Fox Searchlight continues its commitment to back daring and brilliant work with its acquisition of Steve McQueen’s Shame, one of the best films to play Telluride, and I’m going to be, the entire year. They’ve already got Tree of Life and Martha Macy Mary Marlene – and to add Shame to that list is a marvel. They are also distributing the other best film I saw in Telluride, The Descendants. Looks to be an interesting awards year for Searchlight.
“Steve McQueen’s courageous exploration of modern life’s extremes is breathtaking. He has crafted an extraordinary film that probes some of the deepest and darkest issues ever portrayed on screen with amazingly gifted performances by Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan,” said Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula.
“This is a brave statement and an important move by Fox Searchlight. I am very happy they came on board to release Shame in the U.S. It’s great to be working with a team that is so passionate about cinema,” said McQueen.
Step one – make a brilliant, uncompromising film that says something new about the human experience, the need for real intimacy, and the power of addiction. Step two – show it at a film fest and get a powerful distrib to back it. Step three – hope word of mouth gets people into the theater to see it. Step four – hope that people are not too put off my extreme sexuality (a bunch of babies, hell, in the 1970s and even in the 1980s there were films that explored sexuality — but we didn’t live in an infantilized culture then). Step five – can the Academy recognize, if nothing else, Fassbender and Mulligan with acting nods? Perhaps also a screenplay nod?
We will have to wait and see how the drama plays out. But one thing’s for sure – Shame will be among the most talked about films of the year.
Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain should win an honorary award for being so awesome in 2011.
Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain should win an honorary award for being so awesome in 2011.
Right now i cross so hard my fingers that it really hurty already for Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan! I pray to God that Michael and Carey will be nominated! I mean their performances are obviously too good for Oscar!
If i had to predict right now, i would predict:
Leading Actor
Leonardo Di Caprio – J. Edgar
Jean Dujardin – The Artist
Gary Oldman – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt – Moneyball
Michael Fassbender – Shame
Leading Actress
Glenn Close – Albert Nobbs
Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams – My week with Marilyn
Elizabeth Olsen – Martha Marcy May Marlene
Kate Winslet – Carnage
Supporting Actor
John Hawkes – Martha Marcy May Marlene
Tom Hardy – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Kennath Branagh – My week with Marilyn
Christopher Plummer – The Beginners
Nick Nolte – Warrior
Supporting Actress
Sandra Bullock – Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Naomi Watts – J. Edgar
Viola Davis – The Help
Carey Mulligan – Shame
Jessica Chastain – (for one of the million movies she plays in 2011)
Right now i cross so hard my fingers that it really hurty already for Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan! I pray to God that Michael and Carey will be nominated! I mean their performances are obviously too good for Oscar!
If i had to predict right now, i would predict:
Leading Actor
Leonardo Di Caprio – J. Edgar
Jean Dujardin – The Artist
Gary Oldman – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt – Moneyball
Michael Fassbender – Shame
Leading Actress
Glenn Close – Albert Nobbs
Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams – My week with Marilyn
Elizabeth Olsen – Martha Marcy May Marlene
Kate Winslet – Carnage
Supporting Actor
John Hawkes – Martha Marcy May Marlene
Tom Hardy – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Kennath Branagh – My week with Marilyn
Christopher Plummer – The Beginners
Nick Nolte – Warrior
Supporting Actress
Sandra Bullock – Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Naomi Watts – J. Edgar
Viola Davis – The Help
Carey Mulligan – Shame
Jessica Chastain – (for one of the million movies she plays in 2011)
Oldman’s biggest competition in the Best Actor race…until Bale sneaks in with The Flowers of War.
Oldman’s biggest competition in the Best Actor race…until Bale sneaks in with The Flowers of War.
I’m hoping all the old geezers in ampas are senile enough to think the original McQueen is still alive and directed Shame. So they all vote it in.
I’m hoping all the old geezers in ampas are senile enough to think the original McQueen is still alive and directed Shame. So they all vote it in.
As I recall — and correct me if I’m wrong — last year’s exception to any NC-17 stigma that may exist was Blue Valentine. In the end, Michelle Williams benefitted from the effort to emphasize the film’s artistic merit. Shame, likewise, could follow a similar path. I would think that McQueen’s key contributions to the project provides strong credentials to many in Hollywood — enough to make it a contender in a few categories.
As I recall — and correct me if I’m wrong — last year’s exception to any NC-17 stigma that may exist was Blue Valentine. In the end, Michelle Williams benefitted from the effort to emphasize the film’s artistic merit. Shame, likewise, could follow a similar path. I would think that McQueen’s key contributions to the project provides strong credentials to many in Hollywood — enough to make it a contender in a few categories.
How’s unrated then? Ellen Burstyn was nominated for Requiem for a Dream.
How’s unrated then? Ellen Burstyn was nominated for Requiem for a Dream.
I think Sasha is spot-on : the film’s best shot is at actor, (supporting) actress, original screenplay. 3 important nods/wins, this way McQueen and the universally acclaimed performances would be recognized without nominating the film in the top2 categories.
I think Sasha is spot-on : the film’s best shot is at actor, (supporting) actress, original screenplay. 3 important nods/wins, this way McQueen and the universally acclaimed performances would be recognized without nominating the film in the top2 categories.
I just want this film to be on big screen this year and be recognize by Oscar. It’ll be a real “shame” if this film get overlooked due to its NC-17 rating.
I just want this film to be on big screen this year and be recognize by Oscar. It’ll be a real “shame” if this film get overlooked due to its NC-17 rating.
@ Dane M
Hell no. The only NC-17 rated film to have ever been nominated for an Oscar is Henry & June, the first NC-17 film, back when it wasn’t such a taboo. Such a radical film as Shame has an uphill battle to even be considered, but with Fox Searchlight on board, chances are looking up.
I so hope Shame commands the attention of Hollywood. Hunger was my favourite film of 2008 and a true masterpiece, and I’m expecting Shame to be nothing less. Though let’s hope Fox Searchlight don’t decide to bury it, and focus their efforts on The Descendants, The Tree of Life, Martha Marcy May Marlene and Win Win, all of which have more awards potential.
@ Dane M
Hell no. The only NC-17 rated film to have ever been nominated for an Oscar is Henry & June, the first NC-17 film, back when it wasn’t such a taboo. Such a radical film as Shame has an uphill battle to even be considered, but with Fox Searchlight on board, chances are looking up.
I so hope Shame commands the attention of Hollywood. Hunger was my favourite film of 2008 and a true masterpiece, and I’m expecting Shame to be nothing less. Though let’s hope Fox Searchlight don’t decide to bury it, and focus their efforts on The Descendants, The Tree of Life, Martha Marcy May Marlene and Win Win, all of which have more awards potential.
They also have Win Win which I thought was really good too.
They also have Win Win which I thought was really good too.
Midnight Cowboy won BP. So anything’s possible (or used to be).
Yay for Fox Searchlight! This means I might actually get to see Shame on the big screen one of these days.
Midnight Cowboy won BP. So anything’s possible (or used to be).
Yay for Fox Searchlight! This means I might actually get to see Shame on the big screen one of these days.
Can/will an NC-17 film win Best Picture? It’s possible but I don’t see it happening. Not yet.
Can/will an NC-17 film win Best Picture? It’s possible but I don’t see it happening. Not yet.
I think supporting . at least, she will have more chances.
I think supporting . at least, she will have more chances.
Theoretically, would Mulligan be campaigned as lead or supporting?
Theoretically, would Mulligan be campaigned as lead or supporting?
I think Michael Fassbender is one of the best actors of these late years. He was astounding in Hunger, i have no doubt of what a marvelous film Shame must be, with an amazing leading performance by Fassbender. I hope we can see more of McQueen with Fassbender, they work extraordinary together! I already see Michael getting his first nod this year …
I think Michael Fassbender is one of the best actors of these late years. He was astounding in Hunger, i have no doubt of what a marvelous film Shame must be, with an amazing leading performance by Fassbender. I hope we can see more of McQueen with Fassbender, they work extraordinary together! I already see Michael getting his first nod this year …