Spielberg has won two Oscars and is tipped to be nominated for another.
19 December 2002
The Age - click
here for link to original source
(Also printed in the Sydney Morning Herald on the 20th - click here)
Spielberg says Luhrmann has 'camera
eye'
By Donna Walker-Mitchell
Spielberg has won two Oscars and is tipped to be nominated for another.
Steven Spielberg has handed Baz Luhrmann the
ultimate compliment.
The most powerful director in Hollywood said Luhrmann reminded him of himself.
Spielberg, whose Hollywood studio DreamWorks is co-producing Luhrmann's next film project,
the $A250 million epic Alexander The Great, said he was mesmerised by the Australian when
they met in New York last week.
"I think Baz and I have one thing in common," Spielberg told AAP.
"I think instead of a right eye, we have a camera lens screwed into our heads. I
really sensed that when I sat around and met with Baz, we had a meeting last week.
"Just listening to him talk, it just reminded me that here is an amazing talent who
really understands about montage, about editing, about everything. He really has that lens
in his right eye."
Spielberg, who has won two Oscars and is tipped to be nominated for another for his latest
movie, Catch Me If You Can, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, said he is
interested in shooting a movie in Australia.
The 55-year-old has never been to Australia, although he says some of his closest friends
are Australian. They include directors Peter Weir, Fred Schepisi, George Miller and
Luhrmann.
"These are my buddies and Nicole Kidman is a very close friend of mine and also
there's Naomi Watts," Spielberg said.
"I mean, there's good reason for me to go over there. The reason I haven't is it's
15-and-a-half hours to get there and it's the longest airplane ride I think you can
take."
Catch Me If You Can opens in US theatres on Christmas Day and in Australia on January 9.
AAP
