We also have the information that Mike Faist, during filming, was little less than a human locomotive
It may never be a classic on its level, but, if I can be honest – and aware that it may be sacrilege for many – ‘West Side Story’ It seems to me much better in Steven Spielberg’s version than in Robert Wise’s.. The camera shots, the lighting, the continuous movement… it is absolutely amazing, a manual on how to make films. Sadly, it will go down in history as a minor film by its director (something that will also happen to the fabulous ‘The Fabelmans’). And it’s not because he didn’t live itprecisely.
I want to sweat in America
This is what Mike Faist, who played Riff and who you may know better for being one of the three in contention in ‘Rivals’, told The Hollywood Reporter, where he reviewed the four months of rehearsals they had before filming. “We were rehearsing the music and dance sequences. Steven was there to see what we were doing, and, From time to time, he would take out his iPhone and have someone move him in a chair with wheels or something like that. So I think there were things that were recorded before filming, probably those bigger sequences you have to plan“.
The problem comes when the ever-patient Spielberg shows that it has broken a little in the most unexpected way: “I was smoking all the time. And Steven, when he’s on set, He always carries a cigarette, but never smokes it. He just has it. It’s like a security blanket or something. “He always has it for some reason.”.
I remember we blocked one of the scenes we were going to shoot that day, and I went outside to smoke. Steven came out and told me to light his cigarette. And I thought, “Okay, I’ll turn it on.” So I did and asked him “Steven, I’ve never seen you smoke that stuff. What’s going on?” He told me, “Well, I don’t know how I’m going to shoot this scene yet.” He was stressed, and I caught him sweating.
Of course, it was not noticeable in the final work and, in fact, ended up being nominated for an Oscar for best director for the eighth time, and would still have a novena the following year. Let’s hope that in his next project (‘Napoleon’ for HBO) he takes it more calmly, that He is 77 years old and it has to last us much longer.
In Espinof | Steven Spielberg’s science fiction film that was accused of plagiarism by an internationally renowned director. “It has ruined my chance to make the film”
In Espinof | The best movies of 2024
