Director Luc Besson is giving up movies for civil projects? Can this be true? Apparently it is. Yahoo.com gives us this:
PARIS – Luc Besson, director of the “The Professional” and “The Fifth Element,” says his latest movie will be his last. The French filmmaker said Monday that he intended to devote himself instead to civic projects, including starting a foundation to help youths in France’s depressed inner cities. Besson’s 10th and last movie, “Arthur et les Minimoys,” opens in France on Dec. 13. “They are my 10 little babies,” he told RTL radio. “I love them all. I am pleased to have completed this cycle. That is finished.”
Besson, 47, said he was keen to try his hand at a whole array of new projects.
“I want to take a little care of my fellow citizens. I want to take a little care of my planet. I want to act in favor of the inner cities, in favor of the environment. I want to do lots of things,” he said.
“I am trying to start a foundation. I want to help youths in the inner cities. I am very sensitive about all these youths. I find that they have incredible energy.”
.
I just don’t know what to think about this. Luc Besson is a very good director, I loved The Professional, The Fifth Element, Nikkita and The Messenger. And now he’s giving it up for “the youths”?
Man I am so torn. I really respect a person saying “something has to be done about our world” and actively pursuing that statement. But you can’t help feeling sad that it is at the cost of art. Why can’t he direct films about what’s going on in the world? Make political movies. Or documentaries.
However for some people it is all or nothing and if he feels the best way to help the world is by getting his hands dirty and working with people, then who am I to tell him to go sit in his director’s chair?
With his films he certainly seemed to put his all in so I understand why he can’t do this half way either. We will be loosing a great director but our loss comes the world’s large gain with someone obviously passionate and willing to give up a lot for something he belives in.
It sounds like a good movie.
