All Articles by Sheila Roberts

Stephanie Sigman, Gerardo Naranjo, and Producer Diego Luna Interview MISS BALA

Posted: January 16th, 2012 at 7:00 am

Miss Bala, the official Mexican Oscar entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category, works brilliantly as both a realist film and as an allegory for what is happening today in Mexico. The film tells the story of Laura Guerrero, a young woman whose aspirations of becoming a beauty queen inadvertently deliver her into the hands of a gang that’s terrorizing northern Mexico. Her experiences as an unwilling participant caught in the crossfire of Mexico’s violent drug war leave her shaken and transformed.

At a recent press day for Miss Bala, we sat down at a roundtable interview with director Gerardo Naranjo, actress Stephanie Sigman, and executive producer Diego Luna to talk about what inspired them to make a film about what was happening today in their country. They discussed how they struggled to find the right tone for a difficult and suspenseful story that shows but does not judge and where nothing is clearly black and white. They described the logistical challenges they faced making the film safely on location. They also shared their viewpoint that everyone on both sides of the drug war is in some way a victim, why all of us share some responsibility for what is happening, and how they hope the film will inspire a debate that will raise awareness.

Diego Luna Talks Will Ferrell’s CASA DE MI PADRE and Neill Blomkamp’s ELYSIUM

Posted: January 13th, 2012 at 6:49 pm

We attended the press day today for Miss Bala, Mexico’s official Oscar entry for Best Foreign Language Film, which tells the story of Laura (Stephanie Sigman), a young woman whose aspirations of becoming a beauty queen turn against her, delivering her into the hands of a gang that’s terrorizing northern Mexico. Although Laura succeeds in winning the beauty queen crown, her experiences as an unwilling participant in Mexico’s violent war leave her shaken and transformed. In an exclusive interview, we sat down with the film’s executive producer, Diego Luna, to talk about the film which opens January 20th. We’ll post the full interview shortly, but in the meantime, we wanted to share what Luna had to say about his upcoming projects including Contraband, Will Ferrell‘s Casa de mi Padre, and Neill Blomkamp‘s Elysium. Hit the jump to read more:

Rinko Kikuchi Talks NORWEGIAN WOOD, 47 RONIN, and Guillermo del Toro’s PACIFIC RIM

Posted: January 10th, 2012 at 2:46 pm

Norwegian Wood is a moving tale of loss and sexuality set in Tokyo in the late 1960s and adapted from Japanese author Haruki Murakami’s bestselling 1987 novel. In this haunting coming-of-age story, Watanabe (Kenichi Matsuyama) looks back on his days as a freshman university student living in Tokyo during a turbulent political time. Through his reminiscences about a series of life-altering events that include first love, sexual awakening, suicide and terminal illness, we see him develop relationships with two very different women, the beautiful yet emotionally troubled Naoko (Rinko Kikuchi), and the outgoing, vivacious Midori (Kiko Mizuhara).

We recently did an exclusive phone interview with the Academy Award nominated Kikuchi to talk about Norwegian Wood and what it was like to be a part of Vietnamese-born director Anh Hung Tran’s visually stunning film. She told us what attracted her to the project, how Tran had reservations about casting her in the role initially, what she felt were the most challenging aspects of her character, and why she thinks an audience will enjoy the poetic story and characters. She also talked about her upcoming roles in Carl Erik Rinsch’s epic period Samurai film, 47 Ronin, and Guillermo del Toro’s sci-fi thriller, Pacific Rim.  Hit the jump for more.

Director Wim Wenders PINA Interview

Posted: December 21st, 2011 at 8:05 am

In his exhilarating new film, Pina, German master Wim Wenders captures the brilliantly inventive dance world of late avant-garde choreographer Pina Bausch who led the Tanztheater Wuppertal ensemble. Wenders had conceived with Bausch a dance film like none seen before, one which would take the fullest advantage yet of new 3D technology to put the viewer deep inside Bausch’s playful, thrillingly unpredictable pieces. After her untimely death in 2009, Wenders continued with the project, turning it into the most exciting tribute he could imagine to the legendary artist. The end result is a sensual and visually stunning film.

Wenders talked to us at a roundtable interview about his collaboration with Bausch and her dancers, the technical challenges of the project, and its surprising emotional resonance. He told us what inspired him to make Pina, how 3D allowed him to take audiences into Bausch’s work and her imaginative sets and render the beauty and sheer physicality of the dances and dancers, and what he took away from the experience as a fellow artist and filmmaker. He also discussed the dance company’s plans to honor Bausch’s legacy through their performance at the London 2012 Olympics and why he thinks there’s nothing more exciting than to explore the human imagination and learn about another person’s creativity and craft.

Director Alex Stapleton CORMAN’S WORLD Interview

Posted: December 15th, 2011 at 9:35 am

Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel is an entertaining tribute to independent filmmaker Roger Corman that shows why Hollywood and audiences alike owe him a debt of gratitude. Director Alex Stapleton provides a thoughtful look at his influential career by weaving archival footage from his early days of genre-defining classics such as the original Little Shop of Horrors, House of Usher, and The Wild Angels with interviews with producers, directors and actors who started out with him like Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, Jack Nicholson and William Shatner and video of Corman and his wife Julie on location today as they continue to produce and distribute profitable low budget films outside the studio system.

We sat down with Stapleton at a roundtable interview to talk about her feature directorial debut and the challenge of culling through hours of interviews to produce a fascinating film. She told us what inspired her to make a documentary about Corman, why this film and its message to filmmakers is so timely, and how she was moved by Jack Nicholson’s heartfelt tribute to the man who helped launch his career. Stapleton revealed why she believes Corman’s lasting legacy is not only as one of the true greats of indie cinema, but also as a generous human being who encouraged and inspired other artists and gave them a chance. Stapleton also discussed her upcoming projects: a mini-series on the history of street art and graffiti and a Corman-inspired sci-fi feature about intergalactic love.

Roger Corman CORMAN’S WORLD Interview

Posted: December 12th, 2011 at 2:41 pm

Roger Corman has been a seminal force in modern filmmaking since he began making profitable low budget indie movies in the 1950s. Alex Stapleton’s tantalizing documentary, Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel, chronicles how Hollywood’s most prolific writer-director-producer created his cult film empire, one low-budget success at a time, capitalizing on undiscovered talent, and pushing the boundaries of independent filmmaking. The film features interviews with numerous Hollywood icons, many of whom launched their careers within Corman’s unforgettable world of filmmaking, including Paul W.S. Anderson, Peter Bogdanovich, Robert De Niro, Peter Fonda, Pam Grier, Ron Howard, Eli Roth, Martin Scorsese, William Shatner and Jack Nicholson.

We sat down at a roundtable interview with Corman to talk about how it felt after so many years of being behind the camera to switch roles and be in front of the camera as the subject of this entertaining documentary. He told us what his reaction was when he saw the completed film for the first time, how he felt about the outpouring of emotion from industry colleagues like Jack Nicholson, and why he thinks James Cameron‘s Avatar and Christopher Nolan’s Inception exemplify great imagination and originality. He also discussed why his 1963 film, X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes, might be ready for a remake and revealed his latest project, The Undead, which he will begin shooting on location in Guangzhou, China in January.

Director Michel Hazanavicius THE ARTIST Interview

Posted: November 26th, 2011 at 10:00 am

Mixing comedy, romance and melodrama to tell a story set at a pivotal moment in movie history, The Artist is itself an example of the form it celebrates:  a black and white silent film that relies on images, actors and music to weave its singular spell. Having never written a silent film, Michel Hazanavicius immersed himself in the genre to gain an understanding of what did and didn’t work. Along with watching films, the director read cinema histories as well as memoirs and biographies of silent era directors, producers and stars, and he drew inspiration from the work and lives of such stars as Douglas Fairbanks, Joan Crawford, Gloria Swanson, John Gilbert and Greta Garbo.

We sat down with Hazanavicius at a roundtable interview to talk about his heartfelt and entertaining valentine to classic American cinema. He told us how he immersed himself in the silent movie form, which artists from that era inspired the creative decisions he made, and why it was a moving experience for him to scout locations in Hollywood that still mirror what it looked like in the late 1920s. He also described his complicated collaboration with his composer, his thoughts on which of today’s modern actors could be successful in a silent film, and why he’s glad he didn’t have to do a silent film in 3D.

Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo THE ARTIST Interview

Posted: November 23rd, 2011 at 7:00 am

When Michel Hazanavicius first mentioned his dream about making a silent film to Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo, the stars of his OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies, they thought it was wonderful madness and never imagined such a project could ever be achieved. But when he presented them with the screenplay for The Artist, they realized he had pursued his fantasy all the way. Not only did it have comedy and action, but it was full of emotion, and they were touched by all it said about cinema, its history and actors.

We sat down with Dujardin and Bejo at a roundtable interview to talk about The Artist and what it was like to be a part of the unique project. They told us how they researched their characters and prepared for their roles, which Hollywood icons from that era inspired their performances, why the tap dancing sequence was the biggest challenge, and how they are open to the possibility of an American movie career. Dujardin also described his special relationship with Uggie, his canine sidekick, and why he would enjoy seeing Jim Carrey act in a silent movie.

James Cromwell and Penelope Ann Miller THE ARTIST Interview

Posted: November 21st, 2011 at 2:05 pm

The Artist, a film without dialogue and only a handful of supporting roles, attracted an ensemble of accomplished, well known actors including James Cromwell and Penelope Ann Miller. Cromwell, who plays silent film star George Valentin’s devoted chauffeur, thought the project was too good to pass up after he saw director Michel Hazanavicius’ detailed storyboards which revealed a very clear vision. Penelope Ann Miller, who portrays George’s increasingly disaffected wife, was also intrigued by the notion of acting in a feature-length silent. The period setting held great appeal to the actress, a lifelong movie buff who is extremely knowledgeable about Hollywood cinema history.

We sat down with Cromwell and Miller at a roundtable interview to talk about the challenges of doing a silent film. They told us how director Michel Hazanavicius created a perfect environment for the actors that helped put them in the moment, why the artistic excellence of everybody hired above and below the line enhanced their performances, and how the mannerisms and behavior of an earlier era compare to those of today. They also discussed their latest projects including Cromwell’s upcoming films Still, Memorial Day, and A Lonely Place for Dying and Miller’s Saving Lincoln, Robosapien and Saving Grace B. Jones. Cromwell also slammed the former producers of 24 for their irresponsible treatment of torture on the show.

Director Simon Curtis MY WEEK WITH MARILYN Interview

Posted: November 21st, 2011 at 6:30 am

Director Simon Curtis’s My Week with Marilyn offers an all-too-rare glimpse of the real woman behind the carefully cultivated image of Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe and lately it’s been generating a lot of Oscar buzz. Curtis couldn’t believe his luck when he was able to secure the rights to Colin Clark’s entertaining follow-up memoir to The Prince, The Showgirl and Me, which affectionately recalls a tense, erotically charged week spent with the most famous woman in the world at the peak of her fame. Curtis felt Colin’s book provided wonderful insight into the very real side of Marilyn away from Hollywood and the pressures of London where she was working at the time.

We sat down and talked exclusively with the veteran TV director about what inspired his feature film directorial debut and the challenges of revealing a private side of such a public figure. Curtis told us about his collaboration with screenwriter Adrian Hodges, how he assembled the impressive cast, why he never doubted Michelle Williams’s ability to pull off the iconic role, and how Harvey Weinstein’s passion for the project helped the film grow. He also discussed how this story from another era defines our modern day fascination with celebrity and obsession with staying young forever. Hit the jump for our full interview.

John Goodman and Missi Pyle Talk THE ARTIST, Robert Zemeckis’ FLIGHT, Pixar’s MONSTERS UNIVERSITY, EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE, More

Posted: November 16th, 2011 at 11:46 am

John Goodman and Missi Pyle were intrigued when they were approached by director Michel Hazanavicius to play supporting roles in The Artist, his heartfelt and entertaining celebration of Hollywood moviemaking at its most magical. Missi Pyle plays Constance, an actress who is none too pleased when she’s upstaged by Hollywood’s reigning silent screen idol, George Valentin (Jean Dujardin). Goodman portrays Al Zimmer, the cigar-chomping mogul of Kinograph Studios, who walks the line between coddling and corralling his contract stars during the silent film era. In 1929, Kinograph is preparing to cease all silent film production as Hollywood transitions to talking movies, but some actors will prove more adept than others at making the change.

We sat down with Goodman and Pyle at a roundtable interview to talk about what attracted them to the unique project set during a pivotal moment in Hollywood history and told in a silent format. They told us what it was like playing characters that had no dialogue and where everything had to be conveyed visually, why they found the process liberating once they realized they didn’t have to worry about remembering their lines, and how shooting on location in Los Angeles helped inspire their performances. They also discussed what projects they have coming up next, including updates on Robert Zemeckis‘ Flight, Pixar’s Monster’s University, the Awards contender Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, whether or not Goodman will appear in Kevin Smith‘s Hit Somebody and more.

Werner Herzog INTO THE ABYSS Interview

Posted: November 9th, 2011 at 10:22 am

Master filmmaker Werner Herzog probes the human psyche to explore why people kill-and why a state kills in his fascinating exploration of a triple homicide case in Conroe, Texas. In intimate conversations with those involved, including 28-year-old death row inmate Michael Perry who is scheduled to be executed in eight days, as well as families of the victims, a pastor and a state executioner, Herzog achieves what he describes as “a gaze into the abyss of the human soul.” His astute investigation unveils layers of humanity, making an enlightening trip out of ominous territory.

We sat down with Herzog at a roundtable interview to talk about what inspired him to make Into the Abyss and why he does not consider it an issue film about capital punishment but rather a sensitive examination of a senseless crime and all its ramifications. He described what it was like conversing with death row inmate Michael Perry and those affected by his crime, explained why he is not a proponent of capital punishment, and revealed how fascination and curiosity draw him to the subjects he chooses for his films. He also discussed what’s next including a four-part television documentary about inmates on death row entitled Death Row.

Guillermo del Toro and Katie Holmes Interview DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK

Posted: August 22nd, 2011 at 11:15 pm

Guillermo del Toro is a fascinating and imaginative filmmaker with a macabre aesthetic who loves to populate his films with mysterious creatures that exist only in a fantastical realm. His latest project, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, which he co-wrote and produced, is inspired by a 1973 telefilm that he considers one of the scariest movies he ever saw as a kid. The remake follows Sally (Bailee Madison), a precocious young girl who moves to Rhode Island to live with her father (Guy Pearce) and his new girlfriend (Katie Holmes) in the 19th-century mansion they are restoring. When Sally stumbles upon the mansion’s hidden basement, she unwittingly unleashes something so terrible that everyone’s life is put in grave danger.

At a recent roundtable interview, we talked with del Toro and Holmes about the movie and their love of the horror genre. Del Toro told us what inspired him to use a younger protagonist in the remake, how he collaborated with director Troy Nixey on the film’s visual style, and why he thinks the idea of a tooth fairy is a very creepy concept. Holmes discussed what she did to prepare for her role, how her experience as a mother influenced the emotional arc of her character, and why she liked del Toro’s treatment of the female characters. They also updated us on what they have coming up next. Del Toro  is looking forward to helming the upcoming alien invasion flick, Pacific Rim, this Fall, while Holmes described her roles in The Son of No One, Jack and Jill, and Responsible Adults. Check out the interview after the jump.

Miranda July Exclusive Interview THE FUTURE

Posted: August 4th, 2011 at 6:04 pm

Miranda July is a fearless and fiercely original artist whose work is unique for its off-beat humor and unflinchingly honest observations about the human condition and our seeming insignificance in the cosmic universe. Her new film, The Future, a follow-up to the successful Me and You and Everyone We Know, is a whimsical examination of what happens to a thirty-something couple whose perspective on life changes dramatically when they decide to adopt a stray cat named Paw Paw and come face to face with the dread of impending responsibility and a looming loss of freedom.

We sat down with July in an exclusive interview to talk about her second movie which explores the neurotic inner world of romantic despair with an engaging combination of detached deadpan humor and absurdity. The multi-faceted artist told us where the idea for the film originated, what it was like directing herself the second time around, and how the creative process as a filmmaker compares to conceiving projects in other mediums. She also revealed why she decided to make Paw Paw the film’s narrator and catalyst for change and what her thoughts are on the internet and the impact of constant connectedness on human relationships and the creative process. Hit the jump to read the interview.

Exclusive: Director Cary Fukunaga Talks JANE EYRE, His Two Sci-Fi Films, NO BLOOD, NO GUTS, NO GLORY, and More

Posted: August 2nd, 2011 at 10:49 am

We sat down this week with talented filmmaker Cary Fukunaga to talk about Jane Eyre, his captivating movie based on Charlotte Bronte’s classic romantic novel, which he brought to the big screen this past year. The visually stunning period piece was shot on location in the English Midlands and has a darker Gothic tone to it than previous adaptations. Jane Eyre is set to release on DVD and Blu-ray on August 16^th and was the opening film at this year’s Karlovy Vary Film Festival.

Cary talked with us via Skype from Berlin about what inspired him to do his own fiery adaptation, why he enjoyed working with the film’s impressive cast, and how he collaborated with DP Adriano Goldman on the film’s gorgeous cinematography and with composer Dario Marianelli on its passionate score. He also discussed how the Sundance Institute and his multicultural background and experience have contributed to his success as a global filmmaker, and updated us on his upcoming projects including the Beirut musical he’s hoping to collaborate on with Zach Condon, two untitled sci-fi flicks – one of which is rumored to be in development with producer Gore Verbinski for Universal, and his Civil War heist film, No Blood, No Guts, No Glory, that he’s currently co-writing with Chase Palmer and plans to direct. It’s hard to predict what the eclectic writer/director will do next, but Cary revealed he might even consider an all out comedy in the future. Hit the jump for the full interview.

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