2016 US Presidential Elections led Ponsoldt to alter the script of ‘The Circle’
Adapting a critically acclaimed book for screen is definitely a hardwork! ‘The Circle’, a modern thriller, is an adaptation of a book written by Dave Eggers with the same name didn’t take a standard Hollywood route. Co-writer and director, James Ponsoldt who initially wrote the script in spec, later realized many of its far-reaching technological and psychological aspects started to become realities.
“I have been a big fan of Dave Eggers’ writing since his first book, ‘A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius’. So I was excited to read ‘The Circle’. I found it chilling, hilarious, shockingly prescient in its examination of how utopian ideals might quickly transform into an invasive surveillance state. To be honest, I think I was the most unnerved by how much I could relate to the novel’s protagonist,” says John.
But with 2016 Presidential election changing the scenario on the social media by bringing the themes of transparency that enabled anyone to go live from anywhere at any time, raised questions for the director to alter the script of the film.
However, this confluence was exciting to Ponsoldt. He explains, “My favourite challenge was choosing what should not be included in the film, because Dave's book is so packed with ideas... it could be a great mini-series. We have to constantly ask ourselves 'What are the real issues at the core of this ?So when you watch the movie again, in five years, in ten years, in twenty years, it doesn't feel terribly dated. I think it all comes down to putting the value system in the people and the relationships and let the technology fall into the background of it, hopefully invisibly.”
Catch this gripping thriller in the theatres near you this May, 19th 2017!
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