Category: media

L.A.’s creative economy directly employed 402,465 workers in 2018, down 0.1% from 2017, according to the annual Otis Report released Wednesday. – Los Angeles Times

International filmmakers and distributors are now eying Bong Joon Ho’s triumphs with hope and hunger: hope that Parasite‘s success will open the door to global cinema, giving other non-English-language movies shots at the world’s No. 1 film award; hunger for the sort of global box office returns that, with few exceptions, have been beyond the reach of films made outside Hollywood. – The Hollywood Reporter

“The César Academy has been under fire since announcing the 12 nominations for Roman Polanski’s An Officer and a Spy, as well reportedly shutting out feminist personalities such as the [filmmaker] Claire Denis and author Virginie Despentes from one its gala events preceding the ceremony. Many in the industry have pointed out the lack of gender parity, diversity and transparency within the César’s voting body, as well as within the academy itself.” – Variety

For the first time, the Berlinale has separated the functions of artistic and executive director. “Many hope [the new management structure] will help reinvigorate the Berlinale, which is considered one of Europe’s most important film festivals but has recently drawn accusations of lackluster curation.” – The New York Times

When asked about cultural programming, the streaming services are tight-lipped. Both Netflix and Apple TV+ declined to say if they plan to produce more original content and whether visual arts programmes will be a priority. A spokeswoman for HBO—which bought the rights to show The Price of Everything—says it “will feature documentaries about art in the future. However, it’s too early to discuss the projects as they are in development.” – The Art Newspaper

Woodard invites Academy Award nominees from past and present – and, she says, “those who, in a perfect world, should have been.” She also says the Oscars don’t have an impact on good acting. “You know, it’s something entirely separate from what we do. … I liken it to the baby contests back in the Southwest when I was growing up. It was kind of a hilarious thing: ‘Look at this baby with the nice plump legs!’”- The New York Times

Quentin Tarantino’s New Beverly Theatre, which has regularly been selling out his Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood since last year, is but one of many arthouse cinemas being bought, refurbished, and revived by owners with singular visions. Netflix took out a longterm lease on New York’s Paris Theater and is in talks to buy LA’s 1922 Egyptian Theater. The artistic director for New York’s Metrograph, a new indie theater, says, “I’ve been going to the movies pretty much daily for about 25 years now, … and this is probably the best time I can remember.” – The New York Times

Laura Dern won best supporting actress for her role in the Noah Baumbach Marriage Story, and Netflix also got an award for the Obamas-supported documentary American Family. “This is disappointing for Netflix, if the reportedly prodigious budget the company dedicated to its Oscars campaign—estimated to be at least $70 million—is anywhere close to what was actually spent.” Streaming does not win the day, again. – Slate

The Korean writer and director of the dark comedy and class parable Parasite wasn’t prepared to win best director, which he did, or for his film to win best picture, which it most certainly did. When he won best director, he said, “After winning best international feature, I thought I was done for the day and was ready to relax. … When I was young and studying cinema, there was a saying that I carved deep in my heart, which is that the most personal is the most creative. That quote is from our great Martin Scorsese.” (The other winners are also available at this link.) – Los Angeles Times