Katherine Bigelow's 'True American' (Tom Hardy)

[Foggy]

http://www.slashfilm.com/kathryn-big...true-american/

Less than two weeks after 9/11 Mark Anthony Stroman, a man on a horrifically blind mission of revenge, shot a man in Dallas, believing that he was firing on an Arab. The victim was Raisuddin Bhuiyan, a 37-year old immigrant and former Air Force officer from Bangladesh. He was shot while working at a friend’s convenience store as he tried to establish a foothold in America.

Bhuiyan was one of several people shot that day by Mark Anthony Stroman. Two others were killed. Bhuiyan survived, partially blind in one eye after Stroman shot him in the head with a shotgun.

And while Stroman was arrested for the attacks, convicted, and sentenced to die in Texas, Bhuiyan did not celebrate. Instead, he campaigned to save the life of the man who had shot him. A book, The True American: Murder and Mercy in Texas by Anand Giridharadas, chronicles the story. And now Kathryn Bigelow will team with Annapurna Productions to create a film based on the book, with Tom Hardy starring.

You should already be expecting a story that does not play out like the typical revenge tale. In fact, this could be particularly uplifting. Bhuiyan’s response to Stroman’s attack is beautiful and unusual. When contacted by the New York Times, ten years after the shooting, he explained,



I was raised very well by my parents and teachers. They raised me with good morals and strong faith. They taught me to put yourself in others’ shoes. Even if they hurt you, don’t take revenge. Forgive them. Move on. It will bring something good to you and them. My Islamic faith teaches me this too.

Stroman, contacted at the same time, called the man he shot “a Survivor of My Hate,” going on to say “His deep Islamic Beliefs Have gave him the strength to Forgive the Un-forgiveable…that is truly Inspiring to me, and should be an Example for us all.”

Presumably Hardy will play Stroman; the official press release announcing the film does not specify. What it does say is this:

THE TRUE AMERICAN meticulously reconstructs two lives that collided in horrific fashion. In the charged, angry days after 9/11, self-styled “American Terrorist” Mark Stroman murdered two immigrants in Texas, while a third man survived being shot in the head during Stroman’s spree: Raisuddin Bhuiyan, a Bangladesh Air Force veteran, was working at a Dallas-area convenience store as he established himself in America.

With Stroman identified and apprehended, the tale begins its tack toward deeper emotional waters. THE TRUE AMERICAN is a richly detailed, affecting account of two men bound, as it turns out, by more than just an act of violence.

Seems like this might be exceptionally good.

[Astro Zombie]

Yup, sounds good.

[spanky87]

Typical Bigelow. 3 movies in a row with this post-9/11 terrorism theme is overkill. I can already picture how this film is going to look and play out in my head.

I miss the Near Dark/Point Break Bigelow.

[L.J.]

Sounds interesting.

[L-Rouge]

that i have to say sounds absolutely amazing, such a positive message. I think Katherine has a good sensibility with her work, especially with regard to performances and moral ambiguities, i was certainly impressed with the hurt locker. One to watch.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by spanky87

Typical Bigelow. 3 movies in a row with this post-9/11 terrorism theme is overkill. I can already picture how this film is going to look and play out in my head.

I miss the Near Dark/Point Break Bigelow.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I'd like something like Strange Days too. She's a good filmmaker, but give it a rest with all of the 9/11 political nonsense.

[jan_tran]

Just one of those things, but it's 'Kathryn.'

[Scottie]

Count me in. I'm a big fan of her later films.

[MrBlonde]

Originally Posted by spanky87

Typical Bigelow. 3 movies in a row with this post-9/11 terrorism theme is overkill. I can already picture how this film is going to look and play out in my head.

I miss the Near Dark/Point Break Bigelow.

Hurt Locker and ZDT are so great that it doesn't reallt bother me.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

Hurt Locker and ZDT are so great that it doesn't reallt bother me.

I found both movies to be a chore and completely underwhelming personally.

[spanky87]

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

Hurt Locker and ZDT are so great that it doesn't reallt bother me.

Let's just call this her 'post-9/11 trilogy' then. But I seriously hope Wham Bam Bigelow does something radically different next time. She's like cornered the market on these types of films.

[JeffTheMovieGuy]

Interesting but I miss Strange Days Katherine Bigelow than Zero Dark Thirty Katherine Bigelow.

[blonde_devil]

"True American" staring a British lead. Just saying.

[Hucksta G]

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

Hurt Locker and ZDT are so great that it doesn't reallt bother me.

Exactly.

[j128v897]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

"True American" staring a British lead. Just saying.

Oh shut up.

[MrBlonde]

Originally Posted by j128v897

Oh shut up.

Ths is MURICA

[KilloWertz]

Like others have said, this sounds like it could turn out to be very good. If this turns out to be as good as Zero Dark Thirty, I'm fine with this being another post-9/11 movie.

[PocosuTheCamel]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

"True American" staring a British lead. Just saying.

Tom Hardy's a chameleon. He could play a lead role in a Tyler Perry movie if he wanted to.

[BluRayTim]

Originally Posted by PocosuTheCamel

Tom Hardy's a chameleon. He could play a lead role in a Tyler Perry movie if he wanted to.

Tom Hardy's too good for a Tyler Perry movie.

[PocosuTheCamel]

Originally Posted by BluRayTim

Tom Hardy's too good for a Tyler Perry movie.

Of course. That wasn't the point.