Oliver Stone is no stranger to controversy.
The director of more than two dozen films has always made a point to give his unadulterated perspective on history through the lens of his camera, tackling controversial topics like the Vietnam War and historical figures ranging from John F. Kennedy to Alexander the Great, the latter of the two depicted in one of his most epic films to date.
However, in Oliver Stone's latest film, "World Trade Center," Stone scaled back his epic scope. Rather than focusing on the all-encompassing events of Sept. 11, he explored the heroism of two police officers who rushed to rescue survivors of the attack, only to be buried in the rubble of the collapsed buildings.
The film invites criticism from opponents who say it is too soon to be exploiting the tragic deaths of over 2,000 people. In a recent interview with The State Press, Stone addressed such criticism and the way he intended his work to be received.
"My films have generally been attacked," Stone said in response to the charges of exploitation.
He then took a moment to carefully choose his words on the sensitive issue.
"If you feel the movie at the level I hope you do; it's very moving," he said. I think that people from all over the world, not only now but in 10 years, will be able to relate to this movie because there's something very human about it."
He said the movie is not even about the attacks on the World Trade Center; despite the title. Really, he said, the film is about "the survival instinct."
"[The film is about] the metaphysical that kept [the two officers] alive - their families, their wives and their faith ... I worked very closely with those who survived this event, and it's extraordinarily miraculous they survived," Stone said. "They were at the center of [the attacks], and to have been at the bottom of it and been pulled up barely alive after 22 hours, it's just an extraordinary story that has to be told."
As Stone continued to talk about the film, he responded tersely, making note to avoid his own political beliefs of the incident.
Much like his film, he tried to keep the conversation as nonpolitical as possible, stating that the absence of politics in his film is because "the story didn't need it."
When on the topic of faith, however, Stone took the time to address the movie scene in which Jesus is depicted giving one of the characters a bottle of water. He said the scene was based on Officer Will Jimeno's testimony of the events.
"I followed what he said and I tried to show it," Stone added.
Stone also addressed one of the sharpest criticisms: whether or not his Hallmark-like story misrepresents the tragedy of that fateful day.
"It may be valid," he said, but added that the movie is a story of survivors.
"They're the only witnesses we have," he said.
Stone said he wanted to focus on the accuracy of his tale and felt it was the right direction to go.
Stone said despite the early criticism he received, the movie "seems to grip people."
He also mentioned that no one walked out of the movie theater during its preview screenings - a first for Stone. In addition, "World Trade Center" has marked the highest exit-poll ratings of any of his films.
In the end, Stone said, "the biggest problem is getting people to see it.
"Frankly, it's really a painful film for most people."
Reach the reporter at Shaun.Capehart@asu.edu.
