Jan
22nd
81st Academy Awards
By Douglas McFarlane
81st Academy Awards
Nominations Announced
Nominations Announced
Beverly Hills, CA — Nominations for the 81st Academy Awards were
announced today (Thursday, January 22) by Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences President Sid Ganis and Oscar® winner
Forest Whitaker.
Ganis and Whitaker, who won an Academy Award® for his lead performance in “The Last King of Scotland” (2006), announced the nominees in 10 of the 24 categories at a 5:38 a.m. PT live news conference attended by more than 400 international media representatives. Lists of nominations in all categories then were distributed to the news media in attendance and via the Internet on the official Academy Awards Web site, www.oscar.com.
Academy members from each of the branches vote to determine the nominees in their respective categories – actors nominate actors, film editors nominate film editors, etc. In the Animated Feature Film and Foreign Language Film categories, nominations are selected by vote of multi-branch screening committees. All voting members are eligible to select the Best Picture nominees.
Nominations ballots were mailed to the 5,810 voting members in late December and were returned directly to Pricewaterhouse-Coopers, the international accounting firm, for tabulation.
Official screenings of all motion pictures with one or more nominations will begin for members this weekend at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Screenings also will be held at the Academy's Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood and in London, New York and San Francisco.
All active and life members of the Academy are eligible to select the winners in all categories, although in five of them – Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject and Foreign Language Film members can vote only if they have seen all of the nominated films in those categories.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2008 will be presented on Sunday, February 22, 2009, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
________________________________________
Nominations for the 81st Academy Awards
Performance by an actor in a leading role
• Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor” (Overture Films)
• Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon” (Universal)
• Sean Penn in “Milk” (Focus Features)
• Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
• Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
• Josh Brolin in “Milk” (Focus Features)
• Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder” (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
• Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt” (Miramax)
• Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.)
• Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)
Performance by an actress in a leading role
• Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married” (Sony Pictures Classics)
• Angelina Jolie in “Changeling” (Universal)
• Melissa Leo in “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics)
• Meryl Streep in “Doubt” (Miramax)
• Kate Winslet in “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
• Amy Adams in “Doubt” (Miramax)
• Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (The Weinstein Company)
• Viola Davis in “Doubt” (Miramax)
• Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
• Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)
Best animated feature film of the year
• “Bolt” (Walt Disney), Chris Williams and Byron Howard
• “Kung Fu Panda” (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount), John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Andrew Stanton
Achievement in art direction
• “Changeling” (Universal), Art Direction: James J. Murakami, Set Decoration: Gary Fettis
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Donald Graham Burt, Set Decoration: Victor J. Zolfo
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Nathan Crowley, Set Decoration: Peter Lando
• “The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Art Direction: Michael Carlin, Set Decoration: Rebecca Alleway
• “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Art Direction: Kristi Zea, Set Decoration: Debra Schutt
Achievement in cinematography
• “Changeling” (Universal), Tom Stern
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Claudio Miranda
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Wally Pfister
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Chris Menges and Roger Deakins
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Anthony Dod Mantle
Achievement in costume design
• “Australia” (20th Century Fox), Catherine Martin
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Jacqueline West
• “The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Michael O’Connor
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Glicker
• “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Albert Wolsky
Achievement in directing
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Fincher
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Ron Howard
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Gus Van Sant
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Stephen Daldry
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Danny Boyle
Best documentary feature
• “The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)” (Cinema Guild), A Pandinlao Films Production, Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath
• “Encounters at the End of the World” (THINKFilm and Image Entertainment), A Creative Differences Production, Werner Herzog and Henry Kaiser
• “The Garden” A Black Valley Films Production, Scott Hamilton Kennedy
• “Man on Wire” (Magnolia Pictures), A Wall to Wall Production, James Marsh and Simon Chinn
• “Trouble the Water” (Zeitgeist Films), An Elsewhere Films Production, Tia Lessin and Carl Deal
Best documentary short subject
• “The Conscience of Nhem En” A Farallon Films Production, Steven Okazaki
• “The Final Inch” A Vermilion Films Production, Irene Taylor Brodsky and Tom Grant
• “Smile Pinki” A Principe Production, Megan Mylan
• “The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306” A Rock Paper Scissors Production, Adam Pertofsky and Margaret Hyde
Achievement in film editing
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lee Smith
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Mike Hill and Dan Hanley
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Elliot Graham
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Chris Dickens
Best foreign language film of the year
• “The Baader Meinhof Complex” A Constantin Film Production, Germany
• “The Class” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Haut et Court Production, France
• “Departures” (Regent Releasing), A Departures Film Partners Production, Japan
• “Revanche” (Janus Films), A Prisma Film/Fernseh Production, Austria
• “Waltz with Bashir” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Bridgit Folman Film Gang Production, Israel
Achievement in makeup
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Greg Cannom
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), John Caglione, Jr. and Conor O’Sullivan
• “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” (Universal), Mike Elizalde and Thom Floutz
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.),Alexandre Desplat
• “Defiance” (Paramount Vantage), James Newton Howard
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Elfman
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A.R. Rahman
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Thomas Newman
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
• “Down to Earth” from “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Music by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, Lyric by Peter Gabriel
• “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music by A.R. Rahman, Lyric by Gulzar
• “O Saya” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music and Lyric by A.R. Rahman andMaya Arulpragasam
Best motion picture of the year
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), A Kennedy/Marshall Production, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Ceán Chaffin, Producers
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), A Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment and Working Title Production,Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Eric Fellner, Producers
• “Milk” (Focus Features), A Groundswell and Jinks/Cohen Company Production, Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, Producers
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), A Mirage Enterprises and Neunte Babelsberg Film GmbH Production, Nominees to be determined
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A Celador Films Production,Christian Colson, Producer
Best animated short film
• “La Maison en Petits Cubes” A Robot Communications Production, Kunio Kato
• “Lavatory - Lovestory” A Melnitsa Animation Studio and CTB Film Company Production, Konstantin Bronzit
• “Oktapodi” (Talantis Films) A Gobelins, L’école de l’image Production, Emud Mokhberi and Thierry Marchand
• “Presto” (Walt Disney) A Pixar Animation Studios Production, Doug Sweetland
• “This Way Up”, A Nexus Production, Alan Smith and Adam Foulkes
Best live action short film
• “Auf der Strecke (On the Line)” (Hamburg Shortfilmagency), An Academy of Media Arts Cologne Production, Reto Caffi
• “Manon on the Asphalt” (La Luna Productions), A La Luna Production, Elizabeth Marre and Olivier Pont
• “New Boy” (Network Ireland Television), A Zanzibar Films Production, Steph Green and Tamara Anghie
• “The Pig” An M & M Production, Tivi Magnusson and Dorte Høgh
• “Spielzeugland (Toyland)” A Mephisto Film Production, Jochen Alexander Freydank
Achievement in sound editing
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Richard King
• “Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), Frank Eulner and Christopher Boyes
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Tom Sayers
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Ben Burtt and Matthew Wood
• “Wanted” (Universal),Wylie Stateman
Achievement in sound mixing
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Mark Weingarten
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo and Ed Novick
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney),Tom Myers, Michael Semanick and Ben Burtt
• “Wanted” (Universal), Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño and Petr Forejt
Achievement in visual effects
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton and Craig Barron
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber and Paul Franklin
• “Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), John Nelson, Ben Snow, Dan Sudick and Shane Mahan
Adapted screenplay
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Screenplay by Eric Roth, Screen story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord
• “Doubt” (Miramax), Written by John Patrick Shanley
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Screenplay by Peter Morgan
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Screenplay by David Hare
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy
Original screenplay
• “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics), Written by Courtney Hunt
• “Happy-Go-Lucky” (Miramax), Written by Mike Leigh
• “In Bruges” (Focus Features), Written by Martin McDonagh
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Written by Dustin Lance Black
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Jim
Ganis and Whitaker, who won an Academy Award® for his lead performance in “The Last King of Scotland” (2006), announced the nominees in 10 of the 24 categories at a 5:38 a.m. PT live news conference attended by more than 400 international media representatives. Lists of nominations in all categories then were distributed to the news media in attendance and via the Internet on the official Academy Awards Web site, www.oscar.com.
Academy members from each of the branches vote to determine the nominees in their respective categories – actors nominate actors, film editors nominate film editors, etc. In the Animated Feature Film and Foreign Language Film categories, nominations are selected by vote of multi-branch screening committees. All voting members are eligible to select the Best Picture nominees.
Nominations ballots were mailed to the 5,810 voting members in late December and were returned directly to Pricewaterhouse-Coopers, the international accounting firm, for tabulation.
Official screenings of all motion pictures with one or more nominations will begin for members this weekend at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Screenings also will be held at the Academy's Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood and in London, New York and San Francisco.
All active and life members of the Academy are eligible to select the winners in all categories, although in five of them – Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject and Foreign Language Film members can vote only if they have seen all of the nominated films in those categories.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2008 will be presented on Sunday, February 22, 2009, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
________________________________________
Nominations for the 81st Academy Awards
Performance by an actor in a leading role
• Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor” (Overture Films)
• Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon” (Universal)
• Sean Penn in “Milk” (Focus Features)
• Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
• Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
• Josh Brolin in “Milk” (Focus Features)
• Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder” (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
• Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt” (Miramax)
• Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.)
• Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)
Performance by an actress in a leading role
• Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married” (Sony Pictures Classics)
• Angelina Jolie in “Changeling” (Universal)
• Melissa Leo in “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics)
• Meryl Streep in “Doubt” (Miramax)
• Kate Winslet in “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
• Amy Adams in “Doubt” (Miramax)
• Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (The Weinstein Company)
• Viola Davis in “Doubt” (Miramax)
• Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
• Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)
Best animated feature film of the year
• “Bolt” (Walt Disney), Chris Williams and Byron Howard
• “Kung Fu Panda” (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount), John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Andrew Stanton
Achievement in art direction
• “Changeling” (Universal), Art Direction: James J. Murakami, Set Decoration: Gary Fettis
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Donald Graham Burt, Set Decoration: Victor J. Zolfo
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Nathan Crowley, Set Decoration: Peter Lando
• “The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Art Direction: Michael Carlin, Set Decoration: Rebecca Alleway
• “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Art Direction: Kristi Zea, Set Decoration: Debra Schutt
Achievement in cinematography
• “Changeling” (Universal), Tom Stern
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Claudio Miranda
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Wally Pfister
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Chris Menges and Roger Deakins
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Anthony Dod Mantle
Achievement in costume design
• “Australia” (20th Century Fox), Catherine Martin
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Jacqueline West
• “The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Michael O’Connor
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Glicker
• “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Albert Wolsky
Achievement in directing
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Fincher
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Ron Howard
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Gus Van Sant
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Stephen Daldry
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Danny Boyle
Best documentary feature
• “The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)” (Cinema Guild), A Pandinlao Films Production, Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath
• “Encounters at the End of the World” (THINKFilm and Image Entertainment), A Creative Differences Production, Werner Herzog and Henry Kaiser
• “The Garden” A Black Valley Films Production, Scott Hamilton Kennedy
• “Man on Wire” (Magnolia Pictures), A Wall to Wall Production, James Marsh and Simon Chinn
• “Trouble the Water” (Zeitgeist Films), An Elsewhere Films Production, Tia Lessin and Carl Deal
Best documentary short subject
• “The Conscience of Nhem En” A Farallon Films Production, Steven Okazaki
• “The Final Inch” A Vermilion Films Production, Irene Taylor Brodsky and Tom Grant
• “Smile Pinki” A Principe Production, Megan Mylan
• “The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306” A Rock Paper Scissors Production, Adam Pertofsky and Margaret Hyde
Achievement in film editing
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lee Smith
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Mike Hill and Dan Hanley
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Elliot Graham
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Chris Dickens
Best foreign language film of the year
• “The Baader Meinhof Complex” A Constantin Film Production, Germany
• “The Class” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Haut et Court Production, France
• “Departures” (Regent Releasing), A Departures Film Partners Production, Japan
• “Revanche” (Janus Films), A Prisma Film/Fernseh Production, Austria
• “Waltz with Bashir” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Bridgit Folman Film Gang Production, Israel
Achievement in makeup
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Greg Cannom
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), John Caglione, Jr. and Conor O’Sullivan
• “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” (Universal), Mike Elizalde and Thom Floutz
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.),Alexandre Desplat
• “Defiance” (Paramount Vantage), James Newton Howard
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Elfman
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A.R. Rahman
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Thomas Newman
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
• “Down to Earth” from “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Music by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, Lyric by Peter Gabriel
• “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music by A.R. Rahman, Lyric by Gulzar
• “O Saya” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music and Lyric by A.R. Rahman andMaya Arulpragasam
Best motion picture of the year
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), A Kennedy/Marshall Production, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Ceán Chaffin, Producers
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), A Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment and Working Title Production,Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Eric Fellner, Producers
• “Milk” (Focus Features), A Groundswell and Jinks/Cohen Company Production, Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, Producers
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), A Mirage Enterprises and Neunte Babelsberg Film GmbH Production, Nominees to be determined
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A Celador Films Production,Christian Colson, Producer
Best animated short film
• “La Maison en Petits Cubes” A Robot Communications Production, Kunio Kato
• “Lavatory - Lovestory” A Melnitsa Animation Studio and CTB Film Company Production, Konstantin Bronzit
• “Oktapodi” (Talantis Films) A Gobelins, L’école de l’image Production, Emud Mokhberi and Thierry Marchand
• “Presto” (Walt Disney) A Pixar Animation Studios Production, Doug Sweetland
• “This Way Up”, A Nexus Production, Alan Smith and Adam Foulkes
Best live action short film
• “Auf der Strecke (On the Line)” (Hamburg Shortfilmagency), An Academy of Media Arts Cologne Production, Reto Caffi
• “Manon on the Asphalt” (La Luna Productions), A La Luna Production, Elizabeth Marre and Olivier Pont
• “New Boy” (Network Ireland Television), A Zanzibar Films Production, Steph Green and Tamara Anghie
• “The Pig” An M & M Production, Tivi Magnusson and Dorte Høgh
• “Spielzeugland (Toyland)” A Mephisto Film Production, Jochen Alexander Freydank
Achievement in sound editing
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Richard King
• “Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), Frank Eulner and Christopher Boyes
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Tom Sayers
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Ben Burtt and Matthew Wood
• “Wanted” (Universal),Wylie Stateman
Achievement in sound mixing
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Mark Weingarten
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo and Ed Novick
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney),Tom Myers, Michael Semanick and Ben Burtt
• “Wanted” (Universal), Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño and Petr Forejt
Achievement in visual effects
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton and Craig Barron
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber and Paul Franklin
• “Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), John Nelson, Ben Snow, Dan Sudick and Shane Mahan
Adapted screenplay
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Screenplay by Eric Roth, Screen story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord
• “Doubt” (Miramax), Written by John Patrick Shanley
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Screenplay by Peter Morgan
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Screenplay by David Hare
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy
Original screenplay
• “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics), Written by Courtney Hunt
• “Happy-Go-Lucky” (Miramax), Written by Mike Leigh
• “In Bruges” (Focus Features), Written by Martin McDonagh
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Written by Dustin Lance Black
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Jim
Jan
23rd
Humpday
By Douglas McFarlane
Hilarious. If any independent filmmakers
wanted to know what the ingredients are of a successful film,
they need look no further than taking a look at what the very
talented director Lynn Shelton has done with Humpday. Shelton
has taken a subject never before dealt with in mainstream
cinema and she let's it evolve by working closely and
intimately with talented and committed actors.
It's a simple story. Two straight guys consider "boning each other". Mark Duplass ("The Puffy Chair") and Joshua Leonard ("The Blair Witch Project") are the two friends who come up with an idea in a mad and crazy drunken party, to create a movie to submit to Humpfest as an expression of their creativity. What follows is one of the most cringeworthy, honest and open films you're likely to see.
It's a simple story. Two straight guys consider "boning each other". Mark Duplass ("The Puffy Chair") and Joshua Leonard ("The Blair Witch Project") are the two friends who come up with an idea in a mad and crazy drunken party, to create a movie to submit to Humpfest as an expression of their creativity. What follows is one of the most cringeworthy, honest and open films you're likely to see.
From the moment the film opens with a loving relationship between a heterosexual couple, to the end scenes in a basic hotel room where the two best buddy's stand next to each other with matching boxers, the connection with the actors is compelling to watch. As I was watching and listening, I noticed that some of the conversations overlapped at times and there were often some natural hesitancy in their spoken words, two signs that suggest either a great screenplay or, as in this case, improvisation is adopted.
I felt very connected to this film for a few other reasons. When I arrived in Salt Lake City airport, I waited in line for a taxi and spoke to an actress who said she had helped write a script and acted in a film in the competition. It turned out to be Humpday. On the long road to Park City, Trina Millard, shared some more details of the film and how director Lynn Shelton created her masterpiece.
I thought it was a film I had to see, and as it was on the agenda of my press screenings list the following day, I strolled along to have a look. Trina played a pivotal role in the film, as she introduces the audience to her lifestyle and from there the film shifts into a daring exploration of intimacy between two big strapping blokes. Everyone's got friends like these guys. Larger than life for the most part, boystrous and playful to the point of falling about on the ground wrestling each other.
After the movie had finished, I immediately called Trina on her mobile to tell her I loved it. We kept in touch during the week and she sent me a text to invite me to their last night party. I met Joshua Leonard (pictured right), who was outside chilling and drinking a beer and director Lynn Shelton who was being inundated with offers to distribute the film. One of which was from director Randall Miller, who I had interviewed at last year's Sundance. It's a small world show business and I'm very much looking forward to seeing this talented team again if it has a premiere in London.
For clips and more details:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0502671/
Stop press: Variety has reported that Magnolia Films has bought Humpday for a "mid-six figure sum" and will be going for an August release.
Jan
23rd
Taking Chance
By Douglas McFarlane
A powerful film. Kevin Bacon is superb. He's
still fit and focussed enough to play army roles and there are
few others you'd cast in this one.
We all respect a fallen soldier. Sometimes there are tears, other times with silent respect. It's the same in this film, as we take the journey of one such fallen soldier, Chance Phelps.
Kevin Bacon plays the senior officer who has the responsibility to chaperone the coffin back home to the waiting family who are preparing to mourn their son. On the long journey home, we watch the reaction of everyone from the baggage handlers and air stewards, to the young girl who initially texts "HOT SOLDIER NEXT TO ME" then realises he is a chaperoning the dead soldier.
Bacon's character goes through doubts about whether he should've gone to Iraq but his role as witness to the body arriving at the funeral, with personal belongings all polished and cleaned, is a role he has to perform today.
This film left me in tears at the end. A funeral is not an easy thing to watch without crying but when the film was complete, the real images of 20 year old Chance Phelps growing up, playing with his bike, swimming and waving to the camera, was enough to push me over the edge.
A powerful and truthful film which will make you think about war in a different way. Guaranteed.
We all respect a fallen soldier. Sometimes there are tears, other times with silent respect. It's the same in this film, as we take the journey of one such fallen soldier, Chance Phelps.
Kevin Bacon plays the senior officer who has the responsibility to chaperone the coffin back home to the waiting family who are preparing to mourn their son. On the long journey home, we watch the reaction of everyone from the baggage handlers and air stewards, to the young girl who initially texts "HOT SOLDIER NEXT TO ME" then realises he is a chaperoning the dead soldier.
Bacon's character goes through doubts about whether he should've gone to Iraq but his role as witness to the body arriving at the funeral, with personal belongings all polished and cleaned, is a role he has to perform today.
This film left me in tears at the end. A funeral is not an easy thing to watch without crying but when the film was complete, the real images of 20 year old Chance Phelps growing up, playing with his bike, swimming and waving to the camera, was enough to push me over the edge.
A powerful and truthful film which will make you think about war in a different way. Guaranteed.
Jan
25th
2009 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES AWARDS
By Douglas McFarlane
2009 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES AWARDS
We Live in Public, Push, Rough Aunties and The Maid (La Nana)
Earn Top Jury Prizes;
Audience Favorites Feature Afghan Star, An Education, The Cove and Push
Park City, UT–The jury and audience award-winners of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival were announced tonight at the Festival’s closing Awards Ceremony hosted by actor Jane Lynch in Park City, Utah. Films receiving jury awards were selected from the four categories: U.S. Dramatic and Documentary Competition and World Dramatic and Documentary Competition. Films in these categories were also eligible for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival Audience Awards. The U.S. Audience Awards presented by Honda were announced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The World Cinema Audience Awards were announced by Benjamin Bratt. Highlights from the Awards Ceremony can be seen on the Sundance Channel, the Official Television Network of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, beginning Sunday, January 25, as well as on the official Festival website, www.sundance.org/festival.
Jury Prizes in Shorts Filmmaking were awarded to American and international short-form films on Tuesday, January 20. Other awards recognized at the ceremony included the Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Award, created to honor and support emerging filmmakers with their next screenplays, and the Alfred P. Sloan Prize, awarded to a film which excels in addressing compelling topics in science or technology.
"This has been a truly remarkable year for Sundance in ways even we did not fully predict. We opened the Festival with animation and closed with science fiction, and in between showcased some of the best films we've ever seen," said Geoffrey Gilmore, Director, Sundance Film Festival. "People ask us how independent film has evolved over the past 25 years and the answer is, quite simply, it's better."
"We knew this would be an historic year, given our anniversary and the inauguration," said John Cooper, Director of Programming, Sundance Film Festival. "But I have to say that adding to the excitement and experience was the selection of truly high quality films in this year's competition. We were blown away and so were audiences."
The 2009 Sundance Film Festival Juries consisted of:
U.S. Dramatic Competition:, Virginia Madsen, Scott McGehee, Maud Nadler, Mike White and Boaz Yakin; U.S. Documentary Competition: Patrick Creadon, Carl Deal, Andrea Meditch, Sam Pollard and Marina Zenovich; World Dramatic Competition: Colin Brown (U.S.), Christine Jeffs (New Zealand) and Vibeke Windeløv (Denmark); World Documentary Competition: Gillian Armstrong (Australia), Thom Powers (U.S.); Hubert Sauper (France); Shorts Competition: Gerardo Naranjo, Lou Taylor Pucci and Sharon Swart; The Alfred P. Sloan Prize: Fran Bagenal, Rodney Brooks, Raymond Gesteland, Jeffrey Nachmanoff and Alex Rivera.
For the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, 118 feature-length films were selected including 91 world premieres, 16 North American premieres, and 5 U.S. premieres representing 21 countries with 42 first-time filmmakers, including 28 in competition. These films were selected from 3,661 feature- length film submissions composed of 1,905 U.S. and 1,756 international feature-length films.
The 2009 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners:
The Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Documentary was presented to We Live in Public,directed by Ondi Timoner. The film portrays the story of the Internet's revolutionary impact on human interaction as told through the eyes of maverick web pioneer, Josh Harris, and his transgressive art project that shocked New York.
The Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire, directed by Lee Daniels and written by Damien Paul. The film tells the redemptive story of Precious Jones, a young girl in Harlem struggling to overcome tremendous obstacles and discover her own voice.
The World Cinema Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to Rough Aunties, directed by Kim Longinotto. Fearless, feisty and unwavering, the 'Rough Aunties' protect and care for the abused, neglected and forgotten children of Durban, South Africa. United Kingdom
The World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented to The Maid (La Nana), directed by Sebastián Silva. When her mistress brings on another servant to help with the chores, a bitter and introverted maid wreaks havoc on the household. Chile
The Audience Awards are presented to both a dramatic and documentary film in four Competition categories as voted by Sundance Film Festival audiences. The 2009 Sundance Film Festival Audience Awards are presented by Honda.
The Audience Award presented by Honda: U.S. Documentary was presented to The Cove, directed by Louie Psihoyos. The horrors of a secret cove nestled off a small, coastal village in Japan are revealed by a group of activists.
The Audience Award presented by Honda: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire, directed by Lee Daniels and written by Damien Paul. The film tells the redemptive story of Precious Jones, a young girl in Harlem struggling to overcome tremendous obstacles and discover her own voice.
The World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary was presented to Afghan Star, directed by Havana Marking. After 30 years of war and Taliban rule, Pop Idol has come to television in Afghanistan: millions are watching and voting for their favorite singer. Marking's film follows the dramatic stories of four contestants as they risk their lives to sing. Afghanistan/United Kingdom
The World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic was presented to An Education, directed by Lone Scherfig from a screenplay by Nick Hornby. In the early 60s, a sharp 16-year-old with sights set on Oxford meets a handsome older man whose sophistication enraptures and sidetracks both her and her parents.United Kingdom
Directing Awards recognize excellence in directing for dramatic and documentary features.
The Directing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented to El General and director Natalia Almada. As great-granddaughter of President Plutarco Eliás Calles, one of Mexico's most controversial revolutionary figures, the filmmaker paints an intimate portrait of Mexico.
The Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Sin Nombre, written and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. Filmmaker Fukunaga's first-hand experiences with Mexican immigrants seeking the promise of the U.S. form the basis of this epic Spanish-language dramatic thriller.
The World Cinema Directing Award: Documentary was presented to Afghan Star, directed by Havana Marking. After 30 years of war and Taliban rule, Pop Idol has come to television in Afghanistan: millions are watching and voting for their favorite singer. Marking's film follows the dramatic stories of four contestants as they risk their lives to sing. Afghanistan/United Kingdom
The World Cinema Directing Award: Dramatic was presented to Five Minutes of Heaven, directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel from a screenplay by Guy Hibbert. Two men from the same town but from different sides of the Irish political divide discover that the past is never dead. United Kingdom/Ireland
The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award was presented to Nicholas Jasenovec and Charlyne Yi for Paper Heart. Even though performer Charlyne Yi doesn't believe in love, she bravely embarks on a quest to discover its true nature - a journey that takes on surprising urgency when she meets unlikely fellow traveler, actor Michael Cera.
The World Cinema Screenwriting Award was presented to Five Minutes of Heaven, directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel from a screenplay by Guy Hibbert. Two men from the same town but from different sides of the Irish political divide discover that the past is never dead. United Kingdom/Ireland
The U.S. Documentary Editing Award was presented to Sergio. Directed by Greg Barker and edited by Karen Schmeer, the film examines the role of the United Nations and the international community through the life and experiences of Sergio Vieira de Mello, the U.N.'s High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The World Cinema Documentary Editing Award was presented to Burma VJ. Directed by Anders Østergaard and edited by Janus Billeskov Jansen and Thomas Papapetros. The film takes place in September 2007 as Burmese journalists risk life imprisonment to report from inside their sealed-off country. Denmark
The Excellence in Cinematography Awards honor exceptional cinematography in both dramatic and documentary categories.
The Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S. Documentary was presented to The September Issue. With unprecedented access, director R.J. Cutler, cinematographer Bob Richman and their crew shot for nine months to capture editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and her team preparing the 2007 Vogue September issue, widely accepted as the "fashion bible" for the year's trends.
The Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Sin Nombre, written and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. Cinematographer: Adriano Goldman. Filmmaker Fukunaga's first-hand experiences with Mexican immigrants seeking the promise of the U.S. form the basis of this epic Spanish-language dramatic thriller.
The World Cinema Cinematography Award: Documentary was presented to Big River Man, John Maringouin's documentary about at an overweight, wine-swilling Slovenian world-record-holding endurance swimmer who resolves to brave the mighty Amazon in nothing but a Speedo. U.S.A./United Kingdom
The World Cinema Cinematography Award: Dramatic was presented to An Education, directed by Lone Scherfig from a screenplay by Nick Hornby. Cinematographer: John De Borman. In the early 1960s, a sharp 16-year-old girl with sights set on Oxford meets a handsome older man whose sophistication enraptures and sidetracks both her and her parents. United Kingdom
A World Cinema Special Jury Prize for Originality was presented to Louise-Michel, directed by Benoit Delépine and Gustave de Kervern, about a group of disgruntled female French factory workers who, after the factory abruptly closes, pool their paltry compensation money to hire a hit man to knock off the corrupt executive behind the closure. France
A World Cinema Special Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to Tibet in Song directed by Ngawang Choephel. Through the story of Tibetan music, this film depicts the determined efforts of Tibetan people, both in Tibet and in exile, to preserve their unique cultural identity. Choephel served six years of an 18-year prison sentence for filming in Tibet. Tibet
A World Cinema Special Jury Prize for Acting was presented to Catalina Saavedra for her portrayal of a bitter and introverted maid in The Maid (La Nana). Chile
A Special Jury Prize: U.S. Documentary was presented to Good Hair, directed by Jeff Stilson, in which comedian Chris Rock travels the world to examine the culture of African-American hair and hairstyles.
A Special Jury Prize for Spirit of Independence was presented to Humpday, Lynn Shelton's farcical comedy about straight male bonding gone a little too far.
A Special Jury Prize for Acting was presented to Mo'Nique for her portrayal of a mentally ill mother who both emotionally and physically imprisons her daughter in Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire.
The 2009 Jury Prize in U.S. Short Filmmaking was awarded to: Short Term 12, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. The jury also presented the International Jury Prize in International Short Filmmaking to Lies, directed by Jonas Odell. Honorable Mentions in Short Filmmaking were presented to The Attack of the Robots from Nebula-5, directed by Chema Garcia Ibarra; Protect You + Me, directed by Brady Corbet; Western Spaghetti, directed by PES; Jerrycan, directed by Julius Avery; Love You More, directed by Sam Taylor-Wood, I Live in the Woods, directed by Max Winston, Omelette, directed by Nadejda Koseva; and Treevenge, directed by Jason Eisener.
As announced on Friday, Adam, directed by Max Mayer, is the recipient of this year’s Alfred P. Sloan Prize. The Prize, which carries a $20,000 cash award to the filmmaker provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, is presented to an outstanding feature film focusing on science or technology as a theme, or depicting a scientist, engineer or mathematician as a major character.
We Live in Public, Push, Rough Aunties and The Maid (La Nana)
Earn Top Jury Prizes;
Audience Favorites Feature Afghan Star, An Education, The Cove and Push
Park City, UT–The jury and audience award-winners of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival were announced tonight at the Festival’s closing Awards Ceremony hosted by actor Jane Lynch in Park City, Utah. Films receiving jury awards were selected from the four categories: U.S. Dramatic and Documentary Competition and World Dramatic and Documentary Competition. Films in these categories were also eligible for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival Audience Awards. The U.S. Audience Awards presented by Honda were announced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The World Cinema Audience Awards were announced by Benjamin Bratt. Highlights from the Awards Ceremony can be seen on the Sundance Channel, the Official Television Network of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, beginning Sunday, January 25, as well as on the official Festival website, www.sundance.org/festival.
Jury Prizes in Shorts Filmmaking were awarded to American and international short-form films on Tuesday, January 20. Other awards recognized at the ceremony included the Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Award, created to honor and support emerging filmmakers with their next screenplays, and the Alfred P. Sloan Prize, awarded to a film which excels in addressing compelling topics in science or technology.
"This has been a truly remarkable year for Sundance in ways even we did not fully predict. We opened the Festival with animation and closed with science fiction, and in between showcased some of the best films we've ever seen," said Geoffrey Gilmore, Director, Sundance Film Festival. "People ask us how independent film has evolved over the past 25 years and the answer is, quite simply, it's better."
"We knew this would be an historic year, given our anniversary and the inauguration," said John Cooper, Director of Programming, Sundance Film Festival. "But I have to say that adding to the excitement and experience was the selection of truly high quality films in this year's competition. We were blown away and so were audiences."
The 2009 Sundance Film Festival Juries consisted of:
U.S. Dramatic Competition:, Virginia Madsen, Scott McGehee, Maud Nadler, Mike White and Boaz Yakin; U.S. Documentary Competition: Patrick Creadon, Carl Deal, Andrea Meditch, Sam Pollard and Marina Zenovich; World Dramatic Competition: Colin Brown (U.S.), Christine Jeffs (New Zealand) and Vibeke Windeløv (Denmark); World Documentary Competition: Gillian Armstrong (Australia), Thom Powers (U.S.); Hubert Sauper (France); Shorts Competition: Gerardo Naranjo, Lou Taylor Pucci and Sharon Swart; The Alfred P. Sloan Prize: Fran Bagenal, Rodney Brooks, Raymond Gesteland, Jeffrey Nachmanoff and Alex Rivera.
For the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, 118 feature-length films were selected including 91 world premieres, 16 North American premieres, and 5 U.S. premieres representing 21 countries with 42 first-time filmmakers, including 28 in competition. These films were selected from 3,661 feature- length film submissions composed of 1,905 U.S. and 1,756 international feature-length films.
The 2009 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners:
The Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Documentary was presented to We Live in Public,directed by Ondi Timoner. The film portrays the story of the Internet's revolutionary impact on human interaction as told through the eyes of maverick web pioneer, Josh Harris, and his transgressive art project that shocked New York.
The Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire, directed by Lee Daniels and written by Damien Paul. The film tells the redemptive story of Precious Jones, a young girl in Harlem struggling to overcome tremendous obstacles and discover her own voice.
The World Cinema Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to Rough Aunties, directed by Kim Longinotto. Fearless, feisty and unwavering, the 'Rough Aunties' protect and care for the abused, neglected and forgotten children of Durban, South Africa. United Kingdom
The World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented to The Maid (La Nana), directed by Sebastián Silva. When her mistress brings on another servant to help with the chores, a bitter and introverted maid wreaks havoc on the household. Chile
The Audience Awards are presented to both a dramatic and documentary film in four Competition categories as voted by Sundance Film Festival audiences. The 2009 Sundance Film Festival Audience Awards are presented by Honda.
The Audience Award presented by Honda: U.S. Documentary was presented to The Cove, directed by Louie Psihoyos. The horrors of a secret cove nestled off a small, coastal village in Japan are revealed by a group of activists.
The Audience Award presented by Honda: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire, directed by Lee Daniels and written by Damien Paul. The film tells the redemptive story of Precious Jones, a young girl in Harlem struggling to overcome tremendous obstacles and discover her own voice.
The World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary was presented to Afghan Star, directed by Havana Marking. After 30 years of war and Taliban rule, Pop Idol has come to television in Afghanistan: millions are watching and voting for their favorite singer. Marking's film follows the dramatic stories of four contestants as they risk their lives to sing. Afghanistan/United Kingdom
The World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic was presented to An Education, directed by Lone Scherfig from a screenplay by Nick Hornby. In the early 60s, a sharp 16-year-old with sights set on Oxford meets a handsome older man whose sophistication enraptures and sidetracks both her and her parents.United Kingdom
Directing Awards recognize excellence in directing for dramatic and documentary features.
The Directing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented to El General and director Natalia Almada. As great-granddaughter of President Plutarco Eliás Calles, one of Mexico's most controversial revolutionary figures, the filmmaker paints an intimate portrait of Mexico.
The Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Sin Nombre, written and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. Filmmaker Fukunaga's first-hand experiences with Mexican immigrants seeking the promise of the U.S. form the basis of this epic Spanish-language dramatic thriller.
The World Cinema Directing Award: Documentary was presented to Afghan Star, directed by Havana Marking. After 30 years of war and Taliban rule, Pop Idol has come to television in Afghanistan: millions are watching and voting for their favorite singer. Marking's film follows the dramatic stories of four contestants as they risk their lives to sing. Afghanistan/United Kingdom
The World Cinema Directing Award: Dramatic was presented to Five Minutes of Heaven, directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel from a screenplay by Guy Hibbert. Two men from the same town but from different sides of the Irish political divide discover that the past is never dead. United Kingdom/Ireland
The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award was presented to Nicholas Jasenovec and Charlyne Yi for Paper Heart. Even though performer Charlyne Yi doesn't believe in love, she bravely embarks on a quest to discover its true nature - a journey that takes on surprising urgency when she meets unlikely fellow traveler, actor Michael Cera.
The World Cinema Screenwriting Award was presented to Five Minutes of Heaven, directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel from a screenplay by Guy Hibbert. Two men from the same town but from different sides of the Irish political divide discover that the past is never dead. United Kingdom/Ireland
The U.S. Documentary Editing Award was presented to Sergio. Directed by Greg Barker and edited by Karen Schmeer, the film examines the role of the United Nations and the international community through the life and experiences of Sergio Vieira de Mello, the U.N.'s High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The World Cinema Documentary Editing Award was presented to Burma VJ. Directed by Anders Østergaard and edited by Janus Billeskov Jansen and Thomas Papapetros. The film takes place in September 2007 as Burmese journalists risk life imprisonment to report from inside their sealed-off country. Denmark
The Excellence in Cinematography Awards honor exceptional cinematography in both dramatic and documentary categories.
The Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S. Documentary was presented to The September Issue. With unprecedented access, director R.J. Cutler, cinematographer Bob Richman and their crew shot for nine months to capture editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and her team preparing the 2007 Vogue September issue, widely accepted as the "fashion bible" for the year's trends.
The Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Sin Nombre, written and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. Cinematographer: Adriano Goldman. Filmmaker Fukunaga's first-hand experiences with Mexican immigrants seeking the promise of the U.S. form the basis of this epic Spanish-language dramatic thriller.
The World Cinema Cinematography Award: Documentary was presented to Big River Man, John Maringouin's documentary about at an overweight, wine-swilling Slovenian world-record-holding endurance swimmer who resolves to brave the mighty Amazon in nothing but a Speedo. U.S.A./United Kingdom
The World Cinema Cinematography Award: Dramatic was presented to An Education, directed by Lone Scherfig from a screenplay by Nick Hornby. Cinematographer: John De Borman. In the early 1960s, a sharp 16-year-old girl with sights set on Oxford meets a handsome older man whose sophistication enraptures and sidetracks both her and her parents. United Kingdom
A World Cinema Special Jury Prize for Originality was presented to Louise-Michel, directed by Benoit Delépine and Gustave de Kervern, about a group of disgruntled female French factory workers who, after the factory abruptly closes, pool their paltry compensation money to hire a hit man to knock off the corrupt executive behind the closure. France
A World Cinema Special Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to Tibet in Song directed by Ngawang Choephel. Through the story of Tibetan music, this film depicts the determined efforts of Tibetan people, both in Tibet and in exile, to preserve their unique cultural identity. Choephel served six years of an 18-year prison sentence for filming in Tibet. Tibet
A World Cinema Special Jury Prize for Acting was presented to Catalina Saavedra for her portrayal of a bitter and introverted maid in The Maid (La Nana). Chile
A Special Jury Prize: U.S. Documentary was presented to Good Hair, directed by Jeff Stilson, in which comedian Chris Rock travels the world to examine the culture of African-American hair and hairstyles.
A Special Jury Prize for Spirit of Independence was presented to Humpday, Lynn Shelton's farcical comedy about straight male bonding gone a little too far.
A Special Jury Prize for Acting was presented to Mo'Nique for her portrayal of a mentally ill mother who both emotionally and physically imprisons her daughter in Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire.
The 2009 Jury Prize in U.S. Short Filmmaking was awarded to: Short Term 12, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. The jury also presented the International Jury Prize in International Short Filmmaking to Lies, directed by Jonas Odell. Honorable Mentions in Short Filmmaking were presented to The Attack of the Robots from Nebula-5, directed by Chema Garcia Ibarra; Protect You + Me, directed by Brady Corbet; Western Spaghetti, directed by PES; Jerrycan, directed by Julius Avery; Love You More, directed by Sam Taylor-Wood, I Live in the Woods, directed by Max Winston, Omelette, directed by Nadejda Koseva; and Treevenge, directed by Jason Eisener.
As announced on Friday, Adam, directed by Max Mayer, is the recipient of this year’s Alfred P. Sloan Prize. The Prize, which carries a $20,000 cash award to the filmmaker provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, is presented to an outstanding feature film focusing on science or technology as a theme, or depicting a scientist, engineer or mathematician as a major character.
Jan
27th
Top Ten Sundance Films You Must See
By Douglas McFarlane
TOP TEN SUNDANCE FILMS YOU MUST
SEE
BRONSON
You have to see this film to believe it. Director Nicolas Winding Refn and actor Tom Hardy have rewritten the rules of filmmaking with an incredible and gruelling portrayal of notorious prisoner Michael Peterson. I loved everything about this film. From the unique style of acting that Hardy brings to the screen, the camera angles, telling the story from a theatrical perspective, the use of "It's A Sin" during a party scene with inmates. Every single choice the director made in setting the scene was different, fresh, exciting and worthy of recognising as a work of art. GO SEE IT !
AFGHAN STAR
A documentary about the equivalent of X-Factor in Afghanistan. We learn that it's only in 2004 that the government lifted a ban on broadcasting music and entertainment and this is the first programme which has a massive following. Like the mania that follows this type of program in the UK, some people were buying thousands of SIM cards in order to vote for their favourite more than once. The songs were quite amusing after translation, such as "You're like a scorpion with eyebrows meeting in the middle". The program also courted it's own controversy, due to one of the female participants dancing and showing hair resulting in death threats against her and an outcry from a political leader who felt she had disgraced Sharia Law. This documentary is as much a reflection of our own society, as it is of Afghanistan.
IN THE LOOP
This is a very funny film in which Peter Capaldi is a relentless Scottish loudmouth, aggressive, articulate politician. Side splitting humour and incredible dialogue.
AN EDUCATION
Peter Saarsgard is truly brilliant in this coming of age story. The screenplay is by Nick Hornby, so you can be assured of a well written and structured film.
FIVE MINUTES OF HEAVEN
Two great Irish actors, Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt meet in a fictional televised truth and reconciliation meeting after the end of "the troubles". It's told from the inner thoughts of each of the main characters which lets you know more about what they are thinking as the plan to see each for the first time after one witness the other shooting his brother in the early 80s. Look out for a fantastic fight scene which is both well choreographed and will stun you with it's amazing camera work. How did they do it ?
THE INFORMERS
One of the best openings of a film I've ever seen. An opulent mansion house in the 80s. It's LA and there's a party going on and we hear Simple Minds' New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) playing loudly. The guys wear Raybans, the women are very attractive, Porsche cars come and go and then 1 minute into the film, and if you haven't sat down and settled into your seat, you'll have missed it. Some great performances from Amber Heard (whew!), Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Mickey Rourke, Winona Ryder, and even musician turned actor Chris Isaak.
ENDGAME
It's South Africa in the 80s with the end of apartheid. This is the definitive story and a must see film for everyone. Johnny Lee Miller stood out as Mike Young an executive at Consolidate Goldfields in London, who we learn in the titles that he gave most of the story to the filmmakers. He was in the meetings and therefore had access to personal and private information. FW De Klerk and Nelson Mandela are well cast as was Thabo Mbeki, nicely played by Chiwetel Ejiofor. William Hurt also does well with his South African accent as an Afrikaans Professor.
TAKING CHANCE
Kevin Bacon is perfectly cast in this powerful drama based on the true story of a young soldier, Chance Phelps, who dies in the Iraq War.
http://www.ukfilm.tv/magazine/read/taking-chance_24.html
HUMPDAY
Seattle based director Lynne Shelton, creates an hilarious look at what might happen if two straight men took their friendship a little too far.
http://www.ukfilm.tv/magazine/read/humpday_23.html
MOON
Sam Rockwell takes us to the Moon in this intriguing sci-fi which explores the possibilities of cryogenics and cloning.
http://www.ukfilm.tv/magazine/read/moon_22.html
BRONSON
You have to see this film to believe it. Director Nicolas Winding Refn and actor Tom Hardy have rewritten the rules of filmmaking with an incredible and gruelling portrayal of notorious prisoner Michael Peterson. I loved everything about this film. From the unique style of acting that Hardy brings to the screen, the camera angles, telling the story from a theatrical perspective, the use of "It's A Sin" during a party scene with inmates. Every single choice the director made in setting the scene was different, fresh, exciting and worthy of recognising as a work of art. GO SEE IT !
AFGHAN STAR
A documentary about the equivalent of X-Factor in Afghanistan. We learn that it's only in 2004 that the government lifted a ban on broadcasting music and entertainment and this is the first programme which has a massive following. Like the mania that follows this type of program in the UK, some people were buying thousands of SIM cards in order to vote for their favourite more than once. The songs were quite amusing after translation, such as "You're like a scorpion with eyebrows meeting in the middle". The program also courted it's own controversy, due to one of the female participants dancing and showing hair resulting in death threats against her and an outcry from a political leader who felt she had disgraced Sharia Law. This documentary is as much a reflection of our own society, as it is of Afghanistan.
IN THE LOOP
This is a very funny film in which Peter Capaldi is a relentless Scottish loudmouth, aggressive, articulate politician. Side splitting humour and incredible dialogue.
AN EDUCATION
Peter Saarsgard is truly brilliant in this coming of age story. The screenplay is by Nick Hornby, so you can be assured of a well written and structured film.
FIVE MINUTES OF HEAVEN
Two great Irish actors, Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt meet in a fictional televised truth and reconciliation meeting after the end of "the troubles". It's told from the inner thoughts of each of the main characters which lets you know more about what they are thinking as the plan to see each for the first time after one witness the other shooting his brother in the early 80s. Look out for a fantastic fight scene which is both well choreographed and will stun you with it's amazing camera work. How did they do it ?
THE INFORMERS
One of the best openings of a film I've ever seen. An opulent mansion house in the 80s. It's LA and there's a party going on and we hear Simple Minds' New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) playing loudly. The guys wear Raybans, the women are very attractive, Porsche cars come and go and then 1 minute into the film, and if you haven't sat down and settled into your seat, you'll have missed it. Some great performances from Amber Heard (whew!), Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Mickey Rourke, Winona Ryder, and even musician turned actor Chris Isaak.
ENDGAME
It's South Africa in the 80s with the end of apartheid. This is the definitive story and a must see film for everyone. Johnny Lee Miller stood out as Mike Young an executive at Consolidate Goldfields in London, who we learn in the titles that he gave most of the story to the filmmakers. He was in the meetings and therefore had access to personal and private information. FW De Klerk and Nelson Mandela are well cast as was Thabo Mbeki, nicely played by Chiwetel Ejiofor. William Hurt also does well with his South African accent as an Afrikaans Professor.
TAKING CHANCE
Kevin Bacon is perfectly cast in this powerful drama based on the true story of a young soldier, Chance Phelps, who dies in the Iraq War.
http://www.ukfilm.tv/magazine/read/taking-chance_24.html
HUMPDAY
Seattle based director Lynne Shelton, creates an hilarious look at what might happen if two straight men took their friendship a little too far.
http://www.ukfilm.tv/magazine/read/humpday_23.html
MOON
Sam Rockwell takes us to the Moon in this intriguing sci-fi which explores the possibilities of cryogenics and cloning.
http://www.ukfilm.tv/magazine/read/moon_22.html
Feb
21st
Oscar Predictions/Walk The Red Carpet/Sky Feature/Twittering
By Douglas McFarlane
Inside this update
- Sky/Wrist/Network
- Doug’s Radio Blog
- Oscar Predictions
- Walk Along The Red Carpet
- Sky News Feature
- UK Theatre Reviews
- Facebook/Twitter Links
Hope you had a good week. I was contacted at the last minute this
week to appear on Sky News. It all went very smoothly and you can
see my nice blue plastercast on screen. It’s off now, and my
wrist is slowly starting to heal. I have started typing again
with two hands with this newsletter. Slowly but surely does
it.
It’s nice to see the social networks starting to get a few
hundred people posting, blogging and connecting on theatre and
film. If you haven’t already, take a couple of minutes to join,
it’s simple and quick.
http://www.ukfilm.tv
http://www.uktheatre.tv
Have a great week ahead.
Douglas McFarlane
>>>>>
Tune In to Doug’s Radio Blog at 12 noon on
Saturday’s.
This week’s show includes David Bowie, George Michael, Simon And
Garfunkel, Kraftwerk and Savage Garden.
http://www.nevisradio.co.uk
>>>>>
Oscar Predictions
Here are my predictions for tomorrow night’s Oscar’s with a link
to all the nominees and printouts for you to make your own
choices. I’ve also included a link to a bit of film footage I
took in 2007 to share the experience of walking along the red
carpet with you. I choose not to go this year for a change, but
I’m keeping in touch via twitter as Jon Gripton, who introduced
me to Sky News in October 2007 and who I subsequently bumped into
on the red carpet last year. His tweeter id is listed at the
bottom with some other tweeters for you to follow.
Actor In A Leading Role - Brad Pitt
Actor In A Supporting Role - Heath Ledger
Actress In A Leading Role - Kate Winslet
Actress In A Supporting Role - Penelope Cruz
Best Documentary Feature - Trouble The Water
Directing - Danny Boyle/Slumdog Millionaire
Best Picture - The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
http://www.oscar.com/nominees
Walk Along The Red Carpet
A short walk I took along the red carpet at the Oscars 2007 in
order to share the experience. A section of this footage is used
in the film Making It In Hollywood, currently being submitted to
film festivals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFeBMgkbKH4
>>>>>
Sky News Feature
Top Web Stories: A YouTube Symphony, Friends Reunited Try To Meet
Buyer And More Popular Internet News
In this edition of Sky.com Movers Douglas McFarlane from
uktheatre.net introduces a woman caught on camera having a
tantrum at a Thai airport, a YouTube symphony and more popular
stories from the internet.
http://tinyurl.com/cqgpdg
>>>>>
Regional Premiere of Tom Stoppard's Rock 'n' Roll at Manchester
Library Theatre
Rock ‘n’ Roll
Library Theatre, Manchester
17 February 2009
Abba has Mamma Mia; Queen has We Will Rock You; Madness has Our
House; now Pink Floyd has Rock ‘n’ Roll, a jukebox musical which
weaves the band’s greatest hits into a narrative about The Prague
Spring and the eventual collapse of Communism in 1990.
http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/regional-premiere-of-tom-stoppardand39;s-rock-and39;nand39;-roll-at-manchester-library-theatre_35.html
The Last Resort
The Customs House, South Shields, Tyne & Wear
Strangeface Theatre’s production, The Last Resort, is an
interesting concept that combines actors wearing half-masks,
puppetry, original music and songs to tell the folk-tale of a
remote town on the brink of ruin.
http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/the-last-resort_34.html
Cabaret
UK National Tour – Reviewed at Darlington Civic Theatre
Berlin 1930: The Kit Kat club is a place of decadent and
flirtatious celebration, presided over by a sinister Emcee (Wayne
Sleep). Sally Bowles (Samantha Barks) is a young British singer
who performs there. Cliff Bradshaw (Henry Luxemburg) is an
American writer who arrives in Berlin with the hope of finding
inspiration to complete his latest novel.
http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/cabaret_33.html
>>>>>
TWITTERS
Jonathan Ross
http://twitter.com/Wossy
Stephen Fry
http://twitter.com/stephenfry
Fearne Cotton
http://twitter.com/Fearnecotton
Jon Gripton, reporter for Sky News, at the Oscars
http://twitter.com/JonGrip
Sara Bareilles
http://twitter.com/sarabareilles
Barack Obama
http://twitter.com/BarackObama
My twittering link
http://www.twitter.com/ukfilm
>>>>>
FACEBOOK GROUPS
Making It In Hollywood – Documentary film project currently
submitting to Film Festivals
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2434134276&ref=ts
UK Film Network – Social networking for filmmakers and their
audience
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2475992114&ref=ts
UK Theatre Network – Social networking for theatre performers and
their audience
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3122300275&ref=ts
The Big Picture – Feature film project currently in script
selection
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26318483196&ref=ts
The Time Project – Documentary film project currently in
pre-production
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=47590808842&ref=ts
Mar
3rd
Offers, Discounts and Invitations
By Douglas McFarlane
Hello UK FILM NETWORKERS
Hope you are well. My wrist injury is recovering slowly but surely so I’m just about back to writing again. There’s been a lot going on as you can imagine.
Not least of which I'm pleased to say that my first documentary feature, Making It In Hollywood, is now on it's way to festivals, distributors and broadcasters. It was completed exactly 2 years after it started at the Oscars in 2007 and it was spooky to see my Kate Winslet clip where I wished her "Good luck for tonight Kate", as she walked down the red carpet. It was only two more years for her to really make it in Hollywood.
If you didn't read the "Top Ten Sundance Films You Must See", it's featured in the latest Film And Festivals magazine. It's now in high resolution digital format at their website and provides all the details of film festivals around the world.
I’ve also been receiving invites to film festivals, getting offered discounts on renting film and training courses. All of which of course I can pass on to members of the UK FILM NETWORK. I hope you’ll be able to make use of these offers, discounts and invitations.
Douglas McFarlane
editor@ukfilm.tv
Performers, filmmakers, writers can join our new social networking site @
http://www.ukfilm.tv
>>>>>
FILM AND FESTIVALS MAGAZINE
Check the page “Top Ten Sundance Films You Must See “
http://www.filmandfestivals.com/
>>>>>
RAINDANCE FILM COURSES
Our filmmaking courses aim to give individuals the tools to get out there and start shooting.
We combine the best filmmaking traditions with new digital technology – a policy that works. In the last twelve months, over 3,000 filmmakers - writers, directors, producers, actors, agents, film and media students - attended our courses in London, Europe and Canada.
http://www.raindance.co.uk/site/
UK FILM NETWORK is partnering with Raindance to offer a special discount. Contact editor@ukfilm.tv or reply to this message.
>>>>>
DO YOU LOVE FILM ?
Love Film contacted me today and said they had come across the UK FILM NETWORK group and wondered if members would be interested in a special offer on LOVEFiLM? I’ve used their service a few times to download films to watch or use their postal service. I’d recommend giving it a try if you haven’t already. The code below gives new members a 2 month free trial. Enter it at http://www.lovefilm.com
CODE: FCMBHAAG7
>>>>>
MARBELLA
I am looking for film submissions for this years Marbella International Film Festival - submissions deadline is 30th June. Submissions in on DVD - can be shorts, documentaries, features or animation.
If you can ask your contacts or film makers please they can email me for T&C's, details etc to: liz@marbellafilmfestivalsl.com.
>>>>>
Birds Eye View Film Festival 2009
March 5th -13th 2009
BFI Southbank, ICA
Celebrating the best women filmmakers from around the globe with 70 events over 9 days at the BFI Southbank, The Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Gate (Notting Hill), and Picturehouse Cinemas across the UK.
http://www.birds-eye-view.co.uk/
>>>>>
LIDF08 Programme
8 DAYS | 8 VENUES | 80 FILMS | LIDF08 | A CONVERSATION IN FILM
http://www.pocketvisions.co.uk/lidf/
>>>>>
END OF PIER FESTIVAL (WORTHING)
Friday 24 April to Saturday 2 May 2009
Various venues in Worthing
Worthing Theatres Box Office 01903 206206
Sat 25 April in the Ritz (daytime) - Short drama films.
Sun 26 April at the Pavilion - Young filmmakers event (PG).
Monday 27 April in Ritz - Made in Worthing Day – films either made by local people, filmed locally or about local events. Including recent and vintage footage.
Wednesday 29 April in Ritz - European day.
Hope you are well. My wrist injury is recovering slowly but surely so I’m just about back to writing again. There’s been a lot going on as you can imagine.
Not least of which I'm pleased to say that my first documentary feature, Making It In Hollywood, is now on it's way to festivals, distributors and broadcasters. It was completed exactly 2 years after it started at the Oscars in 2007 and it was spooky to see my Kate Winslet clip where I wished her "Good luck for tonight Kate", as she walked down the red carpet. It was only two more years for her to really make it in Hollywood.
If you didn't read the "Top Ten Sundance Films You Must See", it's featured in the latest Film And Festivals magazine. It's now in high resolution digital format at their website and provides all the details of film festivals around the world.
I’ve also been receiving invites to film festivals, getting offered discounts on renting film and training courses. All of which of course I can pass on to members of the UK FILM NETWORK. I hope you’ll be able to make use of these offers, discounts and invitations.
Douglas McFarlane
editor@ukfilm.tv
Performers, filmmakers, writers can join our new social networking site @
http://www.ukfilm.tv
>>>>>
FILM AND FESTIVALS MAGAZINE
Check the page “Top Ten Sundance Films You Must See “
http://www.filmandfestivals.com/
>>>>>
RAINDANCE FILM COURSES
Our filmmaking courses aim to give individuals the tools to get out there and start shooting.
We combine the best filmmaking traditions with new digital technology – a policy that works. In the last twelve months, over 3,000 filmmakers - writers, directors, producers, actors, agents, film and media students - attended our courses in London, Europe and Canada.
http://www.raindance.co.uk/site/
UK FILM NETWORK is partnering with Raindance to offer a special discount. Contact editor@ukfilm.tv or reply to this message.
>>>>>
DO YOU LOVE FILM ?
Love Film contacted me today and said they had come across the UK FILM NETWORK group and wondered if members would be interested in a special offer on LOVEFiLM? I’ve used their service a few times to download films to watch or use their postal service. I’d recommend giving it a try if you haven’t already. The code below gives new members a 2 month free trial. Enter it at http://www.lovefilm.com
CODE: FCMBHAAG7
>>>>>
MARBELLA
I am looking for film submissions for this years Marbella International Film Festival - submissions deadline is 30th June. Submissions in on DVD - can be shorts, documentaries, features or animation.
If you can ask your contacts or film makers please they can email me for T&C's, details etc to: liz@marbellafilmfestivalsl.com.
>>>>>
Birds Eye View Film Festival 2009
March 5th -13th 2009
BFI Southbank, ICA
Celebrating the best women filmmakers from around the globe with 70 events over 9 days at the BFI Southbank, The Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Gate (Notting Hill), and Picturehouse Cinemas across the UK.
http://www.birds-eye-view.co.uk/
>>>>>
LIDF08 Programme
8 DAYS | 8 VENUES | 80 FILMS | LIDF08 | A CONVERSATION IN FILM
http://www.pocketvisions.co.uk/lidf/
>>>>>
END OF PIER FESTIVAL (WORTHING)
Friday 24 April to Saturday 2 May 2009
Various venues in Worthing
Worthing Theatres Box Office 01903 206206
Sat 25 April in the Ritz (daytime) - Short drama films.
Sun 26 April at the Pavilion - Young filmmakers event (PG).
Monday 27 April in Ritz - Made in Worthing Day – films either made by local people, filmed locally or about local events. Including recent and vintage footage.
Wednesday 29 April in Ritz - European day.
Mar
16th
BAFTA Access All Areas
By Douglas McFarlane
I'm now working with BAFTA on their online activity and the first thing they are keen to let everyone know all about, is their new ACCESS ALL AREAS. It's a new public area of their website and it's not just for professional filmmakers and performers, it's for EVERYONE.
Join today and start to get more inside news throughout the year. All their fantastic events are held throughout the UK and are open to the public.
Read more below.
________________________________________
Access All Areas
BAFTA is the UK’s foremost charity working with the leading lights in film, TV and videogames. Access All Areas is our way of making their expertise available to everyone.
We work with learners of all ages – from young children who want to find out more about how their TV show, film or game is made; to students wanting to know about working in the industry; to industry professionals who want to learn from the successes of their peers.
What is learning for BAFTA?
All of BAFTA’s events are part of our learning strategy.
Our events help to develop an accomplished, vibrant and diverse workforce for the UK’s film, TV and video games industries by sharing expertise and developing relationships within the industries.
BAFTA is lucky enough to count some of the most successful and talented practitioners as our members and friends. Our events allow them to share the secrets of their success with their peers, the public and with those who are pursuing careers in the industry.
Examples of BAFTA’s sharing expertise
• A BAFTA Interview – Julie Walters – The acclaimed TV and film actress spoke to an audience of BAFTA members and the public about her career experiences, sharing stories of how she got into the industry, how she approaches her work and her relationship with directors.
• Short Sighted – BAFTA’s event for short film-makers, demonstrating how they should plan for exhibition and distribution. A day long event including case studies from recent successful short film-makers
• Games Speed Surgeries – over 2 days BAFTA members working in the games industry took part in 15 minute surgeries for young people wanting to get into the industry.
• BAFTA Families Storyboarding Workshop – an interactive workshop at Leeds Young People’s Film Festival with storyboard artist Temple Clark. Temple showed the audience what his job entails and explained the role of a storyboard artist in the production process.
• BAFTA Schools Sessions at National Schools Film Week – BAFTA-winner Stephen Frears spoke to an audience of school children about his work before a screening of Dirty Pretty Things.
What we do
BAFTA is not a training provider but offers expertise-sharing as a complement to training and other forms of learning.
BAFTA’s focus is on production skills – we help the public to deepen their understanding of the production process and also help the industry to define best practice.
Our events encourage creativity, but focus is on professional skills, encouraging people to make the business choices which will help them turn their creativity into a successful career.
Learning takes place across regional partner venues, at 195 Piccadilly, and online. Online environments will become increasingly important in the 21st century so BAFTA will continue to develop on-line resources from our events.
To sign up to the BAFTA newsletter visit:-
http://www.bafta.org/newsletter/
http://www.bafta.org/
Mar
28th
Flash of Genius
By Katherine Hayes
After an already impressive career as a film producer of pictures such as Children of Men , Dawn of the Dead and The Family Man, Marc Abraham makes his directing debut with a classic ‘David versus Goliath’ tale.
Flash of Genius is the story of Bob Kearns, and engineering professor in Detroit who invents things for the love of engineering, and also to strike it lucky one day for his ever-growing family.
Kearns hits on an idea to make a windscreen wiper work like an eye. He teams up with a long time friend, and produces a patent which they take to Ford.
Up until this time Ford’s engineers have failed to breakthrough with the invention.
After initial talks with Ford and an agreement reached, production commences on the intermittent windshield wiper. However shortly after this, Ford pulls out of the deal saying they are no longer interested.
Unfortunately for Kearns, he discovers those nasty car moguls pinched his idea and installed the intermittent wiper on all their new models.
Then begins the fight to get back his invention and to prove that Ford copied the prototypes and force the company to admit that it stole the idea.
This fight has its price. Kearns happy marriage and his relationships with his children are changed irrevocably.
Greg Kinnear as Bob Kearns gives a largely sympathetic portrayal of a man who was widely known as one of the most suspicious and litigious inventors.
In life Bob Kearns was an irascible character sometimes very difficult to deal with.
He got through four lawyers over the period of time he conducted his case against Ford, and at times required his children to help him with paralegal work.
Though his family life suffered, Kearns determination to win against the big guys became an urban legend in inventor circles, in particular for those that had been stolen from and failed to win their case.
Abraham has been faithful to the story, consulting with Kearn’s himself before his death in 2005 and then with his family.
His poetic licence has been to tell the story over 12 years rather than over 25, the actual time it took to get Ford to court.
It’s an entertaining piece of film making which shows an insight into the lengths to which big car corporations in the 1960s through to the 1980s went to silence their detractors.
The triumph of Kearns win gives heart to anyone who has had their work stolen, but it also tells the tale of the human cost, especially when companies do wrong and people must make right.
http://www.flashofgenius.net/
Apr
15th
Academy to Spotlight Costume Design in the Digital Age
By Douglas McFarlane
Academy to Spotlight
Costume Design in the Digital Age
Beverly Hills, CA – The opportunities and challenges facing motion picture costume designers working in the current era of digital technology will be explored at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ program, “Costume Design in the Digital Age,” on Friday, April 24, at 8 p.m. at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. The evening will be hosted by Oscar®-nominated costume designer Dr. Deborah Nadoolman Landis and Academy Governor Bill Taylor.
Presented by the Academy’s Science and Technology Council, the program will feature a panel of costume designers, including Oscar nominees Jeffrey Kurland (“Hidalgo,” “Collateral,” “Bullets Over Broadway”) and Ruth Myers (“The Addams Family,” “Emma,” “The Golden Compass”) as well as Ellen Mirojnick (“Chaplin,” “Unfaithful,” “Cloverfield”) and Michael Wilkinson (“300,” “Rendition,” “Babel”). Joining the discussion will be cinematographer Daryn Okada (“The X-Files,” “Mean Girls,” “Apocalypto”) and color scientist Joshua Pines (“Titanic,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “The Aviator”), who won a Scientific and Technical Award for the design and development of the TDI process for creating archival separations from image data (shared with Chris Kutcka).
The evening also will feature special viewing hours (from 6 to 8 p.m. and following the screening) of the “Dressed in Color: The Costumes” exhibition. The exhibition, which examines the important aspects of costume design for color films from the 1940s through the 1960s, is on display through May 2.
Established in 2003 by the Academy's Board of Governors, the Science and Technology Council provides a forum for the exchange of information, promotes cooperation among diverse technological interests within the industry, sponsors publications, fosters educational activities and preserves the history of science and technology of motion pictures.
Tickets to “Costume Design in the Digital Age” are $5 each for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Tickets are available for purchase by mail, at the Academy box office (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), or online at www.oscars.org. Doors open one hour prior to the event. All seating is unreserved.
The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood.
For more information call (310) 247-3600 or visit www.oscars.org.
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