Well, it’s been a long time in the making, but well worth the wait. “Wilde Salome”, is Al Pacino’s re-interpretation of Irish writer and poet, Oscar Wilde’s,(1854-1900), once banned and most controversial work, “Salome”. Salome was the stepdaughter of tetrarch Herod Antipas, the first century AD ruler of Galilee and Perea. Al Pacino explained, “that most of the things I direct never see the light of day. They go into someone’s vault, and I wish I could show my other film, “The Local Stigmatic”, as well. I wanted to make this film, “Wilde Salome”, in particular and wished Oscar Wilde was here to help me introduce the documentary, as “he would give the introduction alacrity and wit”. Al explained that “the film took on it’s own life”, and stars one of the decades most talented newcomers, “a total revelation”, and the reason he made the film, lead actress, Jessica Chastain. The film also hosts discussions about Oscar Wilde with Gore Vidal, Tom Stoppard, and Bono.
Al Pacino: “I am on Broadway starring as Shylock in “The Merchant of Venice” at The Broadhurst Theater, so I have to be careful with my words. I’m on vocal rest today. Twenty years ago, we made “The Local Stigmatic”, and I enjoyed the experience of understanding what it was like to make a movie, and show reverence towards directors. I know the difference between a real filmmaker and what I do. I would only make a film that I felt I had a real connection to. Herod, was like Wilde, in that he was the third rail of passion, a witty sophisticate. This is a story about obsession. I played Herod in the film, ‘Well, someone has got to do it’.”
Article by Sharon Abella
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