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Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award
The Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award is presented to the creative team of a film budgeted at less than $500,000 by the Film Independent, a non-profit organization dedicated to independent film and independent filmmakers. It is named after actor/screenwriter/director John Cassavetes, a pioneer of American independent film. History Created for the 15th Independent Spirit Awards, it was originally called the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature (Under $500,000). After that, the rules changed so that any feature film budgeted under $500,000 could be eligible (regardless of how many films the director has made), hence the new name. Winners 1990s * 1999: ''The Blair Witch Project'' – Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez, directors; Gregg Hale and Robin Cowie, producers ** ''La Ciudad ( The City)'' – David Riker, director and producer; Paul S. Mezey, producer ** '' Compensation'' – Zeinabu irene Davis, director and producer; Marc Arthur Chery, producer ** ''Judy B ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Independent Spirit Awards
The Independent Spirit Awards (abbreviated Spirit Awards and originally known as the FINDIE or Friends of Independents Awards), founded in 1984, are awards dedicated to independent filmmakers. Winners were typically presented with Poly(methyl methacrylate), acrylic glass pyramids containing suspended shoestrings representing the bare budgets of independent films. Since 2006, winners have received a metal trophy depicting a bird with its wings spread sitting atop of a pole with the shoestrings from the previous design wrapped around the pole. In 1986, the event was renamed the Independent Spirit Awards. Now called the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the show is produced by Film Independent, a not-for-profit arts organization that used to produce the LA Film Festival. Film Independent members vote to determine the winners of the Spirit Awards. The awards show is held inside a tent in a parking lot at the beach in Santa Monica, California, usually on the day before the Academy Awa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chuck & Buck
''Chuck & Buck'' is a 2000 American black comedy drama film directed by Miguel Arteta. It was written by and starred Mike White in the leading role. Plot Buck O'Brien is a 27-year-old amateur playwright with the maturity level of an adolescent. When Buck's mother dies unexpectedly, he invites his close childhood friend Chuck to the funeral. Chuck (who is now calling himself "Charlie") is a successful music industry exec with a fiancée, Carlyn. He and Buck experimented sexually with each other when they were 11, but Charlie has repressed these memories and acts as if they had not occurred. Chuck had moved away while they were still children, and Buck has pined after him ever since. During their awkward reunion, Buck makes a sexual advance on Charlie in the bathroom. Charlie rebuffs him, and returns to Los Angeles with Carlyn, but not before extending an obligatory invitation for Buck to visit him there. Buck then withdraws $10,000 from his bank account, packs up his car, and tak ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Acts Of Worship (film)
''Acts of Worship'' is a 2001 movie starring Ana Reeder, Michael Hyatt, Christopher Kadish and Nestor Rodriguez. The film is the first feature from writer and director Rosemary Rodriguez and was screened at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. Plot Alix (Ana Reeder) is a woman living in New York City who is fighting a losing battle with heroin Heroin, also known as diacetylmorphine and diamorphine among other names, is a potent opioid mainly used as a recreational drug for its euphoric effects. Medical grade diamorphine is used as a pure hydrochloride salt. Various white and brow ... and cocaine addiction. Her boyfriend Mark (Christopher Kadish) has grown tired of her dependence problems and forces her to move out of his apartment. With nowhere to go, Alix must fend for herself on the streets, and she supports her habit by stealing. Mark eventually takes pity on Alix and allows her to come back, but she soon overdoses on heroin, and a nervous Mark drags her comatose body ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mark Polish
Mark Polish and Michael Polish (born October 30, 1970), known informally as the Polish brothers, are American twin screenwriters and film producers. Michael usually directs their films, and Mark often has an acting role. Life The Polish brothers were born in El Centro, California. Their father is from Montana, and is of part Austrian ancestry. He used to work at the DEA in Sacramento. Their paternal grandfather worked on the dams of Montana. Their mother's family is Mexican. The brothers were raised Catholic. Career The Polish brothers began their film career with the 1999 Sundance debut of their first feature, ''Twin Falls Idaho''. The identical twin siblings wrote and starred in the tale of conjoined twins. Michael directed. Sony Pictures Classics bought the rights for theatrical distribution of the film, which Janet Maslin of '' The New York Times'' said had "style, gravity and originality to spare." Michael Polish, in an interview with Robert K. Elder for the book ' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Michael Polish
Mark Polish and Michael Polish (born October 30, 1970), known informally as the Polish brothers, are American twin screenwriters and film producers. Michael usually directs their films, and Mark often has an acting role. Life The Polish brothers were born in El Centro, California. Their father is from Montana, and is of part Austrian ancestry. He used to work at the DEA in Sacramento. Their paternal grandfather worked on the dams of Montana. Their mother's family is Mexican. The brothers were raised Catholic. Career The Polish brothers began their film career with the 1999 Sundance debut of their first feature, ''Twin Falls Idaho''. The identical twin siblings wrote and starred in the tale of conjoined twins. Michael directed. Sony Pictures Classics bought the rights for theatrical distribution of the film, which Janet Maslin of ''The New York Times'' said had "style, gravity and originality to spare." Michael Polish, in an interview with Robert K. Elder for the book ''The Fi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jackpot (2001 Film)
''Jackpot'' is a 2001 American comedy-drama film directed by Michael Polish and written by Michael and his brother, Mark Polish. It had a limited release in the United States on July 27, 2001. Plot Sunny Holiday, an aspiring singer, abandons his wife and young daughter to embark on a tour of karaoke bars in search of the elusive big break that will catapult him to country music stardom. Living out of a pink Chrysler for months, he and his manager meet various strangers along the way, all of whom they inevitably alienate by trying to sell a concentrated household cleaner or committing some other faux pas. Eventually, the frustrations fueled by their many disappointments nearly tear their friendship apart, and they are forced to return to the lives they had left behind. Cast Production It was the first feature film shot on 24P HD and released in cinemas on 35mm film, using the Sony CineAlta F900. Reception , the film holds a 29% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 5 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jim McKay (director)
Jim McKay is an American film and television director, producer and writer. He has directed episodes of ''The Wire'', '' Treme'', ''Better Call Saul'', ''Big Love'', '' Criminal Intent'' and ''Mr. Robot'' as well as writing and directing ''Everyday People'' and '' Angel Rodriguez''. Career For ''The Wire'' McKay directed the fourth episode of the fourth season, " Refugees". Show runner David Simon had seen McKay's HBO films and describes them as "masterful, ordinary-life movies" and thought that McKay would be perfect for the series based on their shared characteristics of accumulating drama in small moments. Page 5 McKay has worked with several cast members of the show on other projects including Reg E. Cathey and Jamie Hector on ''Everyday People'' and Wendell Pierce Wendell Edward Pierce (born December 8, 1963) is an American actor and businessman. Having trained at Juilliard School, Pierce rose to prominence as a character actor portraying roles both on the stage and s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Our Song (film)
''Our Song'' is a 2000 American coming of age drama film written and directed by Jim McKay. It follows three high school-aged girls and best friends over one pivotal summer in Brooklyn. ''Our Song'' stars Kerry Washington, Melissa Martinez, and Anna Simpson in their film debuts, respectively. The film features the Jackie Robinson Steppers, a real-life community marching band. ''Our Song'' received critical acclaim for its realism and depiction of female adolescence. Plot During one summer in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, three high school girls and best friends navigate changing realities and new feelings. Lanisha, Maria, and Joycelyn each have different family situations, romantic interests, moral codes and aspirations, but are close confidantes. The girls live in the same housing project and are all dedicated members of the Jackie Robinson Steppers, a community marching band that holds daily rehearsals in a local parking lot. The girls want to master the instruments they play in ord ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Greg Harrison
Greg Harrison (born May 4, 1969, in Michigan) is an American film director and editor. He graduated from Michigan State University where he got his early film experience with MSU Telecasters. He has directed films such as '' Groove'' (2000) and ''November'' (2004), both of which were produced by Danielle Renfrew Danielle Renfrew Behrens, or simply Danielle Renfrew, is an independent film producer with credits ranging from grassroots documentaries to major motion pictures. She has worked with prominent entertainment personalities including Quentin Tara .... References External links * 1969 births Living people Michigan State University alumni {{US-film-director-1960s-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Groove (film)
''Groove'' is a 2000 American film directed by Greg Harrison. It portrays one night in the San Francisco underground rave scene. Through a single email, the word spreads that a huge rave is going to take place in an abandoned warehouse. John Digweed has a cameo as himself and also contributed to the soundtrack with Nick Muir, under their production alias Bedrock. Plot ''Groove'' tells the story of an all-night rave. The film is broken up into segments according to which DJ is spinning and features real-life DJs Forest Green, WishFM, Polywog, and Digweed. Introverted aspiring writer David Turner is reluctantly dragged to a rave at a warehouse by his brother Colin. David takes ecstasy for the first time and makes a romantic connection with fellow raver, Leyla, who has newly moved to the Bay Area from New York. Cast Production After being turned down by studios for funding, production costs were met by selling shares of the film to investors similar to angel investment of a star ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Marc Forster
Marc Forster (born 30 November 1969) is a Swiss filmmaker. He is best known for directing the feature films '' Monster's Ball'', '' Finding Neverland'', '' Stranger than Fiction'', ''The Kite Runner'', ''Quantum of Solace'', ''World War Z'', and ''Christopher Robin'' & an upcoming live-action/animated film for Mattel Films called ''Thomas and Friends: The Movie'', as well as numerous television commercials. He is a BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Independent Spirit Award nominee. Life and career Forster was born on 30 November 1969 in Au (today Illertissen), in the Neu-Ulm district of Bavaria, Germany. His parents, a German doctor and a Swiss architect moved to Switzerland when Forster was 9 years old. He spent his adolescence in Davos, a winter resort in eastern Switzerland, and as well as at the international boarding school Institut Montana Zugerberg in central Switzerland. In 1990, when he was 20 years old, Forster moved to New York, in the United States. For the next three y ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Everything Put Together
''Everything Put Together'' is a 2000 drama film directed by Marc Forster starring Radha Mitchell, Megan Mullally and Louis Ferreira. The story focuses on a Californian couple expecting a child and their group of friends who are confronted with the tragedy of a big loss. The film premiered at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival and later received a limited theatrical release in North America on November 2, 2001. Plot Angie and Russ, a couple in an affluent California suburb, are expecting a baby. The couple excitedly prepares for impending parenthood by celebrating with their closest friends, including Angie’s girlfriends Judith and Barbie, both of whom are also expecting. Angie and Russ’ bliss is abruptly shattered with an unexpected loss when their newborn succumbs to SIDS. As Angie spirals into depression from her grief, she finds herself ostracized by Judith and Barbie, who assume she wants solitude to deal with the loss. Cast *Radha Mitchell as Angie *Megan Mullally as Bar ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
