In their latest short film, The Last Days of August, which depicts the slow-motion desolation of a Nebraska town economically denuded by online retail, prolific filmmakers Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck create a haunted visual poetry — a blend of formally arresting, incisively spare images and heightened sound design. The two filmmakers, who appeared on our 25 New Faces list in 2010, began as shorts filmmakers and in recent years have directed arresting character-based, documentary-tinged features. But throughout their […]
The post “How Could One Document the Unseen?”: Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck on Their Haunted Cinema Eye Honors-Nominated Short, The Last Days of August first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “How Could One Document the Unseen?”: Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck on Their Haunted Cinema Eye Honors-Nominated Short, The Last Days of August first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 11/23/2022
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
In their latest short film, The Last Days of August, which depicts the slow-motion desolation of a Nebraska town economically denuded by online retail, prolific filmmakers Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck create a haunted visual poetry — a blend of formally arresting, incisively spare images and heightened sound design. The two filmmakers, who appeared on our 25 New Faces list in 2010, began as shorts filmmakers and in recent years have directed arresting character-based, documentary-tinged features. But throughout their […]
The post “How Could One Document the Unseen?”: Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck on Their Haunted Cinema Eye Honors-Nominated Short, The Last Days of August first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “How Could One Document the Unseen?”: Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck on Their Haunted Cinema Eye Honors-Nominated Short, The Last Days of August first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 11/23/2022
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
One of the most productive indie filmmakers working today, Robert Machoian has kept busy making features and shorts, sometimes with longtime collaborator Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, and sometimes solo. This year Machoian has two films on the festival circuit, debuting his short The Last Days of August (co-directed with Ojeda-Beck) and his solo effort the tense thriller The Integrity of Joseph Chambers. We spoke to him about his new films including The Integrity of Joseph Chambers which premiered at Tribeca and has recently screened at regional festivals including New Jersey’s Montclair Film Festival.
The Film Stage: You’ve been really productive the last couple years. We had a short film of yours at the Buffalo International Film Festival last year (The Wind and the Kite), you have a new short film this year we showed (The Last Days of August), along with The Killing of Two Lovers, of course, in 2020. How did Joseph Chambers come about?...
The Film Stage: You’ve been really productive the last couple years. We had a short film of yours at the Buffalo International Film Festival last year (The Wind and the Kite), you have a new short film this year we showed (The Last Days of August), along with The Killing of Two Lovers, of course, in 2020. How did Joseph Chambers come about?...
- 11/15/2022
- by John Fink
- The Film Stage
Click here to read the full article.
Fire of Love and The Territory landed a field-leading seven mentions, including best feature, in the Cinema Eye Honors nominations, which were announced Thursday.
The Ceh organization, which celebrates nonfiction work on screens big and small, also nominated All That Breathes (six noms), All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (four noms), Navalny (three noms) and A Night of Knowing Nothing (four noms) for its top honor.
Meanwhile, in the directing category, an unprecedented five of the six nominees are women: Laura Poitras (All the Beauty and the Bloodshed), Rebecca Huntt (Beba), Margaret Brown (Descendant), Sara Dosa (Fire of Love) and Payal Kapadia (A Night of Knowing Nothing). The sixth nominee is Shaunak Sen (All That Breathes).
Poitras, with her noms for feature and direction, ties Steve James for the most Ceh noms of all time, with 13.
Alex Pritz has the most individual noms this year,...
Fire of Love and The Territory landed a field-leading seven mentions, including best feature, in the Cinema Eye Honors nominations, which were announced Thursday.
The Ceh organization, which celebrates nonfiction work on screens big and small, also nominated All That Breathes (six noms), All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (four noms), Navalny (three noms) and A Night of Knowing Nothing (four noms) for its top honor.
Meanwhile, in the directing category, an unprecedented five of the six nominees are women: Laura Poitras (All the Beauty and the Bloodshed), Rebecca Huntt (Beba), Margaret Brown (Descendant), Sara Dosa (Fire of Love) and Payal Kapadia (A Night of Knowing Nothing). The sixth nominee is Shaunak Sen (All That Breathes).
Poitras, with her noms for feature and direction, ties Steve James for the most Ceh noms of all time, with 13.
Alex Pritz has the most individual noms this year,...
- 11/10/2022
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kicking off this Thursday is one of the finest annual showcases in indie filmmaking, BAMcinemaFest, taking place at Bam Rose Cinemas. Among both well-curated highlights from recent festivals and world premieres, we’ve rounded up six essential features not to miss.
The festival also includes a number of notable new shorts, including Lynne Sachs’ Swerve (see our trailer premiere), Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck’s The Last Days of August, Rodney Evans’ Portal, and more. Check out our feature picks below and learn more here.
2nd Chance (Ramin Bahrani)
It’s an eerie image. Richard Davis stands out in a field, wearing a kevlar vest, and points a pistol into his belly. Then he pulls the trigger, skips back a bit, and checks his red-burned skin. Over the course of his life, he would do this—shoot himself—192 times, proving the efficacy of his life-saving device in the most visceral and operatic way possible.
The festival also includes a number of notable new shorts, including Lynne Sachs’ Swerve (see our trailer premiere), Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck’s The Last Days of August, Rodney Evans’ Portal, and more. Check out our feature picks below and learn more here.
2nd Chance (Ramin Bahrani)
It’s an eerie image. Richard Davis stands out in a field, wearing a kevlar vest, and points a pistol into his belly. Then he pulls the trigger, skips back a bit, and checks his red-burned skin. Over the course of his life, he would do this—shoot himself—192 times, proving the efficacy of his life-saving device in the most visceral and operatic way possible.
- 6/21/2022
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
On the heels of a successful in-person event that welcomed such stars as Woody Harrelson, Amy Poehler, Liev Schreiber and “Dopesick” creator Danny Strong, the 2022 Sun Valley Film Festival, which ran from March 30 to April 3, announced its juried film award winners.
Best narrative feature film went to “Linoleum,” directed by Colin West. “Holy Emy,” helmed by Araceli Lemos, received a special mention. Ron Howard’s “We Feed People” netted the fest’s audience award.
The winners were announced during the Idaho fest’s annual awards bash, which took place at Whiskey Jacques on Ketchum’s main drag of town, and was hosted by filmmaker Bobby Farrelly and comedian Hayes MacArthur, with a musical performance by the Nude Party.
Voting jury members at the fest included Jo Addy (global film and entertainment director of Soho House), Eric Bress, Trevor Groth (film financier at 30West) and producer Heather Rae.
Other awards went to “Mama Bears,...
Best narrative feature film went to “Linoleum,” directed by Colin West. “Holy Emy,” helmed by Araceli Lemos, received a special mention. Ron Howard’s “We Feed People” netted the fest’s audience award.
The winners were announced during the Idaho fest’s annual awards bash, which took place at Whiskey Jacques on Ketchum’s main drag of town, and was hosted by filmmaker Bobby Farrelly and comedian Hayes MacArthur, with a musical performance by the Nude Party.
Voting jury members at the fest included Jo Addy (global film and entertainment director of Soho House), Eric Bress, Trevor Groth (film financier at 30West) and producer Heather Rae.
Other awards went to “Mama Bears,...
- 4/4/2022
- by Malina Saval
- Variety Film + TV
Since short film Charlie and the Rabbit (2010), Robert Machoian (and frequent creative partner Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck) has been a mainstay with the annual pilgrimage in Park City. Breaking out big with his solo effort just two years back (the Neon released The Killing of Two Lovers), there’ll be a lot of hype surrounding this next project. Production on The Integrity of Joseph Chambers took place in December of 2020 in Alabama, and sees Machoian reteam with Clayne Crawford. He also landed the likes of Jordana Brewster, Michael Raymond-James and Jeffrey Dean Morgan to fill up a film that might make animals lovers cringe, but will likely devastate on some whole other level.…...
- 11/24/2021
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
After years of making features with his directing partner Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, Robert Machoian finally decided the time had come to branch out on his own as a writer/director with his debut solo feature The Killing of Two Lovers. The film stars Clayne Crawford as David, a man living in […]
The post ‘The Killing of Two Lovers’ Director Robert Machoian on Making One of the Year’s Most Intense Movies [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘The Killing of Two Lovers’ Director Robert Machoian on Making One of the Year’s Most Intense Movies [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
- 5/19/2021
- by Steven Prokopy
- Slash Film
Nearly 16 months after it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, Robert Machoian’s The Killing of Two Lovers, picked up by Neon, has arrived. Machoian, who grew up in King City and told me he used to frequent the punk scene in San Luis Obispo, has spent most of his days somewhere in California, in small towns with citizens that all know each other’s relationship statuses. With a population hovering around 700, Kanosh, Utah became the site for this project, his first solo film in years, working without his frequent collaborator and friend Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck.
Starring Clayne Crawford and Sepideh Moafi as David and Nikki, a separated family, The Killing of Two Lovers follows these parents as they try to hold a bond while keeping the distance necessary for both of them to grow. David wants to reconnect. Nikki wants space. Shot with an amount of intimacy felt in the midst of this relationship breaking,...
Starring Clayne Crawford and Sepideh Moafi as David and Nikki, a separated family, The Killing of Two Lovers follows these parents as they try to hold a bond while keeping the distance necessary for both of them to grow. David wants to reconnect. Nikki wants space. Shot with an amount of intimacy felt in the midst of this relationship breaking,...
- 5/17/2021
- by Michael Frank
- The Film Stage
Opening on what appears to be the verge of its titular act, Robert Machoian’s “The Killing of Two Lovers” then steadily pulls back from what sounds like a noirish potboiler of marital infidelity and rage. Instead, his , as is so often the case.
Stark as the surrounding Western Utah landscapes its characters seem dwarfed by, the terse narrative may be a bit too stripped down for those seeking more conventional melodrama. Commercial prospects will not be high. But this first solo feature (Machoian co-directed three prior ones with Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck) is an arresting auteurist miniature that should travel far on the festival circuit, perhaps picking up awards that might heighten appeal to niche distributors in various formats.
An odd-jobber in his podunk town — where there appears to be exactly one store — shaggy 30-something David (Clayne Crawford) is first glimpsed in a state of armed emotional extremis standing over the bed of his wife,...
Stark as the surrounding Western Utah landscapes its characters seem dwarfed by, the terse narrative may be a bit too stripped down for those seeking more conventional melodrama. Commercial prospects will not be high. But this first solo feature (Machoian co-directed three prior ones with Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck) is an arresting auteurist miniature that should travel far on the festival circuit, perhaps picking up awards that might heighten appeal to niche distributors in various formats.
An odd-jobber in his podunk town — where there appears to be exactly one store — shaggy 30-something David (Clayne Crawford) is first glimpsed in a state of armed emotional extremis standing over the bed of his wife,...
- 1/30/2020
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
Opening with a jarring, heart-stopping scene in David (Clayne Crawford) points a gun at his sleeping wife, Robert Machoian’s The Killing of Two Lovers is a riveting and restrained autopsy of a marriage in free fall. David and Nikki (Sepideh Moafi) have already separated, with David returning to his parent’s home. Their teenage daughter Jessica (Avery Pizzuto) takes it out on both parents, telling them to be the adults and work it out. The problem with that notion is that David and Nikki never had the chance to grow. Having Jessica young and four boys immediately afterward, they’ve stayed in the same small Utah town and moved only a few doors away from David’s childhood home.
Directed by Robert Machoian, who is known for working with frequent collaborator Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck on naturalistic portraits of parents and children–including When She Runs and absentee parents in God...
Directed by Robert Machoian, who is known for working with frequent collaborator Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck on naturalistic portraits of parents and children–including When She Runs and absentee parents in God...
- 1/29/2020
- by John Fink
- The Film Stage
A quiet and observant sports drama, When She Runs, like The Fits, is a film that lives and breathes process. Our lead Kristen goes through her daily life which involves late night training sessions at one of those unstaffed 24-hour discount gyms, working at a snow cone shop, and visitations with her five-year-old son. While her age is never explicitly the subject of the film, she’s given a once-in-every-four-years shot at moving up to the next round, qualifying to train for team USA. The now or never spirit haunts everything she does.
Directed by Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, When She Runs, like the team’s previous feature God Bless the Child, is largely a work that provides the raw material, requiring some narrative heavy lifting from the audience. Whereas God Bless the Child proved to alienate with the blusterous rhythms of children left alone to fend for themselves...
Directed by Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, When She Runs, like the team’s previous feature God Bless the Child, is largely a work that provides the raw material, requiring some narrative heavy lifting from the audience. Whereas God Bless the Child proved to alienate with the blusterous rhythms of children left alone to fend for themselves...
- 5/3/2018
- by John Fink
- The Film Stage
When She Runs Review
When She Runs (2018) Film Review from the 17th Annual Tribeca Film Festival, a movie directed by Robert Machoian & Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, and starring Kirstin Anderson, Ivan Gehring, and Jonah Graham.
Kirstin (Kirstin Anderson) seemed like she had a lot on her plate to suffer through – a brutal workout regime, an even more brutal recovery process, and the kind of diet that [...]
Continue reading: Film Review: When She Runs (2018): There is No Start or End in Sight [Tribeca 2018]
The post Film Review: When She Runs (2018): There is No Start or End in Sight [Tribeca 2018] appeared first on FilmBook.
When She Runs (2018) Film Review from the 17th Annual Tribeca Film Festival, a movie directed by Robert Machoian & Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, and starring Kirstin Anderson, Ivan Gehring, and Jonah Graham.
Kirstin (Kirstin Anderson) seemed like she had a lot on her plate to suffer through – a brutal workout regime, an even more brutal recovery process, and the kind of diet that [...]
Continue reading: Film Review: When She Runs (2018): There is No Start or End in Sight [Tribeca 2018]
The post Film Review: When She Runs (2018): There is No Start or End in Sight [Tribeca 2018] appeared first on FilmBook.
- 4/19/2018
- by Sam Joseph
- Film-Book
Claire Danes, Jeff Daniels, Ethan Hawke and Rachel Weisz are heading to New Jersey for the seventh annual Montclair Film Festival.
Kicking off on April 26 with Rachel Dretzin’s “Far From the Tree,” the 11-day fest will feature 77 feature films, 94 shorts and 13 special events including panels, master classes and public parties.
Highlights include favorites from the Sundance Film Festival, the Toronto Intl. Film Festival and highly anticipated projects premiering this month at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Sundance hits including Hawke’s music biopic “Blaze,” Brett Haley’s “Hearts Beat Loud” and Morgan Neville’s docu “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” will all screen at Miff. The regional fest will also host Sam Pollard’s “Sammy Davis Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me,” Kate Novack’s “The Gospel According to Andre,” and Sebastian Lelio’s “Disobedience” starring Weisz and Rachel McAdams. All three films made their world premiere at Tiff in September.
Kicking off on April 26 with Rachel Dretzin’s “Far From the Tree,” the 11-day fest will feature 77 feature films, 94 shorts and 13 special events including panels, master classes and public parties.
Highlights include favorites from the Sundance Film Festival, the Toronto Intl. Film Festival and highly anticipated projects premiering this month at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Sundance hits including Hawke’s music biopic “Blaze,” Brett Haley’s “Hearts Beat Loud” and Morgan Neville’s docu “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” will all screen at Miff. The regional fest will also host Sam Pollard’s “Sammy Davis Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me,” Kate Novack’s “The Gospel According to Andre,” and Sebastian Lelio’s “Disobedience” starring Weisz and Rachel McAdams. All three films made their world premiere at Tiff in September.
- 4/5/2018
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Tribeca Film Fest’s Viewpoint section has some micro gems from some filmmakers we’ve come to champion here on the site with three items in particular that we’ve lassoed for April in the shape of world premieres from the likes of Robert Machoian & Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck (When She Runs), Hagar Ben-Asher (Dead Women Walking), Nathan Silver (The Great Pretender).
Continue reading...
Continue reading...
- 3/7/2018
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
The Tribeca Film Festival has just unveiled the feature film lineup for its 2018 edition. The closing night film is Liz Garbus’s The Fourth Estate, about the New York Times’s coverage of President Trump’s first year in office, the centerpiece is Drake Doremus’s sci-fi romance Zoe, and among the others are a slew of films we’ve been tracking here at Filmmaker. Work by former 25 New Faces like Eva Vives, John Maringouin, Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, new movies by Miguel Arteta and Mads Brugger, the first feature by interactive superstar Meredith Danluck, Nancy Schwartzman’s campus rape doc Roll Red […]...
- 3/7/2018
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Yay! My favorite film of 2015 was the big winner at the recently concluded Film Independent Spirit Awards taking home the best feature, director (Tom McCarthy), screenplay, and editing. It was previously announced that the film was the winner of the prestigious Robert Altman Award (ensemble) as well.
Oh and kudos to the Film Independent Spirit Awards for bestowing their Best Supporting Actress Award to Mya Taylor for "Tangerine!" Taylor becomes the first transgender performer to receive major acting award! See her acceptance speech right here.
Let's see if this will continue with tonight's Oscars. See my full Oscar predictions right here.
Here's the complete list of winners of the Film Independent Spirit Awards:
Best Feature
Award given to the Producer; Executive Producers are not awarded.
"Anomalisa"
"Beasts of No Nation"
"Carol"
*** "Spotlight" (Winner)
"Tangerine"
Best Director
Cary Joji Fukunaga, "Beasts of No Nation"
Charlie Kaufman & Duke Johnson, "Anomalisa"
David Robert Mitchell,...
Oh and kudos to the Film Independent Spirit Awards for bestowing their Best Supporting Actress Award to Mya Taylor for "Tangerine!" Taylor becomes the first transgender performer to receive major acting award! See her acceptance speech right here.
Let's see if this will continue with tonight's Oscars. See my full Oscar predictions right here.
Here's the complete list of winners of the Film Independent Spirit Awards:
Best Feature
Award given to the Producer; Executive Producers are not awarded.
"Anomalisa"
"Beasts of No Nation"
"Carol"
*** "Spotlight" (Winner)
"Tangerine"
Best Director
Cary Joji Fukunaga, "Beasts of No Nation"
Charlie Kaufman & Duke Johnson, "Anomalisa"
David Robert Mitchell,...
- 2/28/2016
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Less than a day after winning the Independent Spirit Awards’ “Someone to Watch” to watch award beating out Chloé Zhao’s Sundance preemed Songs My Brothers Taught Me and Robert Machoian & Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck SXSW preemed God Bless the Child, Felix Thompson sees his feature debut find a home with the Well Go USA folks – who nabbed the North American, Australian and New Zealand distribution rights. The Wrap reports that the pic starring Charlie Plummer, Cory Nichols and Christian Madsen, King Jack had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Fest and will be released sometime this summer.
Gist: A tough but tender coming-of-age story about friendship and finding happiness in rough surroundings, “King Jack” follows a scrappy 15-year-old named Jack (Plummer) as he battles the torments of a violent older bully and faces another round of summer school. Jack already has more problems than he can handle, so when his...
Gist: A tough but tender coming-of-age story about friendship and finding happiness in rough surroundings, “King Jack” follows a scrappy 15-year-old named Jack (Plummer) as he battles the torments of a violent older bully and faces another round of summer school. Jack already has more problems than he can handle, so when his...
- 1/13/2016
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Todd Haynes is in the running for best director and both Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara are in contention for best female lead alongside Room’s Brie Larson as Carol earned six 2016 Film Independent Spirit Award nominations in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Close behind were Spotlight and Beasts Of No Nation on five apiece, followed by indie darling Tangerine and Anomalisa on four each.
Not even a glitch that saw the list of nominees temporarily appear on the Film Independent website prior to the official announcement could spoil what turned out by and large to be a recognition of independent film in its myriad forms.
Besides the more predictable contenders like Carol, Spotlight and Room, there was plenty of love for Tangerine, shot on an iPhone, and Beasts Of No Nation from Netflix, whose day-and-date release (and what that portends) infuriated large swathes of the exhibition sector but has clearly impressed critics.
Magnolia Pictures earned...
Close behind were Spotlight and Beasts Of No Nation on five apiece, followed by indie darling Tangerine and Anomalisa on four each.
Not even a glitch that saw the list of nominees temporarily appear on the Film Independent website prior to the official announcement could spoil what turned out by and large to be a recognition of independent film in its myriad forms.
Besides the more predictable contenders like Carol, Spotlight and Room, there was plenty of love for Tangerine, shot on an iPhone, and Beasts Of No Nation from Netflix, whose day-and-date release (and what that portends) infuriated large swathes of the exhibition sector but has clearly impressed critics.
Magnolia Pictures earned...
- 11/24/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The nominations for the 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards were announced Tuesday, giving boosts to several films' Oscars chances.
"Carol" led the pack with six nominations, including nods in most of the major categories (Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay), and two Best Lead Actress nominations for its headlining duo, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. It was followed by Netflix flick "Beasts of No Nation," which scored five nominations in the big categories (Best Feature, Best Director, Best Lead Male) as well as the technical ones (Best Cinematography, Best Editing).
As TheWrap notes, "Beasts" nominations have helped secure it some serious consideration come Oscars time. But another big surprise was the small number of nominations for "Room," considered by many to be a Best Picture contender at the Academy Awards. It was left off the Spirit Awards's Best Feature list, though it did score a Best Female Lead nomination for Best Actress Oscar frontrunner Brie Larson.
"Carol" led the pack with six nominations, including nods in most of the major categories (Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay), and two Best Lead Actress nominations for its headlining duo, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. It was followed by Netflix flick "Beasts of No Nation," which scored five nominations in the big categories (Best Feature, Best Director, Best Lead Male) as well as the technical ones (Best Cinematography, Best Editing).
As TheWrap notes, "Beasts" nominations have helped secure it some serious consideration come Oscars time. But another big surprise was the small number of nominations for "Room," considered by many to be a Best Picture contender at the Academy Awards. It was left off the Spirit Awards's Best Feature list, though it did score a Best Female Lead nomination for Best Actress Oscar frontrunner Brie Larson.
- 11/24/2015
- by Katie Roberts
- Moviefone
Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the La Film Festival and Film Independent at Lacma, announced nominations for the 2016 Spirit Awards this morning. Film Independent President Josh Welsh presided over the press conference held at W Hollywood, with actors John Boyega and Elizabeth Olsen presenting the nominations.
Nominees for Best Feature included Anomalisa, Beasts of No Nation, Carol, Spotlight and Tangerine.
“This year’s nominees are a testament to the strength, vitality and diversity of independent, artist-driven filmmaking,” said Film Independent President Josh Welsh. “It’s an astonishingly strong group of films and performances this year and we look forward to celebrating them all at the Spirit Awards.”
Spotlight was selected to receive the Robert Altman Award, which is bestowed upon one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast. The Altman Award was created in 2008 in honor of legendary director Robert Altman...
Nominees for Best Feature included Anomalisa, Beasts of No Nation, Carol, Spotlight and Tangerine.
“This year’s nominees are a testament to the strength, vitality and diversity of independent, artist-driven filmmaking,” said Film Independent President Josh Welsh. “It’s an astonishingly strong group of films and performances this year and we look forward to celebrating them all at the Spirit Awards.”
Spotlight was selected to receive the Robert Altman Award, which is bestowed upon one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast. The Altman Award was created in 2008 in honor of legendary director Robert Altman...
- 11/24/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Todd Haynes' "Carol" is shaping up to be the movie to beat this awards season. Based on Patricia Highsmith's The Price of Salt, the romantic drama stars Cate Blanchett as an older, married woman who is developing some strong feelings towards a seasonal shopgirl played by Rooney Mara. And the actresses may have to prepare their acceptance speeches! "Carol" leads the pack of nominees for the 31st Independent Spirit Awards!
I'm also very happy that "Tangerine" by Sean Baker received 4 nods for Best Feature, Director, Female Lead (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez), and Supporting Female for Mya Taylor. shot mostly on iPhone, this small-budget wonder is truly what the Independent Spirit is all about!
Some of my few gripes are not a whole lot of love for the fantastic "Room" (just screenplay, female lead for Brie Larson, and editing -- what about the awesome child actor Jason Tremblay?), and that...
I'm also very happy that "Tangerine" by Sean Baker received 4 nods for Best Feature, Director, Female Lead (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez), and Supporting Female for Mya Taylor. shot mostly on iPhone, this small-budget wonder is truly what the Independent Spirit is all about!
Some of my few gripes are not a whole lot of love for the fantastic "Room" (just screenplay, female lead for Brie Larson, and editing -- what about the awesome child actor Jason Tremblay?), and that...
- 11/24/2015
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
In its 31st year, the Film Independent Spirt Awards showcase the best that modest (and, occasionally, lower budget) filmmaking has to offer annually. This year, it’s little surprise the the stellar Carol is leading the pack with six nominations, while Spotlight and Beasts of No Nation are close behind with five each. On the actual smaller scale of productions, the iPhone-shot drama Tangerine picked up a heft four nominations, a film that, alongside Anomalisa and the aforementioned titles, rounds out their Best Feature category.
Ahead of a ceremony on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 5Pm Est, check out the full list of nominations below, which also recognize It Follows, Bone Tomahawk, The End of the Tour, Room, The Mend, James White, The Diary of a Teenage Girl, Heaven Knows What, and more.
Best Feature
Award given to the Producer; Executive Producers are not awarded.
“Anomalisa”
“Beasts of No Nation”
“Carol”
“Spotlight...
Ahead of a ceremony on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 5Pm Est, check out the full list of nominations below, which also recognize It Follows, Bone Tomahawk, The End of the Tour, Room, The Mend, James White, The Diary of a Teenage Girl, Heaven Knows What, and more.
Best Feature
Award given to the Producer; Executive Producers are not awarded.
“Anomalisa”
“Beasts of No Nation”
“Carol”
“Spotlight...
- 11/24/2015
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
The 2016 Independent Spirit Awards have announced their nominations for this year with some surprising and excellent choices all across the board.
While expected awards heavyweights like "Carol," "Room," and "Spotlight" are here, numerous genre and niche titles like "It Follows," "Tangerine," "Bone Tomahawk," "The Diary of a Teenage Girl," "James White," "The End of the Tour," and "Anomalisa" have scored multiple nominations along with Netflix's "Beasts of No Nation".
Both "Carol" and 'Beasts' scored six nominations each, followed by "Spotlight," "Tangerine" and "Anomalisa" with four and "It Foll ows" with three. The 2016 Independent Spirit Awards will air on February 27th.
Best Feature
Anomalisa
Beasts of No Nation
Carol
Spotlight
Tangerine
Best Director
Cary Joji Fukunaga – Beasts of No Nation
Charlie Kaufman & Duke Johnson – Anomalisa
David Robert Mitchell – It Follows
Sean Baker – Tangerine
Todd Haynes – Carol
Tom McCarthy – Spotlight
Best Female Lead
Bel Powley – The Diary of a Teenage Girl
Brie Larson...
While expected awards heavyweights like "Carol," "Room," and "Spotlight" are here, numerous genre and niche titles like "It Follows," "Tangerine," "Bone Tomahawk," "The Diary of a Teenage Girl," "James White," "The End of the Tour," and "Anomalisa" have scored multiple nominations along with Netflix's "Beasts of No Nation".
Both "Carol" and 'Beasts' scored six nominations each, followed by "Spotlight," "Tangerine" and "Anomalisa" with four and "It Foll ows" with three. The 2016 Independent Spirit Awards will air on February 27th.
Best Feature
Anomalisa
Beasts of No Nation
Carol
Spotlight
Tangerine
Best Director
Cary Joji Fukunaga – Beasts of No Nation
Charlie Kaufman & Duke Johnson – Anomalisa
David Robert Mitchell – It Follows
Sean Baker – Tangerine
Todd Haynes – Carol
Tom McCarthy – Spotlight
Best Female Lead
Bel Powley – The Diary of a Teenage Girl
Brie Larson...
- 11/24/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Read More: 'Cartel Land' and 'The Look of Silence' Lead 2015 Cinema Eye Nonfiction Film Award Nominees Cinema Eye has announced the five nominees for this years Heterodox Award. The Heterodox Award is an annual award presented to a narrative fiction film for incorporating elements of nonfiction film style and content. Past award recipients include "Beginners," "Post Tenebras Lux" and "Boyhood." This years nominees include: "Arabian Nights: Volume One (The Restless One)," directed by Miguel Gomes "God Bless the Child," directed by Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck "Tangerine," directed by Sean Baker "Taxi," directed by Jafar Panahi "The Tribe," directed by Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy The winner of the 2016 Heterodox Award will be announced on January 12 during Cinema Eye Week. Read More: Cinema Eye Honors Amy Winehouse, Angulo Brothers As 'Unforgettable' Documentary Subjects...
- 11/18/2015
- by Ryan Anielski
- Indiewire
Cinema Eye, which presents the Cinema Eye Honors for Nonfiction Filmmaking as part of the annual Cinema Eye Week, today announced the five nominees for its annual Heterodox Award. The Heterodox Award honors a narrative fiction film that imaginatively incorporates nonfiction strategies, content and/or modes of production. The five films nominated this year for the Cinema Eye Heterodox Award are: Arabian Nights: Volume 1 —The Restless One directed by Miguel Gomes God Bless the Child directed by Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck Tangerine directed by Sean Baker Taxi directed by Jafar Panahi The Tribe directed by Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy With the announcement of […]...
- 11/18/2015
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Cinema Eye, which presents the Cinema Eye Honors for Nonfiction Filmmaking as part of the annual Cinema Eye Week, today announced the five nominees for its annual Heterodox Award. The Heterodox Award honors a narrative fiction film that imaginatively incorporates nonfiction strategies, content and/or modes of production. The five films nominated this year for the Cinema Eye Heterodox Award are: Arabian Nights: Volume 1 —The Restless One directed by Miguel Gomes God Bless the Child directed by Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck Tangerine directed by Sean Baker Taxi directed by Jafar Panahi The Tribe directed by Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy With the announcement of […]...
- 11/18/2015
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Plus: Josh Reinhold joins Matt Alvarez’s new production company; Jane Seymour boards Esx Entertainment’s Praying For Rain… and more.
Cinema Eye has announced the five nominees for its annual Heterodox Award honouring a narrative fiction film that “imaginatively incorporates nonfiction strategies, content and/or modes of production.”
The nominees are Arabian Nights: Volume One (The Restless One) by Miguel Gomes; God Bless The Child by Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck; Tangerine by Sean Baker; Taxi (pictured) by Jafar Panahi; and The Tribe by Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy. The prize will be presented on January 12, 2016 in New York.
Josh Reinhold has joined Straight Outta Compton producer Matt Alvarez’s untitled production company as vice-president. In his new role, Reinhold will oversee development and production on behalf of the company, taking features from concept to delivery.
Jane Seymour, Annabelle Stephenson, Nicholas Gonzalez and Paul Rodriguez have been cast in the drama Praying For Rain for Forrest Lucas and [link...
Cinema Eye has announced the five nominees for its annual Heterodox Award honouring a narrative fiction film that “imaginatively incorporates nonfiction strategies, content and/or modes of production.”
The nominees are Arabian Nights: Volume One (The Restless One) by Miguel Gomes; God Bless The Child by Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck; Tangerine by Sean Baker; Taxi (pictured) by Jafar Panahi; and The Tribe by Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy. The prize will be presented on January 12, 2016 in New York.
Josh Reinhold has joined Straight Outta Compton producer Matt Alvarez’s untitled production company as vice-president. In his new role, Reinhold will oversee development and production on behalf of the company, taking features from concept to delivery.
Jane Seymour, Annabelle Stephenson, Nicholas Gonzalez and Paul Rodriguez have been cast in the drama Praying For Rain for Forrest Lucas and [link...
- 11/18/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Other winners include Among The Believers and The Fear Of 13.Scroll Down For Full List
Cph:dox (Nov 5-15), Copenhagen’s festival of documentary cinema, has revealed its award winners for 2015, with God Bless The Child taking the top prize.
Robert Machoian & Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck’s film, which follows four young boys and their 13-year-old sister who are left to their own devices in their Californian home, was presented with the Dox:award, including a prize of $5400 (€5000).
The prize’s jury was composed of Elena Fortes, director of Ambulante, a non-profit organization working to support and promote a documentary film culture in Mexico; Miguel Valverde, festival director and programmer at IndieLisboa; Jim Kolmar, film Programmer for SXSW; Bernie Krause, professional musician turned soundscape ecologist and author; and Katja Adomeit, producer and freelancer for Corpoduction Office Denmark.
Regarding their decision, they stated: “Establishing an otherworldly tone of extraordinary realism and a near magical evocation of family dynamics, the winning...
Cph:dox (Nov 5-15), Copenhagen’s festival of documentary cinema, has revealed its award winners for 2015, with God Bless The Child taking the top prize.
Robert Machoian & Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck’s film, which follows four young boys and their 13-year-old sister who are left to their own devices in their Californian home, was presented with the Dox:award, including a prize of $5400 (€5000).
The prize’s jury was composed of Elena Fortes, director of Ambulante, a non-profit organization working to support and promote a documentary film culture in Mexico; Miguel Valverde, festival director and programmer at IndieLisboa; Jim Kolmar, film Programmer for SXSW; Bernie Krause, professional musician turned soundscape ecologist and author; and Katja Adomeit, producer and freelancer for Corpoduction Office Denmark.
Regarding their decision, they stated: “Establishing an otherworldly tone of extraordinary realism and a near magical evocation of family dynamics, the winning...
- 11/13/2015
- ScreenDaily
Anne Wivel’s Mand Falder will open the festival, which will screen 200 docs including 60 world premieres.
Copenhagen documentary festival Cph:dox has revealed the programme for its 13th edition, which runs Nov 5-15.
The line-up features 200 documentaries including 60 world premieres, 18 European premieres and 14 international premieres.
Danish film Mand Falder, directed by Anne Wivel, will open the festival. The film centres around the artist Per Kirkeby and his recovery after suffering from a brain hemorrhage.
16 documentaries will compete in the main competition for the Dox:award, including Friedrich Moser’s journalistic docu-thriller A Good American about William Binney’s programme ‘Thinthread’ that could have prevented 9/11, but was cancelled by the Nsa, and Aslaug Holm’s Norwegian documentary Brodre, which was shot over 8 years and centres around two boys growing up.
Helena Trestikova’s Czech documentary Mallory about life at the bottom of Czech society also features in the competition, which was won last year by Joshua Oppenheimer’s The Look of Silence.
Sean McAllister...
Copenhagen documentary festival Cph:dox has revealed the programme for its 13th edition, which runs Nov 5-15.
The line-up features 200 documentaries including 60 world premieres, 18 European premieres and 14 international premieres.
Danish film Mand Falder, directed by Anne Wivel, will open the festival. The film centres around the artist Per Kirkeby and his recovery after suffering from a brain hemorrhage.
16 documentaries will compete in the main competition for the Dox:award, including Friedrich Moser’s journalistic docu-thriller A Good American about William Binney’s programme ‘Thinthread’ that could have prevented 9/11, but was cancelled by the Nsa, and Aslaug Holm’s Norwegian documentary Brodre, which was shot over 8 years and centres around two boys growing up.
Helena Trestikova’s Czech documentary Mallory about life at the bottom of Czech society also features in the competition, which was won last year by Joshua Oppenheimer’s The Look of Silence.
Sean McAllister...
- 10/16/2015
- by sarah.cooper@screendaily.com (Sarah Cooper)
- ScreenDaily
In our last article, we went over the history and exciting things the Brooklyn Film Festival offers its contestants. And now it’s time to meet the films and the winners.
16Mmonster: directed by Jacob Kindlon; a 12 minute short from the Us.
20 Years Of Madness: directed by Jeremy Royce; a 90 minute documentary from the Us.
Abby Singer/Songwriter: Directed by Onur Tukel , a 75 minute film from the Us.
Abigail Deville’S Harlem Stories: Directed by Nick Ravich, a 7 minute American documentary.
After A Dream: Directed by Tobias Schmuecking, a 17 minute short from Germany.
And It Was Good: Directed by Graham Waterston, a 19 minute short from the Us.
Winner of the Short Narrative Spirit Award
Big Bag: Directed by Ricardo Martin Coloma, a 13 minute animation from Spain.
Block And Piled: Directed by Marc Riba & Anna Solanas, a 5 minute animation from Spain.
Blue-eyed Me: Directed by Alexey Marfin, a 7 minute short from England.
16Mmonster: directed by Jacob Kindlon; a 12 minute short from the Us.
20 Years Of Madness: directed by Jeremy Royce; a 90 minute documentary from the Us.
Abby Singer/Songwriter: Directed by Onur Tukel , a 75 minute film from the Us.
Abigail Deville’S Harlem Stories: Directed by Nick Ravich, a 7 minute American documentary.
After A Dream: Directed by Tobias Schmuecking, a 17 minute short from Germany.
And It Was Good: Directed by Graham Waterston, a 19 minute short from the Us.
Winner of the Short Narrative Spirit Award
Big Bag: Directed by Ricardo Martin Coloma, a 13 minute animation from Spain.
Block And Piled: Directed by Marc Riba & Anna Solanas, a 5 minute animation from Spain.
Blue-eyed Me: Directed by Alexey Marfin, a 7 minute short from England.
- 8/23/2015
- by Catherina Gioino
- Nerdly
Filmmaker 25 New Faces Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck’s latest feature, God Bless the Child, premieres at Ifp’s Made in NY Media Center on Friday, August 7th and runs through the 13th. Robert, Rodrigo, Producer Laura Heberton and many special guests will be there in person. Tickets are available here. The film will be digitally released on many platforms on August 18th and is already available for pre-order on iTunes. Below, Machoian and Ojeda-Beck open up about what terrifies them when they make a film and offer a clip from a new series of shorts about their film, 40 Years […]...
- 7/31/2015
- by Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Filmmaker 25 New Faces Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck’s latest feature, God Bless the Child, premieres at Ifp’s Made in NY Media Center on Friday, August 7th and runs through the 13th. Robert, Rodrigo, Producer Laura Heberton and many special guests will be there in person. Tickets are available here. The film will be digitally released on many platforms on August 18th and is already available for pre-order on iTunes. Below, Machoian and Ojeda-Beck open up about what terrifies them when they make a film and offer a clip from a new series of shorts about their film, 40 Years […]...
- 7/31/2015
- by Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Read More: 'God Bless The Child' Needs Help Getting to SXSW After being featured as an Indie Project of the Day here at Indiewire, Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck's "God Bless the Child" was successfully funded and had its world premiere at the 2015 SXSW Film Festival. In a documentary style, the narrative looks into the lives of five siblings during a summer day after their depressed mother leaves them. Harper, the oldest, takes care of his family as the day gets more and more chaotic. "God Bless the Child" will be screened at Ifp during their Screen Forward program on August 7 and will be available on iTunes on August 18. Check out the trailer for the film above. Read More: SXSW Exclusive: Get Ready To Fight With Clip From 'God Bless The Child'...
- 7/27/2015
- by Kaeli Van Cott
- Indiewire
Winner of the Best Narrative Feature award at the Atlanta Film Festival over the weekend, Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck’s God Bless the Child is a naturalistic, quotidian portrait of five children roaming the streets and marshes of Davis, California after their mother skips town. Machoian and Ojeda-Beck capture their characters with both formal remove and striking intimacy, as their interplay suggests the nature of young bodies left to their own devices. Though the Grahams — Harper, Elias, Arri, Ezra, and Jonah — exist in the film without any parental supervision, all five happen to belong to co-director Machoian, a relation which the pair were […]...
- 3/30/2015
- by Sarah Salovaara
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Winner of the Best Narrative Feature award at the Atlanta Film Festival over the weekend, Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck’s God Bless the Child is a naturalistic, quotidian portrait of five children roaming the streets and marshes of Davis, California after their mother skips town. Machoian and Ojeda-Beck capture their characters with both formal remove and striking intimacy, as their interplay suggests the nature of young bodies left to their own devices. Though the Grahams — Harper, Elias, Arri, Ezra, and Jonah — exist in the film without any parental supervision, all five happen to belong to co-director Machoian, a relation which the pair were […]...
- 3/30/2015
- by Sarah Salovaara
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
God Bless the Child
Written by Robert Machoian and Rebecca Graham
Directed by Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck
USA, 2015
The bonds of family hold strong in the face of extraordinary hardship. When the world around them sinks into darkness and the future appears foreboding, people cling to those they are closest to in their lives. God Bless the Child paints a dark portrait of reality for the five young siblings at its center, but with exceptional observation, the film depicts how familial bonds remain intact, even as circumstances grow dire.
Harper (Harper Graham), aged 13, has not experienced a normal childhood. As the film opens, her depressive mother – the family’s sole provider – drives off without saying when, or even if, she’s coming back, and Harper must care for her four younger brothers. It is later implied that this is not the first time the children have been abandoned. As...
Written by Robert Machoian and Rebecca Graham
Directed by Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck
USA, 2015
The bonds of family hold strong in the face of extraordinary hardship. When the world around them sinks into darkness and the future appears foreboding, people cling to those they are closest to in their lives. God Bless the Child paints a dark portrait of reality for the five young siblings at its center, but with exceptional observation, the film depicts how familial bonds remain intact, even as circumstances grow dire.
Harper (Harper Graham), aged 13, has not experienced a normal childhood. As the film opens, her depressive mother – the family’s sole provider – drives off without saying when, or even if, she’s coming back, and Harper must care for her four younger brothers. It is later implied that this is not the first time the children have been abandoned. As...
- 3/18/2015
- by Jacob Carter
- SoundOnSight
Alongside her current Kickstarter campaign for Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck’s God Bless the Child, producer Laura Heberton pens this guest essay for Filmmaker reflecting on the many different ways one can be a film producer in our Internet age. Both God Bless the Child and another picture produced by Heberton, Alison Bagnall’s Funny Bunny, premiere at the 2015 SXSW Film Festival. This coming Friday, at about 2 o’clock in the morning, I will finally get to meet, in some (probably nondescript) lobby of a hotel in Austin, Robert Machoain and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck — in person and for the very […]...
- 3/11/2015
- by Laura Heberton
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Alongside her current Kickstarter campaign for Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck’s God Bless the Child, producer Laura Heberton pens this guest essay for Filmmaker reflecting on the many different ways one can be a film producer in our Internet age. Both God Bless the Child and another picture produced by Heberton, Alison Bagnall’s Funny Bunny, premiere at the 2015 SXSW Film Festival. This coming Friday, at about 2 o’clock in the morning, I will finally get to meet, in some (probably nondescript) lobby of a hotel in Austin, Robert Machoain and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck — in person and for the very […]...
- 3/11/2015
- by Laura Heberton
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Here's your daily dose of an indie film in progress -- at the end of the week, you'll have the chance to vote for your favorite. In the meantime: Is this a movie you’d want to see? Tell us in the comments. God Bless The Child Tweetable Logline: Five siblings, left on their own, spend a summer's day full of fantasy and chaos. Only the eldest knows their mother may never return. Elevator Pitch: Brilliant acting in a narrative that feels like a documentary. Ground-breaking day of the life study of five possibly abandoned kids, shot over four summer months. The second feature by the acclaimed team of Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck is moving and true. Shot on a shoestring (and a Blackmagic pocket camera) and with critical funding support from the San Francisco Film Society. We need to get to SXSW for our world premiere and to...
- 3/11/2015
- by Indiewire Staff
- Indiewire
The 'Visions' slate at SXSW celebrates "risk-taking artists in the new cinema landscape who demonstrate raw innovation and creativity in documentary and narrative filmmaking," and filmmakers Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck are certainly cooking up something out of the ordinary with "God Bless The Child." Today we have an exclusive clip from the movie that will be making its premiere in Austin. Featuring Harper Graham, Elias Graham, Arri Graham, Ezra Graham, Jonah Graham, Bruce Graham, Alex Weinshilboum, and Patrick Ditty, the movie tracks five siblings who are left to their own devices after their depressed and unreliable mother leaves, possibly for good. But while the movie may look and feel like cinéma vérité or documentary, it's actually carefully directed and scripted, aiming to capture the ineffable spirit of childhood. This scene certainly captures a particular authenticity in the playful relationship between...
- 3/10/2015
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Selected for Filmmaker’s 25 New Faces series, filmmakers Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck are currently on Kickstarter via producer Laura Heberton’s campaign to cover festival expenses for their latest feature, God Bless the Child. In the below guest essay, Machoian, who works as an adjunct professor, ponders the current dilemma in his life: should he accept a full-time teaching position that will necessarily change the rhythm of his filmmaking? Read on, and check out the film’s campaign on Kickstarter and consider donating. “Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.” This is a phrase I hear thrown around often, I […]...
- 3/10/2015
- by Robert Machoian
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Selected for Filmmaker’s 25 New Faces series, filmmakers Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck are currently on Kickstarter via producer Laura Heberton’s campaign to cover festival expenses for their latest feature, God Bless the Child. In the below guest essay, Machoian, who works as an adjunct professor, ponders the current dilemma in his life: should he accept a full-time teaching position that will necessarily change the rhythm of his filmmaking? Read on, and check out the film’s campaign on Kickstarter and consider donating. “Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.” This is a phrase I hear thrown around often, I […]...
- 3/10/2015
- by Robert Machoian
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
It feels like just -- ahem -- yesterday that Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck's Forty Years from Yesterday was named one of my favorite unreleased films of 2013. Now, at long last, Forty Years from Yesterday is finally accessible for anyone -- hopefully everyone -- to experience. You might remember me gushing incessantly about this one for countless months after the film's world premiere at the 2013 La Film Fest.
- 2/17/2015
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Amy Schumer and Bill Hader in TrainwreckPhoto: Universal Pictures With Sundance just wrapping up and Berlin starting up in a few days, we are now immersed in the year-long barrage of film festivals. One such festival in South By Southwest. A few weeks back they announced the first seven films of their program, including the opening night film Brand: A Second Coming. Today, they have revealed the rest of the features to be shown in March (except for the midnight program), and some of it has me very excited. The bigger titles announced do not do much for me. Paul Feig's Spy, starring Melissa McCarthy, and the Will Ferrell/Kevin Hart starrer Get Hard leave a lot to be desired in terms of anticipation, as does a work in progress cut of Judd Apatow's latest film Trainwreck. I'm guessing an Apatow work in progress is probably around three and a half hours.
- 2/3/2015
- by Mike Shutt
- Rope of Silicon
South by Southwest, the multi-faceted film, music and technology festival held annually in Austin, TX will feature such upcoming films as Paul Feig’s Spy, David Gordon Green’s Manglehorn, Alex Gibney’s documentary Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine, and Ondi Timoner’s Russell Brand profile Brand: A Second Coming as headliners in this year’s film festival lineup.
SXSW runs from March 13 to 21 in Austin and is now in its 22nd year. Variety has details of the 145 films and 100 world premieres bowing at this year’s festival. Brand, as previously reported, will be the festival’s opening night film.
Other notable titles on the list are the Will Ferrell/Kevin Hart comedy Get Hard, a rough cut of Judd Apatow’s Trainwreck, the directorial debut of 28 Days Later screenwriter Alex Garland, Ex Machina, and a new comedy by Michael Showalter, Hello, My Name is Doris.
On the small screen,...
SXSW runs from March 13 to 21 in Austin and is now in its 22nd year. Variety has details of the 145 films and 100 world premieres bowing at this year’s festival. Brand, as previously reported, will be the festival’s opening night film.
Other notable titles on the list are the Will Ferrell/Kevin Hart comedy Get Hard, a rough cut of Judd Apatow’s Trainwreck, the directorial debut of 28 Days Later screenwriter Alex Garland, Ex Machina, and a new comedy by Michael Showalter, Hello, My Name is Doris.
On the small screen,...
- 2/3/2015
- by Brian Welk
- SoundOnSight
Eric Lavallee: Name me three of your favorite “2014 discoveries” …
Nick Case: 1.) Favorite Musician: Keegan DeWitt. Keegan is the lead singer for the Nashville-based band Wild Cub and is quickly becoming one of my favorite film composers. His work on Listen Up Philip and Land Ho! were two of the more memorable scores for me in 2014. 2. Favorite Multi-Hyphenate: Andre Hyland a.k.a bLonNd cHiLi. Andre is a very talentedwriter/director/actor/comedian. His short Funnel, which premiered at Sundance was probably my favorite short in 2014. I also highly recommend checking out his Youtube channel as there are some real gems particularly his Running Late series. 3. Most Memorable Film Experience: Rich Hill. Beautifully heartbreaking. See it.
Lavallee: Was wondering what lured you to Take Me to the River and what are you hoping auds will take away from this film experience?
Case: During one of my early conversations with Matt...
Nick Case: 1.) Favorite Musician: Keegan DeWitt. Keegan is the lead singer for the Nashville-based band Wild Cub and is quickly becoming one of my favorite film composers. His work on Listen Up Philip and Land Ho! were two of the more memorable scores for me in 2014. 2. Favorite Multi-Hyphenate: Andre Hyland a.k.a bLonNd cHiLi. Andre is a very talentedwriter/director/actor/comedian. His short Funnel, which premiered at Sundance was probably my favorite short in 2014. I also highly recommend checking out his Youtube channel as there are some real gems particularly his Running Late series. 3. Most Memorable Film Experience: Rich Hill. Beautifully heartbreaking. See it.
Lavallee: Was wondering what lured you to Take Me to the River and what are you hoping auds will take away from this film experience?
Case: During one of my early conversations with Matt...
- 1/30/2015
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Announced earlier this evening, Sffs/Krf Filmmaking Grants have been awarded to potential 2015 Sundancers in the likes of Kris Swanberg, Chloé Zhao, Jonas Carpignano and the team of Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck (they all receive major post-production coin), while Elena Greenlee and Annie Silverstein will get to concentrate on crafting their individual screenplays having received some grin-worthy dollar contributions. Along with cool initiatives from Sundance and Cinereach folks, this twice yearly Sffs/Krf program has funded more than 50 projects since its inception, helping out the likes of Fruitvale Station back when it was now as Fruitvale. Here are the descriptions of the projects, with the size of each grant, supplied by the Sffs are below:
Dark Forest – Elena Greenlee, writer/director – $35,000 for screenwriting
A hipster millennial—equally versed in neuroscience and party drugs—steps out of her depth into the complex world of Amazonian shamanism. She finds herself in...
Dark Forest – Elena Greenlee, writer/director – $35,000 for screenwriting
A hipster millennial—equally versed in neuroscience and party drugs—steps out of her depth into the complex world of Amazonian shamanism. She finds herself in...
- 11/20/2014
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
The San Francisco Film Society (Sffs) in partnership with the Kenneth Rainin Foundation (Krf) has announced the latest round of $300,000 in funding.
The six team recipients of the Sffs / Krf Filmmaking Grants are:
Dark Forest – Elena Greenlee, writer-director.
$35,000 for screenwriting.
God Bless The Child – Robert Machoian, writer-co-director; Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, co-director; Robert Thomas, producer; Laura Heberton, producer.
$60,000 for post-production.
Mediterranea – Jonas Carpignano, writer-director – $60,000 for post-production.
Skunk – Annie Silverstein, writer/director – $35,000 for screenwriting
Songs My Brother Taught Me – Chloé Zhao, writer-director-producer.
$60,000 for post-production.
Unexpected – Kris Swanberg, writer-director.
$50,000 for post-production.
The six team recipients of the Sffs / Krf Filmmaking Grants are:
Dark Forest – Elena Greenlee, writer-director.
$35,000 for screenwriting.
God Bless The Child – Robert Machoian, writer-co-director; Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, co-director; Robert Thomas, producer; Laura Heberton, producer.
$60,000 for post-production.
Mediterranea – Jonas Carpignano, writer-director – $60,000 for post-production.
Skunk – Annie Silverstein, writer/director – $35,000 for screenwriting
Songs My Brother Taught Me – Chloé Zhao, writer-director-producer.
$60,000 for post-production.
Unexpected – Kris Swanberg, writer-director.
$50,000 for post-production.
- 11/19/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
While pursuing their unique artistic paths, they’ve also been a creative force churning out short film items since 2008′s Ella and the Astronaut and the Sundance-programmed Charlie and the Rabbit in 2010 — which would land Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck in Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 new faces in 2010. Their feature debut Forty Years from Yesterday (Locarno 2013) played the film fest circuit, and Machoian would be welcomed back to Park City in 2013 with shorts Movies Made from Home #15 and Movies Made from Home #6. Formerly titled “The Latchkey Kids,” the California based filmmakers’ sophomore feature film that has gotten some recent traction. God Bless the Child was invited at the Poland’s American Film Festival’s U.S. in Progress this past October, and is a finalist for some coin support via the Sffs / Kenneth Rainin Foundation Filmmaking Grant.
Gist: Five siblings spend a summer day on their own. Only the eldest—the one girl,...
Gist: Five siblings spend a summer day on their own. Only the eldest—the one girl,...
- 11/12/2014
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
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