Chapter 66: The Silence of the Lambs

The on-location filming for The Silence of the Lambs mainly took place in three areas: Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, which correspond to Buffalo Bill's house, the prison where Hannibal is held, and the FBI Academy headquarters, respectively.

"FBI is supporting us, probably to recruit people through Jodie Foster's performance," director Jonathan Demme told Arthur while inspecting the prison set.

"They provide weapons and consultants to assist throughout, but why don't they just contribute some funds?"

Jonathan Demme chuckled, "Providing manpower and resources is one thing, but getting them to shell out money is a tall order!"

Prince William County in Virginia, a small, unremarkable town called Quantico, is where the FBI headquarters and FBI Academy are located, and where the female lead undergoes training in the film.

Jodie Foster indeed received FBI support in Quantico. The Behavioral Science Unit was fully cooperative, and Jodie Foster studied courses such as firearms and behavioral science at the FBI Academy.

"By the way, during filming, I won't always be on set. If there are any major issues, just call me," Arthur said, looking at the completed prison cell with a frown, feeling something was off.

Arthur walked into Hannibal's cell and began, "Hannibal the Cannibal is a top-notch psychologist, intelligent and graceful yet insanely deranged. He can drive people to self-harm or even suicide with just a few words!

Demme, the dialogue scenes between the male and female leads in the prison are the absolute highlight of the film," said Arthur as he walked out.

"Here, Hannibal's room should have a glass door. The insane yet intelligent Hannibal and the FBI agent should converse through the glass..."

Because Arthur had high hopes for The Silence of the Lambs, he personally checked out the locations from Pennsylvania to Maryland to Virginia.

It wasn't a matter of distrusting Jonathan Demme; Arthur genuinely valued The Silence of the Lambs and couldn't afford to waste extra resources.

In late May, The Silence of the Lambs officially began filming in Pennsylvania. The first scene was Jodie Foster as FBI agent Clarice Starling arriving at the place where Hannibal Lecter is held.

Hannibal Lecter's cell was different from the others: instead of bars, one side was framed with metal and fitted with a thick glass wall with small holes for conversation.

Through the glass wall, Clarice saw a tall man dressed neatly, standing straight in the middle of the cell, smiling at her!

Anthony Hopkins played the mysterious and terrifying top psychologist Dr. Hannibal Lecter: His eyes were deep-set, with prominent brows, and his few remaining hairs were neatly combed back over his balding head.

Hannibal Lecter, standing straight in his cell, greeted Clarice Starling with a polite smile: "Good morning."

Clarice smiled back: "Good morning, Dr. Lecter, my name is Clarice Starling. May I speak with you?"

Hannibal Lecter kept his enigmatic smile: "Crawford sent you, didn't he?"

Clarice: "Yes."

Hannibal Lecter: "May I see your credentials?"

Clarice hesitated for a moment, then pulled out her credentials and held them up for Hannibal Lecter to see.

"Cut," called director Jonathan Demme, marking a break in filming.

"Jodie, when Hannibal asks to see your credentials, you should appear a bit flustered because you weren't prepared," Jonathan Demme reminded Jodie Foster.

Jodie Foster nodded and quickly began to think about it.

Arthur stood aside, thinking this film needed exactly this kind of feel. Soon, filming continued.

Clarice, holding out her credentials: "Here."

Hannibal: "Closer, please."

Clarice hesitated slightly, then fully extended her arm holding the credentials.

Hannibal, appearing even more courteous: "Closer."

Clarice, a bit tense, moved her body forward. Hannibal leaned in to take a closer look at the credentials.

Hannibal: "Valid for one week. You're not a real FBI agent."

Clarice smiled: "I'm still in training at the academy, an intern FBI."

Hannibal: "So, Crawford sent me a student."

Clarice: "Yes, I am a student. I have come to learn from you. Perhaps you can decide if I am a worthy student."

Hannibal: "You're quite the talker, Agent Starling. Please, have a seat."

Clarice confidently sat down in a chair in the hallway.

Hannibal: "Starling, tell me, what did Miggs say to you? What did Miggs, the man next door, shout at you?"

Clarice: "He said he could smell my scent."

Hannibal: "I understand. I cannot."

Hannibal's face displayed a smile hard to decipher as he lifted his head, closed his eyes, and sniffed the air.

With a smug look, Hannibal: "You use Evian skin cream, and sometimes you wear L'Air du Temps, but not today."

He opened his eyes, looking at Clarice, who shifted uncomfortably and changed the topic.

Clarice: "Are those drawings yours?"

She glanced behind Hannibal. Hannibal turned to look at a drawing on the floor, resembling Notre Dame.

"Cut," Jonathan Demme called again.

"Great," Arthur clapped. "Anthony and Jodie's performances are outstanding!"

Jonathan Demme also clapped and then discussed the dialogue with screenwriter Ted Tally.

In the evening, FBI consultant Mary Krause from the Behavioral Science Unit found Arthur, "The Quantico FBI Academy is set for filming in July."

Arthur nodded, "Good. We just need some external shots, won't take long," and then glanced at Mary Krause a few times.

Blonde hair, blue eyes, fair skin, "I thought FBI agents were supposed to be ordinary, but you're quite pretty!"

"I'm a consultant, not field personnel. Many agents experience a lot of stress and develop psychological issues; it's my job to help them," Mary Krause explained.

Arthur pondered, "The audience for this film shouldn't focus too much on the fact that the female lead is from the FBI. The FBI is wealthy; they shouldn't be so stingy. Look at the level of support the Air Force gave Top Gun!"

Mary Krause laughed, "Mr. Smith..."

"Call me Arthur."

"Arthur, the FBI is doing its best for The Silence of the Lambs, providing weapons, locations, and even trainers who are fully cooperating," she pointed to herself, "and I've been explaining to Jodie Foster how FBI agents actually behave to help her better portray a new agent!"

"Let's go grab a drink..."

*****

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