Category: media

A project to film all 19 of Samuel Beckett’s plays for TV and the cinema faces the predictable backlash from Beckett purists. Nonetheless, the project – which has enlisted directors such as Anthony Minghella, David Mamet, Neil Jordan, Atom Egoyan, Patricia Rozema, Richard Eyre and Karel Reisz – has some big promise. – Irish Times 05/15/00

What’s hot at Cannes this year? Comedies have captured some attention. But “no breakout hits have emerged yet at this halfway mark in the festival, with audience members scratching their heads at the solid, though hardly sterling selection of competition films.” – Indiewire 05/15/00

How will movie houses survive? “First TV, then the VCR had struck major blows to the viability of large cinemas, and by the early ’90s it was clear that if cinemas were to be viable they were going to have to change.” But there’s a sameness to the big mega-screen complexes today that makes one long for the individuality of yesteryear. – The Age (Melbourne) 05/14/00

The latest digital movie producers have a new way of involving their audience – as collaborators. “So far, only the first five minutes of Running Time – an “edgy, contemporary thriller” – have been shot. What happens next in the 10-week series is up to the viewer. After the first broadcast on Wednesday, they will have 48 hours to make their decisions known.” – The Independent (UK) 05/14/00

It’s “Sound of Music” meets “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and it’s the hottest new thing in high camp at the movies in London. Audiences are massing to sing along with the Von Trapps and dress up for the parts. Meet the man who invented a phenomenon. – Los Angeles Times 05/14/00

How about a National Film Registry for films that shouldn’t be remade? Some movies should just never be touched after the original, but they need protection from producers looking to make a buck off their names. Herewith, some nominations for such a list. – Boston Globe 05/14/00

Ballet almost never makes it to the big screen these days. So the dance known as “Baby Baryshnikov” is happy for the new dance-centric  “Center Stage.” – Boston Herald 05/14/00

This year’s Cannes Film Festival pales in comparison to past year’s ultra-glamourfest, according to the festival’s disappointed organizers. Fewer big stars have shown up (those who did come have spent much of their time under umbrellas), American studios have withheld many of their best films, and the mayor has declared all beach parties must end by 12:30am. On top of all this, it’s also been said that winning the coveted Palme d’Or does little to boost a film’s earnings anymore. – Sydney Morning Herald 05/12/00

At the Cannes opening ceremony, French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin urged European film companies to fight Hollywood domination by creating European-centered film groups. He promised the French government would do more to promote foreign cinema. “Besides the cultural dimension, cinematographic diversity is also important for democracy. It is not just an image that cinema projects onto the big screen. It is a vision, a vision of society.” – Times of India (Reuters) 05/12/00

Cannesmarket.com –  a new website for independent filmmakers and distributors – was launched yesterday. The site offers a film-based search engine and message boards for filmmakers and investors, “a meeting place for 5,000 professionals from 70 countries.” – The Age (Melbourne) 05/12/00