"Saw" is an exhilarating ride through the minds of two very talented, disturbed Australian men, screenwriter Leigh Whannell and director James Wan.
Despite the fact that these filmmakers enjoyed writing and watching their twisted tale, they emphasized that they are "well adjusted individuals."
Wan and Whannell are both newcomers to Hollywood, fresh out of film school in Sydney. Whannell, who wrote the script, has also appeared in small roles in the "Matrix Reloaded," "One Perfect Day" and "Static" and said that he did not set out to become a "star."
"Stardom is not up to you," Whannell said. "It is something the media does. It should come as a result of the work and not because I'm dating someone famous or something."
In their antagonist, Jigsaw, Wan and Whannell refashioned the Boogie Man for grown-ups, a moral vigilante.
"Jigsaw's intentions are good but his methods are not," Wan said.
Jigsaw communicates with his victims through a microphone attached to a doll that wheels itself about in a chair. What inspired such horror?
"Yeah, what's with the creepy doll fetish?" Wan joked. "I guess since I was about seven and saw 'Poltergeist,' I've been obsessed with creepy dolls. [It's] cinematic therapy, if you will."
In fact, the movie's plot had a more pragmatic inspiration. Wan wanted to direct and Whannell wanted to act, but the duo lacked the financial means to produce a movie.
"Two guys in a bathroom, chained up so they can't leave" was the cheapest thing they could think of, Whannell said.
In the future, Wan and Whannell said they would like to set up a production company to help young filmmakers like themselves who lack the financial and technical resources, but have great ideas for films.
Although the filmmakers admitted that there is a moral message in the film, they insisted that they did not intend to preach that those who do not value life deserve to die. However, Whannell added that he personally felt people do not have enough appreciation for what they have.
"[People] don't appreciate their health until they're sick," Whannell said. "It may sound extreme, but you should live as if you're going to die tomorrow"
