The new drama Hereafter based on the big tsunami that hit Thailand in 2004 will have David Strathairn as it’s leading man. How soon is too soon? Is it ok if some of the proceeds for the film go to charity? The good people over at movieweb.com give us this:
David Strathairn has signed on to star in the indie drama, Hereafter for Ben Katz Productions.
The film is set amid aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, says Variety; it’s written and will be directed by Michael Patwin. Hereafter centers on an American clothing designer who must search for his wife and children after the tsunami separates the family in a remote area of Thailand, where they’ve been visiting the factory in which his garments are produced.
Producers on Hereafter plan to donate a portion of proceeds to benefit children forced into child labor since being orphaned by the tsunami.
Ok now I totally am aware that some people will say that this movie is being made much too soon. “It is exploitive, it will open up newly healing wounds, they will glaze over the horrors to focus on a fictional story, how much of the money are they going to be donating? NOT ENOUGH!”
These are all good arguments but I am absolutely for this movie. Why? Because the tsunami only happened 2 years ago and any attention it can bring back to that region could be very helpful to the people, there is a lot of suffering still going on over there.
This movie cannot be made soon enough.
The story sounds good, Strathairn has chosen wisely with the movies he’s taken on (Goodnight and Good Luck, L.A Confidential, Losing Isaiah). I don’t think he’d take the role if it wasn’t a good one. He is a fantastic dramatic actor who could bring a lot of emotional impact to this story.
The fact that any money made from this movie is going towards helping the orphans over there is good. I hope Hereafter is a great film and that it makes a LOT of cash. But even if it isn’t a success it will still be a beneficial movie, if only to bring some attention back to Thailand.
