“Why is it that only those who have never fought in a battle are so eager to be in one?” Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) asks at one point in FX’s Shōgun. It’s a question that resonates not only with the show’s characters but may strike at the heart of our long-standing fascination with samurai.
Its resonance is all the more profound because Shōgun is loosely — very loosely — based on real events from the end of Japan’s Warring States period that pushed the nation into a new era. Taking historical events and crafting drama from them is something the show has in common with many Chanbara or samurai films. The riveting and often bloody history has provided fodder for countless films, including Hiroshi Inagaki’s Samurai trilogy, Sekigahara, Samurai Assassin, and The 47 Ronin.
However, these narrative films can obscure the complex history behind the events. Fortunately,...
Its resonance is all the more profound because Shōgun is loosely — very loosely — based on real events from the end of Japan’s Warring States period that pushed the nation into a new era. Taking historical events and crafting drama from them is something the show has in common with many Chanbara or samurai films. The riveting and often bloody history has provided fodder for countless films, including Hiroshi Inagaki’s Samurai trilogy, Sekigahara, Samurai Assassin, and The 47 Ronin.
However, these narrative films can obscure the complex history behind the events. Fortunately,...
- 4/23/2024
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
A couple months after spotlighting the world’s greatest actress, the Criterion Channel have taken a logical next step towards America’s greatest actress. May (or: next week) will bring an eleven-film celebration of Jennifer Jason Leigh, highlights including Verhoeven’s Flesh + Blood, Miami Blues, Alan Rudolph’s Mrs. Parker, her directorial debut The Anniversary Party, and Synecdoche, New York, and a special introduction from Leigh. Another actor’s showcase localizes directorial collaborations: Jimmy Stewart’s time with Anthony Mann, an eight-title series boasting the likes of Winchester ’73 and The Man from Laramie. Two more: a survey of ’80s Asian-American cinema (Chan Is Missing being the best-known) and 14 movies by Seijun Suzuki.
That would be enough for one month (or two), but No Bears and Cette maison will have their streaming premieres, while Criterion Editions offers the Infernal Affairs trilogy (plus its packed set), Days of Heaven, and the aforementioned Chan Is Missing.
That would be enough for one month (or two), but No Bears and Cette maison will have their streaming premieres, while Criterion Editions offers the Infernal Affairs trilogy (plus its packed set), Days of Heaven, and the aforementioned Chan Is Missing.
- 4/20/2023
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options — not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves — we’ve taken it upon ourselves to highlight the titles that have recently hit platforms. Every week, one will be able to see the cream of the crop (or perhaps some simply interesting picks) of streaming titles (new and old) across platforms such as Netflix, iTunes, Amazon, and more (note: U.S. only). Check out our rundown for this week’s selections below.
The Age of Shadows (Kim Jee-woon)
Eyebrows were raised when it was announced that South Korea will submit the as-yet-unreleased espionage thriller The Age of Shadows for Oscar consideration instead of Cannes hits The Handmaiden and The Wailing. Premiering out of competition at the 73rd Venice Film Festival, writer/director Jee-woon Kim’s return to Korean-language cinema after a brief stint in Hollywood with the Schwarzenegger-starrer The Last Stand...
The Age of Shadows (Kim Jee-woon)
Eyebrows were raised when it was announced that South Korea will submit the as-yet-unreleased espionage thriller The Age of Shadows for Oscar consideration instead of Cannes hits The Handmaiden and The Wailing. Premiering out of competition at the 73rd Venice Film Festival, writer/director Jee-woon Kim’s return to Korean-language cinema after a brief stint in Hollywood with the Schwarzenegger-starrer The Last Stand...
- 4/28/2017
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
Awards season keeps ticking right along, but tonight’s Cinema Eye Honors promised at least a tiny respite from narrative-based filmmaking, as the New York City-set ceremony is all about honoring the best in the year’s documentary filmmaking.
Big winners included Kirsten Johnson’s “Cameraperson,” which picked up Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking, along with editing and cinematography wins. Right behind it was Ezra Edelman’s “O.J.: Made in America,” which earned Edelman a directing win, along with a production win for Edelman and Caroline Waterlow. Best TV offering went to “Making a Murderer.”
Nominations were lead by Raoul Peck’s “I Am Not Your Negro” and “O.J.: Made in America,” which each pulled in five nominations apiece, though Johnson’s “Cameraperson” and Gianfranco Rosi’s “Fire at Sea” aren’t far behind, with four nominations each. Both Peck and Rosi’s features ultimately walked away without an award.
Big winners included Kirsten Johnson’s “Cameraperson,” which picked up Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking, along with editing and cinematography wins. Right behind it was Ezra Edelman’s “O.J.: Made in America,” which earned Edelman a directing win, along with a production win for Edelman and Caroline Waterlow. Best TV offering went to “Making a Murderer.”
Nominations were lead by Raoul Peck’s “I Am Not Your Negro” and “O.J.: Made in America,” which each pulled in five nominations apiece, though Johnson’s “Cameraperson” and Gianfranco Rosi’s “Fire at Sea” aren’t far behind, with four nominations each. Both Peck and Rosi’s features ultimately walked away without an award.
- 1/12/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Being a revolutionary pioneer in a particular field of work should be an accomplishment that’s continuously celebrated. Unfortunately, not all visionaries receive the praise they deserve for launching an honored way of life into mainstream society. That’s regrettably the case with actor Toshiro Mifune, who began to garner fame in the late 1940s after he served in World War II. In Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Okazaki’s new documentary, ‘Mifune: The Last Samurai,’ the performer is highlighted as not only being the first international Asian, but overall nonwhite, star who garnered worldwide attention in the action genre. While Mifune’s work has left lasting impressions on dedication genre fans, the majority of the [ Read More ]
The post Interview: Steven Okazaki Talks Mifune: The Last Samurai (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Interview: Steven Okazaki Talks Mifune: The Last Samurai (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 11/28/2016
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
The image of Toshiro Mifune wielding a samurai sword, eyes glaring at his foe, is among the first images to come to most American filmgoers’s minds when they think about Japanese cinema. And rightfully so. Mifune is perhaps the only iconic Japanese actor to achieve international fame, and for a period in the 50s and 60s, he was the biggest movie star in Japan, thanks largely to a series of samurai epics directed by his frequent collaborator Akira Kurosawa. Together, they brought Japanese cinema onto the world stage. Steven Okazaki’s “Mifune: The Last Samurai” is as much a documentary about the Golden.
- 11/25/2016
- by James Greenberg
- The Wrap
It’s hard to talk about Toshiro Mifune without mentioning Akira Kurosawa. And it’s hard to talk about Mifune and Kurosawa without discussing their revelatory impact on cinema as we know it today. Which, in a way, is exactly what “Mifune: The Last Samurai,” the new documentary from Steven Okazaki, seeks to explore: just who was Toshiro Mifune and how did a boy from such humble beginnings wind up becoming one of film’s most influential figures?
Continue reading Documentary ‘Mifune: The Last Samurai’ Is An Engaging Look At The Life Of A Legend [Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading Documentary ‘Mifune: The Last Samurai’ Is An Engaging Look At The Life Of A Legend [Review] at The Playlist.
- 11/25/2016
- by Gary Garrison
- The Playlist
This week sees the American premiere of Steven Okazaki's documentary Mifune: The Last Samurai, about probably the most famous Japanese actor of all time: Mifune Toshiro. In his review Patryk Czekaj calls it "...a perfectly informative and well-researched documentary that should satisfy both true fans of Japanese cinema and total newcomers." Mifune Toshiro was a veritable force of nature before the camera (and apparently, sometimes also when Not in front of a camera...), and when will we ever get a better opportunity to dedicate a quiz to him? So once again I'm going to use fourteen pictures of one of my favourite thespians to make a quiz. Click through the images and guess which movies or shows they're from. No competition, no prizes, just for...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 11/25/2016
- Screen Anarchy
Over the course of his legendary acting career, Toshiro Mifune was a samurai, a stray dog, and a shoe tycoon. He was a muse for one of the greatest filmmakers of the 20th Century, a beacon for Japanese cinema, and a howling ambassador for the entire country and its culture. He was a feral force of nature who prized combustion over control, a wild gust of wind whose energy only a precious few collaborators knew how to harness. He was even, according to his daughter, almost Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The one thing that Toshiro Mifune wasn’t — wasn’t even capable of being — was boring. At least not on screen. At least not until now.
A thin, dull, and by-the-numbers biography that fails to capture its subject’s irrepressible spirit or properly contextualize his importance, Steven Okazaki’s “Mifune: The Last Samurai” might have made for a solid bonus feature on a Criterion Collection DVD,...
The one thing that Toshiro Mifune wasn’t — wasn’t even capable of being — was boring. At least not on screen. At least not until now.
A thin, dull, and by-the-numbers biography that fails to capture its subject’s irrepressible spirit or properly contextualize his importance, Steven Okazaki’s “Mifune: The Last Samurai” might have made for a solid bonus feature on a Criterion Collection DVD,...
- 11/25/2016
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Undeniably the most recognizable and prominent actor in the history of Japanese cinema, Mifune Toshiro has not only influenced generations of young performers, who passionately aspire to follow in his footsteps even nowadays, but also forever changed the perception of the country’s film scene both at home and overseas. Award-winning writer-director Steven Okazaki’s highly anticipated documentary, which already premiered at Venice and Telluride earlier this year, pays tribute to Mifune by presenting a turbulent yet truly inspiring life story of a man who – fortuitously but with great confidence – gained international star status never before known to a domestic actor and, with the support and guidance of his longtime collaborator and mentor Kurosawa Akira, created an impressive number of performances that will surely electrify...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 11/23/2016
- Screen Anarchy
The modern movie hero owes a great debt to Toshiro Mifune, the longtime Akira Kurosawa star who provided a ferocious centerpiece to everything from “Seven Samurai” to “Yojimbo.” Steven Okazaki’s documentary “Mifune” chronicles the scope of the actor’s sprawling career as well as his lasting cultural impact. The filmmaker spoke to IndieWire about his interest in Mifune, gathering interviews with filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, and why more people should be appreciating Mifune’s legacy as “the first movie hero who wasn’t a white guy.
Read More: ‘Mifune: The Last Samurai’ Trailer: Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg Sing the Legendary Actor’s Praises
A version of this interview was original published at the Telluride Film Festival, where “Mifune” premiered this fall. The film opens November 25 at the IFC Center in New York with more cities to follow.
When did you first encounter Mifune’s performances?...
Read More: ‘Mifune: The Last Samurai’ Trailer: Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg Sing the Legendary Actor’s Praises
A version of this interview was original published at the Telluride Film Festival, where “Mifune” premiered this fall. The film opens November 25 at the IFC Center in New York with more cities to follow.
When did you first encounter Mifune’s performances?...
- 11/23/2016
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Given that the Toshiro Mifune biographical documentary Mifune: The Last Samurai is only 80 minutes long, it’s a bold choice by director Steven Okazaki to wait until 15 minutes into the film to get to the birth of the man himself. The doc’s introductory passages don’t trace Mifune’s family lineage; instead, they cover the importance of the samurai to Japanese history and popular culture, and trace the origins of the “chanbara” film to the earliest days of cinema. Named to evoke the sound of swords clashing against swords, chanbara pictures relied on stock characters and situations to retell the tales of Japan’s past, as an expression of what the nation saw as its core values. When Mifune teamed up with director Akira Kurosawa for a series of revisionist samurai films in the ’50s and ’60s, they found receptive audiences all over the world for a ...
- 11/23/2016
- by Noel Murray
- avclub.com
The nominees for the 10th annual Cinema Eye Honors have been announced, with “I Am Not Your Negro” and “Oj: Made in America” both receiving five each. They’re followed in short order by “Cameraperson” and “Fire at Sea,” which along with “Weiner” are all in contention for the top prize. A total of 37 features and five shorts will be in contention at the upcoming ceremony, which “Hoop Dreams” director Steve James will host from the Museum of the Moving Image on January 11. Here’s the full list of nominees:
Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking
“Cameraperson” (Kirsten Johnson)
“Fire at Sea” (Gianfranco Rosi)
“I Am Not Your Negro” (Raoul Peck)
“Oj: Made in America” (Ezra Edelman)
“Weiner” (Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg)
Outstanding Achievement in Direction
Kirsten Johnson, “Cameraperson”
Gianfranco Rosi, “Fire at Sea”
Raoul Peck, “I Am Not Your Negro”
Robert Greene, “Kate Plays Christine”
Ezra Edelman, “Oj:...
Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking
“Cameraperson” (Kirsten Johnson)
“Fire at Sea” (Gianfranco Rosi)
“I Am Not Your Negro” (Raoul Peck)
“Oj: Made in America” (Ezra Edelman)
“Weiner” (Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg)
Outstanding Achievement in Direction
Kirsten Johnson, “Cameraperson”
Gianfranco Rosi, “Fire at Sea”
Raoul Peck, “I Am Not Your Negro”
Robert Greene, “Kate Plays Christine”
Ezra Edelman, “Oj:...
- 11/2/2016
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
We recently provided a guide to streaming the best films of 2016, but it’s time to hit pause because the theatrical options this month are stellar. Along with the year’s best film thus far, there’s a wide variety of must-see features, from documentaries to animations to sci-fi dramas to innovative experiments.
Matinees to See: Doctor Strange (11/4), Peter and the Farm (11/4), The Monster (11/11), Seasons (11/11), The Love Witch (11/11), Notes on Blindness (11/16), Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them (11/18), Bleed For This (11/18), I Am Not Madame Bovary (11/18), Lion (11/25), Evolution (11/25), and Old Stone (11/30)
15. Billy Lynn’s Halftime Walk (Ang Lee; Nov. 11)
Synopsis: 19-year-old Billy Lynn is brought home for a victory tour after a harrowing Iraq battle.
Trailer
Why You Should See It: After its mixed reception at Nyff, I probably shouldn’t be looking forward to Ang Lee‘s latest as much as I am. However, I’m always curious as...
Matinees to See: Doctor Strange (11/4), Peter and the Farm (11/4), The Monster (11/11), Seasons (11/11), The Love Witch (11/11), Notes on Blindness (11/16), Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them (11/18), Bleed For This (11/18), I Am Not Madame Bovary (11/18), Lion (11/25), Evolution (11/25), and Old Stone (11/30)
15. Billy Lynn’s Halftime Walk (Ang Lee; Nov. 11)
Synopsis: 19-year-old Billy Lynn is brought home for a victory tour after a harrowing Iraq battle.
Trailer
Why You Should See It: After its mixed reception at Nyff, I probably shouldn’t be looking forward to Ang Lee‘s latest as much as I am. However, I’m always curious as...
- 11/1/2016
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Toshiro Mifune is not a stranger to samurai movie lovers. A veteran of nearly 170 movies, his collaboration with filmmaker Akira Kurosawa is often cited as the catalyst for the Golden Age of Japanese Cinema post-wwii. Three films from their collaborative effort – “Rashomon”, “The Seven Samurai” and “Yojimbo” – remains internationally influential up to this day.
Nearly 19 years after the iconic actor’s passing, fans will soon be able to revisit their favorite samurai with the release of the documentary “Mifune: The Last Samurai”.
Directed by Acadamy-Award winner Steven Okazaki, “Mifune: The Last Samurai” is narrated by Keanu Reeves. The documentary also features interviews and tributes from Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorcese, and interviews with members of Mifune and Kurosawa family.
“Mifune: The Last Samurai” is set for release on November 25.
Source: IndieWire.com...
Nearly 19 years after the iconic actor’s passing, fans will soon be able to revisit their favorite samurai with the release of the documentary “Mifune: The Last Samurai”.
Directed by Acadamy-Award winner Steven Okazaki, “Mifune: The Last Samurai” is narrated by Keanu Reeves. The documentary also features interviews and tributes from Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorcese, and interviews with members of Mifune and Kurosawa family.
“Mifune: The Last Samurai” is set for release on November 25.
Source: IndieWire.com...
- 10/31/2016
- by Gloria Gee
- AsianMoviePulse
To star in nearly 170 films in your career is an incredible feat, and to have your performances influence the works of Hollywood giants like Clint Eastwood and George Lucas is almost unimaginable. That is, unless, you’re Toshiro Mifune.
Read More: 5 Things You May Not Know About Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Seven Samurai’
From Academy Award-winning director Steven Okazaki comes “Mifune: The Last Samurai,” a new documentary that chronicles the life of the famed Japanese actor, narrated by Keanu Reaves. Included in his resume are “Rashomon” and “Seven Samurai” (two of the sixteen collaborations with director Akira Kurosawa), and Hiroshi Inagaki’s “Samurai Trilogy.”
In the latest trailer for the upcoming film, fellow actors, directors and film aficionados discuss Mifune’s incredible impact on both Japanese and American cinema, as well as the actor’s battle with alcoholism. Included in the film are interviews with Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, who notes,...
Read More: 5 Things You May Not Know About Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Seven Samurai’
From Academy Award-winning director Steven Okazaki comes “Mifune: The Last Samurai,” a new documentary that chronicles the life of the famed Japanese actor, narrated by Keanu Reaves. Included in his resume are “Rashomon” and “Seven Samurai” (two of the sixteen collaborations with director Akira Kurosawa), and Hiroshi Inagaki’s “Samurai Trilogy.”
In the latest trailer for the upcoming film, fellow actors, directors and film aficionados discuss Mifune’s incredible impact on both Japanese and American cinema, as well as the actor’s battle with alcoholism. Included in the film are interviews with Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, who notes,...
- 10/21/2016
- by Mark Burger
- Indiewire
Mifune: The Last Samurai, the well-assembled documentary on the life of actor Toshirô Mifune, the long-time Akira Kurosawa collaborator, should be a worthy introduction to one of Japanese cinema’s greatest icons, if a little light on more revelatory findings. With a softly-spoken narration by Keanu Reeves and talking heads from the likes of Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, as well as the sons of both Mifune and Kurosawa, Mifune offers a personal and professional tribute to an actor who reinvented the hero for a post-World War II age.
Mifune, the preeminent Japanese actor of his generation, had starring roles in some of the iconic samurai movies of the country’s golden age – including Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Throne of Blood and Yojimbo – and influenced a host of American icons from Clint Eastwood’s Man With No Name to Darth Vader (Mifune was supposedly offered Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars). Director...
Mifune, the preeminent Japanese actor of his generation, had starring roles in some of the iconic samurai movies of the country’s golden age – including Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Throne of Blood and Yojimbo – and influenced a host of American icons from Clint Eastwood’s Man With No Name to Darth Vader (Mifune was supposedly offered Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars). Director...
- 10/20/2016
- by Ed Frankl
- The Film Stage
If you're a fan of classic martial arts films there's no doubt that you know the name Toshiro Mifune. Over the course of his career, he made 16 incredible films with director Akira Kurosawa, which include classics such as Rashomon, Seven Samurai, and Yojimbo. These films inspired some of America's classic westerns including The Magnificent Seven, Clint Eastwood’s A Fistful of Dollars, and of course, George Lucas’ Star Wars.
A trailer has been released for a great looking new documentary called Mifune: The Last Samurai directed by Steven Okazaki, which "explores the accidental movie career of Toshiro Mifune, one of the true giants of world cinema." When talking about Mifune, director Steven Spielberg says, “A lot of people try to imitate Mifune, especially when they’re playing strong and silent but nobody can. He was unique in all the world.”
The film has only been playing in film festivals around the world.
A trailer has been released for a great looking new documentary called Mifune: The Last Samurai directed by Steven Okazaki, which "explores the accidental movie career of Toshiro Mifune, one of the true giants of world cinema." When talking about Mifune, director Steven Spielberg says, “A lot of people try to imitate Mifune, especially when they’re playing strong and silent but nobody can. He was unique in all the world.”
The film has only been playing in film festivals around the world.
- 10/20/2016
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Nearly 20 years after his death, Toshiro Mifune remains a true giant of world cinema. He made 16 remarkable films with director Akira Kurosawa, including Rashomon, Seven Samurai and Yojimbo, and together they shook the film world, inspiring not only The Magnificent Seven and Clint Eastwood’s breakthrough movie, A Fistful of Dollars, but also George Lucas’ Star Wars.
Mifune: The Last Samurai, the new feature-length documentary by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steven Okazaki, explores the evolution of the samurai film; Mifune’s childhood and World War II experience; his accidental entry into the movies; and dynamic but sometimes turbulent collaboration with Kurosawa.
Mifune – wry, charismatic and deadly — was the first non-white action star. “A lot of people try to imitate Mifune, especially when they’re playing strong and silent,” says Steven Spielberg, “ but nobody can. He was unique in all the world.”
The new trailer for Mifune: The Last Samurai looks amazing:...
Mifune: The Last Samurai, the new feature-length documentary by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steven Okazaki, explores the evolution of the samurai film; Mifune’s childhood and World War II experience; his accidental entry into the movies; and dynamic but sometimes turbulent collaboration with Kurosawa.
Mifune – wry, charismatic and deadly — was the first non-white action star. “A lot of people try to imitate Mifune, especially when they’re playing strong and silent,” says Steven Spielberg, “ but nobody can. He was unique in all the world.”
The new trailer for Mifune: The Last Samurai looks amazing:...
- 10/20/2016
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Steven Okazaki's documentary Mifune: The Last Samurai will begin it's theatrical run in the U.S. in November. On November 25th it opens in New York at the IFC Center followed by Los Angeles on December 2nd and San Francisco on December 9th. There is a new trailer and a poster for the release from Strand Releasing. You can see both below. Nearly 20 years after his death, Toshiro Mifune remains a true giant of world cinema. He made 16 remarkable films with director Akira Kurosawa, including Rashomon, Seven Samurai and Yojimbo, and together they shook the film world, inspiring not only The Magnificent Seven and Clint Eastwood’s breakthrough movie, A Fistful of Dollars, but also George Lucas’ Star Wars. Mifune: The Last...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 10/19/2016
- Screen Anarchy
Undeniably the most recognizable and prominent actor in the history of Japanese cinema, Mifune Toshiro has not only influenced generations of young performers, who passionately aspire to follow in his footsteps even nowadays, but also forever changed the perception of the country’s film scene both at home and overseas. Award-winning writer-director Steven Okazaki’s highly anticipated documentary, which already premiered at Venice and Telluride earlier this year, pays tribute to Mifune by presenting a turbulent yet truly inspiring life story of a man who – fortuitously but with great confidence – gained international star status never before known to a domestic actor and, with the support and guidance of his longtime collaborator and mentor Kurosawa Akira, created an impressive number of performances that will surely electrify...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 10/14/2016
- Screen Anarchy
Not for nothing is Toshiro Mifune one of the most renowned actors of world cinema. Known mostly for his many collaborations with Akira Kurosawa — including such classics as “Rashomon,” “Seven Samurai” and the “Yojimbo” cycle — as well as Hiroshi Inagaki’s “Samurai Trilogy,” the Japanese thespian appeared in nearly 170 films before his death in 1997. Steven Okazaki directed the new documentary “Mifune: The Last Samurai,” which just released its first trailer.
Read More: Morgan Spurlock’s New Documentary ‘Rats’ Will Definitely Make You Lose Your Lunch — Watch
Narrated by Keanu Reeves and featuring interviews with the likes of Martin Scorsese (who offers that “Mifune’s performance is layered, complex. He studied the movement of lions. He’s like a caged animal”) and Steven Spielberg, the trailer touches on Kurosawa and Mifune’s joint influence on American cinema as well as the actor’s two main vices: alcohol and cars.
Read More:...
Read More: Morgan Spurlock’s New Documentary ‘Rats’ Will Definitely Make You Lose Your Lunch — Watch
Narrated by Keanu Reeves and featuring interviews with the likes of Martin Scorsese (who offers that “Mifune’s performance is layered, complex. He studied the movement of lions. He’s like a caged animal”) and Steven Spielberg, the trailer touches on Kurosawa and Mifune’s joint influence on American cinema as well as the actor’s two main vices: alcohol and cars.
Read More:...
- 9/22/2016
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
"A lot of people try to imitate Mifune, but nobody can." Stop and watch this now! The first official trailer has debuted online for a fantastic documentary called Mifune: The Last Samurai, profiling the life and work of Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune. If you're a cinephile you're already very familiar with Mifune - he starred in numerous Akira Kurosawa films including The Seven Samurai, Yojimbo and Rashomon, as well as tons of other classic Japanese films. This doc examines his life work with old footage and photographs and tells his story from the early beginnings of his career, to his falling out with Kurosawa and final roles. Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg are two of the filmmakers who talk about how incredible Mifune was, with more special guests. I caught this film at the Telluride Film Festival and loved it - highly recommended. Here's the first trailer for Steven Okazaki...
- 9/22/2016
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Scorsese, Spielberg, Keanu Reeves, and More Praise a Titan In Trailer for ‘Mifune: The Last Samurai’
There may be no actor who so forcefully brings budding film lovers into world cinema as Toshiro Mifune, the Japanese wild man who redefined period epics and still puts most action stars to shame. Given the (very) rarified place he occupies in cinema, his enshrinement via documentary is an inevitable thing. While Steven Okazaki didn’t get there first, his Mifune: The Last Samurai appears to have done it well.
With the likes of Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Kiyoshi Kurosawa regular Kôji Yakusho on hand for interviews — as well as narration from Keanu Reeves — the film appears to follow a standard career-and-life walkthrough, admirers and co-workers alike singing his praises while clips and archival photos move us along. (A less-than-glowing review, one of the only published thus far, indicates as much.) So be it: any excuse to revisit his work, even in bite-sized form, is always welcome, and some...
With the likes of Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Kiyoshi Kurosawa regular Kôji Yakusho on hand for interviews — as well as narration from Keanu Reeves — the film appears to follow a standard career-and-life walkthrough, admirers and co-workers alike singing his praises while clips and archival photos move us along. (A less-than-glowing review, one of the only published thus far, indicates as much.) So be it: any excuse to revisit his work, even in bite-sized form, is always welcome, and some...
- 9/21/2016
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
The sales company has struck a deal with Strand for Us rights to Steven Okazaki’s documentary Mifune: The Last Samurai.
The film screened at the Venice and Telluride and is narrated by Keanu Reeves with interviews including Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Koji Yakusho as well as Mifune co-stars Kyoto Kagawa, Haruo Nakajima and Yoshio Tsuchiya.
Celluloid Dreams has also closed deals for all German-speaking territories with Koch Media and for France with La Rabbia.
Mifune was the greatest actor from the Golden Age of Japanese Cinema who appeared in nearly 170 films.
Some of his most memorable works were in his collaborations with director Akira Kurosawa during the 1950s and 1960s and the documentary focuses on his work on Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Throne Of Blood andRed Beard.
The film screened at the Venice and Telluride and is narrated by Keanu Reeves with interviews including Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Koji Yakusho as well as Mifune co-stars Kyoto Kagawa, Haruo Nakajima and Yoshio Tsuchiya.
Celluloid Dreams has also closed deals for all German-speaking territories with Koch Media and for France with La Rabbia.
Mifune was the greatest actor from the Golden Age of Japanese Cinema who appeared in nearly 170 films.
Some of his most memorable works were in his collaborations with director Akira Kurosawa during the 1950s and 1960s and the documentary focuses on his work on Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Throne Of Blood andRed Beard.
- 9/12/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Into the InfernoThe lineup for the 2016 Telluride Film Festival (September 2nd - 5th) have been announced:Arrival (Denis Villeneuve, Us)The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman's Portrait Photography (Errol Morris, Us)Bleed For This (Ben Younger, Us)California Typewriter (Doug Nichol, Us)Chasing Trane (John Scheinfeld, Us)The End of Eden (Angus Macqueen, UK)Finding Oscar (Ryan Suffern, Us)Fire at Sea (Gianfranco Rosi, Italy/France)Frantz (François Ozon, France)Gentleman Rissient (Benoît Jacquot, Pascal Mérigeau, Guy Seligmann, France)Graduation (Cristian Mungiu, Romania/France/Belgium)Into the Inferno (Werner Herzog, UK/Austria)The Ivory Game (Kief Davidson, Richard Ladkani, Austria/Us)La La Land (Damien Chazelle, Us)Lost in Paris (d. Fiona Gordon, Dominique Abel, France/Belgium)Manchester by the Sea (Kenneth Lonergan, Us)Maudie (Aisling Walsh, Canada/Ireland)Men: A Love Story (Mimi Chakarova, Us)Moonlight (Barry Jenkins, Us)My Journey through French Cinema (Bertrand Tavernier, France)Neruda (Pablo Larraín,...
- 9/1/2016
- MUBI
Kenneth Lonergan’s Sundance hit, Denis Villeneuve’s Venice selection, and Pablo Larrain’s acclaimed Chilean biopic are among select titles heading to Colorado this weekend.
The 43rd edition of the Telluride Film Festival includes Clint Eastwood’s Tom Hanks starrer Sully, Barry Jenkins’ anticipated triptych Moonlight and Maren Ade’s Cannes triumph Toni Erdmann.
Joining them are Aisling Walsh’s Maudie, Gianfranco Rosi’s Berlin Golden Bear winner Fire At Sea, Damien Chazelle’s Venice opener La La Land and also from the Lido, Rama Burshtein’s Through The Wall.
Telluride runs from September 2-5. The main slate line-up appears below.
Arrival (Denis Villeneuve, Us, 2016)The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman’s Portrait Photography (Errol Morris, Us 2016)Bleed For This (Ben Younger, Us, 2016)California Typewriter (Doug Nichol, Us, 2016)Chasing Trane (John Scheinfeld, Us, 2016)The End Of Eden (Angus Macqueen, UK, 2016)Finding Oscar (Ryan Suffern, Us, 2016)Fire At Sea (Gianfranco Rosi, Italy-France, 2016)Frantz ([link...
The 43rd edition of the Telluride Film Festival includes Clint Eastwood’s Tom Hanks starrer Sully, Barry Jenkins’ anticipated triptych Moonlight and Maren Ade’s Cannes triumph Toni Erdmann.
Joining them are Aisling Walsh’s Maudie, Gianfranco Rosi’s Berlin Golden Bear winner Fire At Sea, Damien Chazelle’s Venice opener La La Land and also from the Lido, Rama Burshtein’s Through The Wall.
Telluride runs from September 2-5. The main slate line-up appears below.
Arrival (Denis Villeneuve, Us, 2016)The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman’s Portrait Photography (Errol Morris, Us 2016)Bleed For This (Ben Younger, Us, 2016)California Typewriter (Doug Nichol, Us, 2016)Chasing Trane (John Scheinfeld, Us, 2016)The End Of Eden (Angus Macqueen, UK, 2016)Finding Oscar (Ryan Suffern, Us, 2016)Fire At Sea (Gianfranco Rosi, Italy-France, 2016)Frantz ([link...
- 9/1/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Buoyed by its worldwide premiere at the ongoing Venice Film Festival – early reviews are praising the musical as an audacious, deeply romantic feature – Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash follow-up La La Land has booked its place at Telluride 2016.
The picture, one that stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in central roles, is one of the many soon-to-be-released features to be locked in for the imminent film festival, joining the ranks alongside Manchester By the Sea, Moonlight, Things to Come, Bleed For This and Clint Eastwood’s airborne thriller Sully. It is, without question, a fairly stacked lineup, which only has us all the more excited for the onset of the Toronto International Film Festival later this month.
But over the coming weekend, it is Telluride that will take center stage. Similar to La La Land, today’s unveiling confirms a second festival appearance for Denis Villeneuve’s intriguing sci-fi pic Arrival.
The picture, one that stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in central roles, is one of the many soon-to-be-released features to be locked in for the imminent film festival, joining the ranks alongside Manchester By the Sea, Moonlight, Things to Come, Bleed For This and Clint Eastwood’s airborne thriller Sully. It is, without question, a fairly stacked lineup, which only has us all the more excited for the onset of the Toronto International Film Festival later this month.
But over the coming weekend, it is Telluride that will take center stage. Similar to La La Land, today’s unveiling confirms a second festival appearance for Denis Villeneuve’s intriguing sci-fi pic Arrival.
- 9/1/2016
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
One of the last question marks of the early fall film festival onslaught was Telluride Film Festival, who announces their line-up just a day before the event kicks off. Today now brings the slate for the 43rd edition of the festival, which runs from Friday through Monday.
Featuring the world premiere of Clint Eastwood‘s Sully, there’s also the Venice favorites La La Land and Arrival, as well as past festival highlights and some highly-anticipated dramas headed to Tiff, including Manchester By the Sea, Moonlight, Things to Come, Bleed For This, Toni Erdmann, Una, Neruda, and more. Check out the line-up below, along with links to our reviews where available.
Line-Up
Arrival (d. Denis Villeneuve, U.S., 2016)
The B-side: Elsa Dorfman’S Portrait Photography (d. Errol Morris, U.S., 2016)
Bleed For This (d. Ben Younger, U.S., 2016)
California Typewriter (d. Doug Nichol, U.S., 2016)
Chasing Trane (d. John Scheinfeld,...
Featuring the world premiere of Clint Eastwood‘s Sully, there’s also the Venice favorites La La Land and Arrival, as well as past festival highlights and some highly-anticipated dramas headed to Tiff, including Manchester By the Sea, Moonlight, Things to Come, Bleed For This, Toni Erdmann, Una, Neruda, and more. Check out the line-up below, along with links to our reviews where available.
Line-Up
Arrival (d. Denis Villeneuve, U.S., 2016)
The B-side: Elsa Dorfman’S Portrait Photography (d. Errol Morris, U.S., 2016)
Bleed For This (d. Ben Younger, U.S., 2016)
California Typewriter (d. Doug Nichol, U.S., 2016)
Chasing Trane (d. John Scheinfeld,...
- 9/1/2016
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Update: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has issued an apology for the two derogatory skits about Asians that aired during the Oscars. Per Variety, it reads: "The Academy appreciates the concerns stated, and regrets that any aspect of the Oscar telecast was offensive. We are committed to doing our best to ensure that material in future shows be more culturally sensitive."
Director Ang Lee, actress Sandra Oh and Star Trek star George Takei are among 25 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Asian...
Director Ang Lee, actress Sandra Oh and Star Trek star George Takei are among 25 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Asian...
- 3/15/2016
- Rollingstone.com
Martin Scorsese may or may not be making a feature about the Ramones, but he's definitely directing Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt in a short for a casino in Macau. Also in today's roundup of news and views: Lars von Trier has an idea for a television series, Frederick Wiseman's directing a ballet based on his 1967 documentary Titicut Follies, Lucile Hadzihalilovic is currently filming a followup to her 2004 debut, Innocence, Steven Okazaki's making a doc about Toshiro Mifune, plus interviews with David Lynch, Tim Sutton and much more. » - David Hudson...
- 9/2/2014
- Fandor: Keyframe
Martin Scorsese may or may not be making a feature about the Ramones, but he's definitely directing Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt in a short for a casino in Macau. Also in today's roundup of news and views: Lars von Trier has an idea for a television series, Frederick Wiseman's directing a ballet based on his 1967 documentary Titicut Follies, Lucile Hadzihalilovic is currently filming a followup to her 2004 debut, Innocence, Steven Okazaki's making a doc about Toshiro Mifune, plus interviews with David Lynch, Tim Sutton and much more. » - David Hudson...
- 9/2/2014
- Keyframe
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) will present “Oscar’s Docs, 1955–2002: American Stories” from February 2 through February 14 at MoMA in New York City. This annual collaboration highlights Oscar®–winning and nominated short and feature-length documentary films that explore the history, culture and politics of the United States. All prints are from the Academy Film Archive’s collection. The filmmakers will be present at several screenings (visit MoMA.org for details).
The schedule is as follows:
Sat., Feb. 2, 2 p.m.
American Dream (1990)
Barbara Kopple. This stirring film depicts the effects of a mid-1980s strike by the workers of a Hormel meatpacking plant in Austin, Minnesota. 98 min.
Sat., Feb. 2, 8 p.m.
Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision (1994)
Freida Lee Mock. A profile of Maya Lin, the young artist who created the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington and other politically motivated artistic creations.
The schedule is as follows:
Sat., Feb. 2, 2 p.m.
American Dream (1990)
Barbara Kopple. This stirring film depicts the effects of a mid-1980s strike by the workers of a Hormel meatpacking plant in Austin, Minnesota. 98 min.
Sat., Feb. 2, 8 p.m.
Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision (1994)
Freida Lee Mock. A profile of Maya Lin, the young artist who created the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington and other politically motivated artistic creations.
- 1/29/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography, Plus Camerimage, is the greatest and most recognized festival dedicated to the art of cinematography and its creators - cinematographers. Plus Camerimage contributes to the growth of cinematographers' prestige. The unconventional format of the Festival, which awards films according to their visual, aesthetic and technical values, has turned out to be an alternative for traditional film festivals. As all our guests emphasize - Plus Camerimage is unique. The Festival proves to be a great forum not only for presentation but also for further development of international moviemaking. Plus Camerimage helps young filmmakers and integrates the community of those already recognized, allowing them to explore new artistic areas.
The following competition winners for Plus Camerimage, were revealed in grand fashion as the milestone 20thanniversary edition came to a close at the Opera Nova in Bydgoszcz:
Student Films Competition
Golden Tadpole winner: Blackstory
The most original and innovative film that opens the gate to the future. Christoph Brunner and Stefan Brunner directors, Robert Oberreiner, cinematographer. Institut fur Film und Fersehen Filmakadmie Wien, Austria and Switzerland.
Silver Tadpole winner: The Zone
Brave, bold story, told with cinematographic teamwork. Lauri Randla, director, Mikko Kaumunen, cinematographer. University of Art and Design, Finland.
Bronze Tadpole winner: Without Snow
A gentle, beautifully told story, made with sensibility and maturity. Magnus von Horn, director & Magnus Borge, cinematographer. PWSFTiT, Łódź, Poland.
Directors’ Debuts Competition
For having the confidence to trust the audience and to tell a story of unflinching honesty with the simplicity and grace of an artist, the Directors’ Debuts Competition Award goes to Miguel Angel Jimenez for the film Chaika.
Cinematographers’ Debuts Competition
The Golden Frog Award goes to Chaika. This film deserves the award for the best cinematographer’s debut, because it dares to fulfill the dream of cinema on the big canvas that takes your breath away with beautifully composed vistas in which an intimate human drama unfolds.
Best Music Video
For the best music video award the jury chose a unique video that is using simple means to achieve complex ends, and a startlingly coherent effect. The Best Music Video Award goes to: Roger Ballen and Ninja for Die Antwoord ‘I Fink U Freeky’
Best Cinematography in Music Video
Best Cinematography in a Music Video award goes to an extraordinary video – poetic and with beautiful and original imagery – transcending its location and bitter history. Best Cinematography in a Music Video Award for goes to: Matthew J. Lloyd for Flying Lotus ‘Until The Quiet Comes’
Documentary Shorts Competition
The Jury awards the Golden Frog – Grand Prix to Lorenzo Castore and Adam Cohen for their originality, fearlessness and disturbing weirdness in: No Peace Without War.
The Jury awards the Special Mention to Jacek Bławut and Paweł Chorzępa for a film that captured the madness, mystery and paranoia of art in: The Loneliness Of Sound.
Documentary Features Competition
The Jury awards the Golden Frog – Grand Prix to the Cinematographer Seung-Jun Yi and Director Seung-Jun Yi for the sensitive camera work and intimate approach to the subject in: Planet Of Snail.
The Jury awards the Special Mention to Ester Martin Bergsmark and Minka Jakerson for their extraordinary accomplishment of director’s vision and their creative approach to questions of identity in: She Male Snails
Polish Films Competition
This emotionally compelling film, open to complex interpretations along with outstanding performances and craftsmanship, makes the Jury’s choice for the Best Polish Film at Plus Camerimage 2012: To Kill A Beaver.
Main Competition
Golden Frog winner: War Witch
Director: Kim Nguyen / Canada / 2012 / Cinematographer: Nicolas Bolduc
Silver Frog winner: Holy Motors
Director: Leos Carax / France / 2012 / Cinematographer: Caroline Champetier
Bronze Frog winner: Rhino Season
Director: Bahman Ghobadi / Turkey, Kurdistan, Iraq / 2012 / Cinematographer: Touraj Aslani
As promised, the 20th edition of the Festival was the biggest yet, with a lineup of hot new films and considerable star power. 314 films from around the world were showcased from November 24 to December 1 as industry attention turned to Bydgoszcz for a Festival that has earned its stature as one of Europe’s marquee film festivals and destinations for the biggest films, most recognizable talent and the best cinematographers in the world.
The Festival began last Saturday with Keanu Reeves’ new documentary “Side by Side”, followed by the Polish premiere of Ang Lee’s critically acclaimed “Life of Pi.” Both Reeves and ”Life of Pi” cinematographer Claudio Miranda were in attendance for the exciting opening gala.
Special guests this year included four-time Academy Award® nominated director, writer and producer David Lynch (“Mulholland Dr.,” “The Elephant Man,” “Blue Velvet”); Academy Award®winning film editor Alan Heim (“All That Jazz,” “Network,” “The Notebook,” “American History X”);Academy Award® winning director Steven Okazaki (“Day of Waiting,” “The Mushroom Club,” “Unfinished Business”); and Two-time Primetime Emmy nominated director Michael Lindsay-Hogg (“Let It Be,” “The Object of Beauty,” “Master Harold…and the Boys”).
Two-time Academy Award® nominee Gus Van Sant (“Good Will Hunting,” “Milk,” “Elephant”) was present to accept the Festival’s Director Duo Award on behalf of his late friend, Harris Savides (“American Gangster,” “Zodiac,” “The Game,” “Milk”).
The 20th Plus Camerimage Film Festival was proud to have an illustrious jury that included Joel Schumacher, two-time Academy Award® nominated director, writer and producer Alan Parker, Primetime Emmy nominated director and producer Roger Spottiswoode, Primetime Emmy nominated director Michael Lindsay, award-winning director Paweł Łoziński, Academy Award®winning director Steven Okazaki, Academy Award® winning film editor Alan Heim and cinematographer Karl Walter Lindenlaub.
About Plus Camerimage
Celebrating its landmark 20th anniversary this year, the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography, Plus Camerimage is the most recognized festival dedicated to the art of cinematography and the biggest international film festival in Poland. The unconventional format of the Festival, which awards films according to their visual, aesthetic and technical values, is a unique alternative to traditional film festivals.
Plus Camerimage proves to be a great forum not only for presentation but also for further development of international moviemaking and provides a platform for young filmmakers to explore new artistic areas.
In addition to the main competition, the Festival offers a Polish Films Competition, Student Etudes Competition, Documentary Films Competition, Feature Debuts Competition, Music Videos Competition, Plus Camerimage Market, Plus Camerimage Forum, special screenings and premieres, various reviews, retrospectives, meetings and also accompanying events such as art exhibitions and music performances.
Various presentations of modern film equipment and of the latest production and postproduction technologies (both traditional and digital) are also an inherent aspect of the Festival and have been organized with cooperation from companies such as Plus, Arri, Panavision, Kodak, Hawk, K5600, J.L. Fisher, Sony, Panasonic, KinoFlo, Technicolor and Zeiss.
Plus Camerimage is an extraordinary event where art and technology meet, creating a unique and unforgettable atmosphere. Please visit http://www.pluscamerimage.pl for more information.
The following competition winners for Plus Camerimage, were revealed in grand fashion as the milestone 20thanniversary edition came to a close at the Opera Nova in Bydgoszcz:
Student Films Competition
Golden Tadpole winner: Blackstory
The most original and innovative film that opens the gate to the future. Christoph Brunner and Stefan Brunner directors, Robert Oberreiner, cinematographer. Institut fur Film und Fersehen Filmakadmie Wien, Austria and Switzerland.
Silver Tadpole winner: The Zone
Brave, bold story, told with cinematographic teamwork. Lauri Randla, director, Mikko Kaumunen, cinematographer. University of Art and Design, Finland.
Bronze Tadpole winner: Without Snow
A gentle, beautifully told story, made with sensibility and maturity. Magnus von Horn, director & Magnus Borge, cinematographer. PWSFTiT, Łódź, Poland.
Directors’ Debuts Competition
For having the confidence to trust the audience and to tell a story of unflinching honesty with the simplicity and grace of an artist, the Directors’ Debuts Competition Award goes to Miguel Angel Jimenez for the film Chaika.
Cinematographers’ Debuts Competition
The Golden Frog Award goes to Chaika. This film deserves the award for the best cinematographer’s debut, because it dares to fulfill the dream of cinema on the big canvas that takes your breath away with beautifully composed vistas in which an intimate human drama unfolds.
Best Music Video
For the best music video award the jury chose a unique video that is using simple means to achieve complex ends, and a startlingly coherent effect. The Best Music Video Award goes to: Roger Ballen and Ninja for Die Antwoord ‘I Fink U Freeky’
Best Cinematography in Music Video
Best Cinematography in a Music Video award goes to an extraordinary video – poetic and with beautiful and original imagery – transcending its location and bitter history. Best Cinematography in a Music Video Award for goes to: Matthew J. Lloyd for Flying Lotus ‘Until The Quiet Comes’
Documentary Shorts Competition
The Jury awards the Golden Frog – Grand Prix to Lorenzo Castore and Adam Cohen for their originality, fearlessness and disturbing weirdness in: No Peace Without War.
The Jury awards the Special Mention to Jacek Bławut and Paweł Chorzępa for a film that captured the madness, mystery and paranoia of art in: The Loneliness Of Sound.
Documentary Features Competition
The Jury awards the Golden Frog – Grand Prix to the Cinematographer Seung-Jun Yi and Director Seung-Jun Yi for the sensitive camera work and intimate approach to the subject in: Planet Of Snail.
The Jury awards the Special Mention to Ester Martin Bergsmark and Minka Jakerson for their extraordinary accomplishment of director’s vision and their creative approach to questions of identity in: She Male Snails
Polish Films Competition
This emotionally compelling film, open to complex interpretations along with outstanding performances and craftsmanship, makes the Jury’s choice for the Best Polish Film at Plus Camerimage 2012: To Kill A Beaver.
Main Competition
Golden Frog winner: War Witch
Director: Kim Nguyen / Canada / 2012 / Cinematographer: Nicolas Bolduc
Silver Frog winner: Holy Motors
Director: Leos Carax / France / 2012 / Cinematographer: Caroline Champetier
Bronze Frog winner: Rhino Season
Director: Bahman Ghobadi / Turkey, Kurdistan, Iraq / 2012 / Cinematographer: Touraj Aslani
As promised, the 20th edition of the Festival was the biggest yet, with a lineup of hot new films and considerable star power. 314 films from around the world were showcased from November 24 to December 1 as industry attention turned to Bydgoszcz for a Festival that has earned its stature as one of Europe’s marquee film festivals and destinations for the biggest films, most recognizable talent and the best cinematographers in the world.
The Festival began last Saturday with Keanu Reeves’ new documentary “Side by Side”, followed by the Polish premiere of Ang Lee’s critically acclaimed “Life of Pi.” Both Reeves and ”Life of Pi” cinematographer Claudio Miranda were in attendance for the exciting opening gala.
Special guests this year included four-time Academy Award® nominated director, writer and producer David Lynch (“Mulholland Dr.,” “The Elephant Man,” “Blue Velvet”); Academy Award®winning film editor Alan Heim (“All That Jazz,” “Network,” “The Notebook,” “American History X”);Academy Award® winning director Steven Okazaki (“Day of Waiting,” “The Mushroom Club,” “Unfinished Business”); and Two-time Primetime Emmy nominated director Michael Lindsay-Hogg (“Let It Be,” “The Object of Beauty,” “Master Harold…and the Boys”).
Two-time Academy Award® nominee Gus Van Sant (“Good Will Hunting,” “Milk,” “Elephant”) was present to accept the Festival’s Director Duo Award on behalf of his late friend, Harris Savides (“American Gangster,” “Zodiac,” “The Game,” “Milk”).
The 20th Plus Camerimage Film Festival was proud to have an illustrious jury that included Joel Schumacher, two-time Academy Award® nominated director, writer and producer Alan Parker, Primetime Emmy nominated director and producer Roger Spottiswoode, Primetime Emmy nominated director Michael Lindsay, award-winning director Paweł Łoziński, Academy Award®winning director Steven Okazaki, Academy Award® winning film editor Alan Heim and cinematographer Karl Walter Lindenlaub.
About Plus Camerimage
Celebrating its landmark 20th anniversary this year, the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography, Plus Camerimage is the most recognized festival dedicated to the art of cinematography and the biggest international film festival in Poland. The unconventional format of the Festival, which awards films according to their visual, aesthetic and technical values, is a unique alternative to traditional film festivals.
Plus Camerimage proves to be a great forum not only for presentation but also for further development of international moviemaking and provides a platform for young filmmakers to explore new artistic areas.
In addition to the main competition, the Festival offers a Polish Films Competition, Student Etudes Competition, Documentary Films Competition, Feature Debuts Competition, Music Videos Competition, Plus Camerimage Market, Plus Camerimage Forum, special screenings and premieres, various reviews, retrospectives, meetings and also accompanying events such as art exhibitions and music performances.
Various presentations of modern film equipment and of the latest production and postproduction technologies (both traditional and digital) are also an inherent aspect of the Festival and have been organized with cooperation from companies such as Plus, Arri, Panavision, Kodak, Hawk, K5600, J.L. Fisher, Sony, Panasonic, KinoFlo, Technicolor and Zeiss.
Plus Camerimage is an extraordinary event where art and technology meet, creating a unique and unforgettable atmosphere. Please visit http://www.pluscamerimage.pl for more information.
- 12/21/2012
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Above: 1999 Japanese poster for La jetée (Chris Marker, France, 1962). Designer: unknown.
This Sunday I will be posting my 366th post on my Movie Poster of the Day Tumblr, meaning that I have managed to keep up this endeavor for an entire year, not yet skipping a day. Back in early July I wrote about the blog and posted the 20 most popular (most liked and reblogged) posters to date. With the year anniversary approaching I thought I would do the same thing, tallying the 20 most popular posters of the past four months. Movie Poster of the Day’s viewership has grown exponentially in the interim and as of writing it has 56,964 followers, which blows my mind. You can scroll through the entire archive here.
The most popular poster of the past four months, and the second most popular of the entire year, was this Japanese B1 for La jetée, which I...
This Sunday I will be posting my 366th post on my Movie Poster of the Day Tumblr, meaning that I have managed to keep up this endeavor for an entire year, not yet skipping a day. Back in early July I wrote about the blog and posted the 20 most popular (most liked and reblogged) posters to date. With the year anniversary approaching I thought I would do the same thing, tallying the 20 most popular posters of the past four months. Movie Poster of the Day’s viewership has grown exponentially in the interim and as of writing it has 56,964 followers, which blows my mind. You can scroll through the entire archive here.
The most popular poster of the past four months, and the second most popular of the entire year, was this Japanese B1 for La jetée, which I...
- 11/16/2012
- by Adrian Curry
- MUBI
Steven Okazaki’s Oscar-nominated The Conscience of Nhem En and Errol Morris‘ Standard Operating Procedure (above) will screen as the next installment in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 28th annual “Contemporary Documentaries” series on Wednesday, May 26, at 7 p.m. at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. Admission to all screenings in the series is free. Directed and produced by Okazaki, The Conscience of Nhem En tells the story of a young soldier responsible for taking the ID photos of thousands of people before they were tortured and killed by Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge. The Conscience of Nhem En received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Short Subject. Directed [...]...
- 5/20/2010
- by Anna Robinson
- Alt Film Guide
Steven Okazaki’s Oscar®-nominated documentary short The Conscience of Nhem En is profoundly distressing for reminding that Hannah Arendt’s conception of the “banality of evil” is as global a phenomenon as it is a human one and no less a threat in the machinations of warfare today as yesterday. Our’s is the constant task to remember and resist such inhumanity. Arendt’s understanding of the complicity that supports man’s officious inhumanity to man aligns with filmmaker Okazaki’s thematic concerns with the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. When he and I spoke on the occasion of his Emmy®-award winning White Light, Black Rain, Okazaki expressed his upset with a historicity that excludes the testimonials of survivors of horrific events; an exclusion he deemed “disturbing” if not “racist.” Such exclusions avoid the fascinating and tragic human story and—for his part—talking about survivors and allowing...
- 7/8/2009
- by Michael Guillen
- Screen Anarchy
List Source: Variety
Okay, so another year and now it's the final show of the awards season. I don't know why but I'm not that enthuastic about the Oscars this year. Maybe it was last year's underwhelming show or maybe it's because The Dark Knight isn't nominated this year, probably both, but never-the-less the show is done and I want to put up the post of how the show went. Time for the ultimate post-oscar show breakdown...
<!--break-->
Best Motion Picture Of The Year
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
"Frost/Nixon" (Universal)
"Milk" (Focus Features)
"The Reader" (The Weinstein Company)
Winner: "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)
Best Picture was a major disappointment. Less said about The Dark Knight - the better. For me, Milk is the most deserving of best picture this year. It's issues are more relevant and more original than all films on the list this year.
Okay, so another year and now it's the final show of the awards season. I don't know why but I'm not that enthuastic about the Oscars this year. Maybe it was last year's underwhelming show or maybe it's because The Dark Knight isn't nominated this year, probably both, but never-the-less the show is done and I want to put up the post of how the show went. Time for the ultimate post-oscar show breakdown...
<!--break-->
Best Motion Picture Of The Year
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
"Frost/Nixon" (Universal)
"Milk" (Focus Features)
"The Reader" (The Weinstein Company)
Winner: "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)
Best Picture was a major disappointment. Less said about The Dark Knight - the better. For me, Milk is the most deserving of best picture this year. It's issues are more relevant and more original than all films on the list this year.
- 2/23/2009
- by admin
Fox Searchlight Pictures' "Slumdog Millionaire" has almost completely swept the Oscars® with awards including Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Picture and both original song and score music categories. Other notable wins included: - Sean Penn who took home the Best Actor award, his second after 2004's "Mystic River."- Heath Ledger for his astounding performance in Warner Bros. Pictures' "The Dark Knight"- Kate Winslet - Once again for her work in "The Reader" after a two Golden Globe's earned for "Revolutionary Road" and "The Reader"- Penelope Cruz - In Woody Allen's "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" comedy As announced, here are the winners (noted in bold) of the 2009 Academy Awards which were announced on Sunday, February 22nd. 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...
- 2/23/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Did your favorite movies and stars win? Read on to find out! Performance by an actor in a leading role: 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...
- 2/23/2009
- by TheInsider
- TheInsider.com
Looks like I predicted all the winners yesterday, except for “Best Foreign Language.” Maybe I should have seen one of those before guessing in that category. What did you think? Did they get it right? Who should have won? Post below!
Here are the winners from one of the best Academy Awards ceremonies I can remember:
Best Motion Picture
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Richard Jenkins in The Visitor
Frank Langella in Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn in Milk
Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie in Changeling
Melissa Leo in Frozen River
Meryl Streep in Doubt
Kate Winslet in The Reader
Achievement in directing
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, David Fincher
Frost/Nixon,...
Here are the winners from one of the best Academy Awards ceremonies I can remember:
Best Motion Picture
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Richard Jenkins in The Visitor
Frank Langella in Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn in Milk
Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie in Changeling
Melissa Leo in Frozen River
Meryl Streep in Doubt
Kate Winslet in The Reader
Achievement in directing
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, David Fincher
Frost/Nixon,...
- 2/23/2009
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
Click here for the 2009 Academy Award winners! This year I opted not to break down every category and discuss the merits of each individual nominee. Mostly because it takes a ridiculous amount of time, but also because there doesn’t seem to be as much excitement as in previous years. Maybe it’s the fact that the populist picks of the year (Dark Knight, for example) were snubbed in the major categories and replaced with little seen films like The Reader. Or maybe because many of the categories are foregone conclusions.
Either way, I wanted to post my favorites/predictions and hopefully get some discussion going on what you think will win and why. I’m posting my picks here, but included the full list of nominations below.
Best Picture
Slumdog Millionaire - It’s clearly the favorite going into the ballot counting having swept every major awards ceremony leading up to the Oscars.
Either way, I wanted to post my favorites/predictions and hopefully get some discussion going on what you think will win and why. I’m posting my picks here, but included the full list of nominations below.
Best Picture
Slumdog Millionaire - It’s clearly the favorite going into the ballot counting having swept every major awards ceremony leading up to the Oscars.
- 2/21/2009
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
On Thursday morning, January 22, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have unveiled to the world their selection of nominees for the 81st Annual Academy Awards. Announced by Academy president Sid Ganis and Academy Award-winner Forest Whitaker at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, the nominations were dominated by "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button".
Having been shunned away from any kudos at the 66th Golden Globe Awards, the David Fincher's drama has picked up 13 nods, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress for Taraji P. Henson and Best Leading Actor for Brad Pitt. The movie about a man born in his eighties has landed a Best Original Score nomination for composer Alexandre Desplat, and received seven gongs for technical categories as well.
The success of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" in collecting multiple nominations was followed by "Slumdog Millionaire", "The Dark Knight...
Having been shunned away from any kudos at the 66th Golden Globe Awards, the David Fincher's drama has picked up 13 nods, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress for Taraji P. Henson and Best Leading Actor for Brad Pitt. The movie about a man born in his eighties has landed a Best Original Score nomination for composer Alexandre Desplat, and received seven gongs for technical categories as well.
The success of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" in collecting multiple nominations was followed by "Slumdog Millionaire", "The Dark Knight...
- 1/23/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has selected the nominations for the 81st Annual Academy Awards ceremony, airing live on ABC February 22, 2009. The awards will be handed out at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California.
Hugh Jackman has been hired to host the Oscars, the first time for the Australian actor, but more importantly the first time since 1989 a comedian hasn’t hosted. The producers (Laurence Mark and Bill Condon) have also made formal statements saying they do not plan to announce the presenters for the awards, hoping the surprise will drive viewership.
The telecast last year was the least watched in the 30-year history of the rating system. The industry had hoped a “Best Picture” nomination for The Dark Knight or Wall-e would help bridge the gap between popular, massive movies and lesser seen art house films. A poll by USA Today and Fandango showed 71% of respondents...
Hugh Jackman has been hired to host the Oscars, the first time for the Australian actor, but more importantly the first time since 1989 a comedian hasn’t hosted. The producers (Laurence Mark and Bill Condon) have also made formal statements saying they do not plan to announce the presenters for the awards, hoping the surprise will drive viewership.
The telecast last year was the least watched in the 30-year history of the rating system. The industry had hoped a “Best Picture” nomination for The Dark Knight or Wall-e would help bridge the gap between popular, massive movies and lesser seen art house films. A poll by USA Today and Fandango showed 71% of respondents...
- 1/22/2009
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
Read my griping and complaining below.
But tally time -- "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" received 13 nominations, and "Milk" got 8! Yay!
Oh, and my lovely "Wall-e" received an Original Screenplay nomination! Woo Hoo!
Read the Complete List by clicking, Read More.
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...
But tally time -- "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" received 13 nominations, and "Milk" got 8! Yay!
Oh, and my lovely "Wall-e" received an Original Screenplay nomination! Woo Hoo!
Read the Complete List by clicking, Read More.
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...
- 1/22/2009
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Nominations for the 81st Academy Awards were announced Thursday morning at Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (A.M.P.A.S.) in Beverly Hills by Sid Ganis and Forest Whitaker. Paramount Pictures' "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" edged ahead of competitors in the number of awards nominated for this years offering of films with a total of thirteen nominations. These included, among others Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. Other contenders in the Best Picture category included Focus Features’ “Milk,” Universal’s “Frost/Nixon,” the Weinstein Co.’s “The Reader” and Fox Searchlight’s “Slumdog Millionaire.” "Aint nothin' but a thang" - Robert Downey Jr. secured an Oscar® nomination for his hilarious supporting role in Ben Stiller's "Tropic Thunder." As announced by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, here are the nominees: Performance by an actor in a leading role Richard Jenkins...
- 1/22/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The assassination of Martin Luther King, Cesar Chavez's grape boycott, gay men in China and historian David McCullough are among the subjects of the films vying for Oscar nominations for best documentary short subject.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Wednesday released a shortlist of eight titles, culled from 31 submissions. Three to five of them will be named when the nominees are announced Jan. 22.
The films making the cut are:
-- "The Conscience of Nhem En," directed by Steven Okazaki, a study of Cambodia 30 years after the reign of the Khmer Rouge. Okazaki won in the category for 1990's "Days of Waiting."
-- "David McCullough: Painting With Words," by Mark Herzog, an HBO documentary offering a portrait of the historian who wrote "John Adams," the basis for HBO's Emmy-winning miniseries.
-- "Downstream," by Leslie Iwerks, a nominee for 2006's "Recycled Life," that looks at Canada's oil sands...
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Wednesday released a shortlist of eight titles, culled from 31 submissions. Three to five of them will be named when the nominees are announced Jan. 22.
The films making the cut are:
-- "The Conscience of Nhem En," directed by Steven Okazaki, a study of Cambodia 30 years after the reign of the Khmer Rouge. Okazaki won in the category for 1990's "Days of Waiting."
-- "David McCullough: Painting With Words," by Mark Herzog, an HBO documentary offering a portrait of the historian who wrote "John Adams," the basis for HBO's Emmy-winning miniseries.
-- "Downstream," by Leslie Iwerks, a nominee for 2006's "Recycled Life," that looks at Canada's oil sands...
- 10/8/2008
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
- Lots of familiar Sundance faces are the make up of the six juries that will be judging the films in various sections of the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. The six juries for the 2008 Sundance Film Festival are:Dramatic Competition: Marcia Gay Harden, Mary Harron, Diego Luna, Sandra Oh and Quentin Tarantino; Documentary Competition: Michelle Byrd, Heidi Ewing, Eugene Jarecki, Steven Okazaki and Annie Sundberg; World Dramatic Competition: Shunji Iwai (Japan), Lucrecia Martel (Argentina) and Jan Schuette (Germany); World Documentary Competition: Amir Bar-Lev (Us), Leena Pasanen (Finland/Denmark) and Ilda Santiago (Brazil); American and International Shorts: Jon Bloom, Melonie Diaz and Jason Reitman; The Alfred P. Sloan Prize: (acknowledge an outstanding film for the quality of its thematic presentation of science and technology.)Alan Alda, Michael Polish, Evan Schwartz, Benedict Schwegler and John Underkoffler...
- 1/8/2008
- IONCINEMA.com
NEW YORK -- Marcia Gay Harden, Sandra Oh, Quentin Tarantino, Jason Reitman and Alan Alda topline the list of the 24 jurors selected to award prizes at this month's Sundance Film Festival.
The six juries overseeing competition categories also feature well-known names from the indie film world, including Melonie Diaz, Mary Harron, Diego Luna, Michelle Byrd and Eugene Jarecki.
Harden, Luna and Oh will join directors Harron ("American Psycho") and Tarantino to choose the dramatic competition grand jury prize.
IFP executive director Byrd will join directors Heidi Ewing ("Jesus Camp"), Jarecki ("Why We Fight") Steven Okazaki ("Rehab") and Annie Sundberg ("The Devil Came on Horseback") in selecting the documentary competition grand jury prize.
Indie directors Shunji Iwai of Japan, Lucrecia Martel of Argentina and Jan Schuette of Germany will jury the world dramatic competition. Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival executive director Ilda Santiago, European Documentary Network director Leena Pasanen and "My Kid Could Paint That" helmer Amir Bar-Lev will select the world documentary competition winner.
The six juries overseeing competition categories also feature well-known names from the indie film world, including Melonie Diaz, Mary Harron, Diego Luna, Michelle Byrd and Eugene Jarecki.
Harden, Luna and Oh will join directors Harron ("American Psycho") and Tarantino to choose the dramatic competition grand jury prize.
IFP executive director Byrd will join directors Heidi Ewing ("Jesus Camp"), Jarecki ("Why We Fight") Steven Okazaki ("Rehab") and Annie Sundberg ("The Devil Came on Horseback") in selecting the documentary competition grand jury prize.
Indie directors Shunji Iwai of Japan, Lucrecia Martel of Argentina and Jan Schuette of Germany will jury the world dramatic competition. Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival executive director Ilda Santiago, European Documentary Network director Leena Pasanen and "My Kid Could Paint That" helmer Amir Bar-Lev will select the world documentary competition winner.
NEW YORK -- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Monday unveiled the 15 films on its 2007 documentary feature Oscar shortlist.
Four ThinkFilm releases made the cut, a record for the company and one of the biggest lineups ever for any distributor. They are Tony Kaye's abortion epic Lake of Fire, Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman's World War II expose Nanking, Alex Gibney's Iraq War study Taxi to the Dark Side and Sean Fine and Andrea Nix's look at a Ugandan musical competition War/Dance.
The biggest boxoffice hit among the bunch by far is Michael Moore's health-care expose Sicko, from the Weinstein Co., but other high-profile releases were left off the list. Jonathan Demme's Jimmy Carter: Man From Plains and Amir Bar-Lev's child prodigy study My Kid Could Paint That from Sony Pictures Classics were expected to make the cut but didn't. Other notable absentees were Ricki Stern and Anne Sundberg's look at Darfur, The Devil Came on Horseback; Picturehouse's gamers study The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters; and ThinkFilm's space-themed In the Shadow of the Moon.
Aside from Taxi, other films covering the Iraq War that made the list included Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro's Body of War, Charles Ferguson's No End in Sight and Richard Robbins' Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience.
Features about other wars made the cut, too, including Steven Okazaki's White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and Richard Berge, Bonni Cohen and Nicole Newnham's World War II art study The Rape of Europa.
Virtually all films on the list were topical, including Tricia Regan's look at special-needs children, Autism: The Musical...
Four ThinkFilm releases made the cut, a record for the company and one of the biggest lineups ever for any distributor. They are Tony Kaye's abortion epic Lake of Fire, Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman's World War II expose Nanking, Alex Gibney's Iraq War study Taxi to the Dark Side and Sean Fine and Andrea Nix's look at a Ugandan musical competition War/Dance.
The biggest boxoffice hit among the bunch by far is Michael Moore's health-care expose Sicko, from the Weinstein Co., but other high-profile releases were left off the list. Jonathan Demme's Jimmy Carter: Man From Plains and Amir Bar-Lev's child prodigy study My Kid Could Paint That from Sony Pictures Classics were expected to make the cut but didn't. Other notable absentees were Ricki Stern and Anne Sundberg's look at Darfur, The Devil Came on Horseback; Picturehouse's gamers study The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters; and ThinkFilm's space-themed In the Shadow of the Moon.
Aside from Taxi, other films covering the Iraq War that made the list included Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro's Body of War, Charles Ferguson's No End in Sight and Richard Robbins' Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience.
Features about other wars made the cut, too, including Steven Okazaki's White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and Richard Berge, Bonni Cohen and Nicole Newnham's World War II art study The Rape of Europa.
Virtually all films on the list were topical, including Tricia Regan's look at special-needs children, Autism: The Musical...
- 11/20/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.