Orson Welles may be dead for ages, but his creative spirit still lingers on among a vast amount of cinema lovers, mainly among the enthusiasts of his artistic creations. It is a fact that directors remain in the memory of the public through their most appreciated works during life-time or even due to movies which reach appreciation after their passing away. Yes, Citizen Kane is unanimously known as Welles’ trademark in the cinematographic business and its mere mentioning triggers memories of other great movies such as Touch of Evil or Confidential Report. Apart from all these facts, Welles sets aside as one of the few directors who remain in the collective memory due to their unreleased creations.
The Other Side of the Wind is the movie that will revive Orson Welles at his 100 years old birthday. The plot focuses on a madman-like temperamental film director who battles with Hollywood figures in order to give his movie-making process a decent finish, matter which is certainly characteristic to the person of Welles and his status as a director. The unfinished The Other Side of the Wind is maybe the most enlightening example which proves the connection between Orson and the center figure of his doomed movie. The movie in question was no fling and the resemblance between the creator and its creation is not accidental: Welles spent no less than 15 years before his death on the artistic piece.
Welles’ passing in 1985 drove the movie poles asunder from its release, as it appeared to be a problematic production from the beginning. It was a low budget filmed movie, as its director had struggled to receive funding for years. Over time, this would prove to be only the commencement of a chain of unfortunate events. Starting with 1985, the rights on the movie have been legally battled and shared among his only heir, Beatrice Welles, Welles’ collaborator Oja Kodar and an Iranian-French production company, L’Astrophore.
Royal Road Entertainment has reported to The New York Times to be in the process of gaining rights over the long lost art piece. The Los Angeles production company promises to announce the casting list to the American Film Market the following week. Royal Road contemplates on releasing The Other Side of the Wind on 6 May 2015, as a proper celebration of the director’s centenary.
Josh Karp is the author of a yet unpublished book dealing with the history of The Other Side of the Wind. According to him, the upcoming release of the unfinished movie can be compared by the Orson-loving public with ‘’finding the Land of Oz or some lost tomb. This film is art imitating life and life imitating art. It’s become so mythical because of what happened with all the failures to finish it and the players involved’’.