Nice Directors Finish First

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It’s a good thing you’re sitting down as you read this, because I have some news that might come as a bit of a shock. I know it surprises me.

This just in: some of the most brilliant and successful people in Hollywood are also the most gracious and accommodating. We’ve heard so many entertainment industry horror stories, but none of them came to mind last week at events involving two of the greatest directors of our time, Taiwan’s Ang Lee and Canada’s David Cronenberg.

As awards season looms, voters and journalists are often invited to mingle with hopeful contenders. Most recently, Lee and his radiant Lust Caution leading lady Wei Tang were on hand at Dr. Tea’s Tea Garden & Herbal Emporium (formerly Elixir) on Melrose in West Hollywood. Two days later, David Cronenberg was chatting about Eastern Promises at Il Cielo in Beverly Hills. In my opinion, their films are definitely two of the best of the year, and both men could be nominated for various Best Director nods.




Perhaps because these men are secure in the knowledge that they’re at the top of their game, they are able to enjoy – no, make that delight – in the ride, happy to invite us to come along. They hardly need public fawning to confirm the value of their work and are eager to share the credit with their colleagues.

Lee, for example, couldn’t say enough about the statuesque actress who, until he cast her in his latest film, had played only bit parts as the best friend on Chinese television. On the day of the tea, she had just come from a Vanity Fair photo shoot. Wearing a simple black, puffed sleeve cotton shirt dress and four-inch heels, she towered above the rest of us - my guess is that she’s about 5’9” barefoot. (“Very tall for a Chinese girl,” confirms Lee.)

Even though Tang spoke through a translator, her English is quite good. For example, she needed no help when expressing affection for her favorite actress: “Garbo!” As for her favorite confection, it’s “chocolate!” “Have you tried these cookies?” she asks me. “They’re delicious! You need to have some!” I just adore seeing a slender, newly minted international superstar going for the calorific treats.





Only one thing seemed to concern Lee on this day: his film’s NC-17 rating. It didn’t worry him enough to cut the artful sex, nudity or violence for the U.S. release, but in order for it to be released in mainland China, he did have to trim nine precious minutes (“Like cutting out my heart”). I told him it was my belief that the people who would be thwarted in the U.S. by the rating are probably not the same people who will be eager to see a lengthy, artistic film with subtitles anyway. Lee was quite aware that, but because some theaters refuse to carry a film with that rating and many newspapers refuse to print ads, there will inevitably be a large number of people are unable to connect with his masterpiece in theaters.

Down the street, Cronenberg was passing off a lot of the credit for Eastern Promises to star Viggo Mortensen, who I think definitely deserves an Oscar nod, if not the statue itself. “Native Russians have told me his accent is impeccable,” Cronenberg confirms, before reminding me that he expected nothing less from an actor who is fluent in Spanish, Danish and French, and understands several other Latin-based and Scandinavian languages. Cronenberg also raved about Mortensen’s other talents; he paints, writes poetry, is an accomplished photographer and has released three jazz CDs.




Of course, it takes a Renaissance man to know one. The man who once directed commercials and horror films is currently teaming with Placido Domingo and fellow Canadian Howard Shore, who composes the music for many of Cronenberg’s films, on an opera version of The Fly. It opens in Paris June 1st before moving on to Los Angeles. It’s reported that the production will feature a chorus, a 75-piece orchestra and three characters: a baritone, a tenor and a mezzo-soprano, though none will be embodied by Mortensen.

“That’s a pretty courageous stretch,” I suggest, to which Cronenberg responds that it’s only slated to play two cities, so if it bombs, he won’t have to endure it for long. You have to admire that kind of pragmatism. And you have to admire the kind of humility displayed by both directors.

Even if I hadn’t shared these little noshes with Lee and Cronenberg, I would still be leaning towards nominating them both for the 2007 Critics’ Choice Awards. So a little good food and drink, plus the fact that these men are willing to rub shoulders with working class journalists like me, is simply an added bonus.

Oh,yes..I forgot where I got the article from....