The Last Picture Show: A Conversation with George Lucas

17 days ago

George Lucas discusses the nearing completion of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, emphasizing his belief that art is subjective and should include diverse forms like comics and film art.
The museum faced challenges in Chicago and San Francisco due to civic resistance and political pressure, but found acceptance in Los Angeles; recent curator departures raise questions about accommodating multiple voices within Lucas's singular vision.
Lucas reflects on his career, highlighting his stubborn independence in filmmaking, such as retaining merchandising rights for Star Wars and founding Industrial Light & Magic to achieve desired visual effects.
His early interests in anthropology and experimental films influenced his view that storytelling should be accessible and emotionally driven, rejecting hierarchies between 'high' and 'low' culture.
Lucas criticizes focus groups and studio interference, arguing that films should be made by passionate storytellers, not audience preferences, and views digital tools and AI as natural progressions in cinema's evolution.

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