Thread 5: To feel disappointed after reading this in The Observer about the author and her husband from The Salt Path book and film?

[DisappointedReader]

The Observer The real Salt Path: how a blockbuster book and film were ...

Second article in the Observer
https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-salt-path-whats-in-the-book-and-what-the-observer-has-found

Third item in the Observer
https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-salt-path-the-truth-behind-the-blockbuster-book-video

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Raynor Winn/Sally Walker's statement Raynor Winn

I imagine the actors and their teams are already gearing up for the upcoming press campaign around The Salt Path film. Realistically, most busy people won’t be obsessively tracking the minute details of the controversy. Their agents and publicists will likely be preparing briefing notes that gently gloss over the negatives and highlight the positives because, of course, it’s in everyone’s interest to steer the narrative that way.

So when someone like Oprah or any major interviewer asks, “What about the scandal?” they’ll have a ready, polished line:

“When we signed onto this project, we were completely unaware of any issues. As far as I understand it, mistakes may have been made and acknowledged, but at its heart, this is a story about setbacks, disappointments, and the determination to overcome themthrough love, connection, and the healing power of nature along that beautiful Salt Path.In other words, while the authors originally told the story, it now belongs to the world. And like all good stories, it’s evolving and we are proud to have been on that journey ourselves "

Deftly putting a soft firewall beween Raynor Winn and the movie as now is.

I imagine the big question is whether it needs to be entirely rewritten, or at least include a hefty intro/postscript in which RW includes her version of events (at least after a fashion). If they’ve pulled it from the autumn list this late (publishing lead-in times are very long), it will be because they thought it was not sellable as it was, and/or that they could not stand over it. It’s a big decision, esp given the timing — it was due out at the classic launch time for the Christmas market.

@sualipa Yeah I can totally see how a bit of controversy might make it more appealing to a potentially ambivalent audience.

But I was trying to imagine if GA or JI went on something like The View to advertise it then surely the interviewer(s) would want to ask about the hullabaloo back home over the book it's based on. That might put the actors in a tricky position.

Exactly. Jason Isaacs will not appear on Oprah’s couch weeping and saying ‘They had me fooled! I feel BETRAYED!’

I think they’d just go back to the line @sualipa sketches.

It could certainly be a test of their acting prowess. Jason in particular seemed almost in love with Moth so I'd be curious how he views them now.

That's not how film distribution works. It doesn't matter how famous the actors are, if you agree to be a co producer then the money you put in non refundable if it fails.

So it's very much a pipe dream at the moment to be distributed in the US. Can't see it happening myself.

Yes, I was thinking that, despite their implied support, to completely pull the book from it's scheduled release is actually a massive thing for them to do.

There'll have been a lot of money gone into the book, and its release so far.

Yes, exactly but now that the film has been made, and assuming it’s well-acted and well-produced, I can’t imagine anyone involved will be willing to simply shelve it. Framing the authors as barefaced grifters who can’t be trusted risks blowing up the film’s entire emotional foundation. So some form of damage limitation, like the approach I suggested earlier, seems like the only viable path forward.

The other alternative is to say nothing keep quiet and hope the storm passes, letting nature take its course. That might well be the route they choose. We’ll see soon enough.They certainly won't be sharing a platform with them I'm pretty sure of that.

I think if they continue publicity it will be very tricky for them. All and every interviewer will raise the Observer piece and what can they say that won't potentially make them look foolish down the line (a defence of Raymoth) or like they are throwing the people JI especially appeared to adore a few days ago under a bus?

I suppose they could go "artistic interpretation, all about the script we were given and oh isn't the scenery lovely?" but I don't see that working really.

ETA @sualipa put it better than me, hadn't seen that post!

@sualipa sorry I managed to miss your 13.48 post, but you make great points and I agree with them all.

I completely agree.

But doing publicity will have been in their contract.

I suppose they could argue they've gone above and beyond, so they've completed their obligation, and so don't need to do any more.

Or maybe do it all over zoom and experience mysterious"technical difficulties" every time a tricky question pops up.

Plot twist: Moth turns on Raynor and claims she was behind the whole caboodle from the start. Turns out, he’s actually the quietly decent bloke some viewers suspected all along. He appears briefly but memorably on The One Show, sobbing uncontrollably, pleading for forgiveness, and announcing their divorce. Cue national sympathy, a thousand think-pieces, and possibly a new book deal.

Moth - the Untold Story - My walk into the darkness

That's a good point. If the lawyers were going to be able to clear her name, why would she want it to be kept secret?

I wondered why she insisted on a NDA from Mr Hemings when she paid back the money she had stolen.

I think he's an investment banker so it will be a struggle to see him in any better light than our 2 grifters

@sualipa Do you think all investment bankers are criminals?

Silence will be condemnation given their previous fulsome support.

Just jumping on the thread

With a foreward by Simon Armitage of course.

And then a role for Jason in the film version.

Some sections are likely to need rewriting to tone down the seriousness of his illness if eg the word terminal is mentioned. And if too much needs rewriting they may prefer to just drop it.

True and both of them have been active on Instagram during the last week but neither have chosen to repost Rays statement or put forward any words of support.

It's not up to the producers - it's up to distributors. If it can't get a US distributor, it won't be shown there.

Hollywood is watching, and - I imagine - waiting to see which way this all goes.

ETA: There are at least two other stories about all this on Deadline, which is read by the US movie and TV industry.

'The Salt Path' Scandal: Deadline International Insider

Obviously in the US straight to stream may well happen with the film, which will give a better world wide distribution. Everyone loves a troubled story with a kick back of controversy.

If you’re connected to any of those circles, then they’re definitely not like this! About ten years ago, through my partner’s friend’s marriage, I briefly socialized with a CTO (now a partner) at a major UK hedge fund. He was very generous treating us to meals, private film screenings in Soho , and parties at his home. I spent a lot of time chatting with his staff, mostly from the IT world. They were incredibly clever, highly focused, and at the very top very, very wealthy.

He used to say he was handsomely compensated for what he did, and I’d agree. Eventually, he had an affair with his secretary and another child, and they separated, so I no longer move in those circles though I do miss the freebies! Given his partner status and the size of his annual bonuses, I’d estimate his net worth to be well north of £50 million. That’s obscene by any standard.

Let's Pitch ! Moth leave her !