As a film enthusiast, I find myself consistently captivated by the stories and journeys of talented directors like George Huang. His ability to create films that not only entertain but also resonate with audiences for decades is truly remarkable. The fact that Swimming With Sharks, a movie made 30 years ago, is still being discussed in today’s #MeToo landscape is a testament to its timelessness and relevance.
Over the past decade, Hollywood has been under growing criticism regarding its internal operations and the way it handles its employees, including those working for powerful executives in Tinseltown. This issue has even inspired movies such as “She Said” (2022) and “The Assistant” (2019), as well as the current HBO series, “The Franchise”. However, three decades ago, Hollywood was already examining itself through films like “Swimming with Sharks“, a satirical comedy-drama in which Kevin Spacey portrays a respected but abusive producer who mistreats his new assistant (Frank Whaley) as one might expect.
In the passage of time, the original movie titled “Swimming With Sharks” was transformed into a television series carrying the same name, featuring Kiernan Shipka and Diane Kruger. During an interview with MovieWeb about his latest work, “Weekend in Taipei”, George Huang, the creator of the original film, discussed the enduring impact of “Swimming With Sharks” on its viewers. It’s chilling to reflect upon the casting choices, as Kevin Spacey portrayed the menacing antagonist; three decades later, with the revelations about Spacey’s off-screen behavior, the movie becomes even more unsettling.
Thirty years after creating such a movie, it’s astonishing that it remains relevant in today’s conversations,” Huang shared with us. “For a filmmaker, there could be no greater honor than having a production that continues to spark discussion decades later. It’s truly incredible, and I feel fortunate every time I receive requests for comments or interviews about it – especially given the current societal context and the #MeToo movement.
George Huang Goes from Hollywood to Taipei
Currently creating buzz among cinema-goers is the latest action thriller from Huang titled “Weekend in Taipei“. This movie, featuring Luke Evans in a gritty portrayal of a struggling DEA agent, delves into a web of corruption in Taiwan for the sake of justice and public security. Interestingly, this film stands out by setting its action scenes in Asia instead of the typical North American backdrop, providing a fresh perspective to viewers. Huang elaborated on why Taipei was selected as the film’s distinctive location:
Initially, we planned to film this project in Hong Kong, which is why it was named “Weekend in Hong Kong”. However, upon reviewing the budget figures, it became clear that executing the production there would not be feasible.
Luke [Evans] replied, “You may know, I had an amazing time there. Since you’re from Taiwan, perhaps you should go explore it to see if we could possibly shift the entire story to Taipei?” And indeed, I returned for a month, scouting the whole island, and was pleased to share my findings… and suggested, “Yes, we can definitely produce this film in Taipei.” Thus, the plan evolved from there.
From Ketchup Entertainment, Weekend in Taipei is now playing in theaters.
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2024-11-11 06:02