I know it’s a movie. In the grand scheme of life, a movie is a small moment. Sometimes a movie is a waste of time. Sometimes it’s a waste of film. But occasionally, a movie is a brilliant palette for a touching story that lingers in the corner of your heart and mind for a lifetime.
The other evening I watched an interview with Peter Jackson, the director and genius behind the film adaptations of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, including the newly-released film, The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey. His matter-of-fact manner speaks to the fact that he is proficient in his vocation. His playful attitude was evidence that he is still filled with wonder at his fortune. His desire for perfection shows his immense devotion to the story.
As he sat in the middle of a lush green meadow surrounded by trees, with a backdrop of mountains and the sea, he talked about his New Zealand home in comfortable terms. Not as an exotic location for a movie, but as a familiar back yard. He said that he simply considers himself a New Zealand filmmaker.
He spoke of the support he received from his parents as he began his adventure into Cinema. His story inspired me. His work is full of heart and passion. Jackson strives for perfection to the point that he’s earned a reputation for tweaking his films until the last minute before release. To him, it’s not just a movie—it’s a story that must be properly told. He understands that his films will become a part of history. And that’s the very reason that they will.
That’s a wrap for this Toast to Cinema. Thanks for reading.