TO Ridley Scott and his new film Napoleon, They were really looking forward to this. Let’s start with the fact that the director Stranger, blade runner or Gladiator He was always attacked more harshly than others. That’s what greatness is, it makes us demand a little more. Moreover, he is a director who does not hesitate to say what he thinks, no matter how harsh it may sound. There are headings that he always leaves in his statements. And finally, it’s about the British person representing life Bonapartewith all the ensuing consequences at the political level.
Scott was accused of crudely portraying the history of the French emperor.. In committing numerous historical inaccuracies. About the desire to ridicule the figure of Napoleon, the sworn enemy of the British in the 19th century. The final controversy that dogged the film was that it was filmed in English. Joaquin Phoenixthe actor playing the main character of the military and strategist is of American origin. Vanessa Kirbywho plays his wife Josephine de Beauharnais, is from Wimbledon, just outside London.
So obvious Napoleon It is completely made in English. It is clear that in France the project has not received much success in some sectors. After all, Bonaparte He is one of the most important figures in its history. But we must understand that the film is not a documentary. This is a work of art. AND Its production is also not French, it is American. It wouldn’t make sense for Apple TV+ to commit to a project of such gigantic proportions and make it in a foreign language.
Because the main goal of the company this is not to make an accurate and millimeter portrait of Napoleon. The goal is to create a mass product that will entice audiences to watch the film in theaters and then on streaming. All over the world. In such mega-productions, it is very rare to find examples of works in a language other than English. Not to mention that French-speaking stars, like those who speak Spanish or any other language, sell much less than English-speaking ones. With rare exceptions, of course.
Language Napoleon
Despite all of the above, it would be absurd to think that such a large company and such a director as Ridley, Scott They could promote filming in French. Napoleon. In fact, he didn’t even bother to give accents to his characters because that would have been even more unfortunate. For example, what happened with House of Gucci and the awkward Italian accents of the performers. Previously, other approaches to this character came from France. And they would be done in French, it would be necessary. But the film in question owes nothing to the country other than the story it wants to tell. At the industry level, this is just another Hollywood project, and it plays by those rules, and not by the rules of European cinema.
Actually, Napoleon This isn’t even the first American film in which a historical figure doesn’t speak English. And this was almost always done for obvious reasons. There are cases El Cid (1961), Cleopatra (1963), Amadeus (1984), Schindler’s list (1993) or Van Gogh, at Eternity’s Gate (2018). These are just a few examples of many that the seventh art has provided over the years. And it’s clear Napoleon It won’t be the last either. That’s why, This debate is ridiculous nonsense..
Source: Hiper Textual
