"Amsterdam": David O. Russell signs a wacky thriller with an exceptional cast

Europe1 .fr 2:13 p.m., November 04, 2022

1933. World's best friends Dr. Burt Berendsen (Christian Bale) and lawyer Harold Woodman (John David Washington) come to the aid of those in dire straits.

The two friends will find themselves embarked on the greatest adventure they have ever gone through together, chaining delirious reversals and raising many questions... But to understand it better, we will have to go back in time, that is to say that is, until they met and became acquainted with Valerie Voze (Margot Robbie) in post-war liberated Amsterdam, when they were happiest.

With this indomitable and mysterious woman, they formed an inseparable trio and had sworn to always watch over each other.

Gathered again and passing from one era to another,

>>> A very personal story for filmmaker David O. Russell

The film's development began five years ago with Christian Bale at a Westside restaurant.

The director David O. Russell and the actor had already worked together, notably on AMERICAN BLUFF and FIGHTER for which Christian Bale had received the Oscar for best supporting role.

Christian Bale says: "There is usually a frenetic urgency to make the films, often because of the financiers or the demands of the studios who want to release them quickly. There, we had no time limit. David and I were able to "to sit down and exchange a multitude of points of view. David would give me books where I drew ideas and then brought back excerpts from them. There were all these characters who came and went, and all these different encounters that inspired us."

David O'Russell continues: "Over four years we've written several draft scripts and amassed a wealth of interesting material. Even though the film is based on shocking and fascinating historical facts, we wanted there to be a great friendship at the heart of the plot. These friends looked out for each other in all kinds of circumstances and this is the principle on which we built their bond".

>>> A prestigious cast

Alongside Christian Bale, John David Washington (who we could see in Christopher Nolan's TENET and Spike Lee's BLACKKKLANSMAN) plays the second protagonist of the trio of friends.

After being chosen for the role, the actor did some research because he was not very familiar with the First World War: "I imagined what an African American would have felt at that time. I loved it investigate what it means to be a war veteran, an American fighting for his country in 1918. Leaving aside racial profiling, I became interested in how the rest of the world perceived Americans and their own relationship to the world."

Margot Robbie, meanwhile, plays Valerie Vozen, an artist and wealthy heiress who befriends Burt and Harold in a Belgian hospital.

She defends the virtues of art, love and beauty.

The actress says, "What defines Valerie is her passion for beauty. It drives her to turn trauma into works of art. Even though she met her friends in quite tragic circumstances, she has that ability. unique in finding beauty in suffering."

Director David O. Russell adds, "Margot has a lot in common with her character. She's a go-getter who's always up for the party, but never irresponsible. She keeps her feet on the ground and knows how to remain prudent. In charge of his professional and personal life,

>>> A fascinating tale that mixes historical facts and fiction

AMSTERDAM mixes fiction with historical facts.

Writer and director David O. Russell says, "Part of the film is set in a time when the whole world may turn completely upside down or stay on course. The characters walk on the edge of the precipice but don't know it. AMSTERDAM is based on a story fascinating and most viewers will be surprised to find out that such events actually happened. It's a little-known historical fact, which makes it even more exciting for the audience. Something huge is looming. It's mysterious , fascinating, but not without pitfalls. That's what inspired me in this plot."

David O. Russell saw this story as an opportunity to pay tribute to the heroism of the real people who inspired his fictional characters.

General Gil Dillenbeck, played by Robert De Niro, was inspired by Smedley Butler, whose actions helped change the course of history.

The character of Margot Robbie, Valerie Voze, has its source in several female artists of the time.

For the 369th New York Regiment to which Burt and Harold belong, David O. Russell was inspired by the Harlem Hell Fighters Regiment, an autonomous battalion made up of black and Puerto Rican soldiers sent to France to defend the USA.

The latter were forced to join the French army because their American compatriots refused to serve alongside non-white soldiers.

David O'Russell, however, wants to emphasize: "I'm here to make a film that amuses and astonishes, not a history lesson. The characters find themselves immersed in the plot in a rather unexpected way and it is this experience that we want. share with the public."

Amsterdam is currently in theaters, in partnership with Europe 1.