demeanor. He bore at least an 80% resemblance to the Schindler Spielberg had envisioned!
He looked at Adrian, then back at the photo, before pulling out the second photo. On seeing the person in the image, Spielberg took a deep breath. The shot showed a man sitting in front of a typewriter, wearing a plain work uniform with a Star of David on the left chest, wearing round glasses, and looking serious. He recognized this actor, although it was a black-and-white photo, and even though Spielberg had information on him for Adrian, he had never before thought this actor to be so fitting for the role of Jewish accountant Steen.
Unable to wait, Spielberg pulled out the third photo, and indeed, he was not disappointed. The photo showed a man in an SS uniform with a cold gaze; his marble-like features seemed chiseled, and the backlighting made his eyelids appear slightly drooping but gave him an austere, somewhat sinister vibe. Aside from the man in the photo, Spielberg thought no one else could play Amon Gauss so perfectly from just the look.
Taking a deep breath, Spielberg pinched the bridge of his nose; suddenly, he felt dizzy.
“The actor styled after Schindler’s description in the script is Liam Nissen, a 40-year-old Irishman with abundant experience in stage, television, and film performances,” Adrian began to explain, “The actor styled after Steen, you might know him, is Ben Kingsley, who won Best Actor at the 55th Oscars for ‘Gandhi’; although his father was Indian, his mother had Jewish ancestry, which also makes him well-suited for the role. As for the last one, SS officer Amon Gauss, that’s British actor Ralph Fiennes, not very prolific, but very promising. He has a certain malevolent quality that fits the role perfectly. In fact, the person who went to take his picture almost got beat up by him until they signed a harsh and unequal agreement; but now, it seems worth it.”
“To be honest, Ed, I don’t even know what to say right now.” Spielberg straightened up, looked at Adrian with a half-smile, and made a few gestures but couldn’t find the words.
These three black-and-white photos had entirely won his approval; he didn’t think there could be better actors for these roles.
“It’s okay; it’s what I should do.” Adrian smiled sincerely.
Spielberg suddenly felt puzzled; he couldn’t understand why Adrian would go to such great lengths for this film. Initially, he had agreed to finance ‘Schindler’s List’ merely to get himself to direct and produce ‘Jurassic Park’; he didn’t need to be so passionate about this movie, did he? Actually, he had invited him over today, already determined to have a brief talk, to show respect for the investor, then send him on his way.
Unexpectedly, after Adrian arrived, he first helped solve a key issue of the movie, and then he provided three incredibly suitable casting choices, which was…very strange.
“Regarding costumes and props, especially the costumes for over twenty thousand extras, I do have an idea,” seeing Spielberg not speaking and browsing through the materials again, Adrian began on his own, “I believe the Polish people still have many clothes from the thirties and forties that the crew could purchase from them, and they would likely be willing to sell. Additionally, I think we could invite some survivors or their descendants to participate as extras, to let them personally experience the despair of the past, and it would make the movie appear even more authentic—of course, these are just my suggestions.”
Adrian paused for a moment before continuing as if remembering something else, “Also, I hope you arrange proper security measures while filming in Poland. The Nazi occupation of Poland still leads some Polish people to consider the Germans from that period to be good people due to some historical reasons. While attacking the crew might not happen, unfriendliness towards the crew is definitely possible, and proper protection against conflicts is essential.”
Spielberg stared blankly at the eloquent Adrian, as if his thoughts had stopped.
“In other respects, I just… Oh yes, the score, I think John Williams wouldn’t refuse your invitation. In that case, I suggest we focus on the violin as the main instrument, which would allow us to invite Mr. Izak Perlman to perform, thus better representing that period in various aspects,” Adrian remembered something else.
Rubbing his nose, an incredible feeling washed over Spielberg’s heart; he forced a smile and finally couldn’t help asking, “Ed, why… why are you so passionate about this film?”
“Because,” Adrian smiled with a uniquely calm tone, “it is something I should do.”
It is something you… should do? Spielberg completely didn’t understand why he could say such words. Just as he wanted to ask more, Adrian, who was flipping through the materials, suddenly frowned, “Steven, do you plan to shoot on location in Krakow and the Auschwitz Concentration Camp?”
Spielberg was taken aback, “Is there a problem?”
“I don’t think it’s appropriate,” Adrian shook his head, raising the image materials in his hand, “It’s not a good idea.”
“Why?” Spielberg suddenly became agitated, “Why can’t we shoot on location? Do you know, Ed, the feelings I had when I visited Poland for a site survey half a month ago? I cannot imagine how to construct such scenes in a studio, nor can I shoot what I want in a studio!”
“Calm down, Steven, calm down!” Adrian sternly pressed down with both hands, “I understand your feelings, and I agree with you, but still, I think it’s inappropriate to shoot on location in Krakow and Auschwitz—don’t get agitated, let me finish, okay? You can go to Poland, you can recreate new sets in areas far from Krakow and Auschwitz exactly as you envision, without worrying about the budget. If it’s not enough, I can add more to the investment, 10 million, 20 million, no problem! But please, don’t go to Krakow and Auschwitz, please do not disturb those departed souls, let them rest in peace!”
A pen, held tightly due to excitement, suddenly fell onto the table, and Spielberg stared blankly at Adrian, seeing his earnest and somber face, finding himself speechless. He waved his hand vaguely, still seemingly stunned, but the next moment, he suddenly stood up, facing Adrian and bowed at a 90-degree angle, his nose almost touching the tabletop.
“Hey, Steven, what are you doing?” Adrian quickly stood up and moved aside.
“Thank you for your reminder, Ed, if it weren’t for your reminder, I might have made a huge mistake!” Spielberg straightened up and bowed again, “I misunderstood you before, and I apologize for my behavior.”
“There’s no need for that, Steven,” Adrian grabbed his shoulders, “you’re just too busy and eager to make a good film, so you couldn’t consider everything thoroughly. Besides, I believe that even if it wasn’t me, someone else would have reminded you.”
“Regardless, thank you for your reminder, I really appreciate it,” Spielberg grasped his hand firmly.
The two men exchanged smiles and then sat back down.
“Even so, I still want to ask,” Spielberg looked into his eyes, “Ed, I want to know why you are so passionate about ‘Schindler’s List’? Can you tell me the reason?”
“Because…” Adrian tapped his fingers on the table, a reflective expression in his eyes, “my grandmother was Jewish. Although she passed away very early, I can vaguely remember the feeling in her arms. When I decided to buck up, I went through many diaries of my elders at home and learned that she had worked for the War-time Refugee Relief Association during the forties…” (To be continued, for further details, please visit www.qidian.com. More chapters are available, support the author, support genuine reading!)