Social Study

Oliver Stone often poses big questions in his fiery, polemical films—and the forthcoming Heaven and Earth is no exception. This month NELL SCOVELL turns the tables and asks the controversial director to take a stab at V.F. s Proust Questionnaire

NELL SCOVELL

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Enlightenment, spiritual peace.

When and where were you happiest? Along the way, many times.

What is your greatest fear? Cancer of the groin, castration, torture.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Cowardice, arrogance, pretentiousness.

Which historical figure do you most identify with? Alexander the Great.

What is the trait you most deplore in others? Criticism of others without empathy; the need to conform.

Which living person do you most admire? Thich Nhat Hanh [Vietnamese Buddhist monk, poet, and scholar].

Which living person do you most despise? The demon in me; also general ass-sucks, ideologues, and control freaks in politics and the media.

What do you most dislike about your appearance? My face on a bad day; generally, decay and my waist.

What is your greatest regret? The things I never did.

What is your greatest extravagance? Sexual desire.

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? Raise a red lantern.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Forthcoming—but if not, JFK, Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July.

What is your current state of mind? Preposterous, insane, no idea what happens next.

What are your most treasured possessions? Sean, Mikey, Alexander, Jung— words, a brain, etc.

What do you most value in your friends? Compassion, ability to stay up late.

What is the quality you most like in a person? Rebellion, justice, love.

What is your favorite occupation? Writing, directing, and editing movies; least favorite is releasing them.

What is your most marked characteristic? Defiance.

Where would you like to live? Between heaven and earth.

What is your favorite journey? Inner.

Who are your heroes? Mom, Dad, environmentalists, healers, artists.

What is it that you most dislike? Government, pundits, the media.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Disease, ignorance leading to evil acts.

If you could choose how to come back, how would it be? Not to, but if I must, a tortured beggar in Calcutta.

How would you like to die? In the arms of a loved one.

What or who is the greatest love of your life? Pallas Athena, Lord Buddha.

What is your motto? "To kiss the lips of women, love the gods, do justice, laugh, and know the-world is mad."

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My reputation; if not, a penile implant.