By Lubna Abdel-Aziz The best of men reach a peak in their careers, which wanes with the passage of time. Whether in politics, business, science, or the arts, in most cases the latter years do not witness the prime of power, passion & productivity. Some men however, reject dwelling on past glories, or trying to mimic them. They possess an endless reserve of energy and creativity. They peak anew with every effort, every accomplishment, every achievement, constantly sparkling, constantly baffling the average, the ordinary, the commonplace. Unlike Alfred Hitchcock, who in his final days became a bad imitation of his glory days, Eastwood is more like a Capra who continues to shine, bouncing from success to success, indifferent to the passage of time. At 78 he is busier than ever doing what he does best, acting, directing, producing and composing music, as well as fathering two young boys, with no signs of slowing down. He may in fact be reaching yet another peak in his amazing career. What is 78 after all, to a heart that continues to beat vigorously for the love of life, of love, of music, and of film. One of only a handful of directors who won twice Best Director, Best Picture Oscars for Unforgiven (1992) and Million Dollar Baby (2004) in motion picture history. While some actors have directed occasionally, Eastwood has directed regularly -- so far 28 films and more to come. He has redefined himself as a director of more than one genre, moving gracefully from western to mystery, suspense, romance, war and valour, each time receiving greater acclaim. In his ripe and seasoned age, he is even more in demand as a director than he ever was in his green years as an actor. He has turned his autumn into spring, giving us all hope that the heart and mind are ageless and boundless. Eastwood's finest work is almost apostolic in manner and method as in Unforgiven and Mystic River. He shows profound knowledge of all the best things that have been said and done. Yet his sentiment for beauty and sweetness prevails over the effrontery of the hideousness and rawness surrounding us. His latest film Changeling, which debuted at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival (May 14 -- 25), is a period thriller which he describes as a "horror story for adults." The film is based on a true story which took place in Los Angeles in 1928 to one Christine Collins, whose missing son was returned to her by the Los Angeles Police Department. Collins however insists the child is not her son. The tormented mother is played by the able, not to mention stunning, Oscar winner Angelina Jolie. Perfectly suited for this role of an agonising parent for a lost son, she winds up in a nightmare battle with the police, accusing them of messing up and covering up. They in turn, accuse her of shirking her responsibilities as a mother and lock her up behind bars, to silence her. Scriptwriter Michael Shaczynski thoroughly researched the factual details of personal grievance of Christine Collins who caused a major media sensation during that era. Who can better tell such a gripping story, but the master storyteller, who is renowned for his method of examining every minute detail. "The story is king," Eastwood always says, and Changeling takes 2 hours and 21 minutes to be told well. No one dare rush that old veteran from telling the best story possible, the only way he knows how. Showered with every trophy available, Eastwood continues to reap honour after honour from every corner of the globe. He can now add one more trophy for excellence in filmmaking presented to him last week at the 61st international Cannes Film Festival. When he received his Oscar for Million Dollar Baby, we covered much of Eastwood's rich life and career, but with such an awesome talent, this pen longs to visit again some of the achievements that got the critics reeling with every reel. His first directorial debut came in 1971 with the jazzy, moody, freaky, Play Misty for Me. With a total of ten Academy Award nominations, apart from Million Dollar Baby and Unforgiven, Clint was hailed for Mystic River, Letters from Iowa Jima, and Flags of our Fathers. Though he has never won best actor, five of his actors have, Morgan Freeman and Hillary Swank for Million Dollar Baby, Tim Robbins and Sean Penn for Mystic River, and Gene Hackman for Unforgiven, On being presented with France's highest civilian distinction "Legion d'honneur" in 2005. President Jacques Chirac referred to Clint Eastwood as: "one who embodies the best of Hollywood." He worked hard with passion and conviction to earn his reputation as a serious filmmaker who produces quality work, but few know he is also a serious musician. An accomplished pianist he has written several musical scores and songs. A zealot about jazz, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Music from Berklee College of Music: "This is a great honour that I will cherish in this lifetime." In a few days (May 31) he will turn 78, and he seems to be just beginning. His future projects include a biopic on Nelson Mandela, The Human Factor, with Morgan Freeman as the South African leader. Another biopic based on the autobiography of astronaut Neil Armstrong is in the making -- First Man, on the moon of course! Though he claims he is done with acting, he will direct and star in the upcoming Gran Torino, and will not say no, "if any good western comes along". Two musical documentaries are also on the drawing board, one about jazz musician Dave Brubeck, the other about crooner Tony Bennett, The title of the latter, The Music Never Ends seemed so appropriate in describing Eastwood's career, we borrowed it for our column. Eastwood is a fixture in popular culture in cartoons, books, movies, music and song. His characters Dirty Harry, and "The Man with no Name," in Serge Leone's Spaghetti Westerns inspire every generation. Eastwood dabbled for a brief spell in politics and was elected Mayor of his hometown Carmel, California. His philosophy "Everyone leaves everyone else alone." Too idealistic perhaps! Certainly it is hard for us to comply. As long as Clint Eastwood continues to pursue excellence, we shall continue to pursue Clint Eastwood. How many things by season, seasoned are To their right praise and true perfection William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
