The mysterious casting surrounding the Oscar-winning film "The English Patient." Was that legendary actor supposed to appear?

How can we give actors the “joy of discovery”?

The story revolves around two intertwined axes: ``Italy at the end of the war'' where four people, including a ``British patient,'' live, and ``events in pre-war North Africa'' as he recounts them while recalling his memories. go.

The four people who meet in the monastery seem to have deep physical and mental scars, not only the protagonist, but also the others. Hana is suffering because she feels as if the cause of the brutal deaths of the people around her is a curse on her. Caravaggio is angry about having brutally lost his thumb due to torture by the German military. In addition, Kip, a soldier who specializes in disposing of unexploded ordnance and landmines, spends his days not knowing when death will consume him. These people, who are so different in nationality, skin color, and gender, are able to connect with each other in this place, far from their hometowns, and find temporary ``healing.''

"The English Patient" (c)Photofest / Getty Images

The depiction of each individual's distinct individuality and the relationships that develop there is wonderful. Therefore, in terms of acting, the ensemble of actors is the key to this film. Director Anthony Minghella is clever in giving the actors a certain amount of time and freedom and letting them discover their roles on their own. He never imposes his own ideas or methods on the director, and always maintains a comfortable atmosphere on set by interacting with him in a warm and easy-going manner. This can be said to be a major feature of the Minghella group.

It's not just the cast. We also give our staff more freedom and try to bring together everyone's skills and humanity. If there is a conflict of opinion, thoroughly discuss it. Minghella studied debate at university, so he doesn't mind being criticized or pointed out. Rather, he was good at having active discussions and working together to find solutions to problems.

Furthermore, he once formed a band and was active as a musician (in charge of keyboards and vocals), and the coordination and ability to respond to improvisation that he cultivated there also played a major role in shaping his directing ability. It seems to have become the foundation. Knowing these points, it is very clear that everyone was attracted to Minghella's personality and savored the ``joy of discovering something'' while leaning into his tree-like presence.

Casting of legendary actor