Production Diaries:
June 2004
July 2004
August 2004
September 2004
October 2004
Recent Entries:
HUNDREDS GATHER TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE LATE MAKO IWAMATSU IN CAGES!
Wed, 14 Nov 2007
A SPECIAL TRIBUTE SCREENING OF MAKO!
Tue, 16 Oct 2007
Perles Acquires Cages Distribution!
Wed, 01 Aug 2007
"CAGES" RUNS 4TH WEEK IN THEATRES!
Fri, 13 Apr 2007
IT'S MY TURN TO FLY!
Mon, 09 Apr 2007
"CAGES" SURPRISES MANY AS IT ENTERS THIRD WEEKEND IN THEATRES!
Fri, 06 Apr 2007
"CAGES" ENTERS THIRD WEEK IN THEATRES!
Tue, 03 Apr 2007
LOYAL FOLLOWING TO THANK, AS "CAGES" ENTERS THIRD WEEK IN THEATRES!
Mon, 02 Apr 2007
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Talking with Mako
09/28/04
Mako is a great actor. He's also a man of no nonsense. I am usually nervous when I work with him. He's done so many great films. Why? Why would he want to do this film with me?
There are very few people in my film making career who have intimidated me. Mako, for some reason, has been one of them. Maybe it's because of his strong face...his deep angry wrinkles. Maybe it's the tone of his voice. Maybe it's his eyes. I don't know.
I just know that I am very wrong. Mako is one of the kindest, and open minded actors I've ever worked with. He's practical, but he's always interested in the directorial part of the journey. For some reason, he trusts my word. He trusts my direction.
Mako has proven to me over and over again his firm belief in the project, starting in Los Angeles when he entertained several months of Chinese lessons in preparation for the film. Although the character he plays (Mr. Tan) never really speaks Chinese, I was sure the base language would play an integral part of his pronunciation with the basic Singlish flair to his speaking style he would have to adapt. He took the challenge and worked hard at his Chinese. I knew at that point that he was a serious and committed actor. I only hoped I could live up to his expectations.
Mako will be leaving soon. We are finishing up his scenes this week and next. Sometimes I see him sitting on the side lines, just watching us. He must be saying to himself..."damn, these idiots are crazy". But I know he also knows we are crazy about making the film.
Cages isn't like Seven Year in Tibet, or Pearl Harbor, or Sand Pebbles, but when I sit and talk to Mako about a seemingly simple scene he is about to do in Cages, he gives me 100% of his craft. He is a true professional. He is also a man of passion for story. He is an artist and a philosopher interpreting the journey of one man's life...in Cages.
And sure, I am sometimes intimidated by that.
But I am honored.
Graham Streeter
Director
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