Looper is a film that many people are heralding as the next step in the evolution of sci-fi films. Recieving almost universal praise following its debut at TIFF, here's a Q&A session with the film's stars and directors.
Why is it important for intelligence in action movies?
JGL: "I want people to have fun, but I want them to leave with something to talk about. And Looper offers that"
Bruce: "It's a really great science fiction film, and it doesn't really compare to anything else I've done."
(@Rian Johnson) Which actor did you approach first?
RJ: "I met Joe years ago and wanted to work together. I wrote the part with him in mind. And then we cast Bruce in it, and I was thrilled he wanted to do it. He's a tremendous actor...and, well, he's Bruce Willis.
What do you say about criticism of violence having an affect on kids (i.e. Columbine)?
RJ: Looper is about violence, and there's a lot of violence in it. But in its bones, it's about the self-perpetuating loop that is created when you say, let's find a person and kill them. FIlms that can actually deal with violence and take a hard look at why violence exists -- it's essential to have movies and stories in our culture that address that. One of the things that film is realy good at is taking some of hte darker stuff we'd prefer not to look at and shining a mirror back on us.
Bruce: I think violence is one of the hard bad things that exist in the world, not just in films ... to pick one thing out and say "it shouldn't have violence in films" would be like taking any other emotion out of it. It's a very emotional film --- we never really said it was a science fiction film and we had to focus on science -- instead it's about focussing on emotion.
Why did film move location from Paris to China?
Rian: It was mostly budget, in the end it made more sense to shoot in Shanghai with a real backdrop vs. Paris with a greenscreen backdrop.
You can check out the press conference in full below. SKIP TO THE 14:35m MARK.
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In the year 2042, a mob hitman assassinates targets that arrive from the future of 2072. For him it's just a job... till he receives a new target: himself from the future.
Running Time: 1 hr 58 min
Release Date: September 28, 2012 (USA)
MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong violence, language, some sexuality/nudity and drug content
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, Piper Perabo, Han Soto, Jeff Daniels
Directed by: Rian Johnson
Written by: Rian Johnson
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