AR-SP36 Washington: American Hero (Movie)

We sat down with filmmaker, Otto Aouita, to discuss his upcoming movie about George Washington  

Here is a summary of the discussion:

• Filmmaker's Motivation and Movie's Focus:

  • 
    Otto Aouita has always been fascinated with George Washington and noticed a lack of films about him, while other historical figures such as Napoleon have been covered far more.
  • His movie aims to tell the "human story" of Washington, portraying him as a complex and flawed man of his time. The script refers to him as "George" to emphasize this personal aspect.
  • The film will cover lesser-known aspects of his life, including his relationships with his mother Mary (described as his "first general" and very hard on him), his stepbrother Lawrence (a mentor), and George and Sally Fairfax (including a love story with Sally).
  • Crucially, the movie will explore his relationship with his slaves and his journey from being born into the institution of slavery to freeing them in his will.
  • His Masonic brotherhood is also a significant part of the film's narrative.
  • While touching upon his monumental roles as an American Revolutionary hero and first president, the primary focus is on the personal story of George Washington.

• Washington's Early Life and Aspirations:

  • Despite his image as a wealthy planter, Washington had humble beginnings. His father died when George was young, and his mother, Mary, was strict and poor with finances.
  • Unlike his older brothers, George did not receive a top-notch education in Britain and inherited relatively little from his father.
  • His "roughest time" was around 15 years old when he "really had nothing".
  • His first significant break was working as a surveyor, a job he used to his advantage, understanding lands, which later proved useful against the British.
  • Washington greatly admired and sought to emulate the gentlemanly class, heavily relying on Lord Fairfax and the Fairfax family for mentorship and to learn their manners and lifestyle, including sports like fox hunting.

• Early Military Career and Lessons Learned:

  • Washington began his military career around age 22, joining the Freemasons at the same time.
  • He was sent to confront the French in the Pittsburgh area, which led to the French and Indian War.
  • His early military experiences, particularly at Fort Necessity, highlighted his inexperience and resulted in a "mess," including his capture and signing a "confession" related to an assassination.
  • He subsequently joined General Edward Braddock's campaign, which ended in disaster.
  • These early failures, where he "lost almost every battle," were crucial in shaping him, teaching him that "it's okay to fail" and helping him learn from his mistakes for the American Revolution.
  • He had disagreements with General John Forbes during the war over road construction and strategy, with John Fairfax acting as a plea for Washington.

• Marriage to Martha Custis and Financial Standing:

  • After resigning his commission in 1758 and a period of illness during which Sally Fairfax visited him, Washington married Martha Custis in early 1759.
  • Martha was the wealthiest eligible widow in Virginia. Her finances were crucial for Washington to reconstruct Mount Vernon and expand his businesses.
  • Washington controlled a significant fortune but did not own most of it; he held it in trust for his stepchildren.
  • Despite the financial advantages, Washington is believed to have truly loved Martha, as evidenced by surviving letters and his will. Martha burned hundreds of their letters.
  • Martha also played a vital role in supporting the Continental Army's morale, joining Washington at Valley Forge.

• Becoming Commander-in-Chief and Presidency:

  • Washington, having left the military in 1758, appeared at the Second Continental Congress in his military uniform, signaling his readiness for a military role.
  • He had ambition but pursued it quietly and elegantly, believing he had more to offer. He was known for great bravery on the battlefield, even being described as nonchalant under fire.
  • There's debate on whether he expected to be commander-in-chief, but he accepted the challenge, viewing it as a "too big of a task" but embracing the "American entrepreneur spirit". His idol was Cincinnatus, a Roman figure who served as a general and then returned to farming, a parallel to Washington's actions.
  • As president, he was reluctant to serve, wishing to remain at Mount Vernon, but felt a duty to ensure the new country's success. He initially thought it would be a two-year commitment but served eight years.
  • He ran the government much like the army, relying on the advice of his cabinet, letting them debate issues before making decisions. He avoided favoritism, even with Hamilton, and tried to be even-handed.
  • Washington disliked the idea of political parties and factions, believing they artificially divided people. He desired a government where individuals were elected on merit and worked together for the common good.
  • He aimed for stability and normalcy during his presidency. He saw the presidency as subservient to Congress, deferring to civilian authority, echoing his behavior during the war.
  • He was incorruptible and championed a policy of neutrality in foreign affairs, prioritizing American issues over proxy wars.
  • Washington initially refused a salary during the war but accepted it as president.
  • During his presidency, Vermont and Kentucky joined the Union, and he oversaw the development of the vast Northwest Territories.

• Evolving Views on Slavery:

  • Washington was born into a society where slavery was the norm, and his views changed significantly throughout his life due to the Enlightenment ideas that fueled the American Revolution.
  • He eventually freed his slaves in his will, a significant act at the time. He hoped others would follow his lead and wished to see legislation towards abolition.
  • Washington did not approve of whipping and had a structured approach to runaways, sending only two to Barbados as an example. He was actually more "vicious" on his soldiers for infractions like drinking or profanity, with severe lashings.
  • He allowed his slaves to participate in a free market; for example, his head chef Hercules earned significantly more than overseers or gardeners.
  • Billy Lee, his personal valet, was the first slave freed by Washington and received a pension. All his personal slaves received pensions, clothes, and the option to stay at Mount Vernon.
  • Washington was actively involved in farming alongside his slaves, teaching them and using his tools. He even paid his slaves to donate their teeth for his dental needs.
  • The film explores the hypocrisy of fighting for freedom while owning slaves and acknowledges the complexity of the issue, including the economic concerns and the new concept of freedom for enslaved people in places like Philadelphia.
  • His growth on the issue is a "main spine" of the film, showing that he left the world a better place.

• Movie Release Details:

• The movie is scheduled to be released on July 4th, 2026, for the 250th anniversary of American independence.

For more details, check out the movie's website at: www.ceenema.com