Students in the GE cluster on interracial dynamics were treated to a question-and-answer session with Paul Haggis, the director, writer and producer of the Academy Award-winning film “Crash” on Tuesday afternoon.
Even though the De Neve Auditorium was only half full, Haggis was a little nervous about discussing his film, which won the Academy Award for best picture in 2005.
“This is a tad terrifying,” he said.
Haggis said he got the inspiration for “Crash” after he was carjacked by two young black men and couldn’t stop thinking about his two assailants.
“We have these two kids. Who are they? Who did they meet? Who did they interact with?” he said. “They had a lasting impression on me.”
The film portrays 16 different characters that are all influenced by racial prejudice.
In a 36-hour period, the characters are all brought together through traumatic events that cause each of them to examine their own preconceived notions about race.
Though many have interpreted “Crash” as being critical of the legal system, Haggis feels that the main message of “Crash” is more about becoming introspective.
“I am a cynical man, but if we can glimpse at who we are, maybe we can change. With pride comes blindness. These characters look at themselves and think that they are good people,” Haggis said.
“However, this distances them from their families, because they are prideful,” he said.
Minh-Vu Nguyen, a first-year psychobiology student, was extremely pleased with the Q&A.
“It was amazing, better than most lectures in class. Don’t get me wrong, the lectures are good, but he just fascinated the whole class,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen was particularly impressed with Haggis’ personality, which he called thoughtful, compassionate and cultured.
“His personality is very complex and deep, and it shows in his movie. Today he really explained the story behind his ideas,” Nguyen said.
Before the question-and-answer session, English Professor Jeff Decker gave a quick synopsis of Haggis’ life.
Haggis was born in Canada, though his movies mostly deal with American issues. Some of the more notable films he has been involved with are “Million Dollar Baby,” “Flags of Our Fathers” and “In the Valley of Elah.”
“Crash” is currently being developed as a cable series, Decker said. When asked if there would be a sequel, Haggis’ response was brief: “This whole world keeps going around,” he said.
Though it has not been announced where the cable series will take place, most students who were present during the question=and-answer session expressed a belief that the series will be set in Los Angeles. Haggis said that he has always been interested in the city.
“I was intrigued with how we interact with this city. We have this picture of Los Angeles ““ the palm trees, the Hollywood sign. … Everyone is very, very happy. After a while though, you realize it’s not quite that,” he said.
With reports from Sarah Jo, Bruin contributor.