Paul Haggis

by Mallory Potosky | Published September 17, 2007

In troubled times the masses look for something to help them understand--somewhere to find inspiration. Aside from the gods and political bodies, this position has often fallen to the artist. In fact, some of the most well respected movies in history have been the result of just such an attempt at confronting and challenging those conflicts that plague the world. Think Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Apocalypse Now, Schindler’s List and Crash, the 2004 Oscar-winning feature written and directed by Paul Haggis. Whether it’s challenging audiences to discuss the racial divide as he did in Crash or trying to explain the undercurrents of love as with Million Dollar Baby, Haggis has risen to the world’s mandate: Help us understand ourselves.

Born in Ontario, Canada, Haggis spent his childhood at the family-owned theater, which took to producing some of the young playwright’s material. Unfortunately, they were poorly received. Fortunately, this was one of the necessary stepping stones that led to his career in Hollywood. Once in Los Angeles, Haggis landed positions writing for sitcoms including “Diff’rent Strokes,” “One Day at a Time,” “The Facts of Life,” “Who’s the Boss,” “L.A. Law” and “thirtysomething,” shows that were far from the weighty topics he examines today. Few of his television efforts paid off in the long run so the screenwriter turned toward a career in film. Since then he has won two Academy Awards and received three more nominations.

On September 21, Warner Independent Pictures will release In the Valley of Elah, the newest feature written and directed by the very same man that brought James Bond back with a vengeance in Casino Royale (2006). Elah is the touching story of a young Iraq veteran who goes missing somewhere in between his tour of duty and his arrival back home. His father (Tommy Lee Jones) and a spitfire young cop (Charlize Theron) initiate a hunt for the boy that leads into dangerous government territory. “Whether you’re for or against the war, we need to face what’s happening to the brave men and women we’re sending there,” Haggis explains. “I wanted to tell the story of good people who have to make terrible decisions.” And along the way, offer up a little more wisdom for the masses to lean on.

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Comment by Alison Richards on 9/17/07 at 5:06 pm

As a both fellow Canadian and an independent filmmaker residing in the United States, I applaud Paul Haggis for his numerous successes in stimulating the American public. His films are highly entertaining while delivering potent messages. Not by cramming them (messages)down our throats, but by suggestively and artistically crafting stories that make us sit back and think, ask questions, delve deeper, find answers, make decisions, and hopefully take action. Unfortunately the masses in this country are grossly misinformed and completely out of touch with the truth of what’s really going on both nationally and globally. The government and media have “propagandized” the general public into a confused, comatose state of “non"-responsiveness to atrocities that are going on both within the borders of this country and around the world. I wonder if Paul Haggis was treated to the same INS welcome at the border that I received? Quote - “We don’t need any more of your kind in our country.” Yes, that is exactly what the immigration officer said to me. I was entering the country to produce a feature with young USC film school graduates. Yup, you’ve got to be on the look-out for those darn Canadian filmmakers… they make you sit up and take notice, question authority and think globally! (all while recycling, carpooling and conserving precious water, please and thanks)

Kudos to Paul haggis, can’t wait to see his latest achievement.

Comment by Catherine Todd on 3/21/09 at 11:07 pm

I just saw the film “Crash"(2004) and had to look up Paul Haggis, the writer / director. I am simply overwhelmed. Thank you for this excellent article and for this artist’s work, pointing out that sometimes good people have to make bad decisions, or that everyone has both a good and a bad side. Much to think about. I wish I could be so kind, accepting and forgiving, while still presenting the facts in the light of truth. Is Haggis a modern-day saint? Or a man with a dark side like the rest of us mere mortals? Now I can see I have such a long way to go… Again, thank you for your comment and article. My apologies to Alison Richards; we are not all that way! Thank you for coming to the U.S. and helping young student filmmakers. We need more people like you!

Comment by Alison Richards on 3/22/09 at 5:33 am

In response to Catherine:
Thanks! I was working and teaching Los Angeles for about 12 years and last October decided to move to Dubai where I had heard the film and production industry was blossoming and offering an abundance of opportunities. Ironically enough the global situation is even worse than when I wrote the initial comment and the UAE has not been excluded from the hardships. I am teaching at a local film institute here and also have brought WIFT (Women in Film and Television) to the region. This country is very young at only 37 years and the entertainment and media industry is suffering growing pains along with the harsh economic conditions. The thing that amazes me however, is that despite these issues there are a group of hardworking dedicated filmmakers who are forging forward and crafting their stories. Censorship is a HUGE consideration here since it is an Islamic run country so all content must be “acceptable” to the media council. The job of the filmmaker is even tougher but the challenge worth the effort since audiences in this part of the world are starved for entertainment of substance.

I am traveling with a documentary for the next 4-6 months but my students and fellow filmmakers are all gearing up for what we hope to be a fall full of new projects and more stable financial times. More than ever before I feel obligated to continue on my journey to reveal the secrets of honest and responsible story telling.

By the way, I never would have made California my home for 12 years unless I was surrounded by quality citizens. Hoping to retire back there one day after my restless spirit and need for exploration and adventure die down.

Comment by Catherine Todd on 3/22/09 at 9:45 am

Dear Alison,

How wonderful to read your response! Please, write to me at catherinetodd2 (at) gmail. com ANYTIME.

You wrote: “By the way, I never would have made California my home for 12 years unless I was surrounded by quality citizens. Hoping to retire back there one day after my restless spirit and need for exploration and adventure die down.”

This sounds like me… I have been living between NC and Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, and will “retire” to Lake Atitlan one day, although I can’t imagine not working, and I think you would absolutely LOVE IT there. I’m working on a directory and map of the Lake Atitlan area, and have a simple blog where I’m gathering info. lakeatitlan.blogspot. com

There’s already a ton of writers, artists, craftspeople, musicians, a documentary filmmaker, yoga, herbal / organic, scuba, paragliding, volcano climbing, do-gooding, volunteering and lots more… it’s quite an enclave and cheap as can be to live there. Plus the Lake Atitlan area is 75 degrees year-round, so it’s an excellent place to live.

I go back April 1 for a few months to work on the directory . I’m back and forth all the time, working on developing inexpensive kit houses that can be put up in a few days. I lived in Half Moon Bay, CA for many years (30 miles south of S.F. on Hwy 1) and really loved it there. I also have a friend from NYC that goes to Dubai, so we apparently have a lot of connections. I really hope we can meet in person one of these days and share everything we are doing in the world at large.

What is your documentary about and where are you and your students traveling to make this?

Alison, may I post your response on my blog? It’s too good to leave here all by itself, and thanks so much for responding… More later, I hope…

Yours, Catherine Todd

For 2009:

“The winds of grace blow all the time. All we need do is set our sails.”
~ Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa ~ Gospel of Ramakrishna

Comment by ucvhost on 2/10/10 at 5:34 am

wonderful blog thank you for this excellent article and for this artist’s work, pointing out that sometimes good people have to make bad decisions, or that everyone has both a good and a bad side

Comment by sniper22 on 9/05/11 at 11:52 am