"Suzanne used to say you aren't really anybody in America if you're not on TV. 'Cause what's the point of doing anything worthwhile if nobody's watching," says Lydia in Gus Van Sant's provocative new feature, 2 Die 4.
Echoing Warhol's prediction that 'in the future everybody will be famous for fifteen minutes' and a quote from the Nixon obituaries, "Americans don't believe anything unless it is on TV», Lydia's assumption and question lies at the heart of this film which examines our relationship with what producer Laura Ziskin (Pretty Woman) calls the 'almighty media'. "The influence and impact it exerts on our lives has got out of control; the media has become bigger than religion, bigger than politics. The film is an indictment of one aspect of American society and values, and how desensitised we have become," claims Ziskin.
A NY book review of Joyce Maynard's novel was the catalyst that prompted Ziskin to approach Henry Buck (The Graduate, Catch 22) for a screenplay. "If I am originating a project, the most important element is the writer. Henry with his insight into contemporary culture, was a flash of inspiration," says Ziskin. Van Sant (Drugstore Cowboy, My Private Idaho) was slated to direct soon afterwards, and for executive producer Jonathan Taplin, the director was "the ideal filmmaker to bring the subject into focus". With Nicole Kidman and Matt Dillon headlining, and Joaquin Phoenix, Casey Afflek and Alison Folland rounding out the cast, the $15 million production, co-financed by Columbia Pictures and Rank Film Distributors, moved north of the border to take advantage of the exchange rate and Canada's healthy production enviroment.
The story follows Suzanne, a small town girl who wants to become a famous television personality - a dream that turns into a nightmare as ambition turns to obsession. "Kidman's performance will blow people away," says Taplin, "she has never done anything like this before...it's a total transformation". Whilst Suzanne might easily be labelled a sociopath, for Ziskin, the intriguing aspect of Kidman's portrayal lies in the fact that she is a character we all relate to.
"It will probably play better to the Europeans than in the American market," says Ziskin. The irony of Cannes as the ideal platform to launch the film whilst American TV audiences continue to lap up saturation coverage of the OJ Simpson trial, conveniently forgetting that the man is on trial for the murder of two people, is not lost on Ziskin. Tim Avis
Prod: Laura Ziskin.
Exec prod: Joseph M Caracciolo
Dir: Gus Van Sant
Scr: Buck Henry
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Matt Dillon, Joaquin Phoenix, Alison Folland, Casey Affleck
Running time: 103 mins
Sales co: Rank
