The directors: Franc Roddam on Harvey Weinstein

In our continuing series of articles in collaboration with Direct, the magazine of the Directors Guild of Great Britain guest edited by filmmaker Don Boyd, Franc Roddam, the director of ’Quadrophenia‘, recalls working with Harvey Weinstein on his 1992 film ’K2‘

‘We got to lose 12 minutes.’

I won’t drag up all the fights, twists and turns, but the highlights are worth mentioning. I reluctantly took out six minutes. We previewed in downtown LA and got a 73 per cent excellent rating [from the test audience], which is not too bad for a snow movie screened for a black audience with an outside temperature of 98 degrees Fahrenheit.

Another celebration, another kicking from Harvey. The Beverly Hills Hotel, 8.15am, a hangover, black coffee, and Harvey in full flow…
‘We gotta get the numbers up. Gotta make it an 85.’
I protested vehemently. Harvey came back at me.

‘Look, I’ll put your cut out, if that’s what you want. I’ll fucking bury you in one cinema. Or, if you go my way, I’ll put it in a thousand cinemas.’
Cut to eight months later, no pay, a new bombastic and over-wrought score from Hans Zimmer and another six minutes off the film. We previewed it again; we got an excellent rating of 51 per cent.

‘What about the numbers, Harvey? We had 73 per cent last time.’
‘It’s only numbers, forget about it.’
‘Fuck you, Harvey…’
I leave the film.
A voice as smooth as maple syrup answers my call.
‘Beverly Hills Hotel, can I help you?’
‘Harvey Weinstein, please.’
A smokey, cigarette-torn voice picks up. ‘Hello.’