What is Ethan Hawke's new film 'The Weight' about?

'The Weight' follows Samuel Murphy, a father who agrees to smuggle gold to escape prison and save his daughter from an orphanage, reviving character-driven action from the '60s and '70s.

What inspired Ethan Hawke to make 'The Weight'?

Hawke was inspired by classic '60s and '70s action films that focused on characters and high stakes rather than explosions, aiming to create his own homage to that era.

Where was 'The Weight' filmed and what were the conditions?

The film was shot over six weeks in the Bavarian forest, featuring intense and physically demanding sequences, including actors navigating a dangerously cold river.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Ethan Hawke Hunts Old-School Action

Ethan Hawke Hunts Old-School Action

26 Jan

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Summary

Hawke aims to revive character-driven action films from the '60s and '70s.
He plays a widower smuggling gold to save his daughter from an orphanage.
The film features intense, cold-water action sequences in a Bavarian forest.

Ethan Hawke's latest project, "The Weight," is a deliberate homage to the character-driven action films of the 1960s and 1970s. Hawke portrays Samuel Murphy, a widower facing dire circumstances who agrees to smuggle gold through the wilderness. This dangerous undertaking is his only hope to escape prison and prevent his young daughter from ending up in an orphanage.

Inspired by classics like "Cool Hand Luke" and "Sorcerer," Hawke sought to create high-stakes action centered on compelling characters rather than spectacle. He envisioned a modern take on the principled man archetype, exploring themes of dignity, fatherhood, and integrity. The film's narrative follows Murphy and fellow convicts on their perilous journey, encountering various individuals along the way.

Despite the film's focus on character over explosions, "The Weight" boasts intense, visceral sequences. One particularly challenging scene involved actors navigating a frigid river amidst massive floating logs, a testament to the demanding six-week shoot in the Bavarian forest. This experience evoked Hawke's memories of filming "White Fang" in Alaska, highlighting his enduring passion for cinematic adventures in wild settings.