Antoine Fuqua's name is synonymous with thrillers. Known for films like 'Training Day', 'The Equaliser', the American filmmaker talks about his latest film 'The Magnificent Seven'
Antoine Fuqua
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Antoine Fuqua's name is synonymous with thrillers. He digs action and works with Hollywood's top guns. Known for films like 'Training Day' (2001), 'The Equaliser' (2014) and 'Southpaw' (2015), the American filmmaker's latest is 'The Magnificent Seven', a remake of John Sturges' eponymous 1960 film, which in turn was inspired from Akira Kurosawa's 1954 classic, Seven Samurai. Ahead of its theatrical release in India, hitlist caught up with Fuqua for a quick chat.
Excerpts:
How tough was it to balance a cast of seven top guns, including Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt and Ethan Hawke?
As a filmmaker, you are nervous, hoping everyone will gel. There's a worry that there's going to be ego battles. But, it wasn't because Chris (Pratt) is hilarious by nature. Denzel (Washington) and I have worked earlier (Training Day, The Equaliser). Ethan (Hawke) is full of energy and doesn't even drink that much coffee. He's just talking all the time. Vincent D'Onofrio is a powerful actor. Add to it, Ethan and Vincent are best friends. You have that rhythm with some people. I have that with Ethan and Denzel.
A still from the film
Then what was the most difficult aspect of making the film?
Shooting with the horses; no one dare mess with them. They did their own stuff and we would have to wait for them to give the right shot. It is not easy shooting with animals. They were pampered with the best fodder; a vet, along with numerous caretakers, would always be on stand-by apart.
The film is your interpretation of the Kurosawa classic.
When I first saw Seven Samurai, I had no clue who Akira Kurosawa was, but the film introduced me to a new world. Later in college, in art class, Kurosawa's storyboards were paintings. I saw his film, Ran (1985) and all his other films, and it made me want to be a filmmaker. Kurosawa was the reason I wanted to make movies. Now, I am honoured to have remade the film he's best known for.
Is the film relevant in today's times?
Films are influenced by what's happening in the world. Kurosawa's film is a classic as the DNA of the story still remains the same: tyranny needs to be fought by good people. So, it doesn't matter at what point and time that you tell that story, it will always be relevant. I have put my own stamp on the story, but didn't stray too far from that idea. I didn't try to be cool, I didn't try to put rap in it. I wanted to make it true to the genre.
What's next on the action front?
I am planning a film on the fall of Saigon in 1975 during the Vietnam war. I'll begin work soon.
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