Every week, IndieWire asks a select handful of film and TV critics two questions and publishes the results on Monday. (The answer to the second, “What is the best film in theaters right now?”, can typically be found at the end of this post.) This week, however, in light of Jonathan Demme’s death — and in reaction to the immense outpouring of love for the man and his movies that followed the news of his passing — we’ve decided to switch things up with a special mid-week edition of our usual survey.
We asked our panel one simple question: How will you remember Jonathan Demme? The responses we received can be found below.
Mallory Andrews (@mallory_andrews) cléo
Though I only saw “Something Wild” for the first time this month, it somehow feels like it’s been with me for my entire filmgoing life. The scene where (my ideal man...
We asked our panel one simple question: How will you remember Jonathan Demme? The responses we received can be found below.
Mallory Andrews (@mallory_andrews) cléo
Though I only saw “Something Wild” for the first time this month, it somehow feels like it’s been with me for my entire filmgoing life. The scene where (my ideal man...
- 4/27/2017
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Nine people have been named in connection with the murder in 2000 of Haiti's popular radio journalist, Jean Dominique. He and his security guard were shot dead in the courtyard of Radio Haiti-Inter's offices.
The killing of Dominique — affectionately known as "Jean Do" — shocked his many thousands of loyal listeners who enjoyed his broadcasts, aired in Creole rather than the "elite" French.
Now a judge's report into the murders, read out in the appeal court, has named a former senator, Mirlande Liberus Pavert, as "the intellectual author" of the killing. She was a member of the party led by the former president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
Among others alleged to be responsible was folk singer Annette Auguste, known as So Anne, and a former deputy mayor of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, Gabriel Harold Severe. None of the nine named in the the judge's report have been arrested.
Dominique, who was the subject of a 2003 documentary directed by Jonathan Demme,...
The killing of Dominique — affectionately known as "Jean Do" — shocked his many thousands of loyal listeners who enjoyed his broadcasts, aired in Creole rather than the "elite" French.
Now a judge's report into the murders, read out in the appeal court, has named a former senator, Mirlande Liberus Pavert, as "the intellectual author" of the killing. She was a member of the party led by the former president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
Among others alleged to be responsible was folk singer Annette Auguste, known as So Anne, and a former deputy mayor of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, Gabriel Harold Severe. None of the nine named in the the judge's report have been arrested.
Dominique, who was the subject of a 2003 documentary directed by Jonathan Demme,...
- 1/19/2014
- by Roy Greenslade
- The Guardian - Film News
X-Men franchise director Bryan Singer, whose first two features debuted at the Sundance Film Festival — including The Usual Suspects in 1995 — was one of the industry figures named to the Sundance juries that will judge this year’s films when the festival begins next week. Singer, who has X-Men: Days of Future Past due in May, will be one of five members of the U.S. Dramatic Jury. Other members of the juries include Tracy Chapman, Lone Scherfig, Leonard Maltin, and screenwriter Jon Spaihts (Prometheus). A complete list of the juries, courtesy of the Sundance Film Festival, can be viewed after the jump.
- 1/9/2014
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
A Dutch protectorate tucked near the very bottom of the Caribbean, Aruba is a small, arid, resort powered island that, despite its idiosyncrasies, may feel at times, especially along its sunbather packed eastern shores, like any other tourist satellite (although a particularly intoxicating one it is). Still, woe is he who gets caught in the all too ubiquitous American simulacrum, one of decidedly marked-up Five Guys fries and T.G.I. Friday’s chicken fingers, of cheeseburger “specials” at Hooters with beef that taste like copper. Of course, this is a film festival on a beautiful tourist trap, so there’s a lot of glamor, some forced, although mostly not in this particularly pricey locale; if you look hard enough, you can even find a place along the resorts with actual Aruban food.
The Aruba Film Festival is a young festival however, perhaps against all odds considering some of the...
The Aruba Film Festival is a young festival however, perhaps against all odds considering some of the...
- 7/7/2011
- by Brandon Harris
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
It isn’t hard to argue that Jonathan Demme was at his commercial peak in the early 90s, when his Oscar-winners The Silence of the Lambs and Philadelphia both became widely discussed cultural events. Despite being the man behind other hits, like Stop Making Sense or Something Wild, he hasn’t been seen as much over the past ten years; much of his work in that time has been documentaries, while his biggest box office hit was The Manchurian Candidate.
Speaking at the 2nd Annual Aruba International Film Festival – where he was being honored for his documentary The Agronomist, about assassinated Haitian journalist Jean Dominick - he talked about his frustration with making movies on a big budget, and seemed to indicate that this is a territory he won’t be returning to.
Talking about people who put their short films on YouTube, he said how the people who are...
Speaking at the 2nd Annual Aruba International Film Festival – where he was being honored for his documentary The Agronomist, about assassinated Haitian journalist Jean Dominick - he talked about his frustration with making movies on a big budget, and seemed to indicate that this is a territory he won’t be returning to.
Talking about people who put their short films on YouTube, he said how the people who are...
- 6/22/2011
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
Filed under: Movie News, Video
Although he's directed some pretty big movies, director Jonathan Demme ('The Silence of the Lambs,' 'Philadelphia') says he's appalled at how much it costs to make "high-style films" these days.
"I am not comfortable spending a lot of money on a movie any more," Demme said at the Aruba Film Festival, where he was honored for 'The Agronomist,' a documentary about assassinated Haitian journalist Jean Dominick.
His last major film, 2004's 'The Manchurian Candidate,' cost $80 million and earned only $65 in domestic box office.
"[That movie] cost a fortune. It was just so much money. You see something like 'Napoleon Dynamite' made for under $100,000 and you're like f--k, I can't beat that," Demme said. "The effort going into making these huge budget Hollywood movies wasn't for me."
Continue Reading...
Although he's directed some pretty big movies, director Jonathan Demme ('The Silence of the Lambs,' 'Philadelphia') says he's appalled at how much it costs to make "high-style films" these days.
"I am not comfortable spending a lot of money on a movie any more," Demme said at the Aruba Film Festival, where he was honored for 'The Agronomist,' a documentary about assassinated Haitian journalist Jean Dominick.
His last major film, 2004's 'The Manchurian Candidate,' cost $80 million and earned only $65 in domestic box office.
"[That movie] cost a fortune. It was just so much money. You see something like 'Napoleon Dynamite' made for under $100,000 and you're like f--k, I can't beat that," Demme said. "The effort going into making these huge budget Hollywood movies wasn't for me."
Continue Reading...
- 6/22/2011
- by Sharon Knolle
- Moviefone
By Annlee Ellingson
(from the 2011 Aruba International Film Festival)
The Aruba International Film Festival runs a little differently from other fests. Throughout the day today, screenings started on “Aruba time” — you kind of have to go with the flow here. But the premiere screening of “Nessuno mi può giudicare” also commenced with the distribution of tuna and tenderloin sandwiches. In its second year, Aiff may be experiencing growing pains, but it’s retained its hospitality.
Which is why celebrity filmmakers seem to feel comfortable here, reveling in the island setting while they discuss their professions in depth. Both actress Kim Cattrall and director Jonathan Demme — who each have worked in show business for 35-plus years — sat down to talk at length about their latest projects and their bodies of work. What they have in common is a renewed passion at this stage in their respective careers.
“I’ve never had...
(from the 2011 Aruba International Film Festival)
The Aruba International Film Festival runs a little differently from other fests. Throughout the day today, screenings started on “Aruba time” — you kind of have to go with the flow here. But the premiere screening of “Nessuno mi può giudicare” also commenced with the distribution of tuna and tenderloin sandwiches. In its second year, Aiff may be experiencing growing pains, but it’s retained its hospitality.
Which is why celebrity filmmakers seem to feel comfortable here, reveling in the island setting while they discuss their professions in depth. Both actress Kim Cattrall and director Jonathan Demme — who each have worked in show business for 35-plus years — sat down to talk at length about their latest projects and their bodies of work. What they have in common is a renewed passion at this stage in their respective careers.
“I’ve never had...
- 6/12/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
By Annlee Ellingson
(from the 2011 Aruba International Film Festival)
The Aruba International Film Festival runs a little differently from other fests. Throughout the day today, screenings started on “Aruba time” — you kind of have to go with the flow here. But the premiere screening of “Nessuno mi può giudicare” also commenced with the distribution of tuna and tenderloin sandwiches. In its second year, Aiff may be experiencing growing pains, but it’s retained its hospitality.
Which is why celebrity filmmakers seem to feel comfortable here, reveling in the island setting while they discuss their professions in depth. Both actress Kim Cattrall and director Jonathan Demme — who each have worked in show business for 35-plus years — sat down to talk at length about their latest projects and their bodies of work. What they have in common is a renewed passion at this stage in their respective careers.
“I’ve never had...
(from the 2011 Aruba International Film Festival)
The Aruba International Film Festival runs a little differently from other fests. Throughout the day today, screenings started on “Aruba time” — you kind of have to go with the flow here. But the premiere screening of “Nessuno mi può giudicare” also commenced with the distribution of tuna and tenderloin sandwiches. In its second year, Aiff may be experiencing growing pains, but it’s retained its hospitality.
Which is why celebrity filmmakers seem to feel comfortable here, reveling in the island setting while they discuss their professions in depth. Both actress Kim Cattrall and director Jonathan Demme — who each have worked in show business for 35-plus years — sat down to talk at length about their latest projects and their bodies of work. What they have in common is a renewed passion at this stage in their respective careers.
“I’ve never had...
- 6/12/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
By Annlee Ellingson
(June 2011)
“Aruba is an island with more screens per capita than any other place I have been in the world,” says Aruba International Film Festival director Claudio Masenza. “Such a special bond with movies only means that a film festival is long overdue.”
The 2011 Aruba International Film Festival, held June 10–16 on the 70-square-mile island off the coast of Venezuela, will screen 45 films from 18 countries, including festival favorites “Beginners,” “The Guard” and “The Son of No One.”
Just in its second year, Aiff is already attracting celebrities from across the filmmaking spectrum to its annual event. Jonathan Demme, director of “The Silence of the Lambs,” “Philadelphia” and “Beloved,” will be on hand to discuss his body of work and present his 2003 documentary “The Agronomist,” which profiled Jean Dominique, the late Haitian radio personality who campaigned for democracy in his country.
In addition to screening “The Agronomist,” the festival,...
(June 2011)
“Aruba is an island with more screens per capita than any other place I have been in the world,” says Aruba International Film Festival director Claudio Masenza. “Such a special bond with movies only means that a film festival is long overdue.”
The 2011 Aruba International Film Festival, held June 10–16 on the 70-square-mile island off the coast of Venezuela, will screen 45 films from 18 countries, including festival favorites “Beginners,” “The Guard” and “The Son of No One.”
Just in its second year, Aiff is already attracting celebrities from across the filmmaking spectrum to its annual event. Jonathan Demme, director of “The Silence of the Lambs,” “Philadelphia” and “Beloved,” will be on hand to discuss his body of work and present his 2003 documentary “The Agronomist,” which profiled Jean Dominique, the late Haitian radio personality who campaigned for democracy in his country.
In addition to screening “The Agronomist,” the festival,...
- 6/8/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
By Annlee Ellingson
(June 2011)
“Aruba is an island with more screens per capita than any other place I have been in the world,” says Aruba International Film Festival director Claudio Masenza. “Such a special bond with movies only means that a film festival is long overdue.”
The 2011 Aruba International Film Festival, held June 10–16 on the 70-square-mile island off the coast of Venezuela, will screen 45 films from 18 countries, including festival favorites “Beginners,” “The Guard” and “The Son of No One.”
Just in its second year, Aiff is already attracting celebrities from across the filmmaking spectrum to its annual event. Jonathan Demme, director of “The Silence of the Lambs,” “Philadelphia” and “Beloved,” will be on hand to discuss his body of work and present his 2003 documentary “The Agronomist,” which profiled Jean Dominique, the late Haitian radio personality who campaigned for democracy in his country.
In addition to screening “The Agronomist,” the festival,...
(June 2011)
“Aruba is an island with more screens per capita than any other place I have been in the world,” says Aruba International Film Festival director Claudio Masenza. “Such a special bond with movies only means that a film festival is long overdue.”
The 2011 Aruba International Film Festival, held June 10–16 on the 70-square-mile island off the coast of Venezuela, will screen 45 films from 18 countries, including festival favorites “Beginners,” “The Guard” and “The Son of No One.”
Just in its second year, Aiff is already attracting celebrities from across the filmmaking spectrum to its annual event. Jonathan Demme, director of “The Silence of the Lambs,” “Philadelphia” and “Beloved,” will be on hand to discuss his body of work and present his 2003 documentary “The Agronomist,” which profiled Jean Dominique, the late Haitian radio personality who campaigned for democracy in his country.
In addition to screening “The Agronomist,” the festival,...
- 6/8/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
Three weeks ago, the Republic of Haiti was hit by a devastating earthquake that left the country all but leveled. The international world's response was swift and generous, but some segment of the populace inevitably pose the unmentionable question: is it worth it? For the longest time, Haiti has suffered problems ranging from illiteracy to extreme poverty to political violence. Yet they persevered somehow, as they are trying now.
So on that note, I thought it might be an appropriate time to point out a film highlighting an earlier case of Haitian perseverance, in the 2003 Jonathan Demme documentary The Agronomist.
From the early 1960's to three years after his death, agronomist-cum-journalist Jean Dominique was campaigning against the oppressive government dominating his beloved Haiti. He started the subversive Radio Haiti, the first to broadcast in the Creole language as a way to connect to the commoners (as opposed to the French...
So on that note, I thought it might be an appropriate time to point out a film highlighting an earlier case of Haitian perseverance, in the 2003 Jonathan Demme documentary The Agronomist.
From the early 1960's to three years after his death, agronomist-cum-journalist Jean Dominique was campaigning against the oppressive government dominating his beloved Haiti. He started the subversive Radio Haiti, the first to broadcast in the Creole language as a way to connect to the commoners (as opposed to the French...
- 2/2/2010
- by Arya Ponto
- JustPressPlay.net
The second day of the Ifp's new United Nations co-sponsored Envision welcomed Academy Award winning director Jonathan Demme, who in a morning session discussed his long time engagement with Haiti, the Western Hemisphere's poorest country. The director spoke at length about the pair of documentaries he's made in the country, 1988's Haiti: Dreams of Democracy and 2003's The Agronomist. Clips were shown from the latter film, which chronicles the deceased Haitian radio journalist and human rights activist Jean Dominique, who was assassinated in April of 2000. One of the recurring topics over the course of the two days was the challenge involved in representing the issues of developing countries through local perspectives and not those...
- 5/17/2009
- by Brandon Harris
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
WASHINGTON -- Silverdocs: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival announced its full slate of films Thursday.
Silverdocs 2007, which runs June 12-17 in suburban Silver Spring, Md., will present 100 films representing 42 countries selected from 1,735 submissions with nine World, six North American, four U.S. and 11 East Coast premieres.
"Silverdocs celebrates the passion and creativity of independent filmmakers and their ability to unite people across cultures and continents," festival director Patricia Finneran said.
"This year we explore the environment, the war and its impact, powerful personal perspectives on contemporary history and the future of real; we invite new audiences -- and the next generation of media makers -- to share in the discovery of these diverse stories, and engage in a global dialogue," she added.
Notable filmmakers presenting their work this year include Jonathan Demme (The Agronomist, Stop Making Sense), Silverdocs' Charles Guggenheim Symposium honoree, who will present the theatrical World Premiere of his film on the aftermath of Katrina, New Home Movies From the Lower Ninth Ward. Others include three-time Emmy-winning director Jim Brown (Pete Seeger: The Power of Song); Al Maysles (The Gates); Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side); Annie Sundberg and Rick Stern (The Devil Came on Horseback); Marco Williams (Banished); Doug Prey (Big Rig), Mike Mills ("Does Your Soul Have a Cold?") and Liz Garbus (Coma).
Silverdocs 2007, which runs June 12-17 in suburban Silver Spring, Md., will present 100 films representing 42 countries selected from 1,735 submissions with nine World, six North American, four U.S. and 11 East Coast premieres.
"Silverdocs celebrates the passion and creativity of independent filmmakers and their ability to unite people across cultures and continents," festival director Patricia Finneran said.
"This year we explore the environment, the war and its impact, powerful personal perspectives on contemporary history and the future of real; we invite new audiences -- and the next generation of media makers -- to share in the discovery of these diverse stories, and engage in a global dialogue," she added.
Notable filmmakers presenting their work this year include Jonathan Demme (The Agronomist, Stop Making Sense), Silverdocs' Charles Guggenheim Symposium honoree, who will present the theatrical World Premiere of his film on the aftermath of Katrina, New Home Movies From the Lower Ninth Ward. Others include three-time Emmy-winning director Jim Brown (Pete Seeger: The Power of Song); Al Maysles (The Gates); Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side); Annie Sundberg and Rick Stern (The Devil Came on Horseback); Marco Williams (Banished); Doug Prey (Big Rig), Mike Mills ("Does Your Soul Have a Cold?") and Liz Garbus (Coma).
- 5/18/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
- Quick Links He Comes in Peace Jonathan Demme They like them documentaries and former prez/vice presidents over at Participant Prods. The socially responsible Jeff Skoll will focus on the only living U.S president who has probably done more for his country (and other nations) out of office, than in office. Variety reports that Jimmy Carter will be the subject of a Jonathan Demmeâ.s newest doc project called He Comes in Peace. Coinciding with Carter's current book tour, Demme and his crew will follow Carter across the U.S., through red states and blue, to bookstores and talk shows and Wal-Marts, as he undertakes a book tour for his new tome, "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid." At the same time, Carter, who has written more than 20 books, will speak about how to achieve peace in the Mideast and his lifelong philosophy of human compassion. The feature filmmaker (creds:
- 12/5/2006
- IONCINEMA.com
NEW YORK -- Fox Searchlight's Sideways, directed by Alexander Payne and produced by Michael London, continued its winning ways at the IFP/New York's 14th annual Gotham Awards on Wednesday night. The comedy-drama set in California's wine country, which received more nominations than any other film when the IFP's Independent Spirit Awards were announced Tuesday, was hailed as best feature of the year at the Gothams, which were held at Pier Sixty at the Chelsea Pier. The Gothams also singled out Jonathan Demme's The Agronomist, a documentary about Haitian human rights activist Jean Dominique, which was named best documentary. The film has been distributed by ThinkFilm in association with HBO cinema Documentary Films.
- 12/2/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
MILAN -- U.K. independent distribution company Optimum Releasing kicked off this year's MIFED market here with the acquisition of U.K. rights to four titles, headlined by the Michael Moore documentary Fahrenheit 9/11. The British outfit picked up Moore's documentary -- which looks at links between the families of Osama bin Laden and President Bush -- from French sales company Wild Bunch. Optimum also sealed a deal with Wild Bunch for the documentary The Agronomist, directed by Jonathan Demme. It follows the life of journalist and activist Jean Dominique, who was murdered in Haiti in the late 1990s. The company, which is aiming to develop a diverse slate of releases for next year, also grabbed U.K. rights to Festival Express, directed by Bob Smeaton.
- 11/9/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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