Also titled, a room full of men stare adoringly at Angelina Jolie. Just kidding. Pretty great discussion overall. Worth a listen and a watch.
Also titled, a room full of men stare adoringly at Angelina Jolie. Just kidding. Pretty great discussion overall. Worth a listen and a watch.
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Not only was Jolie out of her league, she totally KNEW it (repeatedly and defensively talking about “learning” on set). At least she’s sweet and magnetic though: Miller and that Imitation Game guy were total bores. Predictably, I could’ve watched Linklater, Nolan and Leigh talk alone. It was especially endearing to see how much admiration Nolan and Leigh obviously had for Linklater’s 12-year achievement.
I, too, wonder why DuVernay wasn’t part of this. But then I wonder if she just wasn’t available for the round table and was too busy promoting Selma. Maybe this round table discussion was scheduled far in advance, like at least a month or more. A month ago or even more the mixed reviews for Unbroken had not been known nor were we even sure Selma would be released in time to qualify for the Oscars. I doubt this whole thing was put together in a few days. I’d also argue Miller has as much of a reason to be there as any other director. The man is amazing.
Mike Leigh is to this year’s roundtable what Michael Haneke was two years ago, only Leigh can actually engage more in the conversation more readily. Love how he just cuts straight through the bullshit, and I especially love how he’ll employ his straight-faced, straight-talking style of engagement regardless of how his counterparts respond. A few of them seem pretty bemused by it. He just doesn’t give a shit. Good for him.
@Gustavo H.R.
Although I did single out Christopher Nolan, I did so merely as an example of naming a director. I could just as easily have named Mike Leigh, Bennett Miller, Angelina Jolie or Morten Tyldum. There was no “hate” directed against Nolan. As has been noted above, the only director whose absence would definitely have been questioned would have been Linklater.
I didn’t think this one went that well. I think the table was too small.
I imagine this directors’ roundtable was set up a while ago (before Ava DuVernay got her Golden Globe nomination), but why didn’t the Hollywood Reporter have the common sense to realize how lily-white its panel is? This reminds of Vanity Fair and how it used to do their big Hollywood issues with all-white covers of actors and actresses. (Sasha has documented this so strikingly in the past.) …
Meantime, the latest hacked Sony emails of head honcho Amy Pascal involve a past Hollywood Reporter roundtable. Sony bigwigs were ticked off that the Hollywood Reporter failed to invite Pascal to join its studio executives’ roundtable. Her husband, former N.Y. Times reporter Bernard Weintraub, advised Pascal: ”Fire your PR guy immediately.” Bloomberg News reports Charles Sipkins, a $600,000 publicist for Sony, was canned 6 days later.
Thank you so much for sharing this – really enjoyable and illuminating. So refreshing to hear these creative minds be pretty humble and reflective on their craft.
Just want to echo the readers who wished DuVernay had been able to attend — so here’s my +1
Much better directors’ roundtable than last years’. The moderator was better too, but that might have been because the directors said more and a lot (and a lot of it was great). Mike Leigh was a delight, and he really goes on, but everything he said was substantial, it’s obvious he was cut a different points. Chris Nolan is considerably more charming than I had suspected. Angelina was pretty great at every turn, I love how she didn’t blink an eye when the maestro went at her with “are you actually good, etc.?” Good stuff.
And yes, they should definitely have called DuVernay. If Nolan had not been there, I doubt whether anyone would have said … “Where the hell is Chris?”
Pfeh, any hater of any given filmmaker could say the same thing.
The only person whose absence would be noted is Linklater’s, because he’s the frontrunner for the award.
I fail to see why Miller or even Jolie have more chances than Nolan.
I always enjoy THR’s Roundtable discussions. I would say that the moderator’s questions, delivery
and approach could have been much better in this Director’s Roundtable yet the panel seemed to
handle him honestly and directly. I liked the diversity of experience and age of the directors. Why
not have one who has only directed two movies yet long movie making career, an older more
seasoned director that can come from incredible scope, foreign and American ones at well. I
attempt when watching these discussions to learn, get insight, listen and not critique and pull
apart what these talented artists are saying. They represent some amazing talent, scope, and
depth and are teachers for me in my favorite medium of all.
Jolie did not belong there with these seasoned and prolific directors, and Nolan and Linkstar really did put her in her place. This is only her 2nd time directing, and Unbroken reviews are disappointing so far. Jolie really showed she has no idea about film making, while those guys really did know about movie making and appreciate films. Jolie made a comment a while ago about not liking movies. Very weird at how she was able to get a seat at TDRT. They could have swapped Fincher or Duvarney in her place. Duvarney got a GG foerBest Director for Selma, why wasn’t she here? Jolie being at the DRT reminded me of those spoiled rich kids who only got into Harvard or Princeton because of wealth status or connections. While all the other kids had to work really hard to go to those schools and got in based on merit. Jolie has no real directing talent, and got 65 million to direct Unbroken which is her 2nd feature film. Thats alot of money for a new director. Nolan, Leigh, Linkter all had to worked hard and became directors through talent and dedication to film making. You might as well invite Kim Kardashian to the DRT next time if they are allowing Jolie there.
Linklater has every director’s award wrapped up. That panel loved what he has done and he is gently preparing himself for the red carpets. I love the guy and I love his films and I love him in interview and I love his world view, but I’ve never seen him with his hair brushed before! IFC must be working on his image to make him Academy friendly. And I don’t begrudge them or Linklater at all. He more than deserves it.
And yes, they should definitely have called DuVernay. If Nolan had not been there, I doubt whether anyone would have said … “Where the hell is Chris?”
Yeah, they missed the boat on DuVernay.
Kinda wish they could’ve snagged DuVernay for this. Two serious women directors for a year would’ve made for a great roundtable. They’ve been less interesting this year, IMO.
Ur hur, WW. Good on ye.
I mean, rly Christopher Nolan? He’s good like, but rly?
I really enjoy the IDEA of the Hollywood Reporter’s roundtables: Get a bunch of pros together to talk shop. But I wish the interviewer would ask more specific questions about each of the directors’ films. Maybe spotlight or illuminate a scene or performance. ”How did they get that?” … That would be more interesting than hearing these filmmakers rattle on about generalities, theories or ethics. … Also, it’s 2014: Why is it an all-white panel? Why didn’t the Hollywood Reporter include at least one director of color: Ava DuVernay (”Selma” is her 12th directorial credit) or Chris Rock (”Top Five” is his 4th directorial credit)?
Mike Leigh was sooo sleepy, lol.
I wish he had told the HR guy to fuck himself when he kept interrupting him.
The moderator was so annoying. Not only were his questions boring, but he kept interrupting people – notably Richard Linklater. It was obvious all the other directors (well not Angie Jolie as she only seemed to be interested in her bit) were fascinated by Boyhood. I think Linklater will easily take the Best Director at the DGA, based only on how admiring the other directors seemed to be. Couldn’t believe the cynical Mike Leigh’s comment about his reaction upon seeing Boyhood “Wow!”. Chris Nolan knew that Linklater had directed 8 other films during Boyhood’s gestation.
I loved Angie Jolie’s claim to be Sidney Lumet’s Number One Fan, but when Nolan asked her what she thought of The Offense (certainly one of Lumet’s best films), she’d never heard of it.
The moderator’s questions were inane.
Everyone always says that about this guy but he never really bothered me until this year’s actor’s roundtable. He cut them off a couple times while they were having a great conversation without him.
I’m watching this one now.
Well Mike Leigh wasn’t staring adoringly at Angelina, he really had a go at her!
A few impressions: Mike Leigh has no complexes. Bennett Miller is pretentious (and suspects he is!). Richard Linklater is the exact opposite. The salt of the earth. And Chris Nolan seems to be a big Linklater fan. Slackers taught Nolan that he could just make a movie.
The moderator’s questions were inane.
Now I want to see Sidney Lumet’s The Hill…
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Strange to think of Foxcatcher as a 4.5 hour film. Hmm….(trying to picture it)
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All artists are deviant. Interesting!! Truman Capote was such an fascinating person.
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46 days to film Unbroken. I guess that’s long enough… Isn’t it?