Michael Apted, British director of the “Up” series of documentaries, as well as “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “Gorillas in the Mist” (1988), James Bond film “The World Is Not Enough” (1999) and “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” (2010), has died, his agency Gersh confirmed. He was 79.
Apted directed three actors in performances that drew Academy Award nominations: Sissy Spacek in “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” Sigourney Weaver in “Gorillas in the Mist” and Jodie Foster in “Nell,” with Spacek going on to win the Oscar.
His “Up” series of documentaries for Granada Television, in which he profiled a varied group of young Britons and revisited them every seven years to what changes time had wrought, topped the list in the 2005 Channel 4 Program “The 50 Greatest Documentaries.”
Apted also served as president of the Directors Guild of America from 2003-09 and helped negotiate its contracts with producers.
DGA President Thomas Schlamme said in a statement,...
Apted directed three actors in performances that drew Academy Award nominations: Sissy Spacek in “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” Sigourney Weaver in “Gorillas in the Mist” and Jodie Foster in “Nell,” with Spacek going on to win the Oscar.
His “Up” series of documentaries for Granada Television, in which he profiled a varied group of young Britons and revisited them every seven years to what changes time had wrought, topped the list in the 2005 Channel 4 Program “The 50 Greatest Documentaries.”
Apted also served as president of the Directors Guild of America from 2003-09 and helped negotiate its contracts with producers.
DGA President Thomas Schlamme said in a statement,...
- 1/8/2021
- by Carmel Dagan
- Variety Film + TV
For too long, the stories of Native and Indigenous people have been told by Hollywood through the eyes of everyone but us. It’s an exciting time in film and television, with more Natives writing, directing, and developing content. We’re challenging images and stereotypes and wiping the war paint off the lens.
These are the films, shorts, and documentaries that Native storytellers have shared with us in the past 20 years. A celebration of diverse voices within our community — as you’ll see, our tribes and experiences are all different from each other.
For Native American Heritage month, here is a selection of films, documentaries and shorts to seek out.
“Four Sheets to the Wind”(2007) – by Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Muscogee)
This coming-of-age-film by Sterlin Harjo follows a young American Indian, Cufe, played by Cody Lightning, who leaves the reservation after his father dies. His father’s death prompts Cufe to...
These are the films, shorts, and documentaries that Native storytellers have shared with us in the past 20 years. A celebration of diverse voices within our community — as you’ll see, our tribes and experiences are all different from each other.
For Native American Heritage month, here is a selection of films, documentaries and shorts to seek out.
“Four Sheets to the Wind”(2007) – by Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Muscogee)
This coming-of-age-film by Sterlin Harjo follows a young American Indian, Cufe, played by Cody Lightning, who leaves the reservation after his father dies. His father’s death prompts Cufe to...
- 11/2/2020
- by Billy Luther
- Variety Film + TV
Singer songwriter Jackson Browne announces a second benefit concert at Pechanga Resort & Casino on Sunday, February 25 at 7 Pm, after Saturday’s show sold out.
Jackson Browne announces a benefit concert at Pechanga Resort & Casino
The benefit concert, Honoring Quiltman, will be held in the Pechanga Theater. Tickets go on sale January 18 at 3 Pm (Pacific Time) through Ticketmaster.com.
Accompanying Jackson are longtime band mates Bob Glaub (bass), Mauricio Lewak (drums), Val McCallum (guitar), Alethea Mills (vocals), Chavonne Stewart (vocals) and Jeff Young (keyboards). Also performing is John Trudell’s Bad Dog with Joel Rafael.
The benefit concert, Honoring Quiltman, celebrates Quiltman Sahme, a traditional American Indian singer and drummer from Simnasho in Warm Springs, Oregon. In August of 2017, Quiltman lost his family home in the Warm Springs Reservation wildfire.
In the early 1980s, Quiltman began performing with American Indian activist, speaker and poet John Trudell. Trudell was a leader of...
Jackson Browne announces a benefit concert at Pechanga Resort & Casino
The benefit concert, Honoring Quiltman, will be held in the Pechanga Theater. Tickets go on sale January 18 at 3 Pm (Pacific Time) through Ticketmaster.com.
Accompanying Jackson are longtime band mates Bob Glaub (bass), Mauricio Lewak (drums), Val McCallum (guitar), Alethea Mills (vocals), Chavonne Stewart (vocals) and Jeff Young (keyboards). Also performing is John Trudell’s Bad Dog with Joel Rafael.
The benefit concert, Honoring Quiltman, celebrates Quiltman Sahme, a traditional American Indian singer and drummer from Simnasho in Warm Springs, Oregon. In August of 2017, Quiltman lost his family home in the Warm Springs Reservation wildfire.
In the early 1980s, Quiltman began performing with American Indian activist, speaker and poet John Trudell. Trudell was a leader of...
- 1/19/2018
- Look to the Stars
Singer songwriter Jackson Browne announces a benefit concert at Pechanga Resort & Casino on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 8:00 Pm.
Jackson Browne announces a benefit concert at Pechanga Resort & Casino
The benefit concert, Honoring Quiltman, will be held in the Pechanga Theater. Tickets on sale through Ticketmaster.com.
Accompanying Jackson are longtime band mates Bob Glaub (bass), Mauricio Lewak (drums), Val McCallum (guitar), Alethea Mills (vocals), Chavonne Stewart (vocals) and Jeff Young (keyboards). Also performing is John Trudell’s Bad Dog with Joel Rafael.
The benefit concert, Honoring Quiltman, celebrates Quiltman Sahme, a traditional American Indian singer and drummer from Simnasho in Warm Springs, Oregon. In August of 2017, Quiltman lost his family home in the Warm Springs Reservation wildfire.
In the early 1980s, Quiltman began performing with American Indian activist, speaker and poet John Trudell. Trudell was a leader of the Occupation of Alcatraz in the late 1960s and Chairman of the...
Jackson Browne announces a benefit concert at Pechanga Resort & Casino
The benefit concert, Honoring Quiltman, will be held in the Pechanga Theater. Tickets on sale through Ticketmaster.com.
Accompanying Jackson are longtime band mates Bob Glaub (bass), Mauricio Lewak (drums), Val McCallum (guitar), Alethea Mills (vocals), Chavonne Stewart (vocals) and Jeff Young (keyboards). Also performing is John Trudell’s Bad Dog with Joel Rafael.
The benefit concert, Honoring Quiltman, celebrates Quiltman Sahme, a traditional American Indian singer and drummer from Simnasho in Warm Springs, Oregon. In August of 2017, Quiltman lost his family home in the Warm Springs Reservation wildfire.
In the early 1980s, Quiltman began performing with American Indian activist, speaker and poet John Trudell. Trudell was a leader of the Occupation of Alcatraz in the late 1960s and Chairman of the...
- 1/10/2018
- Look to the Stars
‘Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World’: The Unknown Story of Native American Roots in American MusicThis an amazing feature documentary which reveals so much in the way of our American cultural history that it’s almost difficult to sum up.American society and the settlement and development of the nation’s land was built on two great evils against humanity.
First was the enslavement for their labor and resulting early deaths and murders of tens of millions of Africans.
The second was the slaughter of millions of indigenous peoples and the simultaneous and subsequent land robbing by European new comers. These peoples had inhabited and still do inhabit the U.S. continent long before any Europeans arrived.
Often the survivors of these massacres tried to blend into society and hide their ethnic roots. Often the children were abducted from their family and taken to far away institutions and...
First was the enslavement for their labor and resulting early deaths and murders of tens of millions of Africans.
The second was the slaughter of millions of indigenous peoples and the simultaneous and subsequent land robbing by European new comers. These peoples had inhabited and still do inhabit the U.S. continent long before any Europeans arrived.
Often the survivors of these massacres tried to blend into society and hide their ethnic roots. Often the children were abducted from their family and taken to far away institutions and...
- 11/13/2017
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Saturday (Aug. 13), country legend Willie Nelson and a host of other artists will take to the stage in Kansas City, Ks at the Livestrong Sporting Park to put on Farm Aid, the longest running benefit concert series in America. It has raised over $39 million to help family farmers keep their farms and also teaching millions of people about the Good Food movement.
Farm Aid founder Nelson (pictured above at last year's Farm Aid with Aerosmith's Steven Tyler) tells the Kansas City Star, "We're still in a desperate situation with our farmers and the land and the big corporations taking over farms and ruining the soil with chemicals and pesticides. It's been going on for so long. I think the biggest problem is with politicians who either don't know about it or don't care. At one time there were more than 8 million family farms in this country. We're down to less than 2 million.
Farm Aid founder Nelson (pictured above at last year's Farm Aid with Aerosmith's Steven Tyler) tells the Kansas City Star, "We're still in a desperate situation with our farmers and the land and the big corporations taking over farms and ruining the soil with chemicals and pesticides. It's been going on for so long. I think the biggest problem is with politicians who either don't know about it or don't care. At one time there were more than 8 million family farms in this country. We're down to less than 2 million.
- 8/12/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond takes an insightful and humorous look at the Hollywood Indian, exploring the portrayal of North American Natives through a century of cinema and examining the ways that the myth of .the Injun. has influenced the world.s understanding.and misunderstanding.of Natives. Narrated by Diamond with infectious enthusiasm and good humor, Reel Injun:On the Trail of the Hollywood Indian is a loving look at cinema through the eyes of the people who appeared in its very first flickering images and have survived to tell their stories their own way. With candid interviews with directors, writers, actors and activists, including Clint Eastwood, Jim Jarmusch, Robbie Robertson, Sacheen Littlefeather, John Trudell and Russell Means, clips from hundreds of classic...
- 11/3/2010
- by April MacIntyre
- Monsters and Critics
Much more than a simple collection of clips, Reel Injun proves to be an illuminating semi-personal essay as well. Filmmaker Neil Diamond travels across North America as a backdrop for his exploration of Hollywood's heritage in depicting Indians on the big screen. Hint: It is found severely wanting.
Reel Injun features interviews with Clint Eastwood, directors Jim Jarmusch and Chris Eyre, actor Adam Beach, and comedian Charlie Hill along with the multi-talented and influential Russell Means and John Trudell. Sacheen Littlefeather recounts her life leading up to the memorable night in which she declined the Academy Award for Marlon Brando; Means and Trudell recall what that meant, coming as it did in the midst of the takeover in Wounded Knee, South Dakota.
But Diamond begins with movies that are big, well-known targets. They Died With Their Boots On (1941) and Stagecoach (1939) reduced Native Americans to offensive caricatures as bloodthirsty savages, "injuns...
Reel Injun features interviews with Clint Eastwood, directors Jim Jarmusch and Chris Eyre, actor Adam Beach, and comedian Charlie Hill along with the multi-talented and influential Russell Means and John Trudell. Sacheen Littlefeather recounts her life leading up to the memorable night in which she declined the Academy Award for Marlon Brando; Means and Trudell recall what that meant, coming as it did in the midst of the takeover in Wounded Knee, South Dakota.
But Diamond begins with movies that are big, well-known targets. They Died With Their Boots On (1941) and Stagecoach (1939) reduced Native Americans to offensive caricatures as bloodthirsty savages, "injuns...
- 3/15/2010
- by Peter Martin
- Cinematical
Reel Injun is Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond’s entertaining and insightful look at the portrayals of Native Americans in the USA in Hollywood movies, since the advent of cinema, and how the myth of “the Injun” has influenced the world’s understanding – and misunderstanding – of Natives.
It features clips from hundreds of classic and recent films, and candid interviews with celebrated Native and non-Native directors, writers, actors and activists, including Clint Eastwood, Robbie Robertson, Sacheen Littlefeather, John Trudell and Russell Means.
It reminds me of a another documentary I saw a few years ago – Reel Bad Arabs. I’m sure you can guess what that one was about.
Regardless, I think any underrepresented group should be able to watch and appreciate documentaries like these. Similarities in the struggle abound.
The film played at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, and will be released in theatres this spring, so look for it.
It features clips from hundreds of classic and recent films, and candid interviews with celebrated Native and non-Native directors, writers, actors and activists, including Clint Eastwood, Robbie Robertson, Sacheen Littlefeather, John Trudell and Russell Means.
It reminds me of a another documentary I saw a few years ago – Reel Bad Arabs. I’m sure you can guess what that one was about.
Regardless, I think any underrepresented group should be able to watch and appreciate documentaries like these. Similarities in the struggle abound.
The film played at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, and will be released in theatres this spring, so look for it.
- 1/27/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
'Indigenous cinema' will be celebrated in Toronto at the 10th imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, Wednesday, October 14th to Sunday, October 18th, 2009, showcasing global aboriginal filmmakers and media artists, with more than 125 works of innovation in film, video, radio and new media. "The celebration of imagineNATIVE.s 10th anniversary offers an important occasion to reflect on the accomplishments of the last 10 years and the exciting opportunities ahead of us," said Executive Director Kerry Swanson. "In 10 years we have seen an incredible explosion of growth in Indigenous-produced film and media art and, as a result, a surge of interest and recognition for the unique and groundbreaking work shown at the festival." "The films programmed this year," said Director of Programming Michelle Latimer, "speak to the contemporary experience and reflect the fact that today's Indigenous filmmakers are reclaiming the medium of film and transforming the world-view of Indigenous people by voicing our...
- 9/28/2009
- HollywoodNorthReport.com
Doug Sadler's Swimmers was awarded the grand jury prize for best new American film at an awards ceremony held Sunday, the closing day of the 31st annual Seattle International Film Festival. A special jury prize for best new American film also was awarded to Scott Coffey's Ellie Parker, starring Naomi Watts. In the documentary field, the grand jury prize went to Walter Stokman's Based on a True Story, a recounting of the bank robbery that inspired Dog Day Afternoon. Heather Rae's Trudell, a portrait of American Indian poet John Trudell, received a special jury prize. Russian director Ilya Khrjanovsky received the grand jury prize for best new director for his film 4. Brad McGann was awarded a special jury prize for best new director for In My Father's Den.
- 6/13/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Only obvious big-time production values keep ''Thunderheart'' from looking like a resolutely independent feature from the late '60s. This thriller about murder, tribal chicanery and government misconduct on a South Dakota Indian reservation never makes any bones about where its pro-Indian heart lies and even throws in a New Age appreciation for Indian religion, to boot.
However, the politics never get in the way of the thrills --they aid them, in fact -- and the film boasts a cast of unsurpassed appeal. Toss in a feel-good ending and you have the makings of a sleeper.
Val Kilmer stars as Ray Levoi, a young FBI agent whose smattering of Indian blood gets him transferred to a high-pressure murder investigation being run by veteran hard-nosed agent Frank Coutelle (Sam Shepard). Out on the range they are aided by a heavily armed band of establishment Indians headed by the tribal chairman, Jack Milton (Fred Ward), who, together with Coutelle, seem in an awful hurry to pin the murder of a Milton ally on Jimmy Looks Twice (John Trudell), a member of a left-leaning traditionalist movement, ARM.
Levoi is willing to go along with the hunt, but comes under the influence of Walter Crow Horse (Graham Greene), a tribal policeman who believes that the case is far more complex -- and sinister -- than anyone believes. At the same time, Levoi also meets Maggie Eagle Bear (Sheila Tousey), an articulate school teacher and ARM member who fills him in on the Indian power structure, and Grandpa Sam Reaches (Chief Ted Thin Elk), who gives Levoi a crash course in Indian mysticism and awakens long-dormant feelings and visions within him.
These mystic aspects are treated as literally true, but John Fusco's script has a way of tying them into more realistic happenings -- especially at the cliff-hanging climax -- that should make them palatable to skeptical audiences.
Director Michael Apted gets full value from the overwhelming landscapes, though his fondness for expressive features extends to his cast, as well; a quick glance is enough to tell the good guys from the bad guys, so the ''surprise'' ending doesn't come as much of a surprise. Cinematographer Roger Deakins captures the full variation of desert light, from blinding midday to blinded night.
Kilmer is unafraid to play up the unattractive aspects of his ultimately sympathetic character, while Shepard adds a rich riff to his grim variations of strong, silent Westerners. However, Greene's dry wit and easy authority make for the film's most pleasurable performance, and the film's vitality ascends a notch whenever he is on screen. Ward also makes a striking contribution, particularly considering how brief his appearances are. Unknowns Tousey, Thin Elk and Trudell do better than hold their own.
THUNDERHEART
TriStar Pictures
A Tribeca/Waterhorse Production
Director Michael Apted
Writer John Fusco
Producers Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, John Fusco
Director of photography Roger Deakins, B.S.C.
Editor Ian Crafford
Production designer Dan Bishop
Music James Horner
Casting Lisa Clarkson
Color/Dolby
Cast:
Ray Levoi Val Kilmer
Frank Coutelle Sam Shepard
Walter Crow Horse Graham Greene
Jack Milton Fred Ward
Maggie Eagle Bear Sheila Tousey
Grandpa Sam Reaches Chief Ted Thin Elk
Jimmy Looks Twice John Trudell
Running time -- 118 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
However, the politics never get in the way of the thrills --they aid them, in fact -- and the film boasts a cast of unsurpassed appeal. Toss in a feel-good ending and you have the makings of a sleeper.
Val Kilmer stars as Ray Levoi, a young FBI agent whose smattering of Indian blood gets him transferred to a high-pressure murder investigation being run by veteran hard-nosed agent Frank Coutelle (Sam Shepard). Out on the range they are aided by a heavily armed band of establishment Indians headed by the tribal chairman, Jack Milton (Fred Ward), who, together with Coutelle, seem in an awful hurry to pin the murder of a Milton ally on Jimmy Looks Twice (John Trudell), a member of a left-leaning traditionalist movement, ARM.
Levoi is willing to go along with the hunt, but comes under the influence of Walter Crow Horse (Graham Greene), a tribal policeman who believes that the case is far more complex -- and sinister -- than anyone believes. At the same time, Levoi also meets Maggie Eagle Bear (Sheila Tousey), an articulate school teacher and ARM member who fills him in on the Indian power structure, and Grandpa Sam Reaches (Chief Ted Thin Elk), who gives Levoi a crash course in Indian mysticism and awakens long-dormant feelings and visions within him.
These mystic aspects are treated as literally true, but John Fusco's script has a way of tying them into more realistic happenings -- especially at the cliff-hanging climax -- that should make them palatable to skeptical audiences.
Director Michael Apted gets full value from the overwhelming landscapes, though his fondness for expressive features extends to his cast, as well; a quick glance is enough to tell the good guys from the bad guys, so the ''surprise'' ending doesn't come as much of a surprise. Cinematographer Roger Deakins captures the full variation of desert light, from blinding midday to blinded night.
Kilmer is unafraid to play up the unattractive aspects of his ultimately sympathetic character, while Shepard adds a rich riff to his grim variations of strong, silent Westerners. However, Greene's dry wit and easy authority make for the film's most pleasurable performance, and the film's vitality ascends a notch whenever he is on screen. Ward also makes a striking contribution, particularly considering how brief his appearances are. Unknowns Tousey, Thin Elk and Trudell do better than hold their own.
THUNDERHEART
TriStar Pictures
A Tribeca/Waterhorse Production
Director Michael Apted
Writer John Fusco
Producers Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, John Fusco
Director of photography Roger Deakins, B.S.C.
Editor Ian Crafford
Production designer Dan Bishop
Music James Horner
Casting Lisa Clarkson
Color/Dolby
Cast:
Ray Levoi Val Kilmer
Frank Coutelle Sam Shepard
Walter Crow Horse Graham Greene
Jack Milton Fred Ward
Maggie Eagle Bear Sheila Tousey
Grandpa Sam Reaches Chief Ted Thin Elk
Jimmy Looks Twice John Trudell
Running time -- 118 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
- 3/25/1992
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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