The_Film_That_Changed_My_Life

Apocalypse Now
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apart from that it doesn’t really stand up in any kind of comparison. I’m
modest enough to admit that.
Well, there is an homage to Apocalypse Now, when Leonardo DiCaprio
becomes one with the jungle.
Boyle: Yeah, there’s a bit of that in it. But in terms of comparisons to the
original, it will not stand up. It will not stand up.
My interest is in not so much comparing the two. But while you were
in the jungle making this movie and facing the various difficulties you
had, was the ghost of Apocalypse Now in the back of your mind?
Boyle: I was never able to use it in a way that would have been useful, really
useful. I think also the danger is that you try and deliberately repeat it in
some way. You know, not just copy it, but you do try and reinvoke it.
What I meant about the persona of the film—something natural occurs
in the film. Something organic and natural that emerges as the personality
of the film that says, “This is what it’s gonna be, guys. It doesn’t matter what
you do technically; this is what it’s gonna be.”
Its source of light wiggles about, and it emerges and it’s a very weird phenomena.
Once you’re shooting, you can’t do much about it in a way, other
than try and obey it. You can try and contradict it, but it’s pretty pointless—
and I think what he did was go with the flow, because he clearly just went
with it, even though it was driving him insane.
His sets were being blown away. He would just rebuild them. The helicopters
would disappear to fight a war or to fight rebels. He would just wait
to get more of them.
Here’s the other thing. Whenever I talk about this film with other directors,
it’s often in passing, and it’s always become symbolic for the vanity
product that goes horribly awry. It’s your baby that you’ve put your life
and family and livelihood and career and ego and everything into. Can
you ever foresee a project for which you do that?
Boyle: I think because it’s become more of a producer’s art form now; I
don’t think they’ll let you get into that position anymore. It’s much more
difficult to get yourself into that position I think.