"Rare Birds is very much a buddy picture. It's a love story not only between the characters played by William Hurt and Molly Parker, but the story of the friendship between a man and his best friend; and the depths they'll go to in order to help each other. All of the characters are unique in his or her own way", comments Director Sturla Gunnarsson.
"I had just completed a very serious film and was looking for something a little more light hearted when Paul Pope phoned and asked me to read Edward Riche's book 'Rare Birds'. I devoured the novel in one sitting, laughing out loud throughout, and knew at once that I wanted to direct the adaptation. What appealed to me about the story was its incredible sense of whimsy, its evocation of Newfoundland and its celebration of a great friendship. Despite their apparent differences, Dave and Phonse are kindred spirits, each of them a rare bird pursuing his individual passion far off the beaten track, on a rock in the middle of the North Atlantic. "
William Hurt says this of director Gunnarsson: "I was really grateful to work with Sturla. He's very permissive; he just guides you with subtle prodding. He's got his own voice and that really comes through in his work. And one of his 'eyes' is the same as mine - he loves character. I love character. "
For Hurt, acting is creation. "My job is to take part in creating something - to take something that has been roughly shaped and molded and give it specifics. Ultimately, I guess, there is a lot of me in Dave. "
The nuances of portraying a Newfoundlander slugging it out on the harsh coast of the island had its challenges. "I loved the script and I loved the challenge it gave me. The characters are really saturated in the area where the film is set - that's one of the best aspects of the film. It was difficult to get the look and even the lilt of the character in the short amount of time we had to rehearse," says Hurt, who is as great a perfectionist as they come in Hollywood.
"I felt as though I had schizophrenia at first. The first thing Andy (Jones, who plays Dave Purcell's best friend Phonse) said to me was 'Um, he's not Irish…' So I guess even the accent was a bit tough to find at first. "
According to Hurt, working in Newfoundland, on Canada's most eastern shore, was bittersweet.
"Newfoundland was arduous, pristine and fabulously beautiful. In many ways I don't even want to call attention to the area. People are going to be attracted to it because of the film and that worries me, because some won't take the time to treasure it. It's thrilling to stand on the rock, not a beach, and be right next to the incredibly deep, incredibly blue ocean. People in that region are strong. They've dedicated their lives to that sea - they live by it and know to respect it. "
But strength is illustrated by how one rises to the occasion, and Hurt - who takes his cues seriously - says everyone on the set really pulled together in hopes of making a film "in the true spirit that movies should be made," and relays this story:
"There's one scene that was unusually challenging. It was a night of rain that never let up and we had to shoot a burning submarine in a cove on a beach at the foot of a steep hill. The wind was way more than we could handle, so we changed locations to a different cove when we realized we weren't going to get our shot. The new location afforded us quieter waters but it was at the foot of a cliff, and every person, piece of lighting and camera equipment necessary had to ascend and descend a rope at a 55-degree angle all night long in the pouring cold rain. "
"No one whined or complained for an instant and we were all happy to be there. That strength, that spirit, was incredible. We were supportive, joking, and attentive. I guess I have to say that night was my 'epitome moment' of making Rare Birds. Everyone had their shovel and shouldered it. "
Not only was the crew an inspiration to Hurt, but his co-stars had their influence as well.
Speaking about actors Molly Parker and Andy Jones, Hurt is eloquent and sincere.
"I'm embarrassed. I admire them both so much that I don't want to trivialize who they are by attaching my words to them. "
On Jones: "He's so unique, so great. The film is very lucky to have had him in it. "
"Molly is a great struggle - I love working with her. She makes extremely well thought out choices in a wonderfully spontaneous way. She knows structure and brings the structure to you at exactly the right moment. "
All in all, Hurt, who is reticent to put his stamp of approval on any project he's involved in, lets down his guard and offers a sliver of personal opinion on Rare Birds.
"Odd" is one of the best compliments I can give a film. And this one truly is. It's unique; and individual; and has a very authentic voice. I had a wonderful time making this film. "
"It's terrific. And I don't say that too often. "
