Much has been written about Kathryn Bigelow’s historic win as Best Director a few nights ago but I think it’s also important to consider what this means for movies about war.
Traditionally, films that take place during a war have done well in the annual Oscar race and it’s interesting to think about how your film would work against a backdrop of a military conflict.
Who and what would your war movie script be about?
My story would be about a male soldier who saves a grandmother and daughter even though they are terrorists, and the three are then able to survive and have a new life together.
My friend, Daria Sommers, made a documentary called Lioness that explored the effects of combat on female marines.
If your story doesn’t have the Mythic-quality you think it needs, or just doesn’t “pop” like you thought it would, adding a war or other external battle can often increase your plot’s conflict and immediacy.
