PK: Really back in Chicago-I mean I’ve stopped here sort of passing through once for a funeral-but really back and walking around here was probably over 30 years. Everyone’s got these amazing devices now.Ĭapone: When was the last time you were in Chicago?

Please enjoy my talk with Philip Kaufman…Ĭapone: Hello, sir. Despite the topical gaps in our conversation, the man is a legend and well worthy of this column, even if we only were able to touch on a few of the many reasons why. The films I didn't even get to ask about are legion, and he's a wonderful and honest storyteller. My greatest desire is to have a much longer conversation with him. Kaufman was in Chicago (his hometown) late last year to receive a career achievement award from the Chicago International Film Festival, and I was able to get a few minutes with him while he was in town (his producer son Peter Kaufman was also in the room with us). Jackson and the wonderful HBO effort HEMINGWAY & GELLHORN, about the marriage of Ernest Hemingway (Clive Owen) and Martha Gellhorn (Nicole Kidman).

In the post 20 years, Kaufman has directed the Michael Crichton adaptation of RISING SUN the Marquis De Sade tale QUILLS the serial killer misstep TWISTED, starring Ashley Judd and Samuel L. Kaufman followed up this experience with a succession of classic works, including the 1978 remake of INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, which remains terrifying and still my favorite version THE RIGHT STUFF, which told the story of the original Mercury 7 astronauts, won four Oscars, and was nominated for Best Picture the sex-drenched THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING, starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Juliette Binoche and HENRY & JUNE, equal parts sex and literature concerning Anais Nin, Henry Miller and his wife June (the work is probably best known for being the first-ever NC-17-rated film).ĭespite all of these great early works, perhaps Kaufman's greatest contribution to cinematic culture is his shared story credit (with George Lucas) on 1981's RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. Re-inventing the stories of cowboys stayed in his system as he wrote THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES, which he was set to direct until star Clint Eastwood pushed him out and took over.

He's fully grey (more like white), sure, but there's something about him that reminds us that while he has spend his more recent years as a writer-director telling adult stories, he began his career tapping into the child in all of us.Īlthough it wasn't Kaufman's first film as director, 1972's THE GREAT NORTHFIELD MINNESOTA RAID, one of the great Midwesterns about the James-Younger outlaw gang. For a 76-years-old filmmaker, Philip Kaufman looks remarkably youthful.

Philip kaufman outlaw josey wales