James Toback's known for cult classics (Fingers, Black and White) and puzzling experiments (When Will I Be Loved); this year, he's at Cannes with his new documentary Tyson, focusing on the life and times of a curiously muted and repentant Mike Tyson -- which received a standing ovation when it opened the Un Certain Regard selection. James Toback spoke with Cinematical at Cannes about the genesis of the project, the challenges of dealing with Tyson as a subject instead of as a friend, and about the ongoing negotiations with his 8-year old son over a possible part in his next film.

This interview, like all of Cinematical's podcast offerings, is now available through iTunes; if you'd like, you can subscribe at this link. Also, you can listen directly here at Cinematical by clicking below:

"They'll make hypocrite judgments
After the fact
But the name of the game
Is be hit and hit back ... "

-- Warren Zevon, "Boom Boom Mancini"

Boxing is a brutal sport. Does that mean you have to be a brute to succeed in it? Mike Tyson was the youngest ever heavyweight champion in the world; when he stepped into the ring, it was as if he was in absolute control over everything that happened. And when he stepped out, it was as if he had no control over anything that happened. He had a marriage implode in public. He served three years in prison for rape. He became a nightmare-parody of himself, pathetic and terrifying, telling challengers he would eat their children. And now, as seen in James Toback's documentary Tyson, he is older, sadder, sober, off drugs and out of the fight game, trying to battle things you cannot simply strike with your fists.

Hell hath frozen over, and there's some less shocking news to boot:

• Go figure! In April I mused that Mike Tyson might have a future in Bollywood, after he took part in a music video for the Indian flick -- Fool and Final. I never thought it would actually happen, but hell hath frozen over! Variety is reporting that the ear-hungry boxer wants to act in Bollywood movies. Apparently, Tyson says that "the atmosphere was very congenial, happy and energetic" on the set, although I'm not sure I can imagine him saying "congenial." Nevertheless, he's thinking about an acting future in India and is discussing the possibility with Firoz Nadiadwala, who produced Fool -- "We seriously intend to work toward it." I wonder what the folks over in India will think of the troubled man potentially becoming the next Bollywood star? It's just so surreal.
• Patrick Stewart, the ever-loved Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Professor Charles Xavier, is once again warming up his narrating voice. He is going to be the voice behind the English-language version of the Earth documentary, which follows three animal families -- polar bears, elephants and hump-backed whales "on epic journeys across the world's most demanding and spectacular landscapes." I'm sure that means we'll have lots of cute moments intermingled with sad, animal realities. The actors describes the film as "a beautiful, comic, moving, urgent, private view of the environments and creatures with whom we share our home planet. It urges us, while delighting us with dazzling images, to address the pressing and desperate needs of this our fragile earth." So basically, it's the same old animal documentary material.
• Finally there's some strange, foreign weirdness by way of the folks over at Twitch. They've found trailers, a promo reel and making-of video for Italian director Stefano Bessoni's Frammenti di scienze inesatte. The man himself posted the clips on YouTube, and while the movie is from 2005, I wonder if this means it will get beyond its limited, Italian release. The movie is about a headmaster of medicine and natural science who has a number of strange students, such as a researcher of angels, who rent out an old house from him. He tries to support them, but also has a secret he is keeping from them. The clips look cool and go quite well with the music. Unfortunately, the making-of film has no subtitles, so you've got to either ignore the sound or brush up on your Italian. Warning: some of the clips are NSFW -- there are autopsy scenes that show people lying nude on the doctor's slabs.

Hallelujah, it's the weekend! But there is still news to share:

• I am now 100% convinced that Peter O'Toole passed away, and some sort of robot took over his career. That is the only thing that makes sense considering the ever-growing number of projects that actor is involving himself with. Then again, maybe he just has a death wish and fittingly figures he should work himself into the grave by never stopping to catch a breath. Variety has reported that he and Sam Neill will be starring in a Canadian miniseries called Iron Road. Taking place during the final building moments of the Canadian Pacific Railway, it follows a poor Chinese girl who falls for a rich tycoon. Sources say his character is named "Relic." Sounds more like a Kung Fu role to me, but we'll see.
• Wonders never, ever cease. The latest words to be put together -- Mike. Tyson. Bollywood. Sounds unbelievable, doesn't it? According to the CBC, the ear-hungry fighter will join the cast of Fool and Final for a pop music video by Indian singer Himesh Reshammiya. The movie is about some sort of boxer who helps to foil a diamond heist. Sure, the boxing ties into the attention for Tyson, but that still seems like a huge jump to make. Could this be Tyson's re-imagining? Will he start donning colorful clothes and become a Bollywood dance star? Maybe not, but I can dream.
• Fie John Goodman. As Jessica Barnes shared a few days ago, he is being sued for backing out of the upcoming film Pope Joan. Now Constantin Film has officially stopped production. Is this really necessary? Can't they follow through with the suit while getting one of the many other men in the world to play the part of Pope Sergius? I really don't care what the particulars are. Get back into production, cast someone else and get me my Franka Potente!