A new documentary that will most definitely appeal to conservatives, and could change the thinking of some liberals, has just been bought by EPIX.
Milius is about writer and director John Milius and how his anti-Hollywood personality and conservative politics made him an outcast in Hollywood despite working on classics such as Apocalypse Now, Jaws and Dirty Harry. One of the most interesting facts about the movie is that it is not another film by conservatives, for conservatives. This documentary was directed by two folks, Zak Knutson and Joey Figueroa, whose main credit includes working for Kevin Smith.
Milius had his career highs in the ’70s and ’80s. He ghostwrote brilliance for other people’s films and made classics out of his own macho flicks including Conan the Barbarian and Red Dawn. Yet, despite the man’s talent, Hollywood shunned him for his interest in conservative art that sold and for his “radical” personality that just didn’t vibe with the rest of Hollywood. Since the ’80s John Milius has worked here and there but has remained somewhat of a pariah not being allowed to touch the kind of high-profile projects he once dominated.
The documentary examines what happened to the man and what could still happen during his final chapter. However, judging from the trailer, the film doesn’t paint Milius as the crazy conservative lunatic Hollywood thinks he is. It looks like an honest portrayal of an artist shunned by Hollywood mainly for his politics.
Such an occurrence is nothing new to our readership, but conservatives being blocked out from Hollywood is something many film goers and liberals alike choose to ignore and deny. Sites like Big Hollywood have convinced some, but a film like Milius could convince others.
Just go on some of the mainstream film blogs writing about the movie, and you will notice people who have seen the film or watched the trailer as they almost acknowledge the political and personality bias in Hollywood. It’s easier to accept now that a film not from political activists lays it out for everybody. It also helps that the film is not political in nature, but merely an examination of what the hell happened to a talented writer.
Milius already played at SXSW and will play at the Telluride Film Festival (along with future airings on EPIX platforms), so we will see how many hearts and minds the film truly changes. It’s a shame the world has been denied some of Milius’ greatest work because the man really is a genius. So, if we can start from there and work our way out, we can perhaps one day agree on the bias in Hollywood. Milius may be the movie that helps some take that extra step.
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