Final Cut, directed by Omar Naim, tells the science fiction story of an editor tradesman qualified to edit people’s life stories from their implanted microchips that record constantly—named and called ‘Cutter’.
Mr Caviezel plays an unnamed rebel leader. Apparently he opposes the use of technology as a recording medium for the path anyone takes through the human journey.
Omar Naim
First-time writer-director Omar Naim, born in Lebanon, moved to the United States in the 1990s to study film at Emerson College in Boston. He worked on the script for “Final Cut” for about two and a half years before producer Nick Weschsler saw ‘the possibility and potential’ in the script. As a science fiction fan studying film making, he became fascinated with the idea that the weighty place for storytelling on film is in the editing process.
Naim’s other films include the half-hour documentary “Grand Theater: A Tale of Beirut”, a finalist at the Emerson College Student Academy Awards and other short student films.
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Rebel Leader John Fletcher
Mr Caviezel takes on the role of a leader of an organization that opposes the technology that records a person’s life that can be replayed for their family’s use after their death.
His antagonist is the Cutter, mentioned above, a role to be played by Robin Williams. In spite of all of our efforts to date, we cannot find character names for either.
Updated December 28, 2003 and September 1, 2004, thanks to L
We understand that this character’s name is Fletcher and his first name is John.
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Interviews
Added October 25, 2004
Mr Caviezel talks about chosing this role and about working with his collaborators.
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Tidbits
Added June 1, 2003, thanks to ET from Taiwan
The word is out, but with not much more detail.
Added June 15, 2003, thanks to EI
Apparently a local newspaper published a story about Mr Caviezel and Mr Williams ordering meals in a Vancouver, Canada, restaurant. Mr Caviezel ordered buffalo. Mr Williams immediately launched into his own rendition of “...where the buffalo roam...”. Hmmm. Is that like singing for your supper?
Also noted is the addition of Mira Sorvino to the cast.
Updated July 10, 2003
Mr Caviezel’s acceptance of this role rates a mention in Cinematic Happenings Under Development. Also, in noting Mira Sorvino’s addition to the cast, CHUD then mentions Mr Caviezel.
Updated August 12, 2003
Although principal photography has wrapped, we found a Canadian site that may contain more detail in future.
Updated September 10, 2003, thanks to RWF-L
We learn that the Robin Williams character, the Cutter, is named Alan Hakman; certainly no pun intended.
Updated September 16, 2003
We learn from a Lion’s Gate Films press release, that this film is in their ‘upcoming’ release programme—no date given, in which they promote this film as ‘futuristic’.
Updated October 6, 2003
From the Lebanon Daily Star, at last, a name for Robin Williams’s character, more background on the project and signs that it is making its way through to release.
Updated November 17, 2003
Alan Hakman is the name that the link above revealed, before it disappeared.
Updated December 4, 2003
Sparse though it is, the news about this film as offered by a Lion’s Gate Entertainment press release, simply indicates that “Final Cut” is among the films that are ‘upcoming releases’ with no date announced.
Updated January 22, 2004, thanks to L and MW
We understand from Reuters that this film is to be included in the Berlin International Film Festival that runs February 5-15, 2004 in Berlin, Germany.
Updated January 22, 2004, thanks to L
The premier is scheduled for February 11, and the film will play several times. We are unsure about the completion status of the versions to be shown, whether or not—please forgive us—this is the final cut. [see previous update for context]
Updated February 6, 2004, thanks to L
Premier showings abound—including a couple in Los Angeles, California apparently for people in “the business”. [And thanks, too, to L, for the new photo, below. ed.]
Updated February 11, 2004, thanks to FvR
From the Berlinale Home page, we learn...
“Dear Customer. Welcome to the Zoë Tech family! You have made an important decision: you have decided to acquire a Zoë implant© for your unborn child. What does this mean for your child? Immortality! Our patented Zoë chip will be inserted into his or her brain at birth so that, from the word go, everything that occurs to them in their lives will be recorded. In this way, life’s most beautiful moments will never be lost or fade with the passing of time…”
“Thus the Zoë chip chronicles an entire lifespan in images. When a chip-wearer dies, an editor assembles images from the deceased’s life on a “rememory roll” which can be shown as a very special kind of aide-mémoire at that person’s funeral. In the beginning, only the rich can afford these Zoë chips, but after a while, they bring a fundamental change to the way people relate to each other. However, the new technology soon has its opponents, who are prepared to fight for the right to forget.
“Alan Hakman is the best editor at Zoë Technologies. His talent in wiping out and hence forgiving the sins and misdemeanours of his clients has made him a much sought-after director of these visual obituaries. At the same time, his ability to watch people’s lives without any trace of emotion has turned him into a cold-hearted man, incapable of seeing life from a subjective point of view. Then, one day, Hakman is assigned to edit the biography of a big wig at Zoë Technologies. As he is sifting through the material, he discovers an image that has haunted him since childhood. This marks the beginning of Alan Hakman’s breathless search for the truth that lies beyond these manipulated images…”
Updated February 16, 2004, thanks to EI (French) and FvR (German), updated again February 20
A pointer to a French site, offering fairly complete coverage of the film, including clips and forums. And a pointer to a German site, as well, offering clips.
Update Because the European clips that we linked to are from an unfinished version of the film, Lions Gate has asked us to remove the links, and we are happy to oblige.
Added March 4, 2004, thanks to HS
BoxOfficeMojo writes that the release date for this film is September 4, 2004.
Added August 20, 2004
From CineMovies, a peek at the trailer.
We’ve removed this link because it is the same link that Lions Gate asked us to remove six months ago. We’re reviewing other links to approved trailers, since the CineMovies clip is unfinished and unofficial. Thanks to L, who works hard to keep us in line.
As an alternative, we recommend that you visit L’s site that she publishes for Robin Williams.
Added September 3, 2004
We understand from Screen Daily that “Final Cut” has been slipped into the Deauville Festival of American Film, that runs September 3, 2004 to September 12, 2004. We are searching for additional details.
Screen Daily stated simply that “Bacon’s LOVERBOY drops out...and Omar Naim’s THE FINAL CUT will screen instead”.
Added September 12, 2004, thanks to MW
“Final Cut” has won the honour of best screen play at the Deauville Festival of American Film in Deauville, France, according to AFP.
Added September 17, 2004, thanks to L
We understand that in America, the theatre chain playing this film has adjusted the release date to October 15. As well, early indicators reveal these release dates: Australia, November 11th, 2004, and early 2005 in France and a few other European countries. When we get more information, we will publish whatever we find.
Added September 30, 2004
In America, the theatre chain AMC announced that this film will be the first film ever to be distributed digitially under a new agreement between Lions Gate and AMC.
Added October 25, 2004
Lions Gate Films created a Web site so you can learn more about the ‘Zoë Chip’.
March 3, 2005
You can buy this film on DVD starting this week. The DVD includes the director’s commentary and deleted scenes.
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Reviews
Added February 15, 2004
We’re adding reviews for this film, some of which critique the movie through the eyes of commerce. We ask you, dear reader, to remember that apparently Mr Caviezel chooses to tell stories he believes in, so his participation in this film reflects his willingness to tell his character’s story.
The first review comes from L, who lives in the Netherlands, and who travelled to Berlin to see the premier. Her Robin Williams site gives the most amount of detail we’ve been able to find on the Internet about this film.
The second review comes from the Hollywood Reporter.
October 25, 2004
This is our editorial comment, more or less on the delivery technology. Both viewings rendered this film on the dark, unlit side. We wondered if the angle between the projector lens and the screen needed to be adjusted slightly to add light. If the film was intended to be rendered in almost sub-light, then this delivery technology honoured that intention. We did enjoy the movie, and found Mr Caviezel to be absolutely believable as an empowered and capable protester. [ed.]
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FAQ
Question
Where can I find the official site?
Answer
Added September 1, 2004
Finally, the official site, with most features ‘coming soon’.
Also, here is the link to it in the Internet Movie Database.
Question
What is so secretive about this film? Why can’t we learn more about it on the Internet?
Answer
This baffles us too; certainly not because it is many things Canadian.
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