Tim Robbins

For example, with Dead Man Walking,

When we were in the final stages of editing that movie, there was a whole bunch of people that were saying, Tim, you got them in the palm of your hand.

Why do you show the murder again during the execution?

Why are you doing that?

And my response was, because it's true, because it's what happened.

And I don't want them in the palm of my hand.

I want them to make their own mind up about this.

And if I've led them into a compassion and understanding for this particular person that did a terrible thing,

And if they have an inclination towards forgiveness, or at least maybe anti-killing that person, well, great.

But if I've done that by manipulating them, they're going to forget about it five minutes after the movie's over.

So we have to be responsible to those parents of those people that lost the children, and remind the audience at the end, remember this?

This is why he's here.

OK?

Then if they still, after this, feel the same way, then we've done something significant.

But anyone can manipulate with propaganda.

You can do it.

It's so easy to do.

But it's more difficult to get to a resolution in a complicated way that allows both sides to have dignity.

Once you're there...

It's my belief that's when real discussions happen, where people's minds do change.