In case you missed it, last week our own Oliver Lyttelton ventured to France to watch Bong Joon-ho‘s “Snowpiercer” as the director intended, and his A-grade review said it all, stating the film is “a visionary, thrilling work” and that “to alter it would be something close to vandalism.” Indeed, that joins the chorus that has grown over the past few months in opposition to Harvey Weinstein‘s reported desire to cut the movie by 20 minutes and add some voiceover. Cast members Chris Evans and Tilda Swinton have already voiced their dismay, while rumors swirl that Bong Joon-ho is furious about having to tinker with his film. Well, another voice involved with movie is sharing their concern that by the time “Snowpiercer” arrives on U.S. shores, it won’t resemble what the director had in mind.
Indiewire caught up with Kelly Masterson, the scribe behind “Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead,” who teamed with Bong Joon-ho on the screenplay and needless to say, he’s not to pleased either at reports that “Snowpiercer” might be snipped. Moreover, because it was such a fulfilling collaboration.
“It’s such an amazing film, and he’s such a great guy. We had met once — he was a judge on the jury at Sundance a few years ago, so we met when he was on his way to L.A. Then we would Skype every Monday morning. He’d be in Seoul, where it’s seven o’clock at night, and I’d be in New Jersey where it’s seven o’clock in the morning. We talked every Monday morning and worked on it for about six months — a very collaborative, wonderful experience,” Masterson explained. “I’m very proud of the film — and horrified that Harvey Weinstein doesn’t want the English-speaking world to see Bong’s beautiful movie. I just have my fingers crossed that they will solve their problem and that some way we will get to see Bong’s cut of it.”
Indeed, we all feel the same way. The usually chatty Harvey Weinstein has yet to address this mini-controversy that’s brewing, but considering he’ll be going out in full swing for the awards season soon, it’s only a matter of time until he gets a chance to respond.
Even if Weinstein didn't address it directly (yet), I guess his position here would be basically the same as the one he kept during The Grandmaster's controversy…
For the record Weinstein himself summed up his politic in the later case saying the following at the LIFF: "At the end of the day, who gives a shit"