KIRK DOUGLAS KIRK DOUGLAS - Earthstar

Celebrated actor Kirk Douglas never expectedto still be acting at the age of eighty-eight,especially after suffering from a debilitatingstroke in 1996, until he found an irresistiblescript called Illusion. Douglas, the star ofmore than eighty films including Spartacus, gives the performanceof a lifetime in Illusion,a feature film that will beavailable during the month of May 2007 to members of TheSpiritual Cinema Circle DVD club.The award-winning Illusion tells the story of a once powerfulbut now lonely, aged and ailingfilm director, Donald Baines(Kirk Douglas), who finds himselfin deep remorse after rejectinghis only child, an illegitimateson named Christopher (MichaelGoorjian). Late one night the legendarydirector is “awakened” bythe ghost-like presence of his dearfriend and editor, Stan (RonMarasco) who has been dead formore than thirty-five years. Stanshows Baines three “minimovies”of his son’s life at timeswhen the son is at a pivotal point.What the old man sees is the tragiclife of the son he never claimedand the impact that his absencehad in his life and on his ability tolove. On his deathbed, Baines isgiven the gift of redemption andthe opportunity to helpChristopher who discovers thatthe only person who could changethe story of his life was the fatherhe never knew.AN INTERVIEW WITH KIRK DOUGLASAND MICHAEL GOORJIANThis powerful and uplifting film is the creation of MichaelGoorjian (Party of Five) who, as writer/director/co-star ofIllusion, literally bet the farm to make this film. After winningthe First Place Feature and Audience Choice Awards atthe 2005 Spiritual Cinema Festival-At-Sea, he admitted, “Iwas, as they say in Poker, all in. I spent all of my money,that of my friends and family, and maxed our every creditcard I could get my hands on to make this film.”Goorjianís compelling script combined with Douglas’ starpower and entrancing performance make Illusion a moviethat appeals to people from all walks of life. During hisI realized there wasa period in my lifewhere maybe I wastoo wrapped up inmaking movies andthat my son missedsomething. DoingIllusion remindedme, “Oh my God,before I die I wantto do somethingfor my kids.”extraordinary lifetime of achievement, Mr. Douglas hasappeared in eighty-seven films, ten plays, written ninebooks, and has been married to his wife Anne for more thanfifty years. In 1958, he broke the notorious Hollywoodblacklist when he gave screen credit to blacklisted writerDalton Trumbo for the Spartacus screenplay. He was widelycondemned for his decision at the time. It was not untilthirty years later that the American Civil Liberties Unionand the Writers Guild of America recognized his act ascourageous.I recently had the opportunity tointerview Kirk Douglas andMichael Goorjian about Illusion:Mr. Douglas, why did you say yesto Michael Goorjian to star inIllusion?KD: Michael came to me at theright time. Illusion appealed to mebecause I found something spiritualin it. The man I played was nota very good guy throughout his lifebut he felt the need to do somethinggood before he died. Hewanted to help the son that he hadignored. Playing this role was agreat privilege.Michael, some would say that thisfilm is about the Akashic records.Was that your intent?MG: The Akashic records becamea metaphor through which to tellthis story.Mr. Douglas is there a relationship between the role youplayed and your relationship with your father?KD: Of course. My father never gave me a pat on the back.He just couldn’t do it and that’s something that I missed allof my life. He was a Russian immigrant and it was difficultfor him to express deep emotion. I always wanted to makesure I gave my children a pat on the back. I once asked myson Michael if I had been a good father. He took a longpause and finally said, “Ultimately you were a great father”.And I said, “Ultimately?” He said “yes.” I thought aboutthat a lot…I even wrote about that pause in my bookbecause it bothered me. I realized there was a period in myContinued on page 16APRIL / MAY 2007 EARTH STAR 13