Marc Forster
courtesy of Steve Granitz
"Marc Forster Finds Neverland"

ATLANTA: Marc Forster is only thirty-five years old but he has already directed an award winning movie, "Monster's Ball," and critics are predicting great things for his new movie "Finding Neverland." Recently Forster came to Atlanta to beat the drum for his movie that stars Johnny Depp.

The German born Forster is quite humble about his success. "I am living a dream," he said, "This whole thing is just everything I could have ever hoped for."

He seemed to reflect on his life and then added, "I have been so fortunate in being able to come from Europe and study in New York. I had someone who believed in me and helped pay my way. Then after I was out of school they were looking for a director for 'Monster's Ball' and I was selected."

"'Monster's Ball' changed my life," he said with a sly smile.

Forster downplays his talent in directing that film to hit status. He just considers himself lucky and in the right place at the right time. And now he is very excited about "Finding Neverland."

"My agent found the script and sent it to me, and this was before 'Monster's Ball,' and I loved it. Then after we finished that movie I was told this script was still available, and so I asked about it and they just decided I could do it," he said.

"Monster's Ball" pushed Halle Berry to superstar status and gave Billy Bob Thornton more recognition as a strong actor. Now he is working with such prestige performers as Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie and Dustin Hoffman.

"I had to pinch myself on 'Finding Neverland' when I looked over and saw Dustin Hoffman. I mean Dustin Hoffman. That is amazing," he continued.

"I didn't make this movie as a film for children but kids seem to love it. And the themes of death and all don't seem to bother them" he said. "The movie is rated PG but it could easily have been a G."

There are a lot of nuances to the film that are Forster's touch. When I pointed this out to him he seemed a little embarrassed but quickly recovered. "I tried to highlight the simplicity of the story," he said. "I wanted the effect of the story to be there but I didn't want to tell it in a heavy-handed way."

Forster's next project is already in post-production. It is a movie titled "Stay" and it stars Ewan McGregor and Ryan Gosling. Unlike the sweet and sentimental "Finding Neverland," this new one is a dark drama.

"'Finding Neverland' was delayed for so long because contractually we could not compete with 'Peter Pan'," he explained. "We had to wait for over a year to get it released, so I had to find something to do or else I would have gone crazy. So I made 'Stay'."

Forster will never have trouble finding a job. He is too talented and too much in demand. And after "Finding Neverland" gets all of its rewards and awards he will be more popular than ever.

 

 

 

 

 

©2004 Jackie K. Cooper

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