Emilio Estevez, writer and director of BOBBY.

Estevez: Happy with BOBBY

by Michelle Paster
AFI FEST Daily News

His directorial debut was WISDOM (1986). He directed, produced and acted in THE WAR AT HOME (1996), where he collaborated with his father, Martin Sheen. And Estevez directed his brother, Charlie Sheen, in RATED X (2000).

In BOBBY (2006), the Opening Night Gala Presentation of AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi, Estevez again directs his father as one of 22 characters coming together the night Senator Robert F. Kennedy was gunned down in 1968.

AFI FEST Daily News: Why BOBBY?

Emilio Estevez: During a photo shoot for RATED X, my brother Charlie and I were asked to show up to the Ambassador Hotel. I remember saying, 'Here is a location that can't be replicated north of the border.'

The gentleman giving us the tour mentioned there were 77 other people in this small space [where Kennedy was shot], and at that point I started imagining who were those other people.

What is it like to premiere BOBBY at AFI FEST?

Emilio: I truly believe in miracles. The fact that this picture has given me the auspicious occasion of premiering at the AFI film festival is truly humbling.

It is a miracle that any film gets made. But the fact that this one got made - the tumble that I've had to endure during the course of this - is well documented.

I'm just overwhelmed that we've been chosen to open AFI FEST. This is a whole new party that I've been invited to now with this picture.

Back when you were in films such as ST. ELMO'S FIRE (1985) and THE BREAKFAST CLUB (1985), did you think you would make a film like BOBBY?

I started writing and directing at a very young age, probably before I was ready. However, those experiences helped shape me to where I am.

I don't believe I could have called myself a filmmaker back then. I was a director trading on my celebrity status to get my movies done without too much thought as to the content.

What is one question you wish an interviewer would ask?

If I'm happy. And not necessarily with the ultimate outcome of the movie, but are you happy with your life. Are you happy at this place that you've arrived at?

What is the answer?

To answer that I would say that there is a level of contentment and a level of discontentment as well.

I believe it's so difficult to make a film. Compromise is truly the word of the day. I think the directors are asked to compromise, whether it's by the producers or studios, and that breeds a certain level of discontent.

The level of content I am currently operating on is about 80 percent, which isn't bad.