What can be seen when comparing ``Enemy of the State'' with Coppola's masterpiece ``The Conversation''

A time when reality surpasses fiction

Incidentally, in the 1970s, during the production of The Conversation, the Watergate Scandal broke out in America, shaking society as a whole. As it was also a case of wiretapping, the impact on the staff and cast was immeasurable. In the DVD commentary, Coppola describes his feelings at the time, saying, "I felt that the incidents depicted in this film could really happen someday."

On the other hand, "Enemy of the State," which was made 20 years later, also seemed like a pretty crazy action thriller when it was released in 1999. However, just two years later, the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred, and the nature of American society underwent a major transformation. Now, no one would laugh at this film as a fantasy.

Twenty years have passed since then, and in today's society where everything is visualized through data, our situation has entered a much more complex and chaotic stage.

"Enemy of the State" and "The Conversation" have a great deal in common, not just in the superficial aspects of the characters played by Gene Hackman, but also in the prophetic aspect of "reality surpassing fiction."

reference:

https://nymag.com/news/frank-rich/enemy-of-the-state-2013-7/

https://the-foreigner.jp/about.html

http://www.davidmarconi.com/enemy-of-the-state.html

"Enemy of the State" DVD interview footage

"The Conversation" DVD commentary

Text: USHIZU ATSUNOBU

Born in Nagasaki in 1977. When he was 3 years old, he saw ``Superman II'' with his father and became fascinated with movies. After The Graduate from Meiji University, he worked for a movie broadcasting channel and then became a movie writer. Currently, in addition to writing for Eiga.com, EYESCREAM, Real Sound Movie Club, etc., he also contributes to media press and theater programs.

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