There is no reason why challenging themes and engaging stories have to be mutually exclusive - in fact, each can fuel the other. As a filmmaker, I want to entertain people first and foremost. If out of that comes a greater awareness and understanding of a time or a circumstance, then the hope is that change can happen.
Edward ZwickI don't think movies can ever be too intense, but people have to understand why you're showing them the things you are showing them.
Edward ZwickIt seems that almost every time a valuable natural resource is discovered in the world-whether it be diamonds, rubber, gold, oil, whatever-often what results is a tragedy for the country in which they are found. Making matters worse, the resulting riches from these resources rarely benefit the people of the country from which they come.
Edward ZwickThere is no reason why challenging themes and engaging stories have to be mutually exclusive - in fact, each can fuel the other.
Edward ZwickYou do these movies, you give it out to the world and you really have no idea how people are going to react to you.
Edward ZwickThere is something universal in the theme of a man trying to save his family in the midst of the most terrible circumstances. It is not limited to Sierra Leone. This story could apply to any number of places where ordinary people have been caught up in political events beyond their control.
Edward Zwick