Re: Who's Perspective?

Posted by Rich on March 11, 1999 at 12:47:26:

In Reply to: Who's Perspective? posted by Gayle on March 11, 1999 at 11:15:20:

Hi Gayle -

I missed something here ... Your quotes. I can't connect them to MM's statement. No, I'm not as sharp as I used to be! Darn!

: Michael Mann made the rather stunning comment in his interview with Graham Fuller that "I didn't want to take 1757, this story, and turn it into some kind of two-dimensional metaphor for 1991.

Well, I agree with that idea!

: What I did was go the other way and take our understanding of those cultures - and I think we understand them better today than Cooper did in 1826 -

Of course, WE know EVERYTHING today! :) In some ways this is true. As time goes by & more documents, digs, etc are uncovered, we often gain a fuller perspective. However, Cooper was able to speak first-hand with people MUCH closer to the events than we can today, sooooo ... it works both ways.

:and use our contemporary perspective as a tool to construct a more intense experience of realistically complex people in a complex time."

: This strikes me as exceedingly arrogant.

Arrogant?? Of course, again! Seems a natural way to be in the '90's.

: How can we "understand" the culture and thinking of people in a context which is not our own? So in rewriting Cooper, did Mann produce reality or fantasy?

A little of both, I would think. One thing about Michael Mann - at least this is the impression I've had from the bits & pieces I've read - he is not all that impressed with JFC. If we are ever fortunate enough to have the opportunity to interview MM, I want very much to delve into this area! I think Mann did an EXCELLENT job in capturing the overall feel & look of 1757. In that way, it was reality. Of course, our super-human heroes leaned towards fantasy, but that's the way we love 'em, I guess!

Interesting question. Gotta go; I'm on lunch break. Anyone want to carry the ball?

Follow Ups:

• Re: Who's Perspective? Gayle 13:58:33 3/11/99 (5)
  • Re: Who's Perspective? Victoria 15:03:45 3/12/99 (1)
    • Re: Who's Perspective? Champ 18:57:50 3/12/99 (0)
  • Re: Who's Perspective? Pat 19:52:05 3/11/99 (0)
  • Re: Who's Perspective? Ilse 16:31:58 3/11/99 (0)
  • Re: Who's Perspective? Champ 14:54:22 3/11/99 (0)
• Re: Who's Perspective? Pilgrim Penny 13:49:28 3/11/99 (3)
  • Re: Who's Perspective? Gayle 14:50:46 3/11/99 (2)
    • Re: Who's Perspective? Clabair 18:11:28 3/11/99 (1)
      • Re: Who's Perspective? Norm 10:02:20 3/12/99 (0)

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Comments:
: Hi Gayle -

: I missed something here ... Your quotes. I can't connect them to MM's statement. No, I'm not as sharp as I used to be! Darn!

: : Michael Mann made the rather stunning comment in his interview with Graham Fuller that "I didn't want to take 1757, this story, and turn it into some kind of two-dimensional metaphor for 1991.

: Well, I agree with that idea!

: :  What I did was go the other way and take our understanding of those cultures - and I think we understand them better today than Cooper did in 1826 - 

: Of course, WE know EVERYTHING today! :) In some ways this is true. As time goes by & more documents, digs, etc are uncovered, we often gain a fuller perspective. However, Cooper was able to speak first-hand with people MUCH closer to the events than we can today, sooooo ... it works both ways.

: :and use our contemporary perspective as a tool to construct a more intense experience of realistically complex people in a complex time."

: : This strikes me as exceedingly arrogant.

: Arrogant?? Of course, again! Seems a natural way to be in the '90's.

: :  How can we "understand" the culture and thinking of people in a context which is not our own?  So in rewriting Cooper, did Mann produce reality or fantasy?

: A little of both, I would think. One thing about Michael Mann - at least this is the impression I've had from the bits & pieces I've read - he is not all that impressed with JFC. If we are ever fortunate enough to have the opportunity to interview MM, I want very much to delve into this area! I think Mann did an EXCELLENT job in capturing the overall feel & look of 1757. In that way, it was reality. Of course, our super-human heroes leaned towards fantasy, but that's the way we love 'em, I guess!

: Interesting question. Gotta go; I'm on lunch break. Anyone want to carry the ball?


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