Forman Feels Free to Flaunt Freedom

DIRECTOR MILOS Forman's latest work, "The People vs. Larry Flynt," has received critical acclaim and generated a great deal of controversy. Based on the First Amendment battles of Flynt, the publisher of "Hustler" magazine, Forman calls the movie his "love letter to the Supreme Court" in appreciation of that body's protection of freedom of expression. Others, however, have criticized the movie for glorifying and romanticizing Larry Flynt and the pornography he produces.

Born in pre-World-War-II Czechoslovakia, Forman is the child of victims of the Holocaust. Heavily influenced by the totalitarian oppression he witnessed, he chose to celebrate the freedom of the United States in his latest work. Prior to "Larry Flynt," Forman has enjoyed a prolific directing career and has twice received the Oscar for best director: first for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) and again for "Amadeus" (1984).

Last Wednesday, he participated in the panel discussion sponsored by the Institute of Politics, "'The People vs. Larry Flynt' and the First Amendment." Following the discussion, Forman sat down for an interview.

You called the movie your "love letter to the Supreme Court." Do you feel a responsibility as a filmmaker to remind Americans to appreciate their constitutional rights?

You can't divide a filmmaker from his life experiences. Fortunately, my own life experience made me so touched by the freedom of this country that I decided to make a movie to express that.

Do filmmakers and artists have a responsibility to expose threats to our liberties when they arise?

Artists have a duty only to themselves. This movie was about my most personal, inner conviction: my fascination with the wisdom of the First Amendment.

Are you satisfied with the reaction "Larry Flynt" has received?

I am satisfied with the reaction of the vast majority of the audience that has seen the movie. But I am puzzled by the reaction of some interest groups to the film.

You said that you've edited out parts of the history in the movie that did not "push across your point." Do you feel you're doing the more ignorant members of your audience a disservice by not giving a complete history of Larry Flynt?

People did not go to the theater to analyze the life of Larry Flynt. They did not go in order to decide whether to buy Hustler magazine or not. They went to be entertained. And if, while being entertained, they came to appreciate their liberties, that is what is important.

Is Larry Flynt a hero for freedom of speech?

No, the Supreme Court is the hero. Not even Larry Flynt thought he was a hero. Actually, Larry Flynt pursued the case [brought by Jerry Falwell] out of spite after the death of his wife [from AIDS]. Falwell vilified AIDS victims and had no sympathy for them. Larry Flynt was not motivated by the arguments for free expression put before the court. His impetus was not heroic, but spiteful.

If you had to do it again, would you have made the movie any differently?

If I would have done anything differently, I probably would have tried to--even though it would probably never have been made--I would have tried to make the movie be more dirty. That's politically correct.

Do you think audiences in less free countries will have reactions different from American audiences?

It remains to be seen. It opens in Europe next week.

Do you have any expectations for what those reactions might be?

I don't know. But if I had to go with my very inner instinct, I think it will resonate well because Europe knows what it is to lose freedom of the press. But if the notion succeeds that the movie is glorifying pornography, that could derail the whole idea.

At the end of the interview, Forman wondered aloud about the audience's reception of "Larry Flynt." And what are Forman's own feelings toward Larry Flynt the man? "I did not expect to like Larry Flynt," said Forman, "but I could not help but find him very charming. But, as Alfred Hitchcock said, 'the villain has to be charming. Otherwise, he is not interesting.'"