Writer-director Thomas McCarthy won acclaim for his feature debut
The Station Agent.
But it's taken four years for him to find another story to peak his interest. I had a chance to speak with McCarthy earlier this month about his latest project
The Visitor
(pictured left and opening April 25 at
Landmark's
Hillcrest and La Jolla Village Cinemas). You can listen to my feature or read the extended interview.
You could say Thomas McCarthy's new film The Visitor started years ago with a phone call from the U.S. State Department.
THOMAS McCARTHY: "I thought it was a joke. I mean wouldn't you think it was a joke if they called you and said we want to send you and your film The Station Agent to the Middle East?"
So McCarthy traveled to Lebanon and Oman as part of a U.S. outreach program designed to show movies like The Station Agent to Middle East audiences in order to present a different side of American culture. (Errol Morris' The Fog of War was also sent but McCarthy speculates Morris thought the State Department call was indeed a joke and that's why Morris did not accompany his film to the Middle East.) The experience not only reinforced his commitment to further explore themes of connection and community but it also gave him the idea of creating an Arab supporting character for what would become his new film, The Visitor.
Jack Thimble from Miami, FL
June 25, 2008 at 01:45 AM
I get it. Because Tarek is a person, he should be allowed to ignore our immigration laws.
Beth Accomando from San Diego
June 25, 2008 at 04:05 PM
No. Because he is a person he should be treated as an individual, afforded due process, and not just treated as a nameless, faceless number. Maybe he deserved to be deported but not in the manner that it happened. And treated people with compassion should at least be something we strive for. But being compassionate doesn't mean you ignore the law but that you try to dispense it with care and fairness.
Thank you for your comment. I'm sorry that's what you seemed to have come away from the movie feeling. I think the film has a wonderful humanity to it.
Alexa
September 18, 2008 at 12:26 AM
I caught The Visitor when it was in theaters, and it was one of my favorite films of the whole year! Richard Jenkins from Six Feet Under was outstanding, and the message of friendship throughout the movie was very powerful. The Visitor will be released on DVD October 7th, and I definitely plan on buying it. If you haven't seen the movie yet, you can find more info here: thevisitorfilm.com
Beth Accomando
September 18, 2008 at 03:59 AM
Agreed. It's well worth checking out. You can also see Richard Jenkins in a small role in the Coens' Burn After Reading.
Thanks for the comment.
Kealan Patrick Burke
from Ohio
February 13, 2009 at 04:54 AM
An absolute triumph. I haven't seen a better movie in years. Good to know there are still filmmakers out there who care about character.
Impeccable casting too. It's a rare treat to see Jenkins in a leading role, and one he seemed born to play at that.
Kudos to Mr. McCarthy. This, much like The Station Agent, is a movie I will recommend to anyone who'll listen.
Beth Accomando
February 13, 2009 at 06:20 AM
Yes, spread the word! I'm glad you felt so strongly about it.
