Talk Radio (film)
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | Talk radio |
| Original title | Talk radio |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1988 |
| length | 105 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 16 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Oliver Stone |
| script |
Eric Bogosian , Oliver Stone |
| production |
Kitman A. Ho , Edward R. Pressman |
| music | Stewart Copeland |
| camera | Robert Richardson |
| cut | David Brenner |
| occupation | |
| |
Talk Radio is an American film drama by Oliver Stone from the year 1988 . Eric Bogosian and Oliver Stone wrote the screenplay based on the book Talked to Death: The Life and Murder of Alan Berg by Stephen Singular .
action
Barry Champlain moderated in Dallas the night broadcast of the radio station KGAB. The viewers and listeners have the option of calling the radio broadcast anonymously and posting their own short articles and statements in the air. Due to the anonymity, callers feel safe and have no inhibitions. In this way, Champlain exposes the callers, albeit unnamed, partly as stupid, partly as malicious people, and thus destroys the illusion of an ideal world for all listeners, with (especially in politically correct America) nothing but nice (nice to see you) People. Champlain occasionally provokes his callers to let them drop their mask of friendliness and better reveal their convictions. Even the sensational and voyeuristic listeners don't get away with it. As a result, he wins many followers, but also makes angry enemies, including neo-Nazis, who want to use the anonymity of the show to spread their propaganda. Champlain seems to have doubts as to whether his concept is still sustainable or whether it is not going too far to give the Nazis a podium. Ultimately, however, Champlain has too much fun demonstrating the narrowness of the callers and demonstrating them in speech duels. Champlain does his job out of fiery passion in his very own way.
The superiors are concerned and advise Champlain to exercise restraint. Champlain does not comply. He knows that his show thrives on sensation and scandal. His ex-wife Ellen, who fears for his life, also admonishes him to exercise caution and restraint.
Champlain receives an anonymous death threat. Apparently he's not sure himself whether the threat of death should be taken seriously. He also apparently realizes that he is at a disadvantage in that his callers are anonymous to him while he and the radio station from which he moderates and broadcasts are known.
Barry longs for his ex-wife and asks her to visit him when his show is to be broadcast not only locally but nationally, and he brings back old feelings in her. She comes to his radio show, which for flimsy reasons is only broadcast in Dallas - and not nationwide.
The show goes completely different for Champlain than usual. In the studio he opens a threatening letter with a bloodied picture of him in it. He spontaneously brings Kent, a teenage caller, into the studio and almost loses control of the show. His ex-wife Ellen notices this and can be put through to him as a caller. She says that she still loves him and he tells her over the radio that he can have many women and rejects her. When she then leaves the studio, he finally loses the concept. Barry gives a monologue in front of his audience and admits that he is a bad person. He seems to come to the realization that although he can quickly see through other people, he is not at peace with himself.
After the show, Barry says goodbye to his producer and lover Laura on the parking deck and goes to his car. A supposed fan wants his autograph, but then pulls a gun and shoots the moderator.
In the credits callers can be heard giving their opinion on Champlain's death.
Reviews
Roger Ebert wrote in the Chicago Sun-Times of December 21, 1988 that the direction by Oliver Stone had "claustrophobic intensity". With a few flashbacks, most of the scenes were shot in the radio studio. Eric Bogosian is the right cast for the main role because he has a feel for the story being told and convincingly portrays the character played.
The lexicon of international films wrote that the film paints “a gloomy picture of a media world in which communication has degenerated into confrontation” and shows “the psychogram of a man who suffers in himself and the world and is pushed ever deeper into isolation”. It was "played impressively", "largely convincingly staged" and captivated "with the excellent camera work".
Awards
Oliver Stone, Eric Bogosian and cameraman Robert Richardson were nominated for the Independent Spirit Award in 1989. Oliver Stone was nominated for the Golden Bear in 1989, Eric Bogosian won the Silver Bear as an actor and screenplay co-writer . The film was nominated for the Political Film Society Award for Human Rights in 1990.
The Italian voice actor Roberto Chevalier won the 1990 Italian film prize Nastro d'Argento des Sindacato Nazionale Giornalisti Cinematografici Italiani .
background
The plot is based on the true story of radio host Alan Berg , who lived in Denver and was murdered on June 18, 1984 by members of the far-right group The Order .
The film was in Dallas and Irving ( Texas turned). Its production amounted to an estimated 4 million US dollars . The film grossed approximately $ 3.47 million in US cinemas.
Web links
- Talk Radio in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Talk Radio at Rotten Tomatoes (English)