Culture
Matt Damon and John Krasinski are at the Berlinale with “Promised Land”
One of the first movies in the competition shown at the Berlinale Palast was “Promised Land”, an American drama directed by Gus Van Sant. The film has actors such as Matt Damon, John Krasinski , Frances Mc Dormand, Rosmary DeWitt and Hal Holbrook.
Steve Butler (Damon) lives in a big city and works as a salesman for Global a natural gas company. He is asked to travel to a small town in Pennsylvania to convince the residents to buy drilling rights on their property. Waiting for him there is Sue Thomason (Mc Dormand), a single mother, who helps Steve persuading the poor farmers that taking Global’s offer is the right thing to do, especially to pay for their children’s education. John Krasinski plays Dustin Noble, an environmentalist, who tries to save the town.
The film screenplay was written by both Matt Damon and John Krasinski. Matt Damon said at the press conference that he loves Frances and became a real fan of her since he met her 19 years ago. The script was written with her in mind. She liked it and agreed to do it right away. At that time the director, Gus Van Sant had not been contacted. Damon explained he had planned to direct the film, but when he decided not to do it, he thought about Gus with whom he had worked before.
John Krasinski shared his father was from a small town and Van Sant revealed his father was a salesman, people of whom he said have good sides and bad sides just like Steve Butler.
Damon did much research on the topic of natural gas, talked to farmers and added laughingly that he even wore a John Deere hat.
The writers made characters the viewers could believe in and who represent America’s culture and American identity.
The film, which had a budget of 18 Million dollars, is about social issues. “It did not get the reception we had hope for. The biggest attack is from the critics,” said Damon adding that he loves the film and thinks we should wait over a decade to see how the film does. On the night of the Première on Friday, some people against fracking waited for the film team on the red carpet.
Promised Land Competition 2013GBR 2012 director Gus Van Sant – Matt Demon © Scott Green
Matt Damon, who loves Berlin very much and has spent many days shooting there (The Good Sheperd and The Talented Mr. Ripley) will be back in Berlin in March for his new film “The Monuments Men“.
Many good actors and actresses will be in it such as John Goodman, Cate Blanchett and George Clooney. He concluded jokingly with a large smile on his face that “everyone is excited because George will be with me.”