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M. Night Shymalan’s films of the supernatural and unexpected have taken the box office by storm. Shymalan wrote and directed “Signs,” “The Sixth Sense,” “Unbreakable,” and most recently, “The Village,” now available on DVD. Shymalan sat down with Peep Stone’s Arts critic on the set of his latest film.
Peep Stone: What can you tell us about your last film, “The Village,” Mr. Shymalan?
Shymalan: That it has made lots of money. Seriously, though, it’s about a girl blind from birth who senses illness in other people.
Peep Stone: Sounds scary. And is there a twist in the end?
Shymalan: Well…there might be. I’m not going to give any plot spoilers.
Peep Stone: We look forward to seeing it. Your films have been unqualified successes; do you have a favorite?
Shymalan: Just for the sheer story—the tugging at the heart—I like “The Sixth Sense.”
Peep Stone: “The Village” has been called your most philosophical film yet. Would you agree?
Shymalan: Yes, it does have an ideological depth that the other films did not attempt.
Peep Stone: It rang true for many of our readers.
Shymalan: Right—that’s why I agreed to talk to you. Your magazine is called…what was it again?
Peep Stone: Peep Stone.
Shymalan: Right. Peep Stone at postmormon.org.
Peep Stone: So you’ve heard of us?
Shymalan: Oh no. No, I’ve never heard of you. And I don’t know why “The Village” rang true for your readers, but I’ve received hundreds and hundreds of emails and letters about it from people calling themselves “post Mormons.” They say they understand ‘the code’ and they know the film is about Mormonism.
Peep Stone: Right, with the village elders in on the lie, and the bad monsters in the forest. Yeah, we all understood it right away.
Shymalan: Ok, see—that’s just it. I don’t know anything about Mormonism. I certainly didn’t have it in mind when writing or shooting “The Village.”
Peep Stone: Really? Are you sure? Because the bit about the people separating themselves from wicked society—that was straight out of Mormon history.
Shymalan: ‘Am I sure?’ Of course I’m sure! It had nothing to do with Mormon history—it was about the utopian impulse which has made weird blips in history since the beginning. I don’t know anything about Mormon history.
Peep Stone: Huh. I don’t know. I’m pretty sure that the elders’ making up those-we-do-not-speak-of was at least inspired by the devil and mob persecution.
Shymalan: You’re as nutty as the letters I’ve been getting.
Peep Stone: And William Hurt’s character was not based on Brigham Young?
Shymalan: Who? Never mind—no! Here, maybe you can explain this to me: ‘Dear Mr. Shymalan: I want to thank you for exposing the deception of Mormon leaders who refuse to let members decide for themselves.’ That’s from Herndon, Utah. Oh, and the writer adds: ‘P.S. I understood the importance of the robes! I won’t tell anybody.’ The letters are kind of creepy.
Peep Stone: Oh, yes. The writer means—
Shymalan: Actually, on second thought, I don’t want you to explain it. I don’t care. But please tell your readers that “The Village” is not about Mormonism. And please don’t write anymore letters.
Peep Stone: Ok, but what about the elders deciding what the people could and could not know?
Shymalan: No! None of it! I don’t give a rat’s ass about some puny little sect. Look, I have to get back to work.
Peep Stone: Just one more quick question?
Shymalan: Alright, go ahead.
Peep Stone: How did you learn about temple garments? I mean “Unbreakable” is obviously based on them.
Shymalan: Security! Get this guy off my set!
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