franny
03-31-2009, 07:51 PM
Red West's new film gets rave review: Red West's new film is 'Goodbye Solo' and has been receiving rave reviews. Film critic Roger Ebert has posted the following. . .. . (Right:Red West and Souleymane Sy Savane)
>>"Two actors. One from Africa. The other who was a bodyguard for Elvis. Who but Director Ramin Bahrani would find these men and pair them in a story of heartbreaking depth and power? Bahrani is the new great American director. He never steps wrong. In "Goodbye Solo," he begins with a situation that might unfold in a dozen different ways and makes of it something original and profound. It is about the desire to help and the desire to not be helped.
Now look at these actors. They aren't playing themselves, but they evoke their characters so fully that they might as well be. Red West plays William, the white man. West's face is a map of hard living. http://www.elvisinfonet.com/image-files/redwest1x.JPGHe was a Marine and a boxer. He became a friend of Elvis in high school. He was his bodyguard and driver from 1955 -- a charter member of the "Memphis Mafia." He split with Elvis after breaking the foot of the cousin who was bringing Elvis drugs, and telling him he would work his way up to his face.
Souleymane Sy Savane plays Solo, the taxi driver. He is from the Ivory Coast, although the character is from Senegal. Savane was a flight attendant for Air Afrique. Solo is studying for just such a job. Solo lives in Winston-Salem, is married to a Mexican-American woman, adores the woman's young daughter, acts as her father. William's face was made to look pissed off. Solo's face was made to smile. We are not speaking of an odd couple here. We're speaking of human nature. You can't learn acting like this. Bahrani worked with the actors for months. Savane drove a taxi in Winston-Salem. Red West spent a lifetime rehearsing William (although in real life, he is said to be kind and friendly). Bahrani and his cinematographer, Michael Simmonds, discussed every shot.
Although this is an independent film in its heart and soul, it is a classical film in its style. It is as pure as something by John Ford. A film like this makes me wonder if we are coming to the end of the facile, snarky indie films. We live in desperate times. Wherever you live, when this film opens, it will be the best film in town."
(News, Source;EIN/SanjaM)
>>"Two actors. One from Africa. The other who was a bodyguard for Elvis. Who but Director Ramin Bahrani would find these men and pair them in a story of heartbreaking depth and power? Bahrani is the new great American director. He never steps wrong. In "Goodbye Solo," he begins with a situation that might unfold in a dozen different ways and makes of it something original and profound. It is about the desire to help and the desire to not be helped.
Now look at these actors. They aren't playing themselves, but they evoke their characters so fully that they might as well be. Red West plays William, the white man. West's face is a map of hard living. http://www.elvisinfonet.com/image-files/redwest1x.JPGHe was a Marine and a boxer. He became a friend of Elvis in high school. He was his bodyguard and driver from 1955 -- a charter member of the "Memphis Mafia." He split with Elvis after breaking the foot of the cousin who was bringing Elvis drugs, and telling him he would work his way up to his face.
Souleymane Sy Savane plays Solo, the taxi driver. He is from the Ivory Coast, although the character is from Senegal. Savane was a flight attendant for Air Afrique. Solo is studying for just such a job. Solo lives in Winston-Salem, is married to a Mexican-American woman, adores the woman's young daughter, acts as her father. William's face was made to look pissed off. Solo's face was made to smile. We are not speaking of an odd couple here. We're speaking of human nature. You can't learn acting like this. Bahrani worked with the actors for months. Savane drove a taxi in Winston-Salem. Red West spent a lifetime rehearsing William (although in real life, he is said to be kind and friendly). Bahrani and his cinematographer, Michael Simmonds, discussed every shot.
Although this is an independent film in its heart and soul, it is a classical film in its style. It is as pure as something by John Ford. A film like this makes me wonder if we are coming to the end of the facile, snarky indie films. We live in desperate times. Wherever you live, when this film opens, it will be the best film in town."
(News, Source;EIN/SanjaM)