The behind-the-scenes production of one's own funeral

An anecdote that is being circulated

After eight years of unremitting efforts by producer Dean Zanuck, "My Funeral" finally found its own voice and presented it to fans in a near-perfect manner. The film was directed by Aaron Schneider, who won the Oscar for Best Live Short Film for Two Soldiers, and he also actively participated in the revision and revision of the script ... The whole story was inspired by a very popular folk story in the United States. In the past few decades, it has been repeatedly told orally by one person with great storytelling talent. Although its extension and coverage are extremely extensive, it is always impossible to escape from a real legend full of heroism: as a eccentric recluse, Felix Bush suddenly came out of his seclusion, and he wanted to prepare a grand funeral for himself, even though his body was still strong. The whole story is developing towards another level, which directly contributed to the occurrence of everything told in "My Funeral"-behind this folklore is a man's appeal for the last redemption in his life, which is full of colorful dramatic imagination.

Similar to many classic American anecdotes, everything that happened to Felix was actually based on real theories ... This eccentric living in the jungle lived in Kingston, Tennessee in the 193s-he was born in an excellent southern family, but Felix became a different kind of family because of his maverick behavior and wild personality. For many years, he was famous for choosing to live alone in seclusion. He refused anyone's invitation and company except his beloved mule. Then, Felix suddenly decided to witness his own funeral before he died, and wanted to know what people said about him after he died. So he had a crazy idea, that is, to hold a "living funeral", which quickly attracted the attention of the whole country.

This unusual farewell ceremony attracted a large crowd, and the scene was so hot that it was necessary to sell tickets to attend the funeral to limit the number of people present. Finally, on June 26, 1938, it was learned that the whole funeral accommodated more than 12, people from at least 14 different states in the United States, including photographers from Life magazine and reporters from other news media-all of them came to "mourn" Felix, and he himself witnessed the whole process of the funeral. Felix chose to do so just to listen to how others "mourned" when he was alive.

Since that day, this story has been told by different people. Until Chris Provenzano, the screenwriter who used to be the main creative force of the TV series Mad Men, heard this amusing anecdote again at the Thanksgiving dinner table-this time it was vividly described by his good friend Scott Seeke, whose grandfather was an entrepreneur before he retired, and personally attended Felix's legendary funeral.

Obviously, when Chris Provinzano first heard this story, he didn't simply regard it as a very interesting talk. He was quickly fascinated by this fantastic rumor, and at the same time he realized that there were still many unresolved or worth discussing issues at the center of the whole incident. What he wanted to know was-why did Felix do this? What is he looking for? What terrible and painful secret prompted him to give up his normal life and hide in a remote forest? What kind of stimulation did he get to hold a "living funeral" at the end of his life?

It is the questions that Chris Provinzano raised after listening to the story that framed the core content of the script "My Funeral". Besides Provizano, there is another screenwriter, C. Gaby Mitchell, who * * * excavated some facts hidden by the torrent of time and then made the whole content more dramatic. Although Felix has always kept his mouth shut about his real motives, he still mentioned some details-he loves a woman he will never get.

Folk stories interwoven with truth and fantasy

In the process of conceiving the background environment of this story related to Felix, Chris Provinzano and C Gabe Mitchell selected several very representative historical figures, such as Reverend Charlie Jackson, who is the host of the "living funeral" in real life ... Of course, there are many completely fictional characters interspersed among them. Including Frank Quinn, the owner of the funeral home, and Medi Darrow, the charming widow, there are some unknown secrets between their past and Felix, and finally they have solved the mystery of a murder case that has never been decided-these characters have only one thing in common, that is, they all want to know the real purpose of Felix's design of this funeral, and they also have one reason or another and are eager to know what the answer is.

As for Felix himself, he appears as a rich and full-fledged old man. His body is filled with too many secrets and regrets. He is a patient, vulgar and stubborn individualist. Because he lives alone in the secluded forest, he is crowned with a supernatural style, which makes it impossible for people to guess his true thoughts. The whole story is told with the special tolerance of the South, including all kinds of strange, bizarre and sad characters, as well as unforgettable puzzles that happened in the past, and finally developed some topics related to the hindered love, unpunished sin and the desire for trial.

When producer Dean Zanuck first saw the script, he was addicted to it because of its literary sensitivity and unique southern style. Zanuck said, "I realized that what I saw was a very unique story, which was completely different from what I had seen before ... everything from the content to the protagonist Felix was absolutely attractive. You know, I paid more attention to the theme of reconciliation and forgiveness pursued in the script."

Soon, another filmmaker became fascinated with the script of "My Funeral"-Alan Schneider, a very talented photographer who has been looking for a suitable film material to become his directorial debut. With his live-action short film "Two Soldiers" making a splash at the Oscars, Schneider has also become the focus of attention. What he needs is a good story with the same powerful energy to prove his talent again.

When Alan Schneider finished reading the script, he realized that he had finally found the opportunity he had been waiting for. Schneider explained, "What I saw was a story that made me feel deeply, and I read some real experiences in it. In my opinion, a director must dig some personal connections from his works. Only in this way can the film have a professional point of view in the process of production, and at the same time it can also trigger an emotional extension. For me, My Funeral is such a film, and I am deeply moved by some topics in the story, including what profound impact the loss of the loved one has on people's lives. Only when you regain love and tolerance can you completely release your sorrow. "

When Alan Schneider and Dean Zanuck met, they soon learned that they shared similar views and imaginations about such a story. Schneider said, "First of all, I have to find a way to convince Zanuck that I am the best director for My Funeral. I believe he immediately understood my understanding, because I can really provide something for this film.

Dean Zanook was also deeply impressed by Alan Schneider's insight and foresight on dramatic conflicts. He admitted: "At first, I met Schneider through the recommendation of a colleague, and then I watched the short film he directed ... During the meeting, I listened carefully to the concepts and ideas that Schneider sprouted after reading the script, and soon I had an idea. Schneider's enthusiasm for "His Funeral" is obvious and infectious, and his efforts to realize his dream are really inspiring. "

With the production plan of "My Funeral" going on in an orderly way, several filmmakers know that it is time to look for an actor with high performance skills and creativity, so that the role of Felix can be more dramatic and dynamic, even if he lives in a remote forest, he still looks real and energetic. Soon, they found everything they needed in Robert Duvall. As one of the most respected and loved veteran actors in the United States, Duval won the title of Oscar winner for his outstanding performance in Bruce Beresford's Tender Mercies. Duval has always been interested in that kind of flawed and complicated role, so after reading the script, he agreed to play Felix without hesitation ... In fact, Duval also admitted that such a film reminded him of another classic he had participated in, To Kill a Mockingbird, which was full of wonderful memories. horizon