Robert Zemeckis' film 'Here', starring Tom Hanks and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, was released digitally after a disappointing domestic box office haul of around $12 million. The film debuted on November 6, 2024, but received mixed reviews, earning a mere 35% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. With a reported budget of $45 million, 'Here' made less than $5 million during its domestic debut, marking a significant setback for Zemeckis, whose last four films have grossed a combined total of $72 million domestically. Notably, his last hit was over a decade ago, raising concerns about his recent directorial choices. Despite the struggles of 'Here', Hanks recently starred in 'A Man Called Otto', which grossed over $110 million globally, showcasing his continued star power in the industry. The film 'Here' is based on Richard McGuire's critically acclaimed graphic novel and explores the lives of several families over generations in a shared location. The production utilized generative AI technology from Metaphysic to de-age Tom Hanks and Robin Wright over a 60-year span, allowing for real-time face transformations without extensive post-production. Zemeckis emphasized that such technology was not available five years ago, highlighting the film's innovative approach to storytelling. The film was shot over 33 days at Pinewood Studios in the U.K., featuring a unique storytelling method from a single camera position that captures the passage of time in a nonlinear fashion. Hanks noted the importance of understanding mental acuity changes with age, which the film addresses. The worldwide rights for 'Here' are held by Sony Pictures/TriStar Pictures, and it aims to reach audiences across the country in November. [60ef0029]
In a related context, Aamir Khan's film Sarfarosh, released in 1999 during the Kargil conflict, faced uncertainty with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) due to its references to Pakistan and the ISI. Aamir Khan revealed that the team had concerns about the film getting cleared by the censor board, as there was a rule at the time that the country could not be named. However, the film passed the censor board with no changes. Sarfarosh revolves around an honest police officer investigating arms smuggling in Rajasthan and received critical acclaim, commercial success, and won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Naseeruddin Shah, who played a role in the film, received adulation from the audience, especially in Pakistan. The film was well-liked in Pakistan and Shah's work was appreciated. The director of the film, John Matthew Matthan, kept the India-Pakistan terrorism angle a secret from everyone except Aamir Khan and Naseeruddin Shah. Sonali Bendre, who played Aamir Khan's love interest in the film, expressed gratitude to the director for offering a role that had more depth and seemed real. Actor Mukesh Rishi, who played a key character in the film, revealed that Aamir Khan offered him the role while they were filming for another movie. [2a2ddf6b]
