Yes, that is Chris Evans and Tilda Swinton. No joke!
It’s a still from Snowpiercer, a post-apocalyptic film where a failed attempt to save the earth from global warming has resulted in a new Ice Age. The only survivors are aboard a train, Snowpiercer, that travels indefinitely. A distinct class system forms among the passengers, resulting in a revolt by the lower class at the back of the train upon the outnumbered elite at the front. The film also stars John Hurt, Ed Harris, Octavia Spencer and Jaimie Bell.
Despite the film being mostly English-speaking and having a recognizable and solid cast of American and British actors, as well as Korean actors, the film has yet to be released in the US, the UK and other English-speaking countries.
The Weinstein Company continues to insist on cutting 25 minutes from this astonishing film by Korea’s acclaimed director, Bong Joon-ho. Most who were involved in the making of this film, especially the director, feel that cutting 25 minutes from Snowpiercer (in addition to adding voiceovers) will negate necessary character development and backstory, rendering it no more than a cool action movie rather than a daring, unique drama fundamentally about the pitfalls of classism.
Why the cuts and voiceovers? Why not just stick with the director’s vision? Because reportedly Harvey Weinstein doesn’t feel Americans capable and/or willing to give a film like this a chance in its true form. Reportedly he feels most of us, particularly those in the Midwest, just won’t get it. Therefore, The Weinstein Company won’t make as much money on it as they would if it were more palatable to the ignorant American masses.
It has also been reported that because The Weinstein Company holds distribution rights in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa as well as the US, they will also not get the film in its intended form by default.
Bong Joon-ho, resisting Harvey Weinstein’s demands, feels Americans will understand it. The film has already been released with great financial and critical success in Korea and France and has upcoming releases in Japan, Sweden and Germany. It has won several awards at various international film festivals particularly in direction, design and cinematography.
Until Harvey Weinstein and Bong Joon-ho can come to an agreement the film will remain out of the reach of English-speaking countries…all because a rich CEO doesn’t think he’ll maximize on profits if he lets Americans think for themselves. Meanwhile The Weinstein Company has reportedly actively blocked any attempts by anyone to show this film in the United States and their other distribution territories listed above.
I refuse to be insulted as such just as I refuse to have anyone, let alone someone apparently consumed with greed, dictate to me what I can and cannot watch in my own language.
Stand up for your rights as a film-goer! Let’s fight for the director’s cut and release of Snowpiercer. Not only will this brilliant film finally be freed, but it may set a precedent for future foreign films as well.
