Despite being a celebrated filmmaker recognized by the Oscars for his masterpieces such as “Brokeback Mountain” in 2006 and “Life of Pi” in 2012, Chinese director Ang Lee admits to feeling jittery these days. It’s because after the world premiere on Oct. 14 at the New York Film Festival of “Billy Lynn’s Halftime Walk,” the film about an Iraq war hero’s homecoming would have its international release on Nov. 11.
His worry is being “crucified” over the futuristic 3D format the movie uses. Ang Lee used 3D at a high 4K resolution and a speed of 120 frames per second. It is five times the speed of an ordinary film, China Entertainment News noted.
However, only few cinemas in New York, Taipei, Beijing and Shanghai are equipped to show the movie at its full specifications. The technology is designed to produce ultra-sharp, penetrating images that place the viewer into the scenes.
He explained, “It’s the future and we are in the exploration stage … For the past year or so I have been mentally preparing myself that after [it] comes out I might be criticised very badly and crucified.” The Ang Lee “Billy Lynn” 120 fps film, however, was warmly received in Taiwan after its local premiere.
The celebrated filmmaker – who pointed out that because he is doing drama and not some fancy, guzzling action which could meet a lot of resistance from moviegoers – anticipated different reactions to “Billy Lynn’s Halftime Walk.”
According to Military Times, after the movie’s New York Film Festival premiere, initial reviews were mixed because of the way the movie was presented. The movie revolves around Billy Lynn, a 19-year-old Army specialist and native of Texas – played by British newcomer Joe Alwyn – who returns home from Iraq in 2004 for a two-week victory tour.