In an exclusive interview, the director talks to LIFESTYLE about outgrowing fear, popcorn vs nachos, and the need for tolerance in the world. Director Steven Spielberg, 65, more than anyone in the film industry, can afford to take risks on ideas, projects, fantasies. He seems to have carte blanche to turn whatever he touches into gold. His films include Jaws, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, The Color Purple and now War Horse. He has won three Oscars and his films have grossed more than $8-billion.
He lives with his second wife, actress Kate Capshaw, and seven children in California and is a founder member of the DreamWorks film studio. His latest film, War Horse, is based on the hit stage show (adapted from Michael Morpurgo’s novel) which used lifesize puppets made by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company.
War Horse came when I least expected to be suddenly launching into a story about World War1 and a relationship between a horse and every human being this horse touches and changes. For me it was a more creative alternative to simply depicting the horrors of combat.
I would love some day to do a musical, because I have never done one. I loved the golden era of Hollywood musicals.
I was a different filmmaker before I had children than I am now, when I have seven children. I love having children around. You never know what will happen. It was through the friendship of my wife Kate with Tom Hanks’s wife (actress Rita Wilson), who met through our children, that I linked up with Hanks.
I like to work with a team of friends and always have. I am first and foremost a storyteller and I don’t think my techniques have changed for getting a damned good story to the screen. I’ve stayed collaborative my entire career because I don’t have all the answers. I do think I have discovered more courage as a cineaste now than when I was younger and had more fear.
