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The Wah-Wah Diaries: The Making of a Film
A personal diary that charts the ups and downs of the making of Wah-Wah , Richard E. Grant’s debut directorial film, this memoir captures the work behind this labor of love and the realization and fulfillment of a dream come to life. As writer and director of the autobiographical film Grant provides fascinating insight into the intrigues and agonies he encounters while filming,as well as a deeply moving portrait of his childhood and his love affair with Swaziland, where he was born and brought up during the last throes of the British Empire. From never-ending financial pressures and hostilities with producers to the nerve-racking quest to persuade the King of Swaziland to grant permission to film in his country and the handling of a stellar cast—which includes Gabriel Byrne, Miranda Richardson, Emily Watson, and Julie Walters—Richard E. Grant has detailed, with characteristic humor and charm, the daily operations behind the creation of a major motion picture.
264 pages, Hardcover
Published April 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 12, 2018
The movie "Wah Wah" was released in 2006 and was based on the memoirs of actor Richard E. Grant when he was a teenager living in Swaziland. He is the only child of an alcoholic father and an unhappy mother as they go through divorce and the eventual decolonization of Swaziland from the British.
Grant spent numerous years trying to get his intriguing story up and running as a film adaptation and in 2005 he was on location in the land of his birth as a first time director. While stressing through years of pre=production, shooting and post production including editing, he took the time to write a diary. Hence, this factual novel which tends to leave the reader with the same increase in blood pressure as Grant himself. Which is not to say that this is not an enjoyable ride.
It helps that Grant is a likeable sort of bloke and not afraid to admit his shortcomings in the process of film making. It also helps that he discusses with honesty the actors, film crew and producers who are involved. The problem is that the film process is just so frustrating and nightmarish akin to walking through a minefield in the Middle East. But therein lies the enjoyment of this novel.
Grant spent numerous years trying to get his intriguing story up and running as a film adaptation and in 2005 he was on location in the land of his birth as a first time director. While stressing through years of pre=production, shooting and post production including editing, he took the time to write a diary. Hence, this factual novel which tends to leave the reader with the same increase in blood pressure as Grant himself. Which is not to say that this is not an enjoyable ride.
It helps that Grant is a likeable sort of bloke and not afraid to admit his shortcomings in the process of film making. It also helps that he discusses with honesty the actors, film crew and producers who are involved. The problem is that the film process is just so frustrating and nightmarish akin to walking through a minefield in the Middle East. But therein lies the enjoyment of this novel.
September 8, 2023
Narrated by the author with accented voices, this is a performance and an emotional memoir of getting made an autobiographical and emotional coming of age film dealing with alcoholism and the awkward lurches into adulthood. Most of the film is the travails of getting to the first day of filming. Securing talent, locations, and resources is made all the more difficult by an obstructively incompetent producer Marie-Castille "MC" Mention-Schaar. Also bookending the filming, apparently done in roughly the order the scenes appear, is the struggles of getting it edited, prints made, sound recorded and ultimately distributed.
August 23, 2010
What a hoot this book was. Loved it. Definitely a hangover / holiday read. It reminded me why I lost interest in directing films in 3rd year uni. Oh and watch out for the diabolical producer in the book. What a scream.
November 2, 2024
Richard E. Grant ist ein britischer Schauspieler. Er wuchs in Swasiland auf, wo sein Vater bis 1968 Erziehungsminister des Landes war. Seine Eltern ließen sich scheiden, als er elf Jahre alt war. Nach dem Tod seines Vaters 1982 verließ Grant Afrika und ging nach London, wo er als Schauspieler Kariere machte.
Der Film Wah-Wah erzählt von der Trennung seiner Eltern bis zum Tod seines Vaters. The Wah-Wah diaries erzählen die Geschichte des Films, von der ersten Idee Ende der 90er Jahre bis zur Premiere beim Filmfestival in Edinburgh im August 2005.
Den Film selbst kenne ich nicht. Ich kenne einige Filme von Richard E. Grant, Miranda Richardson und Gabriel Byrne und bin in diesem Zug mehr durch Zufall auf das The Wah-Wah diaries gestoßen. Der Inhalt klang interessant, deshalb habe ich das Buch gekauft.
Man muss weder den Film noch Richard E. Grant selbst kennen, um sich in The Wah-Wah diaries zurecht zu finden. Es ist die Geschichte eines Mannes, der einen Teil seines Lebens verfilmen will. Ausgerechnet den Teil, der für ihm am schmerzlichsten ist. Die Trennung seiner Eltern, die Alkoholsucht seines Vaters und dessen früher Tod ist eigentlich nichts, über das man gerne redet. Geschweige denn, es einem breiten Publikum zeigt. Aber genau das tut Grant, auch wenn er sich am Anfang des Projekts fragt, ob es wirklich das Richtige ist.
Wie der Titel sagt, geht es weniger um den Film. Es geht um die vielen Dinge, die rund um den Film passieren. Um den Kleinkrieg mit der Produzentin. Um die Suche nach den richtigen Darstellern. Um Schauspieler, die sich den Rücken ausrenken. Im Behörden, die bestochen werden wollen. Um den Kampf um jede Minute und jede Szene in der Postproduktion. Und um noch viel mehr.
Das alles erzählt Grant mit viel Humor und viel Ironie. Man merkt, dass ihm dieses Projekt trotz aller Hindernisse Spaß gemacht hat. Dass er Freunde gefunden hat. Und dass er sich endlich richtig von seinem Vater verabschieden konnte. Eine wunderbare Geschichte, die mir große Lust auf den Film gemacht hat.
Der Film Wah-Wah erzählt von der Trennung seiner Eltern bis zum Tod seines Vaters. The Wah-Wah diaries erzählen die Geschichte des Films, von der ersten Idee Ende der 90er Jahre bis zur Premiere beim Filmfestival in Edinburgh im August 2005.
Den Film selbst kenne ich nicht. Ich kenne einige Filme von Richard E. Grant, Miranda Richardson und Gabriel Byrne und bin in diesem Zug mehr durch Zufall auf das The Wah-Wah diaries gestoßen. Der Inhalt klang interessant, deshalb habe ich das Buch gekauft.
Man muss weder den Film noch Richard E. Grant selbst kennen, um sich in The Wah-Wah diaries zurecht zu finden. Es ist die Geschichte eines Mannes, der einen Teil seines Lebens verfilmen will. Ausgerechnet den Teil, der für ihm am schmerzlichsten ist. Die Trennung seiner Eltern, die Alkoholsucht seines Vaters und dessen früher Tod ist eigentlich nichts, über das man gerne redet. Geschweige denn, es einem breiten Publikum zeigt. Aber genau das tut Grant, auch wenn er sich am Anfang des Projekts fragt, ob es wirklich das Richtige ist.
Wie der Titel sagt, geht es weniger um den Film. Es geht um die vielen Dinge, die rund um den Film passieren. Um den Kleinkrieg mit der Produzentin. Um die Suche nach den richtigen Darstellern. Um Schauspieler, die sich den Rücken ausrenken. Im Behörden, die bestochen werden wollen. Um den Kampf um jede Minute und jede Szene in der Postproduktion. Und um noch viel mehr.
Das alles erzählt Grant mit viel Humor und viel Ironie. Man merkt, dass ihm dieses Projekt trotz aller Hindernisse Spaß gemacht hat. Dass er Freunde gefunden hat. Und dass er sich endlich richtig von seinem Vater verabschieden konnte. Eine wunderbare Geschichte, die mir große Lust auf den Film gemacht hat.
June 29, 2021
I came across The Wah-Wah Diaries in the local library. Wah-Wah was a movie written and directed by Grant back in 2004, and the book is a record of the day-to-day trials and tribulations he experienced, less on the shooting of the movie itself than on the pre- and post-production, when his French producer either failed to communicate vital information, or get things done on time, or kept putting various spanners in the works for no good reason - except that she was the producer.
The book starts in 1999, when the idea for the movie was first mooted and the script drafted. From then on it's a constant swing between highs and lows as producers come and go, the script is revised and revised, actors are gained and lost, and the aforesaid producer gets it into her head that everything should be done with French technicians. This book should warn anyone off co-production between England and France forever, though to be fair, there are some very good French technicians involved, the editors in particular.
The actual shoot is a breeze by comparison with everything else that goes on, with near-perfect weather in Swaziland (where it is all filmed, often in places that Grant grew up in and knows like the back of his hand). The amazing thing is that while Grant has some extreme moments of stress and insomnia from all the hitches (and, of course, the French producer), the film gets made, and he survives without going insane. His determination and fortitude prove to be far beyond what he himself thinks he's capable of, especially since this is the first time he's ever directed a movie, and it's an extremely autobiographical one at that.
It shows the value of having a good solid team around you, for support in times of stress and when things all seem to be going down the tube....!
The book starts in 1999, when the idea for the movie was first mooted and the script drafted. From then on it's a constant swing between highs and lows as producers come and go, the script is revised and revised, actors are gained and lost, and the aforesaid producer gets it into her head that everything should be done with French technicians. This book should warn anyone off co-production between England and France forever, though to be fair, there are some very good French technicians involved, the editors in particular.
The actual shoot is a breeze by comparison with everything else that goes on, with near-perfect weather in Swaziland (where it is all filmed, often in places that Grant grew up in and knows like the back of his hand). The amazing thing is that while Grant has some extreme moments of stress and insomnia from all the hitches (and, of course, the French producer), the film gets made, and he survives without going insane. His determination and fortitude prove to be far beyond what he himself thinks he's capable of, especially since this is the first time he's ever directed a movie, and it's an extremely autobiographical one at that.
It shows the value of having a good solid team around you, for support in times of stress and when things all seem to be going down the tube....!
November 19, 2022
( Format : Audiobook )
" Mirages and mirrors. "
It is what it says on the box.
When Richard E Grant (also popularly known as Withnail) began to write the screenplay for a film about his early life, growing up in Africa before the white colonists handed over power and returned to their motherlands, he began to keep a diary, about his writings, his attempts to get financed, enlist the actors and film crew - all of that behind the scenes stuff we who merely watch the final product never know about. It took over five years, times of elation, despair, frustration, anger, tears, laughter, friendship - almost every emotion known. And this book is the diary read by the excellent author/ actor himself.
Sheer delight.
Now to find the film, and another audio book by Richard E Grant.
" Mirages and mirrors. "
It is what it says on the box.
When Richard E Grant (also popularly known as Withnail) began to write the screenplay for a film about his early life, growing up in Africa before the white colonists handed over power and returned to their motherlands, he began to keep a diary, about his writings, his attempts to get financed, enlist the actors and film crew - all of that behind the scenes stuff we who merely watch the final product never know about. It took over five years, times of elation, despair, frustration, anger, tears, laughter, friendship - almost every emotion known. And this book is the diary read by the excellent author/ actor himself.
Sheer delight.
Now to find the film, and another audio book by Richard E Grant.
November 14, 2024
Alternately fascinating, touching and horrifying.
Beloved Swaziland-born actor Richard E. Grant chronicles the mind-boggling process of directing his first feature, a largely autobiographical tale called WAH-WAH set in his homeland during his traumatic childhood. All the while having almost every step of the process undermined (and possibly even sabotaged) by his woefully incompetent French producer, Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar.
Out of it all came a fine little film. Heartfelt and well-made. I just hope this hellish experience isn't the reason Grant hasn't directed again.
It's an unfortunate fact of the entertainment industry that there are some people who continually 'fail upwards', despite their lack of ability. Ms. Mention-Shaar certainly seems like one of those.
Beloved Swaziland-born actor Richard E. Grant chronicles the mind-boggling process of directing his first feature, a largely autobiographical tale called WAH-WAH set in his homeland during his traumatic childhood. All the while having almost every step of the process undermined (and possibly even sabotaged) by his woefully incompetent French producer, Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar.
Out of it all came a fine little film. Heartfelt and well-made. I just hope this hellish experience isn't the reason Grant hasn't directed again.
It's an unfortunate fact of the entertainment industry that there are some people who continually 'fail upwards', despite their lack of ability. Ms. Mention-Shaar certainly seems like one of those.
August 15, 2025
Firstly I will say that this is an entertaining read.However the author has used the book to pour out his vituperation on the French producer.
Now whatever he says she has subsequently produced 20 films,so she must have had some idea what she was doing.
The fact is that he made a film that few people wanted to see.According to Wikepedia the budget was $7million and the gross $2.8million.In other words a bomb.For which he must take responsibility.
After all what a stupid title,Wah Wah.
Now whatever he says she has subsequently produced 20 films,so she must have had some idea what she was doing.
The fact is that he made a film that few people wanted to see.According to Wikepedia the budget was $7million and the gross $2.8million.In other words a bomb.For which he must take responsibility.
After all what a stupid title,Wah Wah.
September 20, 2025
a spiteful book. grant is full of criticisms about his french co-workers, MC in particular, (and one man he cruelly nicknames 'flea') but always willing to pass on any praise allegedly delivered to himself. this film bombed and wasn't very good, so it's strange to have this little memoir about a bit of a non-event vanity project. I think he needs to be a touch more introspective. surprised he wasn't sued, honestly.
March 26, 2022
Entertaining account of the making of Grant's directorial debut Wah-Wah.... The book covers every part of the filmmaking process from development onwards and is useful for anyone who is thinking about becoming a film director, as Grant does not leave any detail out. What is most memorable about the book is Grant's conflicts with the producer, who comes across as duplicitous and negligent.
October 29, 2021
This is actually for 'By Design' by Richard E Grant, but that book wasn't listed, so I just added this one which I read years ago. By design was fine, started off awfully, but redeemed itself and was fairly amusing, but only 3 ⭐⭐⭐ for that.
November 25, 2025
An interesting look inside the making of a film.
May 29, 2023
Diary entries from the days of making Wah-Wah, Grant's semi-autobiographical directorial debut, from the first pitch, through filming in Swaziland, to the day the final product got a distributor. Along with the usual ups and downs of trying to put together a film, Grant also had to deal with a producer who was incompetent, unprofessional, and, worst of all, convinced of her own brilliance; that the film got made at all and managed to be pretty good, too, is a testament to Grant, the cast, and the crew who persevered despite the myriad troubles caused by the producer.
Grant's narration is a delight, and his genuine gratitude toward the people who worked so hard on the film really shines through.
Grant's narration is a delight, and his genuine gratitude toward the people who worked so hard on the film really shines through.
September 19, 2008
This is Grant’s account of making Wah-Wah, his first film as director. Grant grew up in Swaziland and the film is about growing up there, so I read it as my book from Swaziland for the Read The World challenge.
For me, the book is mainly interesting for its portrayal of film-making, which is fascinating but sounds very very stressful: complicated, expensive, highly time-sensitive, and requiring the juggling of dozens of cast and crew, all of whom have other work commitments.
The film was a French co-production, for the sake of getting the right funding and tax breaks; and Grant had an exceptionally bad relationship with his French producer, who comes across in the book as startlingly incompetent and badly-suited to her job. In fact I suspect her first reaction on reading it was probably to call her lawyer.
It was slightly odd to be reading a making-of book for a film I haven’t seen, but it was an engaging read. I’ll keep an eye out for the film.
For me, the book is mainly interesting for its portrayal of film-making, which is fascinating but sounds very very stressful: complicated, expensive, highly time-sensitive, and requiring the juggling of dozens of cast and crew, all of whom have other work commitments.
The film was a French co-production, for the sake of getting the right funding and tax breaks; and Grant had an exceptionally bad relationship with his French producer, who comes across in the book as startlingly incompetent and badly-suited to her job. In fact I suspect her first reaction on reading it was probably to call her lawyer.
It was slightly odd to be reading a making-of book for a film I haven’t seen, but it was an engaging read. I’ll keep an eye out for the film.
November 29, 2014
A really fabulous book about the tumultous road to the filming and finally finished film Wah Wah by Richard E Grant.
As an actor , he has been a favourite of mine for a long time, since I first seen him in Jack and Sarah. This book is an insightful, poignant, funny and sometimes upsetting diary of the idea, script-making and finally filming and release of the film.
This book provides an insight into the world of film making not only from the point of view of an actor, but also as a business.
It also provides a open cut view of Richard E Grant, as you feel his pain, frustation, desperation, joy and even funny moments as he tries to get his story of his life in Swaziland as a teenager from paper to film.
If you like your films, and want to see how it works behind the scenes or you are a fan of Richard's like me this book will interest you! It's one of the best books I have read this year!
As an actor , he has been a favourite of mine for a long time, since I first seen him in Jack and Sarah. This book is an insightful, poignant, funny and sometimes upsetting diary of the idea, script-making and finally filming and release of the film.
This book provides an insight into the world of film making not only from the point of view of an actor, but also as a business.
It also provides a open cut view of Richard E Grant, as you feel his pain, frustation, desperation, joy and even funny moments as he tries to get his story of his life in Swaziland as a teenager from paper to film.
If you like your films, and want to see how it works behind the scenes or you are a fan of Richard's like me this book will interest you! It's one of the best books I have read this year!
August 7, 2012
have always been a fan of Richard E Grant. superb actor, great stories. had i never heard of him, i would have thought i discovered buried treasure. first of all - everyone should see at least two of his films WITHNAIL AND I and HOW TO GET AHEAD IN ADVERTISING. then you can rest assured that your purchase of this audio book will be well worth it. Grant journals the story of how he made the Wah Wah diaries. He writes about everyone he's come across professionally and personally - and it's a wonderful account. he's dropping names because they are his contemporaries. you will not be disappointed. His Bob Altman stories from The Player and other Altman films are inspiring. If you work as a writer in this crazy town, and you're feeling a bit blue - this book's for you. If you're interested in the reality of raising money, casting, shooting - you can fake being a seasoned producer by the time you're done. It's a wonderful listen. Read by one of the great actors of our time.
September 18, 2015
Richard E Grant writes with candor, wit and humility about his debut as both writer and film director on a story that is close to his heart - his own, and it is as gripping a tale as you would find within the pages of any thriller. At between sadness and humour, it details not just the kind of things that can go wrong during the complicated process of making a film (pitching, hiring, firing, filming and so forth) but also the things that can go wonderfully right. I was two-thirds the way through this book (24 hours after receiving it, because I find it un-putdownable!) when Amazon emailed to ask me to review it, and I have no hesitation in giving it five stars even before reaching the end. Mr Grant's determination to get his film made come what may is a great example of what can be achieved if you want it badly enough.
Massively entertaining, a real eye-opener and well worth every penny.Especially recommend to anyone thinking about pursuing a career in film!
Massively entertaining, a real eye-opener and well worth every penny.Especially recommend to anyone thinking about pursuing a career in film!
January 16, 2012
First I saw Richard E. Grant s movie,Wah Wah, about his young life, growing up in Swaziland. that was really eyeopening and good. so that motivated me to read this book about the journey he went on to get the film made. It was so funny. The poor man went through a terrible time, with producer's, casting and location hunting, and all the things that it takes to make a movie. However while feeling really sorry for him a lot of the time, the book is written with such humor and wit,in an easy to read style, that I enjoyed laughing my way through it very much. Now I want to get my hands on the other one he wrote, "Withnails". I would recommend "the'Wah Wah'diaries" to anyone who likes to read about creative people, who suffer for their art, and then make you laugh about it.
July 10, 2015
Fascinating insights into film making, story telling and the creative process. I loved Richard E. Grant in "Withnail and I" and have followed his career ever since I first saw it in the early 90's. I've also read his book "With Nails" and adore his use of language. I liked learning about Swaziland - where the author grew up and was touched by his story, about a child dealing with parental alcohol abuse and guilt over having seen his mother's adultery.
I raged with him when he discussed his dealings with the infuriating Producer - Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar, and felt his pain when he expressed his reaction to seeing his story acted out right in front of him. I learned a lot about screenwriting and will use this info when I write more screenplays in the future!
I raged with him when he discussed his dealings with the infuriating Producer - Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar, and felt his pain when he expressed his reaction to seeing his story acted out right in front of him. I learned a lot about screenwriting and will use this info when I write more screenplays in the future!
February 20, 2017
As frank and funny as his “WithNails” memoir, this follows REG as he attempts to make his writer/director debut, filming an autobiographical piece about his family and the independence of Swaziland. Starting with rounds of rejection (reading this, it’s amazing that any films get made at all), then moving into pre-production, the book doesn’t really hit its stride until production starts (and relations between REG and his producer fall apart completely). Following right through to the premiere, this is told with an insiders view, but is as open as “WithNails” was and quickly becomes a very informative trek through the film-making process - I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now to watch the film!
August 13, 2013
This book took me by suprise, I really enjoyed it! REG takes you on a journey through the ups, downs, frustrations, excitement and stress of making a movie. I had no idea what went into it! There were some laugh out loud moments, I loved his humour as he dealt with some roadblocks to his vision, and you really felt for him as the movie he made was his own personal story and he was so determined to get it just right, despite numerous people who didn't make it easy along the way. The story he tells shows that with good people around you and perserverance in following a dream, anything is possible! Can't wait to see the movie!
August 27, 2014
I thought Richard E Grant was a quirky (and very British) actor. Then I saw an interview about this film and the fact that it was based on his early life. Then I saw the film. It blew my mind. His story (and fractured family life) is so interesting and occurred at such a pivotal point in the ex-pat life of the British in Swasiland. How he then was able to turn his story into the film is equally fascinating.
January 13, 2009
This book is fun and it makes it kinda amazing that the film ever got made due to his awful French producer. It is illuminating just to the amazing levels of incompetance there is out there and how people still manage to have jobs, and the frustrations they are able to inflict on the rest of us! It's a quick read too, and also what a difficult childhood he had.
January 12, 2008
If I could, I would invite him round for a dinner party and just simply listen to all his stories. He's an absolute master of wit and as this details the insanely rough process for getting a film made, it's a worthwhile read for me and all my creative friends struggling to make dreams happen.
June 23, 2009
Richard E. Grant's colourful and flowing style of writing make his account of the production, writing, casting and directing of his first film,an autobiographical account of his childhood growing up in Swaziland, a fascinating read and insight into the workings of the film industry.
May 7, 2010
remind me to never try and make a movie.
July 29, 2012
ENTERTAINMENT.
September 16, 2013
Surprisingly good read, unlike most diaries, the clear time frame gives it a story arc of sorts. Heck, there's even a villain of sorts. Will definitely be seeking out the rest.
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