Batman movie director laments 'savage' massacre

By 이주희

Published : July 21, 2012 - 11:52

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LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Batman movie director Christopher Nolan lamented Friday the "senseless tragedy' and "unbearably savage" gunning down of 12 movie goers at a Colorado theater screening of "The Dark Knight Rises."

The Oscar-nominated filmmaker, who canceled the French premiere of the final part in the Batman trilogy and a media junket in Paris after the shootings, said the "innocent" place he calls his "home," the cinema, had been violated.

"Speaking on behalf of the cast and crew... I would like to express our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community," Nolan said, referring to the town where the killings occurred.

"I would not presume to know anything about the victims of the shooting but that they were there last night to watch a movie," he added.

A further 59 people were wounded in the attack.

British-American Nolan is director of the trio of Batman movies that started with "Batman Begins" in 2005 followed by "The Dark Knight" in 2008.

"The Dark Knight Rises" is the final installment.

He also wrote and directed 2010 thriller "Inception," which won four Oscars and was nominated for four others. Nolan was also nominated for best screenplay Oscar in 2002, for "Memento."

"I believe movies are one of the great American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime," Nolan said.

"The movie theater is my home, and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me.

"Nothing any of us can say could ever adequately express our feelings for the innocent victims of this appalling crime, but our thoughts are with them and their families."

British actor Gary Oldman, who plays Gotham City police commissioner James Gordon in the movie, expressed shock at the "horrific" shooting, while studio Warner Brothers said it was "deeply saddened."

Stars including Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard and Morgan Freeman had been due to attend the premiere on the Champs-Elysees in Paris ahead of the film's general opening in France on Wednesday.

But management at the Gaumont Champs-Elysees cinema, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the premiere had been scrapped.

<관련 한글 기사>

새 배트맨 영화 '다크 나이트 라이즈'의 크리스토퍼 놀런 감독이 미국 영화관 총기사건은 "참을 수 없을 정도로 야만적인 일"이라며 사건 발생 이후 처음으로 입을 열었다.

20일(현지시간) 콜로라도주(州) 덴버시 근처 오로라 지역의 한 영화관에서 총기 사건이 발생할 당시 상영관에서는 놀런 감독의 신작인 '다크 나이트 라이즈'가 상영 중이었다.

놀런 감독은 성명을 통해 "배우와 스태프를 대신해 오로라 지역을 슬픔에 젖게 만든 무분별한 비극에 대해 깊은 슬픔을 표한다"라고 말했다.

놀런 감독은 "희생자의 면면에 대해 아는 것은 없지만, 그들이 영화를 보기위해 그곳에 있었다는 사실만은 알고있다"고 했다.

그는 "스크린 위에서 펼쳐지는 영화를 함께 보는 경험은 중요하고도 즐거운 시간"이라면서 "영화관은 내게 집과 같은 존재"라고 말했다.

그러면서 놀런 감독은 "누군가가 무고하고 희망찬 공간인 영화관을 참을 수 없이 야만적인 방법으로 짓밟아 놓았다는 사실이 나를 괴롭게 한다"고 했다.

이날 총기 사건으로 프랑스 파리에서 열기로 했던 개봉 이벤트를 취소한 놀런 감독은 "희생자들에 대한 우리의 슬픈 마음을 적절하게 표현할 길이 없다"며 애도를 표했다.

영화 '다크 나이트 라이즈'는 놀런 감독의 배트맨 영화 3부작 가운데 마지막 편이다. 앞서 놀런 감독은 '배트맨 비긴즈'(2005년)와 '다크 나이트'(2008년)를 연출했다.

Batman movie director laments 'savage' massacre

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