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Kaye's Berlin statementFilm Director Tony Kaye Makes Statement at Berlin's Brandenberg Gate; Director of 'American History X' Speaks to Film's IssuesSOURCE: Tony Kaye, Company Press Release, February 6, 1999BERLIN, Feb. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Film Director Tony Kaye came to Berlin today to make a statement about the film which bears his name as director and cinematographer, American History X. The film will be screened February 12 out of competition during the Berlin Film Festival. The following is the text of his statement which he made at the Brandenberg Gate this afternoon: "It is appropriate to discuss the issues presented by American History X in the historical context offered by this city. `"My hope in directing the film was that I might accommodate all of the relevant voices into an understanding of what had gone wrong and what still has the potential to go wrong. It is my belief that only when all views are fully expressed, not ridiculed but fairly presented, can we reach a conclusion that will stand through the inexorable assaults of intellect, time and space. "The film is a good effort. It begins to probe and explore. Had I been permitted to conclude my work it is my hope that it would have been a great film, one that speaks to the present through the misty echoes of the past. "My vision of the film never made it to the screen. Edward Norton was permitted by the producers to edit and alter the film, which he did by increasing his role while decreasing the integrity of the film. The producers denied me the opportunity to present a black voice to provide depth and balance to the film. They denied me the opportunity to let a thousand voices be heard, if need be, so that a person watching the film might make an intelligent and informed decision about the compelling questions of our time. "The origins of racism and anti-Semitism, the reason why some continue to advocate concepts based upon hatred, the motivation and cowardice of the bully -- these are all matters to be contemplated and confronted. "It is ironic that my vision that this film be an homage to free speech and responsibility was interrupted and then doomed by the producers who were less concerned about the integrity of the work and more concerned about having one of its actors meet his commitment to publicize it. "It is almost impermissibly ironic that when I asked that my name be removed as director of a film which impacts so directly on free speech, my own union, the Directors Guild of America, refused to permit me to withdraw my name because I had allegedly exercised free speech in discussing it. In fact, I was not then guilty of the crime of attempted freedom of speech -- I had not criticized the film. "Since the case is now in litigation in the federal courts of the United States, I am not permitted to discuss the issues in specific detail. "The film began to say there are societal issues still to be addressed. The producers and the Directors Guild unfortunately
by their unconscionable actions then demonstrated the accuracy of that assertion."
Contacts: Gisela Leinberger and Ines Schilgen, both of Leinberger & Schilgen Public Relations, Phone: 011 49 30 31 50 43 00 (Berlin), or Stephen Jaffe of Jaffe & Company, Inc. 310-275-7327 (Los Angeles, California) SOURCE: Tony Kaye AHX articles
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