[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L-VFDjoXP8[/youtube]
Finke writes the following on Deadline Hollywood Daily:
On what planet does The Washington Post reside? The paper actually claims in a recent article about Oscar publicists that “because Barry Dale Joseph is working on Slumdog Millionaire, the slumdog underdog, already nominated for a Golden Globe, has become the favorite.” Reality check: sure, his real name is Johnson (not Joseph), he works for ID PR, and he’s an okay flack. But he reps Fox Searchlight films so the guy is already working with frontrunner gold at awards time (like past pics he’s done Oscar campaigns for, Juno and Little Miss Sunshine). Now, let him turn barely talked about In Bruges into a winner – and I’ll be really impressed.
I thought In Bruges was a Focus film, not Searchlight. Finke is high profile and she’s just put out word that In Bruges is the underdog to root for. The Slumdog campaign is more of a non-campaign, for the record. The ads are out there but they aren’t coming on as strongly as Little Miss Sunshine nor Juno – no Sunshine cupcakes or Juno busses for this one – it’s not seeking to take the quirky underdog slot but is going all the way for Best Picture and most people I read believe it to be the one to beat – that it’s unstoppable at this point. Those people include: David Carr, David Poland, Kris Tapley, Roger Friedman, the Gurus of Gold and the Buzzmeter. More to follow in the coming days as we barrel towards the nominations. Ballots go out tomorrow.
No Response for "Nikki Finke Comes out for In Bruges"
Loved this movie, too bad it didn’t get a wider audience. A small film, well acted, well written…and Ray Fiennes in one of his finest career roles.
But is there anyone who’s upset by Slumdog’s frontrunner status?
Just by reading a few comments on this site Noah, there are definitely people who feel it’s not big enough, or it was too happy/hokey/they just don’t understaaaaaand.
I’m going to admit that In Bruges went totally over my head.
“But he reps Fox Searchlight films so the guy is already working with frontrunner gold at awards time”
Reality check for Nikki Finke: Fox Searchlight has only become a consistent awards powerhouse since Barry Johnson has been working on its campaigns–and NEITHER of those films started out as frontrunners–in fact, far from it. Indeed, right up until nominations morning, there was significant doubt that either would even be nominated!
I give–and I think she should give–Johnson great deal of credit for their awards success. Sure, “Little Miss Sunshine” and “Juno” were terrific and would have reaped some awards attention no matter who was overseeing their campaigns, but the creativity that Johnson and Co. employed–to remind voters of how much they had liked the latter when it came out early in the year, and to convince them to give the former a chance when they might otherwise have been inclined not to–should not be understated.
But that all aside, the song from the little movie “Once” was anything but a lock to beat out 3 songs from the blockbuster “Enchanted,” and I think the way that played out tells you everything you need to know.
As far as “Slumdog” goes, I’ll grant Finke that it is at the front of the pack on its own merits, and not because any individual is working on its campaign. But that is no reason to denigrate Johnson.
I loved In Bruges. Until yesterday when I saw JCVD, it was my favorite film of the year. It is the single worst marketed film of the year hands-down and it’s unfortunate that it never found its audience while in theatres. That said, apart from a possible (if wishful thinking) Best Original Screenplay nod, it’s not going to get anything. It sucks that Brendan Gleeson doesn’t have a shot in hell because his performance was a small masterpiece of acting.
As for the Slumdog campaign, I think it’s refreshing that Fox isn’t pidgeonholing the film as its Juno/Sunshine film, since it doesn’t fit in with those pictures at all. That said, a few more ads would be nice. I think they’re just assuming that the word-of-mouth is doing all the work for them so they don’t have to waste money.
BTW it baffles me that anyone would find a film as tough as Slumdog hokey. I think we should all at least appreciate a picture that doesn’t just hand a feel-good ending to its characters; They have to earn it. I don’t think it’s perfect, but whatever, I’m glad to see the Academy is starting to acknowledge true artists like Boyle, the Coens, PTA etc. as opposed to the usual Oscar-bait ilk.
In Bruges is still my No.1 of 2008, it was a wonderful suprise at the cinema.
But yeah, other than a possible screenplay nod, its chances look bleak. Alas, one of ’08’s hidden gems, although not the sort of film oscar would go for, and fair enough.
I loved In Bruges, I will buy the DVD very soon. And for a film marketed so poorly, I’m glad that it is at least being discussed here at AD and a bit at The Envelope.
IN BRUGES is still my #1, but I adore both films, and yeah it’s a different company. I don’t really know what the hell she’s talking about.
In Bruges is definitely in my top 5 of the year, but the marketing was just terrible and its early release didn’t help. It’s unfortunate, especially because Ralph Fiennes was amazing, and Colin Farrell surprised me with his wonderful performance. But I see a screenplay nomination, and sadly, nothing more.
In Bruges is the best movie of the year. I’m a huge TDK supporter, but I’ve long maintained that In Bruges is the better film (I just never thought it would end up in Oscar conversations at this point).
The film was just so well made with excellence coming from all departments. The cinematography is Oscar-worthy, as is the score, the art direction (the last scene alone is amazing), and the acting from the 3 main players.
In Bruges was this year’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
You gotta love that In Bruges has zero manufactured buzz. Its accolades alone are putting it on the map. I really want to see it because it seems to be the genuine article.
Noah R, I’m jealous because I’ve yet to see In Bruges or JCVD, the latter of which I’ve been dying to see since the incredibly great trailer.
Rather late than never.
Yes, the marketing was absolutely terrible. First of all Focus Features had no interest in investing in proper release dates. The film gets released in the States during the award-season graveyard moment; too late for the one going on, too early for the next one. Subsequently Focus Features practically insults some of the countries that have contributed to In Bruges (amongst which Belgium itself) by releasing it almost half a year later there. No European premiere, when in fact Europe has the best market for a film by Martin McDonagh. No campaigning, very few ads.
As if Focus hadn’t made its lack of support for the film clear enough, it goes on to silence the film into a quiet dvd release, with no award season campaigning whatsoever after that. Some of the voters for some award shows didn’t even get In Bruges sent to them or promoted to them. When it’s not that far fetched to think that this film, by a director who’s already won an Oscar and a cast that is so well known, could have done SOO much better with a little backup from its production company.
Shame on you, Focus Features. To me this is a clear case of “I didn’t get my way so I’ll give you nothing”, because there’s several reports of Focus trying to interfere in the creative process of In Bruges, and its makers not allowing it because Focus had promised them creative independence.
With a better release, better promotion, and more award season campaigning, this film could have made twice the money and done twice as well during award season. It got where it is – BIFA, Golden Globes, BAFTA, IFTA and Oscars – on its own strength. On sheer quality. Focus has no credit to take there whatsoever. And though it’s a romantic thought that such a badly campaigned film still made it so far on its own, it’s sad to realize that it could have done so much better. It earned back the double of its budget, $15 million, and that could have been doubled easily, too.
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