The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Tuesday, September 3, 2013 - 3D 0 yCEE RZA talks 'Iron F sts, career Rapper-producer to release martial arts thriller By SEAN CZARNECKI Daily Arts Writer NOV. 2, 2012 - For RZA, it may never be enough. Despite being the de facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan and having been heralded as one of hip hop's most formidable talents, the rapper-producer, whose given WU MUSIC GROUP name is Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, Wrist game ridiculous. has widened the wake of his ideas I apply to music, I apply to "But at the same time I love Spa- legacy by authoring books, act- my daily life, you know - I live ghetti Westerns, and I love the ing in television and film and martial. Bruce Lee would say, sounds they make, and the weird even composing film scores and 'forget the form, be like water.' things Morricone would do with soundtracks. As a child, RZA was a zealot for his soundtracks. I wanted to add Now, all his ambitions and tal- martial arts films. It wasn't until some of that flavor. Then, at the ents, cultivated from childhood he met Quentin Tarantino dur- same time, I'm a big, big hip- to manhood, from "C.R.E.A.M." ing the filming of "Kill Bill: Vol. hopper, so I had to get hip hop to Grammies, have culminated 1" that RZA became a student of in there. And the Black Keys - in his directorial debut: "The the art. Under the tutelage of the they're bringing me some nice Man with the Iron Fists," a mar- mind behind "Pulp Fiction," he indie rock and shit, you know tial arts movie about a vicious was exposed to film that wouldn't what I mean?" battle for gold in a fabled Chinese have otherwise been possible, "This is something that melts village. that would only add to his "well." cultures together," he added. RZA found time away from his During this time, RZA became RZA explained that because many posts to sit down for an acquainted with Eli Roth, the stories must also be grounded in a exclusive interview with The acclaimed horror director of non-fiction world, the universe of Michigan Daily to discuss his "Cabin Fever," and discovered "The Man with the Iron Fists" is upcoming film, which enters that both their fathers attended aware of the social and historical wide release on Friday. the same public school. Togeth- issues of the period it portrays. "All of these different ways of er, they turned an idea into the "During the period the film expressing myself is like what screenplay that would eventually takes place, there was a big opium Bruce Lee would say, 'express become "The Man with the Iron war in China," RZA said. "This yourself fully,' " RZA said, giv- Fists," marking RZA's transfor- was when the British were able ing a big-smiled laugh. "And mation from kung-fu nut to kung- to come through and spread the that's what I feel like I'm doing. fu filmmaker. opium, start wars - all these I'm not gonna let anybody stop "It took a lot of preparation, a different types of confusion me from doing that." lot ofstudying, a lot of focus and it they brought. And we touch on Growing up in poverty in was very rewarding, but it wasn't that a teeny bit." New York City, RZA digested difficult," RZA said. "It was After all this time, from countless hours of martial arts almostlike anatural musical pro- kung-fu music sampling to films. Though separated by gression, you know what I mean? the historical accuracy of his thousands of miles and sev- I got to one level, one level, and upcoming film, martial arts eral millennia, RZA discovered my mind and my energy was just continues to bleed through the himself spiritually connected going further and further, and layers of RZA's diverse career to ancient Chinese culture. now, I see directing is the medi- "like water." It continues to More than entertainment - um where I can accomplish all of change and be changed by his more than escapism - these my skills at once" creative endeavors. 1ovie p d a saiE ° Havin , ;gosed cre n This idea of "expressing framewor within which he soundtracks for videogames and yourself fully" is his end-all learned to express himself, he films, most famously Tarantino's goal. Perhaps then, all that he said. He draws inspiration for "Kill Bill" series, RZA knows will do, as everything he's done his music and "The Man with what sounds should populate the before, will be but a series of the Iron Fists" from the "same off-screen world of film. But as apprenticeships - he "lives well." someone who loves kung-fu, he martial." "Sometimes, I think of being adheres deeply to the music ofthe "This film feels to me like my ferocious like a tiger, but nim- classic '70s and '80s -era Shaw first album, 36 Chambers (felt). ble as a crane. As deceptive as a Brothers movies. And I look forward to making snake, you know what I mean?," "I wanted to make sure I cap- five more classics," RZA said, he explained. "These types of tured that essence," RZA said. smiling. "At least." Ken Burns talks new documentary T V/NEW MEDA COLUMN How Claire Danes became unstoppable For twoyears, Claire Danes has been invincible. Since 2010, she has been nominated for nine sig- nificant awards (two Emmys, two Satellites, two Golden Globes, one SAG, one Critics' KAYLA Choice and UPADHYAYA one Televi- sion Critics Association) for her roles in the HBO biopic "Temple Grandin" and Showtime's thriller "Home- land." She won all nine. I first discovered Danes in seventh grade. I was atla friend's house watching TeenNick - my family only had basic cable at the time, so thisawas a big deal - when "My So-Called Life" came on. As unpolished and bluff asa middle schooler's diary, "Life" was unlike any of the moral- izingteen shows I watched at the time ("Boy Meets World" and "7th Heaven" beingsome of the worst offenders of twisting adolescence into romanticized parables). I caught episodes sporadically, unable to watch the series from start to finish until Netflix came around, but even in fragmented pieces, I fell for Danes's Angela Chase, who thought beinga woman meant dyeing her hair without her mother's permis- sion, wearing dark red lipstick and dating boys who drink their coffee black. I treasured Angela's striking, star-crossed friend- ship with Rayanne, like Angela clutching Tarot cards close to her heart. Much of MSCL's charm came from its emotionally honest writ- ing and characters, but Danes was its beating heart, her natural delver -full ofuns" likes" and uneven pauses - injecting Angela with truth. We've quite literally watched Danes grow up on our TV screens. She was only 15 years old when she won her first Gold- en Globe for Best Lead Actress in a Drama in 1995, and she beat out contenders with well more than double her experience. In her acceptance speech, she was as plain-spoken as Angela, but for- got to thank her parents. Which is why, 17 years later, she was sure to thank them right away when she accepted the same exact award for her performance as the charged and discerning Carrie Mathison in "Homeland." I told you - Claire Danes knows how to win awards. Nowadays, every TV critic worth his or her salt is head- over-heels for her, but this wasn't always the case. For a brief period in the late '90s, Danes was incredibly unpopular among critics and TV lovers, but it had nothing to do with her FOLLOW THE ARTS SECTION ON TWITTER OR ELSE! @michdailyarts talent. drawn to the character. Both When it became apparent that are incredibly well written. "My So-Called Life" was facing Women who are unstable and cancellation, news soon followed yet maintain a sense of agency that Danes had approached the can be hard to find on TV, and network to say that she did not both Angela and Carrie strike wish to continue being a part of the balance. But the force that the project. A group of fervent emanates from both characters fans of the series formed Opera- can't be chocked up to writers'- tion Life Support, which circu- room wizardry. Somewhere lated nasty emails criticizing between the words on the Danes for her perceived role in page and what we see on our the show's demise. One particu- screens, Danes steps in and larly inflammatory e-mail boast- works her trusty magic. ed the subject line "CLAIRE She made the oft-impossible DANES BRINGS DEATH TO bound from teen star to vir- 'LIFE.' tuoso and has enjoyed an In 2004, Danes admitted in an exceptional longevity similar to interview with Entertainment that of Winona Ryder. In fact, Weekly that she and her parents the now-defunct Sassy Maga- discussed her departure with zine once referred to her as the show's creators, but Danes the "next Winona Ryder," and also pointed out an undeniable the two sparked a close friend- truth: No teenaged actor has ship after working on "Little the power to shut down a series. Women" together. Like Ryder, "Life" was suffering from weak Danes has become a familiar ratings, and when the network face. became aware that Danes might But her familiarity isn't what not be interested in continu- makes her the best act on tele- ing on a fledgeling project, she vision right now. Actors who became the scapegoat. The flame get too locked into a particu- war waged against her was lar role or performance don't unfair and ultimately pointless. last. The greats are consistent Fortunately, despite the but still unpredictable. And drama, Danes didn't fade. Angela there's nothing stagnant about and Carrie are staggering book- Danes's trajectory. She's con- ends for Danes's TV career so stantly evolving as an actor, far, and in between she has done not only fresh role-to-role, but heartfelt and rich work, the most week-to-week. Sometimes, as notable being her multifaceted in "Homeland"'s "Q&A," even and demanding portrayal of scene-to-scene. Temple Grandin. Without really realizing it, Many actors have risen to the I've been following Danes's challenge of portraying autistic career longer than any other individuals (even Danes's hus- actor. I keep my ever-growing band Hugh Dancy, who played magazine collection on display the titular character of 2009's on built-in bookshelves in my "Adam"). Danes and the writ- room, one section set aside for ers of "Temple Grandin" take issues particularly important everything we know about the to me. Sitting right next to the depiction of autism in film - September 2012 issue of the and the biopic genre, for that New York Times Style Maga- matter - and throw it out the zine with Claire Danes on its window, yielding delightfully cover is a 1995 issue of Sassy, unsentimental work that moves which features a short essay by in detailed strokes ratherthan j Ir-uld Dane sweeping emotional cues. Danes 'ou wouldn't' eleiethe doesn't rely solely on the physi- challenge it is to understand cality of the role, taking a metic- that it's OK to be successful," ulous approach to the character. she writes. "I wonder all the At times, I wanted to stand up time what it is about me that and applaud. people respond to. Things have There are moments when a continued to progress for me flicker of Angela Chase flashes since 'My So-Called Life,' but across the screen as I'm watch- there's always the fear that it ing "Homeland" ... most often will all go away." in the tear-filled scenes. In all Eighteen years after "My these years, no one has come So-Called Life," Danes is still close to challenging Danes's giving exciting little gifts. status as the Best Crier on TV. In "Homeland"'s season And in some ways, Angela and two premiere, there's a brief Carrie are bizarrely similar - moment - a smile, to be exact where Angela was scared of - so stripped down, so potent people perceiving her as young that I was once again seduced and insignificant, Carrie's fear by Danes's magnetism. The is that she might never shed moment - one of the best the label of That Crazy Lady. on television this fall - was They're both insecure and undoubtedly scripted, but unsteady, but Danes's perfor- again, there's only so much mance is nothing but graceful, credit we can give tothe writ- confronting their nuances with ers. Simple, telling, radiant, teeth. thatsmile is Danes's magic. I don't relate to Carrie as I did with Angela, but that - Originally published on doesn't mean I'm any less December 3, 2012 Enjoy a year of exceptional value - starting with up to a $25 Gift Card.* Join Sam's Club today at the Open House, and s.viM sd.5,spe begin your Membership with extra savings. At Sam's Club, you'll find amazing prices on the brands you love. From everyday essentials to special finds, the items you want and need are available in one convenient stop! Becoming a Member is simpler than ever - join at our Open House, and you'll receive up to a $25 Sam's Club Gift Card to start your shopping. Organization Name: UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Date: AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 6 Time: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Location: 5450 CARPENTER, YPSILANTI.MI 'w~ratoar~aaS'swr r. w ~s~s~c~a~a . ~ awK aw re+- mma$09f~v.S~iombsmo~ph KWWW 040fthks kWN e~aafbbditW mdm AS {a~aeM4/aaatbafa~tM.Ala~rrteeeeehraaar Ma+Is maasbUaNadNUmaneE~ By MAX RADWIN early in my professional life is Daily Fine Arts Editor that human nature remains the same," Burns said. "In times when MAR. 20, 2013 - The Penny W. we've lost the ability to have a civil Stamps Speaker Series welcomes discourse ... the value of history documentary filmmaker Ken increases because history is still a Burns to the Michigan Theater table around which we can agree to this Thursday. Burns and Dan- cohere." iel Okrent (a former editor of The Burns's most recent film, "The Michigan Daily) will show a series Central Park Five," which screens of film clips while discussing race on Saturday during the 51st Ann in the United States, a topic that Arbor Film Festival, became a remains significant to the Univer- strange joining of historical and sity's student body, to Americans current events in a different way. everywhere and, especially after New York City subpoenaed Burns recent legal battles with the city of as well as co-directors Sarah Burns New York regardingthe 2012 docu- and David McMahon for the proj- mentary "The Central Park Five," ect's unused footage, thinking that to Burns and Florentine Films. it would help defend against the Burns will use clips from films still-ongoing, $250-million civil stretching across almost the entire- rights lawsuit that the five men ty of his career. Some of them deal filed after being exonerated from with race head-on like "The Civil the 1989 rape of Trisha Meili. War" andUnforgivable Blackness: In addition to chronicling those TheRise and Fall ofJackJohnson," 1989 events, the film attempts to while the other two films - "The uncover the identities of the five Statue of Liberty" and "Jazz" - men involved (four of whom were use rate as a lens through which black, the other Hispanic and to view, and better understand, a all under 17 years of age) whose larger American phenomenon. For humanity was seemingly taken Burns, the subject is an integral from them at thefime. part of the American identity and is "The language of a liberal pro- almost unavoidably relevant in any gressive city at the end of the 20th film about its history. century was the language of Jim S"More often than not, it'seasierto Crow's southern newspapers of count the films that don't have any the late 19th century," Burns said. relationship to race," Burns said. "That's what's chilling - is that "(Race is) onlyincludedbecause it's these same racial tropes, these there. When you scratch the sur- same racialstereotypes,these same face ofAmericanhistory,youtouch racial codes and phrases can be a question of race." used a century later in what would Burns's films, dealing largely seemingly be a place of forgive- with historical subject matter, tend ness." to look backward rather than for- The city of New York justified ward.Butinlookingbackward,one its subpoena on the grounds that can more clearly see the issues at the film was a one-sided advocacy hand in the present day. piece. Burns and his co-directors "A hugely important under- disagreed - as did a federal judge, standing that I arrived at fairly who blocked the city's subpoena on Feb. 19. "It's a victory for journalists and filmmakers everywhere," Burns said, "because it does add an extra layer of protection in an area where the courts have been more often disposed to prying into journalists' notes." While the court's decision is a victory for documentarians every- where, Burns recognizes the more pressing matters at hand. "It's sort of heroic that filmmak- ers are subpoenaed and I suppose even more heroic that they have at least temporarily prevailed," he said. "But the most important story is that we are approach- ing the 10-year mark on the civil suit for five young men ... and still, there isthis gigantic, gaping hole in their childhood that hasn't, in some ways, been resolved." Even though their own minor trials have come to a close, Burns and Florentine Films areas busy as ever, working on a 14-hour, seven- parc history of the Roosevelt fam- ily to be released in 2014, a one-off story about Jackie Robinson for their "Baseball" series in 2015 and a documentary about the Viet- nam War set for 2016. As for how Florentine Films will approach documeningcthese three historical events,Burnssaid,"Youcanbelieve thatfrace is an integral part." Burns has also been in dis- cussion with HBO through Tom Hanks's company Playtone to produce a dramatic series about the life of the boxer Jack John- son, which, aftercthe success of the 2005 documentary, Burns sees as "ripe for dramatic treatmentL" Concerning his role in the actu- al filming ofthe series, Burns only said laughingly, "I'm keeping my day job."