As a devoted cinephile, I find myself utterly captivated by the tales of Peter Weir‘s illustrious journey through the realm of cinema. His recent masterclass at the Venice Film Festival was akin to a feast for the soul, with tantalizing insights into some of his most iconic works such as The Truman Show, Dead Poets Society, and The Year of Living Dangerously.
Australian director Peter Weir charmed the attendees of his masterclass at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday by sharing intriguing behind-the-scenes stories about several of his most notable works such as The Truman Show, Dead Poets Society, and The Year of Living Dangerously.
The six-time Oscar nominee shared personal insights about his experiences working with Mel Gibson (age 25 at the time) and Sigourney Weaver (age 32) during the filming of a 1982 romance movie, which captivated the audience’s attention at the Venezia Tennis Club.
“For the first time, both Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver were embarking on a love story, as revealed. This was a new experience for both actors, as they hadn’t previously acted in such a role. When it came to the scene where they had to share their first on-screen kiss, neither of them had ever kissed before, making it like watching two people experiencing their first kiss on screen.”
During rehearsals for a particular scene, Weir admitted that it was an awkward kiss, saying “it was really a poor one.” He then approached Mel and expressed concern, stating, “Mel, you’re applying too much pressure.” Mel replied, “No, it’s not me, Sigourney is being overly aggressive towards me.” Ultimately, the director had to intervene, gathering some of the most memorable film kisses, even referencing those from Hitchcock.
“Mel seemed correct in his assessment. It was Sigourney who was pushing things too far. So I approached her, said – if you ever come across this, Sigourney, please forgive me – and I suggested, ‘Sigourney, the only way I can truly understand what’s wrong is if I kiss you.’ However, the Director’s Guild and Actors’ Equity wouldn’t allow that. Instead, I asked if she could kiss my hand so I could sense her touch. We ended up laughing about it, which helped us to lighten the mood and eventually complete the scene for ‘The Year of Living Dangerously.'”
Weir discussed the rapport he established with Jim Carrey and Robin Williams during their films, “The Truman Show” (1998) and “Dead Poets Society” (1989), respectively. In his words, “When I initially met Jim for the first time at his house, he was quite apprehensive.” He continues, “Upon our first encounter, I suggested that perhaps his character could perform some humorous actions in front of a mirror. And surprisingly, he agreed and invited me to follow him to the bathroom. So, just minutes after we met, we found ourselves in his bathroom, and he started making funny faces in the mirror.”
“To Robin, I suggested, ‘Let’s explore the smallest aspects of your humor. You have a robust and expansive style, but even a subtle raise of one eyebrow might spark some laughter. Focus on the minutiae and let’s see how small we can go without losing your charm.’ This suggestion was met with trust.”
This year, Weir has been honored with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 81st Venice Film Festival.
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2024-09-01 18:54