American History X (1998)

American History X is a profound and stirring drama about the consequences of racism as a family is torn apart by hate. A graphic examination of extremism in America, the film follows one man's struggle to reform himself and save his brother after living a life consumed by violence and bigotry.




Written by David McKenna and directed by Tony Kaye, American History X is produced by John Morrissey. The story unfolds through the eyes of Danny Vinyard (Edward Furlong), who idolizes his older brother Derek (Edward Norton). Seeking retribution for his father's murder and burning for a way to vent his rage, Derek finds himself transformed by a philosophy of hate as he turns into a charismatic leader of a local white power movement. Despite his indisputable intelligence, his incendiary actions culminate in a brutal murder and, ultimately, a prison sentence.

There were probleems on the set. Now director Tony Kaye is turning the cameras on himself, making a documentary about his battle with New Line Cinema over control of American History X, according to the New York Post. In case you missed it, Kaye--an established TV-commercial director making his first feature film--has been quite upset with the suits at New Line since June, when he viewed the studio's final cut of his Nazi-skinhead drama.

(During that viewing, Kaye reportedly threw his wallet and an orange at the screen, and he later asked that his name be removed from the credits. A ruling from the Director's Guild on Kaye's request is pending.)

Reportedly in post-production for more than a year with cost overruns of $1.5 million, Kaye likened himself to Stanley Kubrick, who has been working on his Eyes Wide Shut forever--the old, "we'll sell no film before its time" deal.

But New Line production chief Mike De Luca has said Kaye is no Kubrick. He has ordered the film canned and ready for an October premiere--with or without Kaye's name on it.
"You've got a bunch of egocentric morons who simply don't have an original point of view, and they took my film and bent it into a shape of their own," Kaye bitched to the Post.



Not withstanding wallets and oranges, Kaye's extraordinary response has surprised--and in some cases, entertained--the Industry.

First, there were the mysterious ads on the back covers of the Hollywood Reporter and Daily Variety--all out of Kaye's flying wallet, reportedly totaling about $100,000--that featured quotes from the likes of Abraham Lincoln and John Lennon.

There were also letters to actors Edward Furlong, Elliot Gould, Beverly D'Angelo and other cast members (each addressed individually in a form letter): "The film I am working on...is a film that is seen through the eyes of a boy. It is not another story of teenage or skinhead violence."

And there was this cryptic message to star Edward Norton: "Stop looking in the lake and listen to the wind."

Then Kaye threatened to protest the debut of American History X at the Toronto Film Festival--a screening the studio decided to cancel last week because of the budding controversy.

And then there was the meeting with De Luca, into which Kaye brought the priest, the rabbi and the monk. He also brought a video camera, presumably for documentary purposes.

"I'm dealing with evil people," Kaye told the Post. "I'm going to do everything in my power to keep them from releasing this film."

Responded an amused De Luca in the Los Angeles Times: "When I saw the Tibetan monk rubbing his beads, I kept thinking, I hope he's praying for us, too."