Question 1

What is the motto of the NYPD Street Crimes Unit that inspired the film's title?

Accepted Answer

The title 'We Own the Night' is the motto for the New York Police Department's Street Crimes Unit, which was disbanded in 2002. Their patch appears during the opening credits.

Question 2

How did James Gray approach filming the car chase scene to make it unique?

Accepted Answer

James Gray studied numerous car chase scenes and concluded that consistent perspective from a single driver's vantage point had never been done, which inspired his approach.

Question 3

What unusual method did Joaquin Phoenix use to get into character during filming?

Accepted Answer

According to Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix would hurl insults at Robert Duvall between takes to get into character, which upset Duvall and required Wahlberg to restrain him.

Question 4

Which major film festivals featured 'We Own the Night'?

Accepted Answer

The film was featured at the Cannes Film Festival (2007), Stockholm International Film Festival (2007), and San Sebastián International Film Festival (2011).

Question 5

What special request did Eva Mendes make about her character's name?

Accepted Answer

Eva Mendes reportedly asked director James Gray to change her character's name to Amada to honor her late grandmother, whom she never met.

Question 6

What is the motto of the New York Police Department's Street Crimes Unit that inspired the film's title?

Accepted Answer

The title 'We Own the Night' is the motto for the NYPD's Street Crimes Unit, which was disbanded in 2002. Their patch appears during the opening credits.

Question 7

How did Joaquin Phoenix's method acting nearly cause a conflict with Robert Duvall on set?

Accepted Answer

According to Mark Wahlberg, Phoenix would get into character by hurling insults at Duvall between takes, which upset Duvall so much that Wahlberg had to restrain him.

Question 8

What unique approach did director James Gray take to film the car chase scene?

Accepted Answer

Gray studied countless car chase scenes and concluded that consistent perspective from a single driver's vantage point had never been done, which inspired his approach.

Question 9

Which major film festivals screened 'We Own the Night'?

Accepted Answer

The film was screened at the Cannes Film Festival (2007), Stockholm International Film Festival (2007), and San Sebastián International Film Festival (2011).

Question 10

How was the rainy atmosphere created for the car chase scene?

Accepted Answer

The car chase was shot on a sunny day, with the rain added digitally during post-production.

Loved this film?

Share with others

Loved this film?

Share with others

We Own the Night

Customers also watched