"Munich" by Mychael Foster



Title/Year: "Munich", 2005
Director/Birth Country/Year Born: Steven Allan Spielberg, 12/18/1946, Cincinnati Ohio USA
Budget: 77 Million
Gross: Box office- $130,358,911
Synopsis: this film focuses on the events that occurred before, during, but mostly after the attack at the Munich summer olympics in 1972. The audience is taken behind the scenes of the covert killings of the people involved with the terrorist attacks against the Israeli Olympians. "Munich" is about the Israeli Governments supposed involvement in the retaliation of these attacks, showing us how far they went to send a message to the terrorists organization known as Black September that the people of Israel will not stand for such acts of violence .
Narrative and Visual Keywords: Primary colors strongly used, rule of thirds heavily applies. Characterization/ Dialogue: serious, strong masculinity throughout, shows the "softer" side of killing, plot oriented, heavy subject matter, attention to detail.
Camera/lighting/editing technique: Again, rule of thirds and primary colors seems to be a favorite of Spielbergs. Fast paced when action, very "intimate" when dealing with emotions of characters (ECU, CU) slow panning, etc.
Political/ Social Commentary: "Munich" deals with the old "eye for an eye" approach when dealing with terrorists. So much can be said right there from that statement alone. How far does one go? Historical Relevance/ Recognition: Even though this movie is about an event that actually happened, the film itself veers from truth (like any good movie) so its hard to establish what actually happened and what is fiction. The film uses actual news shots from the Olympic attack.
Notable Collaboration: John Williams, again, created the score for this Steven Spielberg film.
Random fact, Etc.: The role of Avner was written specifically with Eric Bana in mind. Guri Weinberg plays his own father Moshe Weinberg, the wrestling coach killed in Munich, Guri was only 1 month old when the events happened.
Sources: IMDB, "Munich"

REACTION QUESTIONS:
1.) I think what attracted people to "Duel", Spielbergs first feature film, was the subject matter. I can't think of any movies that came out around that time that were anything like it. The unique opening in which we get a POV of the main characters car gives the audience a new point of view, one which they themselves would not have thought of. The mystery surrounding the Truck Drivers identity is another alluring factor, disassociating man from machine.
2.) Spielbergs love of primary colors and the "absent father" routine has been an ongoing theme since his first film. Although if I didn't know "Munich" and someone asked me who directed it, I don't think I could have told you based on style.
3.) I feel like yes his vision has evolved, but only because he has money now. I feel like the style is basically the same. 70's/80's Spielberg all the way, these films generally are classics to me.