Wah-Wah Diaries
The Making of a Film

By Richard E. Grant
August 2006
Picador
ISBN: 0330441965
264 pages, Illustrated, 6 1/8 x 9 1/2"
$39.95 Hardcover

Richard E. Grant has done it again. Written a witty and chaotic account of the behind the scenes of movie making.As a follow up of first book WithNails, The Wah-Wah Diaries tells of the "hurry up and wait" side of film making.From conception of the idea, through the creative writing, the getting the fiancing, and finding the right people, the shooting, the post-production, and finally the opening, Wah-Wah Diaries tells of the side few outside the industry even know about. With style, flair, and humor, the author takes down the long road and almost makes the rest of us wonder "how does it ever gets done in the first place?" The film itself, which has lead to the book, almost seven years in the making is a real labor of love which his fan club is well aware. If you enjoyed With Nails, you also enjoy The Wah-Wah Diaries. If you didn't read the first, read them both and see the story behind film.
--Reviewer on amazon.co.uk

This is view of film making written by an actor turned director; it takes the form of a Diary called The WAH WAH Diaries. The author Richard E Grant is undoubtedly a talented man. A power-house of energy with the determination and drive to outpace many of his peers.

He may have been persuaded to focus story on the father son relationship, or parental approbation. However, his waspish writing betrays a social schism that he experiences as an expat in the UK. He has been kept out of too many circles for too long. [He refers to a 'cheerful fuck 'em all attitude' of an assistant, as if he would be happy to emulate it.]

By nature he is clubbable, only this post-colonial British club is fragmented and will not vote him unanimously. As a result he suffers from exile syndrome; he still craves the small colonial community where everyone knows each other. It is courageous then that he should broach the embarassing subject topic of Colonial Africa! Observing the destructive decadence of Swazi expat community has made him value fidelity.

This he realises, is actually one of his greatest assets. In this capacity he has led by example. There would be much to be gained if he were to carry this message in an anti-aids campaign. When his loyalty is not reciprocated this quality becomes a great liability. On sending out the script he experienced diva like behaviour from one who refused to read his script, while engaged on another project. Another promised again and again to confirm only to bailing eventually. The culprits aren't just simply shagging the dog, they are widening the schism. Paradoxically this is a man who is still star-struck, in this respect he is easily exploited.

He has become a hybrid, neither English nor American. He is an exotic, and as an actor, now director, he is judged harshly in the UK, and more generously in the USA. In the meantime the RSC, certain journalists and actors would do well to control their curling upper lip, and stop bitching about his appearance. This actor has got something to say! I understand his next writing project is going to be based on LA, he should seek out some new disciples and stick with his own convictions.

If you are one of the choosen ones, examine closely the photograph of the cast at the Edinburgh Festival Premiere. It is a benign expression of a Father, who wants to bridge the gaps and heal rifts.
--Reviewed by amazon.co.uk


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