About a week ago, the trailer for “The People Vs. George Lucas,” hit the web, a documentary that examines the love/hate and mixed feelings fans have for the creator of the “Star Wars” mythos.
Still months away from completion the filmmakers and director Alexandre O. Philippe, released the trailer far in advance, partly to “listen to the fans and get a feel for what people think.” Some of us [ed. me] have come to detest “Star Wars” culture and all it stands for, and we initially groaned at what was yet another SW-related film, but the trailer was admittedly fascinating and suggested it was coming from a far cut above than the regular fanboy doc. Speaking with director O. Phillippe, we’re now convinced he’s certainly on the right track and definitely just the type of intelligent and thoughtful person who should be negotiating such a potential fraught film. We’ll post more of our interview with O. Philipe next week, but it’s interesting to note that Lucasfilm has already declined to participate in the film.
“We don’t know for sure if George Lucas [himself] has heard of the film, but we hope so. Last year, when we first began to develop this concept, we contacted Lucasfilm in order to express our intent and request their participation. At that time, they decided to pass. Since then, we haven’t had any contact with Lucasfilm. We sincerely hope that as it becomes more and more clear that our intention is to document the unprecedented cultural phenomenon of the relationship between this popular artist and his fans – and not to demonize George Lucas – and that he will eventually grant us an interview.”
Fanboy director Kevin Smith should note, “The People Vs. George Lucas” also want you. But there are obstacles. “People wonder whether we are making a serious documentary, or is it going to be a Lucas hate-fest. It’s a very legitimate concern, but as a result some people are not responding to us.”
“I think it’s going to be an uphill battle when you go after someone like Kevin Smith, for instance, who is someone we desperately want for the documentary. I don’t know how many emails I have received from fans saying ‘Have you interviewed Kevin Smith,’ or ‘Are you going to interview him?’ I think it would be fantastic to get his opinion. But how is Kevin going to perceive us? What is he going to think about our efforts and he will actually see the film? So it’s sort of a Catch-22. People want to see something before they agree to participate in something, but we need them to participate before we can show them something. I think that is going to be the main struggle.”
Again, having already read our entire interview, O. Philippe hit us as a very sharp guy, who will definitely strike a balance between both camps of the “Star Wars” fans those who revel in idolatry and those who loathe. We strongly encourage Smith to talk these filmmakers, he’d be the perfect addition and obviously a important voice in the entire, ongoing cultural “Star Was” dialogue. – Interview conducted by Adam Sweeney