“Maestro” brought together three filmmakers — the sophomore director Bradley Cooper and the screen masters Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese — as producers. “Maestro” chronicles the marriage of famed composer Leonard Bernstein (Cooper) and his muse Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan). You can catch this acclaimed films in cinemas before it starts streaming on Netflix on Dec. 20. Either way, you’re in for a treat.
While Scorsese has his own film, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” in contention for this year’s Oscars, Spielberg is also a producer on the musical remake of “The Color Purple.” (This fact was omitted in the original version of this article due to an editing error.) He is one of the most successful filmmakers of all time and has an Oscars track record to prove it. He’s won two of his nine bids for Best Director: in 1994 for “Schindler’s List” and 1999 for “Saving Private Ryan.” While...
While Scorsese has his own film, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” in contention for this year’s Oscars, Spielberg is also a producer on the musical remake of “The Color Purple.” (This fact was omitted in the original version of this article due to an editing error.) He is one of the most successful filmmakers of all time and has an Oscars track record to prove it. He’s won two of his nine bids for Best Director: in 1994 for “Schindler’s List” and 1999 for “Saving Private Ryan.” While...
- 11/28/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
It’s hard to believe that six decades has passed since David Lean’s breathtaking epic “Lawrence of Arabia” was released. Nominated for ten Oscars, the landmark classic revolves about the enigmatic T.E. Lawrence, the British intelligence officer stationed in Cairo who helped the Arabs crush the Ottoman Empire. Lean, who had won his first Oscar five years earlier for the World War II drama “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” was the peak of his powers as a filmmaker. And he elicited dazzling performances from his uber-handsome stars, Peter O’Toole as Lawrence and Omar Sharif as Sherif Ali. The later is memorably introduced in the film with a long, slow shot of him travelling on a camel in the desert.
It was no surprise that “Lawrence” conquered the 35th Academy Awards which took place April 8, 1963 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium earning seven statuettes including film, director, cinematography, editing,...
It was no surprise that “Lawrence” conquered the 35th Academy Awards which took place April 8, 1963 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium earning seven statuettes including film, director, cinematography, editing,...
- 1/11/2023
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
1957's "The Bridge on the River Kwai" marked one of the finest achievements in Hollywood history by presenting both a taut, suspenseful World War II story and a tale of psychological degradation under the oppressive weight of a P.O.W. camp. Director David Lean's masterful command of pace and tone is assisted by nuanced and engaging performances from Sir Alec Guinness, William Holden, and Sessue Hayakawa. And the screenplay, based on the novel by Pierre Boulle, is beautifully structured, building to an explosive climax that's almost secondary to the implosion that's been carefully developed across the whole movie.
The screenplay was credited to Boulle, and he won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. While he wrote the source material, the screenplay actually came entirely from other writers, who were kept under wraps. Between Boulle, Lean, and producer Sam Spiegel, many people officially involved with the movie would take some credit for the work.
The screenplay was credited to Boulle, and he won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. While he wrote the source material, the screenplay actually came entirely from other writers, who were kept under wraps. Between Boulle, Lean, and producer Sam Spiegel, many people officially involved with the movie would take some credit for the work.
- 12/23/2022
- by Anthony Crislip
- Slash Film
David Zaslav is a busy man, but I think he would benefit from a meeting with Alfred Hitchcock. They had this in common: Facing cycles of disruption, each decided to call a “time out” to gain perspective and design new strategies.
And both likely would have enjoyed their interaction. As CEO of Warner Bros Discovery, Zaslav is the center of the storm as he comes to terms with what he views as “the new reality.” Confronted by stalemate on many fronts, Hitchcock, too, took his pause to restore order.
“I was prepping Psycho in 1960 when it hit me that the game had changed but no one had set forth the new rules,” Hitchcock once told me. “The whole industry seemed to come to a halt. After a long layoff I decided to radically cut costs, shoot my movie in black and white with a small TV crew and shift to entirely new locations.
And both likely would have enjoyed their interaction. As CEO of Warner Bros Discovery, Zaslav is the center of the storm as he comes to terms with what he views as “the new reality.” Confronted by stalemate on many fronts, Hitchcock, too, took his pause to restore order.
“I was prepping Psycho in 1960 when it hit me that the game had changed but no one had set forth the new rules,” Hitchcock once told me. “The whole industry seemed to come to a halt. After a long layoff I decided to radically cut costs, shoot my movie in black and white with a small TV crew and shift to entirely new locations.
- 8/11/2022
- by Peter Bart
- Deadline Film + TV
Festival to close with Pjer Zalica’s ‘May Labor Day’.
New film projects from Bulgarian filmmaker Stephan Komandarev and Renen Schorr, the former head of Jerusalem’s Sam Spiegel School for Film and Television, are among the 12 features selected for Sarajevo’s CineLink Work In Progress section.
The festival has also programmed the world premiere of Bosnian-Herzegovinian director Pjer Zalica’s May Labor Day as its closing film, on August 19.
Scroll down for the full list of projects
The Work In Progress strand consists of 10 fiction and two documentary projects, which will be presented to industry professionals including funders, sales agents,...
New film projects from Bulgarian filmmaker Stephan Komandarev and Renen Schorr, the former head of Jerusalem’s Sam Spiegel School for Film and Television, are among the 12 features selected for Sarajevo’s CineLink Work In Progress section.
The festival has also programmed the world premiere of Bosnian-Herzegovinian director Pjer Zalica’s May Labor Day as its closing film, on August 19.
Scroll down for the full list of projects
The Work In Progress strand consists of 10 fiction and two documentary projects, which will be presented to industry professionals including funders, sales agents,...
- 7/29/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: U.S. execs headed to the inaugural Scripted Israel event in LA in September can expect to meet 17 prominent Israeli producers and a host of talent and writers.
Organizers have unveiled the line-up of participating companies at the event, which is aimed at uniting top Israeli talent and producers with major U.S. entertainment execs.
Among those signed up are MoviePlus Productions, which co-produced HBO drama Our Boys; Dori Media, which produced Apple TV+’s Losing Alice; Spiro Films, whose drama When Heroes Fly was picked up by Netflix; and Koda Communications, which made the scripted series that HBO’s Your Honor was based on.
Key screenwriters in attendance will include Nir Berger (Dead End), Omri Van Essen (Tehran) and Tehila Peter-Dansker. See the full lists below.
Hosted by the Consulates General of Israel in Los Angeles and New York, Scripted Israel will be held on September 19-22.
It...
Organizers have unveiled the line-up of participating companies at the event, which is aimed at uniting top Israeli talent and producers with major U.S. entertainment execs.
Among those signed up are MoviePlus Productions, which co-produced HBO drama Our Boys; Dori Media, which produced Apple TV+’s Losing Alice; Spiro Films, whose drama When Heroes Fly was picked up by Netflix; and Koda Communications, which made the scripted series that HBO’s Your Honor was based on.
Key screenwriters in attendance will include Nir Berger (Dead End), Omri Van Essen (Tehran) and Tehila Peter-Dansker. See the full lists below.
Hosted by the Consulates General of Israel in Los Angeles and New York, Scripted Israel will be held on September 19-22.
It...
- 7/28/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Five Israeli projects won Pitch Point awards at the ceremony.
Zetjune, the upcoming second feature from Luzzu director Alex Camilleri, has won the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab Grand Prize on Saturday (July 23), at a joint ceremony in which Jerusalem Industry Days announced its Pitch Point winners.
Featuring real artists from the Maltese folk scene, musical Zejtune follows a 30-year-old woman whose life is reinvigorated by an encounter with an elderly troubadour.
Scroll down for the full list of winners
The 50,000 award was given to Maltese-us filmmaker Camilleri and his producers Rebecca Anastasi from Malta and Ramin Bahrami from the US.
Zetjune, the upcoming second feature from Luzzu director Alex Camilleri, has won the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab Grand Prize on Saturday (July 23), at a joint ceremony in which Jerusalem Industry Days announced its Pitch Point winners.
Featuring real artists from the Maltese folk scene, musical Zejtune follows a 30-year-old woman whose life is reinvigorated by an encounter with an elderly troubadour.
Scroll down for the full list of winners
The 50,000 award was given to Maltese-us filmmaker Camilleri and his producers Rebecca Anastasi from Malta and Ramin Bahrami from the US.
- 7/25/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Click here to read the full article.
On July 2, 1946, director-star Orson Welles unveiled noir film The Stranger in Los Angeles. The film went on to earn a nomination in the writing category at the 19th Academy Awards. The Hollywood Reporter’s original review, titled “‘The Stranger’ Will Know High Boxoffice Returns,” is below:
In The Stranger, International Pictures delivers the sixth and final feature for release through Rko-Radio. It is an entertainment of the same high quality that has distinguished previous product by the Leo Spitz-William Goetz organization which will schedule future releases through United World Pictures. Produced by S. P. Eagle and directed by Orson Welles, who with Edward C. Robinson and Loretta Young comprise the trio of stars, boxoffice expectancies are exceptionally strong for this tense and suspenseful melodrama. It starts out on the note of a chase, thoughtfully develops every possible punch, builds legitimate interest in the...
On July 2, 1946, director-star Orson Welles unveiled noir film The Stranger in Los Angeles. The film went on to earn a nomination in the writing category at the 19th Academy Awards. The Hollywood Reporter’s original review, titled “‘The Stranger’ Will Know High Boxoffice Returns,” is below:
In The Stranger, International Pictures delivers the sixth and final feature for release through Rko-Radio. It is an entertainment of the same high quality that has distinguished previous product by the Leo Spitz-William Goetz organization which will schedule future releases through United World Pictures. Produced by S. P. Eagle and directed by Orson Welles, who with Edward C. Robinson and Loretta Young comprise the trio of stars, boxoffice expectancies are exceptionally strong for this tense and suspenseful melodrama. It starts out on the note of a chase, thoughtfully develops every possible punch, builds legitimate interest in the...
- 7/2/2022
- by Jack D. Grant
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The road to developing "The Bridge on the River Kwai" into a feature film was long. Producer Sam Spiegel, a classic movie mogul for all it entails, saw in Pierre Boulle's 1952 novel the chance to make a truly stirring wartime epic. The book was a highly fictitious retelling of the disastrous building of the Burma Railway by Japan's prisoners of war that softened the real tragedy of the Burma Railway, and maybe a movie would soften it further. But Spiegel had the sensibilities and know-how of a...
The post The Bridge on the River Kwai's Bridge Went Through an Incredible Construction Process appeared first on /Film.
The post The Bridge on the River Kwai's Bridge Went Through an Incredible Construction Process appeared first on /Film.
- 6/29/2022
- by Anthony Crislip
- Slash Film
"Lawrence of Arabia" defined what an epic looked like on the big screen. Its exploration of how historical figures and events can become cultural myths -- as well as its huge-scale, immersive Panavision 70 mm color cinematography -- influenced filmmakers from George Lucas to Denis Villeneuve. That's why Hollywood's decades-long neglect of screenwriter Michael Wilson is an uncomfortable stain on the film's prestigious status in the annals of cinema.
Sam Spiegel was the lucky producer who managed to negotiate the much-coveted and much-protected rights to T.E. Lawrence's autobiography "Seven Pillars of Wisdom," which told of the British colonel's experiences in the Arab Revolt against...
The post Hollywood Tried to Erase Lawrence of Arabia's Writer From History appeared first on /Film.
Sam Spiegel was the lucky producer who managed to negotiate the much-coveted and much-protected rights to T.E. Lawrence's autobiography "Seven Pillars of Wisdom," which told of the British colonel's experiences in the Arab Revolt against...
The post Hollywood Tried to Erase Lawrence of Arabia's Writer From History appeared first on /Film.
- 3/23/2022
- by Andrew Housman
- Slash Film
“No Arab loves the desert. We love water and green trees. There is nothing in the desert and no man needs nothing.”
Peter O’Toole in David Lean’s Iconic Classic Lawrence Of Arabia (1962) will be available on 4K Ultra HD Steelbook June 7th
Celebrating its 60th anniversary. Winner of 7 Academy Awards® including Best Picture of 1962, Lawrence Of Arabia stands as one of the most timeless and essential motion picture masterpieces. The greatest achievement of its legendary, Oscar®-winning director, David Lean, the film stars Peter O’Toole — in his career-making performance — as T.E. Lawrence, the audacious World War I British army officer who heroically united rival Arab desert tribes and led them to war against the mighty Turkish Empire. Nominated for 10 Academy Awards in 1962, Lawrence Of Arabia won seven, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography [Color], Best Art Direction-Set Decoration [Color], Best Film Editing, Best Music [Score] and Best Sound.
Bonus Materials...
Peter O’Toole in David Lean’s Iconic Classic Lawrence Of Arabia (1962) will be available on 4K Ultra HD Steelbook June 7th
Celebrating its 60th anniversary. Winner of 7 Academy Awards® including Best Picture of 1962, Lawrence Of Arabia stands as one of the most timeless and essential motion picture masterpieces. The greatest achievement of its legendary, Oscar®-winning director, David Lean, the film stars Peter O’Toole — in his career-making performance — as T.E. Lawrence, the audacious World War I British army officer who heroically united rival Arab desert tribes and led them to war against the mighty Turkish Empire. Nominated for 10 Academy Awards in 1962, Lawrence Of Arabia won seven, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography [Color], Best Art Direction-Set Decoration [Color], Best Film Editing, Best Music [Score] and Best Sound.
Bonus Materials...
- 2/28/2022
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will be taking a trip to Vienna for a six-week programming initiative including a symposium and film series with a distinct cinematic connection to that fabled Austrian city.
The museum announced today the series launch on December 10 and running through January 31. It is designed to explore what the museum describes as the “large community of predominately Jewish, Austrian-born film artists and professionals who helped shape the films and industry of classical era Hollywood.” Titled “Vienna in Hollywood: Emigres and Exiles in the Studio System,” the series is presented in collaboration with the USC Libraries and the USC Max Kade Institute. The Austrian Consulate General in L.A. also is offering support.
Bill Kramer, director and president of the Academy Museum, said: “During the classical Hollywood era, so many beloved films and so many components of the movie industry were developed and shaped by Austrian émigrés,...
The museum announced today the series launch on December 10 and running through January 31. It is designed to explore what the museum describes as the “large community of predominately Jewish, Austrian-born film artists and professionals who helped shape the films and industry of classical era Hollywood.” Titled “Vienna in Hollywood: Emigres and Exiles in the Studio System,” the series is presented in collaboration with the USC Libraries and the USC Max Kade Institute. The Austrian Consulate General in L.A. also is offering support.
Bill Kramer, director and president of the Academy Museum, said: “During the classical Hollywood era, so many beloved films and so many components of the movie industry were developed and shaped by Austrian émigrés,...
- 10/25/2021
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures announced Vienna in Hollywood, a new six-week program launching on Dec. 10 that explores the history of the predominantly Jewish, Austrian-born community of filmmakers and professionals who helped shape the classical era of Hollywood.
Jewish immigrants from Eastern and Central Europe including actor-director Erich von Stroheim and composer Max Steiner were major players in the early establishment of the American film industry in the 1920s. Due to Nazi persecution, a larger wave came in the ‘30s and ‘40s, bringing in talent such as the directors Billy Wilder and Fritz Lang; actors Hedy Lamarr and Peter Lorre; producers Eric Pleskow and Sam Spiegel; screenwriters Vicki Baum and Gina Kaus; and composers Erich Wolfgang Korngold and Ernest Gold. With a symposium and film series, Vienna in Hollywood will pay tribute to these artists and many more.
The two-day symposium is titled Vienna in Hollywood: The Influence and...
Jewish immigrants from Eastern and Central Europe including actor-director Erich von Stroheim and composer Max Steiner were major players in the early establishment of the American film industry in the 1920s. Due to Nazi persecution, a larger wave came in the ‘30s and ‘40s, bringing in talent such as the directors Billy Wilder and Fritz Lang; actors Hedy Lamarr and Peter Lorre; producers Eric Pleskow and Sam Spiegel; screenwriters Vicki Baum and Gina Kaus; and composers Erich Wolfgang Korngold and Ernest Gold. With a symposium and film series, Vienna in Hollywood will pay tribute to these artists and many more.
The two-day symposium is titled Vienna in Hollywood: The Influence and...
- 10/25/2021
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
5 random things that happened on this day, February 28th, in showbiz history...
1921 One hundred years ago today movie producer Saul Zaentz was born in New Jersey. He won the Best Picture Oscar three times: One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, Amadeus, and The English Patient. That gives him the all time record for "Most Best Picture wins" which he shares in a tie with Sam Spiegel. The living producers that share second place with 2 wins each are Clint Eastwood and Albert S Ruddy (though they're both 90 years old) and Dede Gardner & Jeremy Kleiner (who are fairly young as producers go winning for both 12 Years a Slave and Moonlight so they could conceivably tie this three-time record... though it obviously won't be easy to do!
1983 M*A*S*H airs its final episode after 11 seasons. The vast majority of the television audience in the US was watching. I remember my...
1921 One hundred years ago today movie producer Saul Zaentz was born in New Jersey. He won the Best Picture Oscar three times: One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, Amadeus, and The English Patient. That gives him the all time record for "Most Best Picture wins" which he shares in a tie with Sam Spiegel. The living producers that share second place with 2 wins each are Clint Eastwood and Albert S Ruddy (though they're both 90 years old) and Dede Gardner & Jeremy Kleiner (who are fairly young as producers go winning for both 12 Years a Slave and Moonlight so they could conceivably tie this three-time record... though it obviously won't be easy to do!
1983 M*A*S*H airs its final episode after 11 seasons. The vast majority of the television audience in the US was watching. I remember my...
- 2/28/2021
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
The Academy has released a list of 366 feature films in contention for the upcoming 93rd Oscars. The number of eligible movies is up from the 344 submitted in 2019, although it’s not an AMPAS record. This is the highest total since the 1970 awards, which had 374 eligible entries.
All the expected awards contenders are among the “reminder list of productions eligible for the 93rd Academy Awards,” which include Florian Zeller’s “The Father,” Shaka King’s “Judas and the Black Messiah,” Lee Isaac Chung’s “Minari,” Paul Greengrass’ “News of the World,” Regina King’s “One Night in Miami,” Emerald Fennell’s “Promising Young Woman” Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland,” Pete Docter and Kemp Powers’ “Soul,” and Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7.”
Some of the more unconventional contenders are also on the list, including Robert Downey Jr.’s family pic “Dolittle,” the horror film “The Empty Man” from David Pryor,...
All the expected awards contenders are among the “reminder list of productions eligible for the 93rd Academy Awards,” which include Florian Zeller’s “The Father,” Shaka King’s “Judas and the Black Messiah,” Lee Isaac Chung’s “Minari,” Paul Greengrass’ “News of the World,” Regina King’s “One Night in Miami,” Emerald Fennell’s “Promising Young Woman” Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland,” Pete Docter and Kemp Powers’ “Soul,” and Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7.”
Some of the more unconventional contenders are also on the list, including Robert Downey Jr.’s family pic “Dolittle,” the horror film “The Empty Man” from David Pryor,...
- 2/25/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
War Office feared war movie would ‘not go down well with British public’
The adventure war film The Bridge on the River Kwai may have swept the board of awards and attracted acclaim as one best films of the 20th century, but the War Office was very nervous “it would not go down well with the British public”, documents reveal.
Letters between the Hollywood producer Sam Spiegel and the UK War Office, from whom he was seeking permission for Raf cooperation in making the 1957 film, show tensions over how its plot depicted the conduct of British officers.
The adventure war film The Bridge on the River Kwai may have swept the board of awards and attracted acclaim as one best films of the 20th century, but the War Office was very nervous “it would not go down well with the British public”, documents reveal.
Letters between the Hollywood producer Sam Spiegel and the UK War Office, from whom he was seeking permission for Raf cooperation in making the 1957 film, show tensions over how its plot depicted the conduct of British officers.
- 8/11/2020
- by Caroline Davies
- The Guardian - Film News
The Bloom/Spiegel Film Exchange, an alliance between New York’s Ifp Marcie Bloom Fellowship in Film and the Jerusalem-based Sam Spiegel Film School and lab, has selected the nine filmmakers who will take part in its fourth edition.
The cross-cultural program will welcome Israeli filmmakers including Aalam-Warque Davidian, Margarita Belaklav, Tamar
Kay, Tal Miller, and Noa Shaham from the Sam Spiegel lab. They will be joined by Adrian Cardenas, Ben Gottlieb, Haley Anderson and Katrina Vogl from the New York-based Marcie Bloom Fellowship.
During a four-day seminar, the participants will meet with producers, directors, foreign sales agents, festival directors, programmers, poster designers, restorers and visit unique theaters and companies around the city. These meetings are meant to help them develop relationships with the film industry and encourage future collaborations.
“we started the Marcie Bloom Fellowship with the intention of bringing together a dynamic community of thoughtful, kind hearted and extremely curious filmmakers,...
The cross-cultural program will welcome Israeli filmmakers including Aalam-Warque Davidian, Margarita Belaklav, Tamar
Kay, Tal Miller, and Noa Shaham from the Sam Spiegel lab. They will be joined by Adrian Cardenas, Ben Gottlieb, Haley Anderson and Katrina Vogl from the New York-based Marcie Bloom Fellowship.
During a four-day seminar, the participants will meet with producers, directors, foreign sales agents, festival directors, programmers, poster designers, restorers and visit unique theaters and companies around the city. These meetings are meant to help them develop relationships with the film industry and encourage future collaborations.
“we started the Marcie Bloom Fellowship with the intention of bringing together a dynamic community of thoughtful, kind hearted and extremely curious filmmakers,...
- 3/13/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
One of cinema’s most magnificent and visually stunning achievements, Lawrence of Arabia will return to movie theaters nationwide for two days only – a film made to be seen on the big screen will be presented by Fathom Events as part of the TCM Big Screen Classics series. Lawrence of Arabia will be presented digitally in 4K from a meticulous restoration that utilized 8K scans of the original 65mm negative; the picture was painstakingly restored to remove the damage, deterioration and fading the negative had experienced over 50 years.
Movie lovers can experience Lawrence of Arabia in its original 2.20:1 aspect ratio and in remastered 5.1 audio, along with the film’s sweeping original overture and intermission music by Maurice Jarre.
At once sophisticated and adventurous, literary and epic – and always strikingly visual – Lawrence of Arabia stars Peter O’Toole as T.E. Lawrence, the British soldier who unites the Arabic Empire to fight against the Turks.
Movie lovers can experience Lawrence of Arabia in its original 2.20:1 aspect ratio and in remastered 5.1 audio, along with the film’s sweeping original overture and intermission music by Maurice Jarre.
At once sophisticated and adventurous, literary and epic – and always strikingly visual – Lawrence of Arabia stars Peter O’Toole as T.E. Lawrence, the British soldier who unites the Arabic Empire to fight against the Turks.
- 8/13/2019
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
This summer marks multiple 50th anniversary spin-offs of 1969 cultural watersheds, from the first moon landing (Neon’s hit documentary “Apollo 11”) and the Manson family murders (Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”) to concert event “Woodstock.”
In the middle of 1969, Dennis Hopper’s “Easy Rider” opened in New York at one theater, ahead of a slow rollout (most of the country did not play the film until September). Now, on the anniversary of the premiere, Fathom Events is bringing it back to over 400 theaters for limited shows on Sunday and next Wednesday.
Decades later, “Easy Rider” is not remembered so much as a great movie–although it did break out Jack Nicholson as a movie star– but more as a shocking commercial success that shook Hollywood’s timbers. The studio reaction to “Easy Rider” changed the industry forever.
Here’s how “Easy Rider” turned into a pivotal Hollywood moment.
In the middle of 1969, Dennis Hopper’s “Easy Rider” opened in New York at one theater, ahead of a slow rollout (most of the country did not play the film until September). Now, on the anniversary of the premiere, Fathom Events is bringing it back to over 400 theaters for limited shows on Sunday and next Wednesday.
Decades later, “Easy Rider” is not remembered so much as a great movie–although it did break out Jack Nicholson as a movie star– but more as a shocking commercial success that shook Hollywood’s timbers. The studio reaction to “Easy Rider” changed the industry forever.
Here’s how “Easy Rider” turned into a pivotal Hollywood moment.
- 7/12/2019
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Michael Barker, the lauded co-president and co-founder of Sony Pictures Classics, was celebrated with an honorary career tribute in Jerusalem as part of the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab.
Barker, who made his first trip to Israel to attend the event, received the Force-of-Nature in Filmmaking Award. Founded by Renen Schorr and run by producer Lior Sasson, the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab praised Barker as a “major cinematic master-builder” for the pivotal role he played in distributing Israeli films such as “Waltz With Bashir,” “The Band’s Visit,” “Footnote” and “The Gate Keepers,” and leading them to the Academy Awards.
Barker has also distributed critically acclaimed international films such as “Call Me by Your Name,” “Whiplash,” “Talk to Her” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”
Aside from the tribute to Barker, the film lab gave the top award of its eighth edition to “Gentle Monster,” a project from the Hungarian...
Barker, who made his first trip to Israel to attend the event, received the Force-of-Nature in Filmmaking Award. Founded by Renen Schorr and run by producer Lior Sasson, the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab praised Barker as a “major cinematic master-builder” for the pivotal role he played in distributing Israeli films such as “Waltz With Bashir,” “The Band’s Visit,” “Footnote” and “The Gate Keepers,” and leading them to the Academy Awards.
Barker has also distributed critically acclaimed international films such as “Call Me by Your Name,” “Whiplash,” “Talk to Her” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”
Aside from the tribute to Barker, the film lab gave the top award of its eighth edition to “Gentle Monster,” a project from the Hungarian...
- 7/9/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The Israeli cinema veteran is stepping down at the end of the year.
Renen Schorr has just enjoyed his last edition of the Cannes Film Festival in his role as director of the prestigious Sam Spiegel School for Cinema and Television in Jerusalem, which he has spearheaded over the past 30 years.
The Israeli cinema industry veteran announced his departure in the Israeli press on the eve of the festival and is now on a swansong tour.
“I will be stepping down from the school in five months’ time, around November, December time,” Schorr told Screen. ”Until then I am working...
Renen Schorr has just enjoyed his last edition of the Cannes Film Festival in his role as director of the prestigious Sam Spiegel School for Cinema and Television in Jerusalem, which he has spearheaded over the past 30 years.
The Israeli cinema industry veteran announced his departure in the Israeli press on the eve of the festival and is now on a swansong tour.
“I will be stepping down from the school in five months’ time, around November, December time,” Schorr told Screen. ”Until then I am working...
- 5/24/2019
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Jerusalem’s Sam Spiegel International Film Lab will honor Michael Barker, Sony Pictures Classic’s co-president and co-founder, with this year’s Force-of-Nature filmmaking award.
The accolade seeks to honor extraordinary personalities committed to the development of cinema. Barker is being recognized for his work as a “cultural master-builder” at United Artists Classics, Orion Classics, and most recently Sony Pictures Classics. Longtime Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick was presented with the inaugural award in 2018.
“Over the last 35 years, passionately as a distributor and producer, Michael Barker (along with Tom Bernard and Marcie Bloom) has opened the doors to the finest works of world cinema – from Kurosawa to Fassbinder, from Almodovar to Zhang Yimou and so many more,” said Renen Schorr, the film lab’s founder and director. “Both in art-house and in mainstream — and everything in-between — he chiefly created a cinematic and challenging dialogue between world continents and human beings.”
Barker...
The accolade seeks to honor extraordinary personalities committed to the development of cinema. Barker is being recognized for his work as a “cultural master-builder” at United Artists Classics, Orion Classics, and most recently Sony Pictures Classics. Longtime Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick was presented with the inaugural award in 2018.
“Over the last 35 years, passionately as a distributor and producer, Michael Barker (along with Tom Bernard and Marcie Bloom) has opened the doors to the finest works of world cinema – from Kurosawa to Fassbinder, from Almodovar to Zhang Yimou and so many more,” said Renen Schorr, the film lab’s founder and director. “Both in art-house and in mainstream — and everything in-between — he chiefly created a cinematic and challenging dialogue between world continents and human beings.”
Barker...
- 2/6/2019
- by Nate Nickolai
- Variety Film + TV
Idris Elba and Spike Jonze? Sounds like a match made in heaven. The pair teamed up recently on a new advertising campaign for Squarespace, the website building and hosting company, which kicked off today with a new commercial spot and short film. The shorts, directed by Jonze and starring Elba, feature music composed by Grammy-nominated DJ/producer Sam Spiegel.
In the commercial, which ends with the tagline “Dream It. Make It,” Elba lip syncs to a rendition of “Que Sera Sera” (originally performed by Karishva Ghai and Kaos Choir for Deaf Awareness) as he fantasizes about the different kinds of careers he could have — boxer, fighter pilot, astronaut, chef and more.
Shot with Jonze’s trademark whimsical visual style, the narrative seems fitting for Elba. Best known as an actor, he wears multiple hats as a rapper, DJ, producer and — most recently — director. Elba made his feature filmmaking debut last year with “Yardie,...
In the commercial, which ends with the tagline “Dream It. Make It,” Elba lip syncs to a rendition of “Que Sera Sera” (originally performed by Karishva Ghai and Kaos Choir for Deaf Awareness) as he fantasizes about the different kinds of careers he could have — boxer, fighter pilot, astronaut, chef and more.
Shot with Jonze’s trademark whimsical visual style, the narrative seems fitting for Elba. Best known as an actor, he wears multiple hats as a rapper, DJ, producer and — most recently — director. Elba made his feature filmmaking debut last year with “Yardie,...
- 1/30/2019
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
Lab ran outside of the Jerusalem Film Festival this year.
The 2018 Sam Spiegel International Film Lab, which this year ran outside of the Jerusalem Film Festival due to the latter’s shift in dates, presented its top prize to Turkish director Emre Kayis and producer Olena Yershova for their project Anatolian Leopard.
The feature is set in the oldest zoo in Turkey, which in the film is undergoing privatisation with one obstacle remaining– an endangered Anatolian leopard. When the zookeeper finds the animal dead, he is determined to keep the news secret and tells the police it has escaped from its cage.
The 2018 Sam Spiegel International Film Lab, which this year ran outside of the Jerusalem Film Festival due to the latter’s shift in dates, presented its top prize to Turkish director Emre Kayis and producer Olena Yershova for their project Anatolian Leopard.
The feature is set in the oldest zoo in Turkey, which in the film is undergoing privatisation with one obstacle remaining– an endangered Anatolian leopard. When the zookeeper finds the animal dead, he is determined to keep the news secret and tells the police it has escaped from its cage.
- 7/27/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Outgoing Berlin Film Festival director Dieter Kosslick will receive the inaugural Force of Nature Filmmaking Award at the 2018 Sam Spiegel International Film Lab in Jerusalem.
The organizers of the Film Lab, the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School, created the award to honor extraordinary personalities committed to the development of cinema. They said Kosslick was receiving the honor for the impact his work has had on German and world cinema, adding that he also inspired the establishment of the Jerusalem Film and Television Fund in 2008.
“A particular concern of mine has always been the national and international promotion and funding of talent and up-and-coming filmmakers. I’m exceedingly pleased to receive this award,” Kosslick said.
He will be presented with the award as the 2018 edition of the Film Lab opens on July 5. The 2019 Berlinale will be the last under Kosslick’s direction with Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian taking over as co-chiefs.
The organizers of the Film Lab, the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School, created the award to honor extraordinary personalities committed to the development of cinema. They said Kosslick was receiving the honor for the impact his work has had on German and world cinema, adding that he also inspired the establishment of the Jerusalem Film and Television Fund in 2008.
“A particular concern of mine has always been the national and international promotion and funding of talent and up-and-coming filmmakers. I’m exceedingly pleased to receive this award,” Kosslick said.
He will be presented with the award as the 2018 edition of the Film Lab opens on July 5. The 2019 Berlinale will be the last under Kosslick’s direction with Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian taking over as co-chiefs.
- 7/4/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
In what looks likely to be a yearlong farewell tour for Dieter Kosslick, a film school in Jerusalem will honor the outgoing Berlin Film Festival boss with its inaugural “Force of Nature” cinema award.
The Sam Spiegel International Film Lab in Jerusalem, a program set up by the Sam Spiegel Film & Television School in 2011, conceived the prize to honor “extraordinary personalities committed to the development of world cinema.” Kosslick will be the first recipient and will attend the awards ceremony in Jerusalem on Friday.
“A particular concern of mine has always been the ...
The Sam Spiegel International Film Lab in Jerusalem, a program set up by the Sam Spiegel Film & Television School in 2011, conceived the prize to honor “extraordinary personalities committed to the development of world cinema.” Kosslick will be the first recipient and will attend the awards ceremony in Jerusalem on Friday.
“A particular concern of mine has always been the ...
In what looks likely to be a yearlong farewell tour for Dieter Kosslick, a film school in Jerusalem will honor the outgoing Berlin Film Festival boss with its inaugural “Force of Nature” cinema award.
The Sam Spiegel International Film Lab in Jerusalem, a program set up by the Sam Spiegel Film & Television School in 2011, conceived the prize to honor “extraordinary personalities committed to the development of world cinema.” Kosslick will be the first recipient and will attend the awards ceremony in Jerusalem on Friday.
“A particular concern of mine has always been the ...
The Sam Spiegel International Film Lab in Jerusalem, a program set up by the Sam Spiegel Film & Television School in 2011, conceived the prize to honor “extraordinary personalities committed to the development of world cinema.” Kosslick will be the first recipient and will attend the awards ceremony in Jerusalem on Friday.
“A particular concern of mine has always been the ...
Paul Negoescu realized he hit the jackpot with “Two Lottery Tickets,” the low-budget comedy he shot for around €30,000 which – to the surprise of everyone, including the director himself – would become the top-grossing Romanian film of 2016, raking in €540,000 at the box office.
But for a helmer whose first feature, “A Month in Thailand,” screened in the Venice Film Festival’s Critics’ Week, a breakout, box-office hit didn’t change expectations for his third movie, “The Story of a Summer Lover,” which world premiered in the Transilvania Intl. Film Festival May 31.
“It’s a different film,” says Negoescu, calling “Summer Lover” a “personal story” that he suspects will appeal to a smaller, niche audience. Modest ambitions aside, the movie is bound to generate buzz off of Negoescu’s earlier successes; even if it can’t match “Lottery’s” big payout, “people will hear about this film, for sure,” he says.
The eponymous...
But for a helmer whose first feature, “A Month in Thailand,” screened in the Venice Film Festival’s Critics’ Week, a breakout, box-office hit didn’t change expectations for his third movie, “The Story of a Summer Lover,” which world premiered in the Transilvania Intl. Film Festival May 31.
“It’s a different film,” says Negoescu, calling “Summer Lover” a “personal story” that he suspects will appeal to a smaller, niche audience. Modest ambitions aside, the movie is bound to generate buzz off of Negoescu’s earlier successes; even if it can’t match “Lottery’s” big payout, “people will hear about this film, for sure,” he says.
The eponymous...
- 6/2/2018
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Simon Lereng Wilmont’s ‘The Distant Barking Of Dogs’ took the award for best international film.
Israeli documentary festival Docaviv has awarded prizes at its 20th anniversary edition, with Simon Lereng Wimont’s The Distant Barking Of Dogs taking the award for best international film
The film, which follows the life of a ten-year old who grows up on the frontline of a war in Ukraine, was described as “highly accomplished” by jury members Hans Robert Eisenhauer, Anna Zamecka and Avida Livny.
Full list of winners below
It receives a prize of 20,000 Ils. An honourable mention went to Ruth Beckermann’s The Waldheim Waltz.
Israeli documentary festival Docaviv has awarded prizes at its 20th anniversary edition, with Simon Lereng Wimont’s The Distant Barking Of Dogs taking the award for best international film
The film, which follows the life of a ten-year old who grows up on the frontline of a war in Ukraine, was described as “highly accomplished” by jury members Hans Robert Eisenhauer, Anna Zamecka and Avida Livny.
Full list of winners below
It receives a prize of 20,000 Ils. An honourable mention went to Ruth Beckermann’s The Waldheim Waltz.
- 5/24/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Simon Lereng Wilmont’s film took the award for best international film.
Israeli documentary festival Docaviv has awarded prizes at its 20th anniversary edition, with Simon Lereng Wimont’s The Distant Barking Of Dogs taking the award for best international film
The film, which follows the life of a ten-year old who grows up on the frontline of a war in Ukraine, was described as “highly accomplished” by jury members Hans Robert Eisenhauer, Anna Zamecka and Avida Livny.
Full list of winners below
It receives a prize of 20,000 Ils. An honourable mention went to Ruth Beckermann’s The Waldheim Waltz.
Israeli documentary festival Docaviv has awarded prizes at its 20th anniversary edition, with Simon Lereng Wimont’s The Distant Barking Of Dogs taking the award for best international film
The film, which follows the life of a ten-year old who grows up on the frontline of a war in Ukraine, was described as “highly accomplished” by jury members Hans Robert Eisenhauer, Anna Zamecka and Avida Livny.
Full list of winners below
It receives a prize of 20,000 Ils. An honourable mention went to Ruth Beckermann’s The Waldheim Waltz.
- 5/24/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
The Bloom/Spiegel Partnership, an alliance between New York’s Ifp Marcie Bloom Fellowship in Film and Jerusalem’s prestigious Sam Spiegel Film School, has selected 8 filmmakers from around the world who will participate in the program’s second edition.
This year’s participants, Alik Barsoumian, Daliso Leslie, Clare Sackler, Ostin Fam (selected by Bloom), and Dana Blankstein-Cohen, Avishay Kahana, Maya Fischer and Sol Goodman (selected by Sam Spiegel), will spend time with other directors, industry professionals, and attend screenings and events over a period of five days. Tribeca Film Festival provided passes to all participants of the Bloom/Spiegel Partnership.
“We started this program last year as a bit of an experiment and the experience was so inspiring that we have entered into a second year of the partnership. Through this program we seek to expand our community, build international friendships and enrich the next generation of filmmakers,” said Dylan Leiner and Alex Uhlmann,...
This year’s participants, Alik Barsoumian, Daliso Leslie, Clare Sackler, Ostin Fam (selected by Bloom), and Dana Blankstein-Cohen, Avishay Kahana, Maya Fischer and Sol Goodman (selected by Sam Spiegel), will spend time with other directors, industry professionals, and attend screenings and events over a period of five days. Tribeca Film Festival provided passes to all participants of the Bloom/Spiegel Partnership.
“We started this program last year as a bit of an experiment and the experience was so inspiring that we have entered into a second year of the partnership. Through this program we seek to expand our community, build international friendships and enrich the next generation of filmmakers,” said Dylan Leiner and Alex Uhlmann,...
- 4/24/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Lab also introduces Work In Progress Platform awarding cash prizes to films in postproduction.
Dieter Kosslick will receive the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab’s newly created Force-of-Nature Filmmaking Award.
The distinction wishes to acknowledge “a cultural master-builder who changed the infrastructure of world cinema.”
The Film Lab’s founding director Renen Schorr told Screen that the award will be presented to the Berlinale’s director at the beginning of the Film Lab’s international pitching platform, which is to be held independently of the Jerusalem Film Festival for the first time since the Lab’s establishment in 2011 – July 5-8.
According to Schorr, Kosslick will give a keynote speech “about his life as a ‘master-builder’ that will be highly inspirational to all Lab participants” and then stay on in Jerusalem to take part in brainstorming about a draft manifesto declaring, among other things...
Dieter Kosslick will receive the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab’s newly created Force-of-Nature Filmmaking Award.
The distinction wishes to acknowledge “a cultural master-builder who changed the infrastructure of world cinema.”
The Film Lab’s founding director Renen Schorr told Screen that the award will be presented to the Berlinale’s director at the beginning of the Film Lab’s international pitching platform, which is to be held independently of the Jerusalem Film Festival for the first time since the Lab’s establishment in 2011 – July 5-8.
According to Schorr, Kosslick will give a keynote speech “about his life as a ‘master-builder’ that will be highly inspirational to all Lab participants” and then stay on in Jerusalem to take part in brainstorming about a draft manifesto declaring, among other things...
- 2/15/2018
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Cinema Retro has received the following press announcement:
The American Cinematheque debuts a brand new print of Lawrence Of Arabia (1962) this month and has exclusive rights to exhibit the Best Picture Academy Award Winner in the Los Angeles region. Lawrence Of Arabia is one of the all-time favorites of American Cinematheque audiences and has been shown several times a year since the organization re-opened the Egyptian Theatre in December 1998. The first of exclusive engagement will take place December 15-30, 2017 at the Egyptian Theatre.
"When we completed the digital restoration of Lawrence of Arabia in 2012, we also wanted to preserve on film all the hard work that went into the image restoration. So, we produced a new 65mm negative primarily for preservation purposes. In the intervening time, renewed interest in 70mm print exhibition has generated many requests for new 70mm prints of Lawrence and we decided that this would be a...
The American Cinematheque debuts a brand new print of Lawrence Of Arabia (1962) this month and has exclusive rights to exhibit the Best Picture Academy Award Winner in the Los Angeles region. Lawrence Of Arabia is one of the all-time favorites of American Cinematheque audiences and has been shown several times a year since the organization re-opened the Egyptian Theatre in December 1998. The first of exclusive engagement will take place December 15-30, 2017 at the Egyptian Theatre.
"When we completed the digital restoration of Lawrence of Arabia in 2012, we also wanted to preserve on film all the hard work that went into the image restoration. So, we produced a new 65mm negative primarily for preservation purposes. In the intervening time, renewed interest in 70mm print exhibition has generated many requests for new 70mm prints of Lawrence and we decided that this would be a...
- 12/5/2017
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
A big welcome to UK disc purveyors Indicator, or Powerhouse, or how does Powerhouse Indicator sound? Savant’s first review from the new label is a favorite from the Columbia library. The extras are the lure: they company has snagged long-form, in-depth interviews with James Fox and director Arthur Penn. Everybody’s written about The Chase but here Penn tells his side of the story.
The Chase (1966)
Blu-ray + DVD
Powerhouse: Indicator
1966 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 134 min. / Street Date September 25, 2017 / Available from Amazon UK / £14.99
Starring: Marlon Brando, Jane Fonda, Robert Redford, E.G. Marshall,
Angie Dickinson, Janice Rule, Miriam Hopkins, Martha Hyer, Richard Bradford,
Robert Duvall, James Fox, Diana Hyland, Henry Hull, Jocelyn Brando, Clifton James, Steve Ihnat
Cinematography: Joseph Lashelle
Production Designer: Richard Day
Art Direction: Robert Luthardt
Film Editor: Gene Milford
Original Music: John Barry
Written by Lillian Hellman from the novel by Horton Foote
Produced by Sam Spiegel
Directed by Arthur Penn
Yes,...
The Chase (1966)
Blu-ray + DVD
Powerhouse: Indicator
1966 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 134 min. / Street Date September 25, 2017 / Available from Amazon UK / £14.99
Starring: Marlon Brando, Jane Fonda, Robert Redford, E.G. Marshall,
Angie Dickinson, Janice Rule, Miriam Hopkins, Martha Hyer, Richard Bradford,
Robert Duvall, James Fox, Diana Hyland, Henry Hull, Jocelyn Brando, Clifton James, Steve Ihnat
Cinematography: Joseph Lashelle
Production Designer: Richard Day
Art Direction: Robert Luthardt
Film Editor: Gene Milford
Original Music: John Barry
Written by Lillian Hellman from the novel by Horton Foote
Produced by Sam Spiegel
Directed by Arthur Penn
Yes,...
- 9/26/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Gorgeous shots in Greece, Calais and elsewhere, many filmed from drones, create a visual tone poem that proves both epic and highly human
The international co-productions of the mid-20th century often boasted myriad shooting locations in far-flung places. Who would have guessed the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei would pick up where moguls such as Sam Spiegel left off.
Ai’s new film, Human Flow, while certainly epic in scope, is not exactly meant as entertainment. This is an urgent, deep soak in the current refugee crisis. There has been no dearth of documentaries about this topic, but this one comes closest to understanding the totality of the issue.
Continue reading...
The international co-productions of the mid-20th century often boasted myriad shooting locations in far-flung places. Who would have guessed the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei would pick up where moguls such as Sam Spiegel left off.
Ai’s new film, Human Flow, while certainly epic in scope, is not exactly meant as entertainment. This is an urgent, deep soak in the current refugee crisis. There has been no dearth of documentaries about this topic, but this one comes closest to understanding the totality of the issue.
Continue reading...
- 8/31/2017
- by Jordan Hoffman
- The Guardian - Film News
Edward G. Robinson uncovers another killer, but this time he’s after a Nazi mass murderer, not an insurance salesman. Orson Welles’ most conventional thriller is a masterpiece of style and judgment, with a good sense of time and place – and a lot of expressive shadows. How does this new Blu-ray shape up in comparison to earlier presentations?
The Stranger
Blu-ray
Olive Films
1946 / B&W / 1:37 Academy / 95 min. / Street Date August 29, 2017 / available through the Olive Films website / 29.98
Starring: Edward G. Robinson, Loretta Young, Orson Welles, Philip Merivale, Richard Long, Konstantin Shayne, Billy House.
Cinematography: Russell Metty
Production Design: Perry Ferguson
Art Direction: Albert S. D’Agostino
Film Editor: Ernest Nims
Original Music: Bronislau Kaper
Written by Anthony Veiller, Decla Dunning, Victor Trivas
Produced by Sam Spiegel
Directed by Orson Welles
Up pops Olive Films with another Blu-ray of Orson Welles’ impressive The Stranger, for the first time an HD scan...
The Stranger
Blu-ray
Olive Films
1946 / B&W / 1:37 Academy / 95 min. / Street Date August 29, 2017 / available through the Olive Films website / 29.98
Starring: Edward G. Robinson, Loretta Young, Orson Welles, Philip Merivale, Richard Long, Konstantin Shayne, Billy House.
Cinematography: Russell Metty
Production Design: Perry Ferguson
Art Direction: Albert S. D’Agostino
Film Editor: Ernest Nims
Original Music: Bronislau Kaper
Written by Anthony Veiller, Decla Dunning, Victor Trivas
Produced by Sam Spiegel
Directed by Orson Welles
Up pops Olive Films with another Blu-ray of Orson Welles’ impressive The Stranger, for the first time an HD scan...
- 8/26/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Ifat Tubi departs Israeli funding programme as initiative faces uncertain future.
The associate director of Israeli funding body the Sam Spiegel International Lab, Ifat Tubi, is leaving the initiative after six years.
Israel’s former cultural attache in Los Angeles, Lior Sasson, has been named as her replacement and will guide the 7th edition of the Lab at next year’s Jerusalem Film Festival.
During her tenure, Tubi has overseen the lab’s backing of the Oscar-winning Son Of Saul, as well as popular titles One Week And A Day and Apprentice.
She commented: “After six years at the Sam Spiegel Lab, where we created one of the most prestigious platforms for young filmmakers, it’s time for me to move on. I’m proud of our achievements - helping create outstanding films, shooting in the most exotic of locations and reaching the highest peaks of our industry.”
Sasson previously oversaw the Israel Film Pavillion at the...
The associate director of Israeli funding body the Sam Spiegel International Lab, Ifat Tubi, is leaving the initiative after six years.
Israel’s former cultural attache in Los Angeles, Lior Sasson, has been named as her replacement and will guide the 7th edition of the Lab at next year’s Jerusalem Film Festival.
During her tenure, Tubi has overseen the lab’s backing of the Oscar-winning Son Of Saul, as well as popular titles One Week And A Day and Apprentice.
She commented: “After six years at the Sam Spiegel Lab, where we created one of the most prestigious platforms for young filmmakers, it’s time for me to move on. I’m proud of our achievements - helping create outstanding films, shooting in the most exotic of locations and reaching the highest peaks of our industry.”
Sasson previously oversaw the Israel Film Pavillion at the...
- 7/18/2017
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
Wise Hassan, Asia take top prizes.
The winners from the 12th edition of Jerusalem Pitch Point have been unveiled at the Jerusalem Film Festival.
The initiative’s top prize, dubbed the Van Leer Award and worth $5,500 (20,000 Nis), went to Palestinian filmmaker Tawfik Abu Wael’s Wise Hassan.
A Tel Aviv-set thriller, the film marks the director’s third feature after Thirst (Atash), which premiered in Cannes Critics’ Week in 2004, and Last Days In Jerusalem.
It is being produced by Baher Agbariya at Haifa-based Majdal Films, who presented the project alongside Abu Wael at the Jerusalem Pitch Point event on Sunday (July 16).
The Db & Opus Award, which comes with post-production services in the value of $15,000 (55,000 Nis), was presented to Ruthy Pribar’s Asia.
The project was presented by Yoav Roeh and Aurit Zamir of Tel-Aviv based Gum Films. It is currently completing financing ahead of production. The story will follow a 35-year-old mother who must face the death...
The winners from the 12th edition of Jerusalem Pitch Point have been unveiled at the Jerusalem Film Festival.
The initiative’s top prize, dubbed the Van Leer Award and worth $5,500 (20,000 Nis), went to Palestinian filmmaker Tawfik Abu Wael’s Wise Hassan.
A Tel Aviv-set thriller, the film marks the director’s third feature after Thirst (Atash), which premiered in Cannes Critics’ Week in 2004, and Last Days In Jerusalem.
It is being produced by Baher Agbariya at Haifa-based Majdal Films, who presented the project alongside Abu Wael at the Jerusalem Pitch Point event on Sunday (July 16).
The Db & Opus Award, which comes with post-production services in the value of $15,000 (55,000 Nis), was presented to Ruthy Pribar’s Asia.
The project was presented by Yoav Roeh and Aurit Zamir of Tel-Aviv based Gum Films. It is currently completing financing ahead of production. The story will follow a 35-year-old mother who must face the death...
- 7/17/2017
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
Dea Kulumbegashvili, Maya Dreifuss also scoop awards from Jerusalem lab.
Israeli actor-filmmaker Pini Tavger’s debut feature Pinhas has won the top $50,000 prize at the final pitching event of the 6th edition of the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab.
The tale of a young Russian immigrant coming to terms with life with his single mother in a small Israeli town is produced by Haim Mecklberg of 2-Team Productions, whose recent credits include Elite Zexer’s Sand Storm, which won the Sundance World Cinema Grand Jury Prize in 2016.
“The presentation of Pinhas provided the jury with a powerful experience: a fascinating, sensitive and conflictual script based on semi-autobiographic hardships beautifully presented through a scene for the upcoming film,” said Hengameh Panahi, Celluloid Dreams founding chief and Sam Spiegel jury chair.
It is Tavger’s first feature after two short films: 10 Weitzman Street and Pinhas, which sowed the seeds for the feature. He also directed...
Israeli actor-filmmaker Pini Tavger’s debut feature Pinhas has won the top $50,000 prize at the final pitching event of the 6th edition of the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab.
The tale of a young Russian immigrant coming to terms with life with his single mother in a small Israeli town is produced by Haim Mecklberg of 2-Team Productions, whose recent credits include Elite Zexer’s Sand Storm, which won the Sundance World Cinema Grand Jury Prize in 2016.
“The presentation of Pinhas provided the jury with a powerful experience: a fascinating, sensitive and conflictual script based on semi-autobiographic hardships beautifully presented through a scene for the upcoming film,” said Hengameh Panahi, Celluloid Dreams founding chief and Sam Spiegel jury chair.
It is Tavger’s first feature after two short films: 10 Weitzman Street and Pinhas, which sowed the seeds for the feature. He also directed...
- 7/15/2017
- ScreenDaily
Tonight on ‘movies we really want to like’ we have Hal Ashby’s final feature, an L.A.- based crime saga with a great cast and spirited direction and . . . and not much else. It isn’t the train wreck described in Kino’s candid actor interviews, but we can see only too well why it wasn’t a big winner when new. Any day that a Jeff Bridges picture doesn’t shine, is a dark day in my book.
8 Million Ways to Die
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1986 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 115 min. / Street Date June 20, 2017 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Rosanna Arquette, Andy Garcia, Alexandra Paul, Randy Brooks.
Cinematography: Stephen H. Burum
Film Editor: Robert Lawrence, Stuart H. Pappé
Original Music: James Newton Howard
Written by Oliver Stone, David Lee Henry (R. Lance Hill) from the book by Lawrence Block
Produced by Steve Roth
Directed by Hal Ashby
Well,...
8 Million Ways to Die
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1986 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 115 min. / Street Date June 20, 2017 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Rosanna Arquette, Andy Garcia, Alexandra Paul, Randy Brooks.
Cinematography: Stephen H. Burum
Film Editor: Robert Lawrence, Stuart H. Pappé
Original Music: James Newton Howard
Written by Oliver Stone, David Lee Henry (R. Lance Hill) from the book by Lawrence Block
Produced by Steve Roth
Directed by Hal Ashby
Well,...
- 6/16/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
By strange and fortuitous coincidence, my meeting with Jack Garfein fell upon the nexus of several intersecting moments in history. It was Friday, January 27th — International Holocaust Remembrance Day. One week earlier, Donald J. Trump was sworn to office as forty-fifth President of the United States; and in the ensuing weekend, allegations of Trump’s unpunished sexual misconduct, callous attitudes toward women and courting of radical right-wing supporters helped bring about the Women’s March on Washington, one of the largest mass protests in the nation’s history. All around, people are anxiously reading the past with tenuous hopes and fears for the future. History, so often a thing defined after the fact, is currently in violent and furious motion.
Jack Garfein is living history, and he’s not shy about telling it. Born to Ukrainian Jews in 1930, Mr. Garfein personally witnessed as a child the rise of Nazi Germany...
Jack Garfein is living history, and he’s not shy about telling it. Born to Ukrainian Jews in 1930, Mr. Garfein personally witnessed as a child the rise of Nazi Germany...
- 3/20/2017
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
With a budget of $1.5 million, 2017 Best Picture winner “Moonlight” cost less than a 30-second ad during the Oscars (reported price: $2.2 million). And, among the category’s 89 winners, it stands as the lowest-budgeted film in the Academy Awards’ history.
To determine the 10 least expensive Best Picture winners, we looked back at each year, researched reported budgets, and then calculated them at 2017 dollar values. Although independent films have dominated the Oscars for the last decade, the only indie to make the cut from that period was “Crash.” Nor did Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall,” or some black-and-white studio classics like “Casablanca” or “The Lost Weekend.”
The 10 straddle almost every decade of the Oscars and come from either independent producers or smaller distributors (four of the 10 were released by United Artists).
For comparison, the most expensive film to win remains “Titanic;” its adjusted budget was $300 million more than “Moonlight.” That total dwarfs the...
To determine the 10 least expensive Best Picture winners, we looked back at each year, researched reported budgets, and then calculated them at 2017 dollar values. Although independent films have dominated the Oscars for the last decade, the only indie to make the cut from that period was “Crash.” Nor did Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall,” or some black-and-white studio classics like “Casablanca” or “The Lost Weekend.”
The 10 straddle almost every decade of the Oscars and come from either independent producers or smaller distributors (four of the 10 were released by United Artists).
For comparison, the most expensive film to win remains “Titanic;” its adjusted budget was $300 million more than “Moonlight.” That total dwarfs the...
- 3/1/2017
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
On Feb. 20, 1952, The African Queen opened at the Capitol Theatre in New York. The sweeping drama was nominated for four Oscars at the 24th Academy Awards, claiming a win for Humphrey Bogart as best actor. The Hollywood Reporter's original review is below.
As charming as the C.S. Forester novel on which it is based, The African Queen is top flight entertainment, delightful, different, always interesting. It is filled with excitement and adventure and sparked by superlative performances from Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart.
Filmed in Africa by S.P. Eagle, the production is a stunning pictorial...
As charming as the C.S. Forester novel on which it is based, The African Queen is top flight entertainment, delightful, different, always interesting. It is filled with excitement and adventure and sparked by superlative performances from Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart.
Filmed in Africa by S.P. Eagle, the production is a stunning pictorial...
- 2/20/2017
- by THR Staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The event will provide a platform for festival professionals to discuss key topics; delegates from Berlin, Sundance, Venice and Karlovy Vary expected to attend.
The Jerusalem Film Festival is launching a new industry initiative for its 2017 edition.
‘Think Fest’ will invite film festival professionals from around the world to participate in an event dedicated to providing a platform for discussion about the burning issues affecting the film festival business.
International festival directors, programmers and organisers will gather in Jerusalem for a three-day programme at the beginning of the festival, which will run July 13-23 this year.
Speaking to Screen, festival directors Noa Regev and Elad Samorzik said they believed there was a gap in the market for an event specifically focused on film festival workers.
They reported strong early feedback to the idea from festival professionals they had contacted, including representatives of Berlin, Sundance, Venice, Karlovy Vary, Sarajevo, Tribeca, Rotterdam, Istanbul and Sydney...
The Jerusalem Film Festival is launching a new industry initiative for its 2017 edition.
‘Think Fest’ will invite film festival professionals from around the world to participate in an event dedicated to providing a platform for discussion about the burning issues affecting the film festival business.
International festival directors, programmers and organisers will gather in Jerusalem for a three-day programme at the beginning of the festival, which will run July 13-23 this year.
Speaking to Screen, festival directors Noa Regev and Elad Samorzik said they believed there was a gap in the market for an event specifically focused on film festival workers.
They reported strong early feedback to the idea from festival professionals they had contacted, including representatives of Berlin, Sundance, Venice, Karlovy Vary, Sarajevo, Tribeca, Rotterdam, Istanbul and Sydney...
- 2/12/2017
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
The documentary branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences selected 10 Documentary Short Subject contenders out of 61 eligible entries for the 89th Academy Awards to compete for the final five nominations, to be announced January 24.
The 10 films are listed in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
Frontrunners
“Extremis,” f/8 Filmworks in association with Motto Pictures
“Joe’s Violin,” Lucky Two Productions
“The Mute’s House,” The Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School
“Watani: My Homeland,” ITN Productions
“The White Helmets,” Grain Media and Violet Films
Contenders
“4.1 Miles,” University of California, Berkeley
“Brillo Box (3¢ Off),” Brillo Box Documentary
“Close Ties,” Munk Studio – Polish Filmmakers Association
“Frame 394,” Compy Films
“The Other Side of Home,” Feeln
Related stories2017 Oscar Predictions: Best Animated Short2017 Oscar Predictions: Best Live-Action Short'Kubo and the Two Strings': How the Film's Inventive VFX and Costume Design Became Oscar Contenders...
The 10 films are listed in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
Frontrunners
“Extremis,” f/8 Filmworks in association with Motto Pictures
“Joe’s Violin,” Lucky Two Productions
“The Mute’s House,” The Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School
“Watani: My Homeland,” ITN Productions
“The White Helmets,” Grain Media and Violet Films
Contenders
“4.1 Miles,” University of California, Berkeley
“Brillo Box (3¢ Off),” Brillo Box Documentary
“Close Ties,” Munk Studio – Polish Filmmakers Association
“Frame 394,” Compy Films
“The Other Side of Home,” Feeln
Related stories2017 Oscar Predictions: Best Animated Short2017 Oscar Predictions: Best Live-Action Short'Kubo and the Two Strings': How the Film's Inventive VFX and Costume Design Became Oscar Contenders...
- 1/19/2017
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Fresh off of the 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show last week, held in Paris this year for the first time ever, the famed lingerie brand released a new commercial for their latest fragrance, named — wait for it — Paris. The spot features Angel Stella Maxwell doing some sexy chair posing in a sparkly minidress, as well as voiceovers from two dudes babbling on about fantasies. Or something. You know what, just watch:
The best part might be the end, when Maxwell just disappears in the seemingly abandoned mansion. So is she a ghost? Was she just a fantasy? Can we trust anyone?...
The best part might be the end, when Maxwell just disappears in the seemingly abandoned mansion. So is she a ghost? Was she just a fantasy? Can we trust anyone?...
- 12/7/2016
- by Lindy Segal
- PEOPLE.com
Horton Foote, Lillian Hellman and Arthur Penn's All-Star vision of an Ugly America found few friends in 1965; now its overstated scenes of social injustice and violence are daily events. Marlon Brando leads a terrific cast -- Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, Angie Dickinson, Robert Duvall! -- to endure the worst Saturday ever to hit one cursed Texas township. The Chase (1966) Blu-ray Twilight Time 1966 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 134 min. / Street Date October 11, 2016 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store / 29.95 Starring Marlon Brando, Jane Fonda, Robert Redford, E.G. Marshall, Angie Dickinson, Janice Rule, Miriam Hopkins, Martha Hyer, Richard Bradford, Robert Duvall, James Fox, Diana Hyland, Henry Hull, Jocelyn Brando, Clifton James, Steve Ihnat Cinematography Joseph Lashelle Production Designer Richard Day Art Direction Robert Luthardt Film Editor Gene Milford Original Music John Barry Written by Lillian Hellman from the novel by Horton Foote Produced by Sam Spiegel Directed by Arthur Penn
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson...
- 10/29/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that the field of Documentary Short Subject contenders for the 89th Academy Awards has been narrowed to 10 films, of which 5 will earn Oscar nominations.
Voters from the Academy’s Documentary Branch viewed this year’s 61 eligible entries and submitted their ballots to PricewaterhouseCoopers for tabulation.
The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
“Brillo Box (3¢ Off),” Brillo Box Documentary
“Close Ties,” Munk Studio – Polish Filmmakers Association
“Extremis,” f/8 Filmworks in association with Motto Pictures
“4.1 Miles,” University of California, Berkeley
“Frame 394,” Compy Films
“Joe’s Violin,” Lucky Two Productions
“The Mute’s House,” The Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School
“The Other Side of Home,” Feeln
“Watani: My Homeland,” ITN Productions
“The White Helmets,” Grain Media and Violet Films
Nominations for the 89th Oscars will be announced on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.
The 89th Oscars will be held on Sunday,...
Voters from the Academy’s Documentary Branch viewed this year’s 61 eligible entries and submitted their ballots to PricewaterhouseCoopers for tabulation.
The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
“Brillo Box (3¢ Off),” Brillo Box Documentary
“Close Ties,” Munk Studio – Polish Filmmakers Association
“Extremis,” f/8 Filmworks in association with Motto Pictures
“4.1 Miles,” University of California, Berkeley
“Frame 394,” Compy Films
“Joe’s Violin,” Lucky Two Productions
“The Mute’s House,” The Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School
“The Other Side of Home,” Feeln
“Watani: My Homeland,” ITN Productions
“The White Helmets,” Grain Media and Violet Films
Nominations for the 89th Oscars will be announced on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.
The 89th Oscars will be held on Sunday,...
- 10/26/2016
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The documentary branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has selected 10 Documentary Short Subject contenders for the 89th Academy Awards. They will compete for the final five nominations, to be announced January 24.
The documentary voters viewed 61 eligible entries and submitted their ballots to PricewaterhouseCoopers for tabulation.
The 10 films are listed in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
“Brillo Box (3¢ Off),” Brillo Box Documentary
“Close Ties,” Munk Studio – Polish Filmmakers Association
“Extremis,” f/8 Filmworks in association with Motto Pictures
“4.1 Miles,” University of California, Berkeley
“Frame 394,” Compy Films
“Joe’s Violin,” Lucky Two Productions
“The Mute’s House,” The Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School
“The Other Side of Home,” Feeln
“Watani: My Homeland,” ITN Productions
“The White Helmets,” Grain Media and Violet Films
The 89th annual Academy Awards will be held Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, and will be...
The documentary voters viewed 61 eligible entries and submitted their ballots to PricewaterhouseCoopers for tabulation.
The 10 films are listed in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
“Brillo Box (3¢ Off),” Brillo Box Documentary
“Close Ties,” Munk Studio – Polish Filmmakers Association
“Extremis,” f/8 Filmworks in association with Motto Pictures
“4.1 Miles,” University of California, Berkeley
“Frame 394,” Compy Films
“Joe’s Violin,” Lucky Two Productions
“The Mute’s House,” The Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School
“The Other Side of Home,” Feeln
“Watani: My Homeland,” ITN Productions
“The White Helmets,” Grain Media and Violet Films
The 89th annual Academy Awards will be held Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, and will be...
- 10/26/2016
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
The documentary branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has selected 10 Documentary Short Subject contenders for the 89th Academy Awards. They will compete for the final five nominations, to be announced January 24.
The documentary voters viewed 61 eligible entries and submitted their ballots to PricewaterhouseCoopers for tabulation.
The 10 films are listed in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
“Brillo Box (3¢ Off),” Brillo Box Documentary
“Close Ties,” Munk Studio – Polish Filmmakers Association
“Extremis,” f/8 Filmworks in association with Motto Pictures
“4.1 Miles,” University of California, Berkeley
“Frame 394,” Compy Films
“Joe’s Violin,” Lucky Two Productions
“The Mute’s House,” The Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School
“The Other Side of Home,” Feeln
“Watani: My Homeland,” ITN Productions
“The White Helmets,” Grain Media and Violet Films
The 89th annual Academy Awards will be held Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, and will be televised...
The documentary voters viewed 61 eligible entries and submitted their ballots to PricewaterhouseCoopers for tabulation.
The 10 films are listed in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
“Brillo Box (3¢ Off),” Brillo Box Documentary
“Close Ties,” Munk Studio – Polish Filmmakers Association
“Extremis,” f/8 Filmworks in association with Motto Pictures
“4.1 Miles,” University of California, Berkeley
“Frame 394,” Compy Films
“Joe’s Violin,” Lucky Two Productions
“The Mute’s House,” The Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School
“The Other Side of Home,” Feeln
“Watani: My Homeland,” ITN Productions
“The White Helmets,” Grain Media and Violet Films
The 89th annual Academy Awards will be held Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, and will be televised...
- 10/26/2016
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
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.