Submarine Entertainment is launching sales at Berlin’s European Film Market on high-profile doc “Milano — The Inside Story of Italian Fashion,” directed by John Maggio (“The Perfect Weapon”).
Billed as the definitive story of the explosion of Italian fashion in the 1970s and 80s, as told by the insiders, the star-studded doc extensively features Giorgio Armani and delves into his life story, but also reveals unknown details about the Gucci and Versace fashion houses. “Milano” also features appearances and commentary by former Gucci creative director Tom Ford, Gianni Versace’s brother Santo Versace and Hollywood stars including Sharon Stone, Samuel L. Jackson and Frances McDormand, all of whom have close ties to the Italian fashion milieu. Watch clip.
“Every once in a while something comes along that’s a little unexpected, in that I often feel that a film about a topic, a broader topic, doesn’t always resonate with me,...
Billed as the definitive story of the explosion of Italian fashion in the 1970s and 80s, as told by the insiders, the star-studded doc extensively features Giorgio Armani and delves into his life story, but also reveals unknown details about the Gucci and Versace fashion houses. “Milano” also features appearances and commentary by former Gucci creative director Tom Ford, Gianni Versace’s brother Santo Versace and Hollywood stars including Sharon Stone, Samuel L. Jackson and Frances McDormand, all of whom have close ties to the Italian fashion milieu. Watch clip.
“Every once in a while something comes along that’s a little unexpected, in that I often feel that a film about a topic, a broader topic, doesn’t always resonate with me,...
- 2/15/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
A couple of years ago, when it was announced that FX was doing an American Crime Story season on Monica Lewinsky, there was a wave of nonsensical concern that if the series came out during the 2020 election cycle, it might have some sort of impact.
If there’s been any similar rending of garments about HBO releasing Year One: A Political Odyssey in the middle of a midterm election cycle, I haven’t heard it. This speaks in part to the dilution of the HBO documentary brand, which used to be one of the industry’s gold standards and now simply seems to encompass whatever nonfiction programming — some still tremendous, it must be said — HBO is releasing at a rate of two or three docs or docuseries per week.
There’s no real buzz around Year One: A Political Odyssey on the eve...
A couple of years ago, when it was announced that FX was doing an American Crime Story season on Monica Lewinsky, there was a wave of nonsensical concern that if the series came out during the 2020 election cycle, it might have some sort of impact.
If there’s been any similar rending of garments about HBO releasing Year One: A Political Odyssey in the middle of a midterm election cycle, I haven’t heard it. This speaks in part to the dilution of the HBO documentary brand, which used to be one of the industry’s gold standards and now simply seems to encompass whatever nonfiction programming — some still tremendous, it must be said — HBO is releasing at a rate of two or three docs or docuseries per week.
There’s no real buzz around Year One: A Political Odyssey on the eve...
- 10/18/2022
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
HBO debuted the trailer for Year One: A Political Odyssey, which examines President Joe Biden’s first year in office, with what the premium network calls a “rare glimpse into the inner working of the White House.”
A standout moment from the trailer is via Secretary of State Antony Blinken, talking about the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. “President [Ashraf] Ghani said to me on the phone, ‘I will stay and fight to the death. he fled the country the next day,” Blinken says, underscoring the extent to which the administration was taken by surprise as the country so quickly fell to the Taliban.
But other moments suggest that key figures learned from Afghanistan and sought to get ahead of the Russian threat to Ukraine, as Biden built alliances that were in place when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion.
Blinken is among those interviewed for the project, along with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan,...
A standout moment from the trailer is via Secretary of State Antony Blinken, talking about the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. “President [Ashraf] Ghani said to me on the phone, ‘I will stay and fight to the death. he fled the country the next day,” Blinken says, underscoring the extent to which the administration was taken by surprise as the country so quickly fell to the Taliban.
But other moments suggest that key figures learned from Afghanistan and sought to get ahead of the Russian threat to Ukraine, as Biden built alliances that were in place when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion.
Blinken is among those interviewed for the project, along with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan,...
- 10/7/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
President Joe Biden’s turbulent first year in office is the focus of HBO’s forthcoming documentary, “Year One: A Political Odyssey.”
In the trailer, which Variety can exclusively reveal, the documentary chronicles Biden’s first year as president, from his inauguration in 2021 to the State of the Union speech in March. Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker John Maggio, “Year One” explores the dynamics of the President’s inner circle, featuring archival news footage and insider interviews with secretary of state Antony Blinken, national security advisor Jake Sullivan, secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, CIA director William Burns and White House chief of staff Ron Klain, among other members of Biden’s cabinet.
After the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021, Biden’s presidency began amid turmoil in the nation and the continued global pandemic. The documentary delves into several historical events under Biden’s first year, including the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the rise...
In the trailer, which Variety can exclusively reveal, the documentary chronicles Biden’s first year as president, from his inauguration in 2021 to the State of the Union speech in March. Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker John Maggio, “Year One” explores the dynamics of the President’s inner circle, featuring archival news footage and insider interviews with secretary of state Antony Blinken, national security advisor Jake Sullivan, secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, CIA director William Burns and White House chief of staff Ron Klain, among other members of Biden’s cabinet.
After the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021, Biden’s presidency began amid turmoil in the nation and the continued global pandemic. The documentary delves into several historical events under Biden’s first year, including the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the rise...
- 10/7/2022
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
When HBO renewed Bill Simmons’ “Music Box” documentary series for a second season in December, it wasn’t exactly surprising. Critics, film festival programmers and audiences were immediately taken with the series of six docs, which launched in July.
But the road to success was a long one. Simmons conceived the series back in 2018. His idea was to make the music version of the wildly successful sports docuseries “30 for 30,” which he co-created for ESPN more than a decade ago. Like “30 for 30,” installments of “Music Box” wouldn’t tell the entire trajectory of an artist’s career, but instead spotlight pivotal moments, creations and creators within the music sector. Also like “30 for 30,” Simmons would enlist A-list documentary filmmakers to make his vision come to light.
Three and a half years later in July, Garret Price’s “Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage” became the first...
But the road to success was a long one. Simmons conceived the series back in 2018. His idea was to make the music version of the wildly successful sports docuseries “30 for 30,” which he co-created for ESPN more than a decade ago. Like “30 for 30,” installments of “Music Box” wouldn’t tell the entire trajectory of an artist’s career, but instead spotlight pivotal moments, creations and creators within the music sector. Also like “30 for 30,” Simmons would enlist A-list documentary filmmakers to make his vision come to light.
Three and a half years later in July, Garret Price’s “Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage” became the first...
- 1/21/2022
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: HBO is turning up the volume of its music documentary slate. The network has renewed Music Box, its Bill Simmons-led collection of feature docs, for a second season.
It comes as the last of its initial six film collection – Juice Wrld: Into The Abyss – is set to air on December 16.
Simmons and HBO will now search for a new selection of films for the sophomore run with each film helmed by a different direction. Each will continue to explore essential moments in music for an artist or band, an iconic album, or the music industry as a whole.
The six films in the first slate were Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage, directed by Garret Price, which premiered in July, Alanis Morissette documentary Jagged, directed by Alison Klayman, Dmx: Don’t Try to Understand, directed by Christopher Frierson, Listening to Kenny G, directed by Penny Lane, Mr. Saturday Night,...
It comes as the last of its initial six film collection – Juice Wrld: Into The Abyss – is set to air on December 16.
Simmons and HBO will now search for a new selection of films for the sophomore run with each film helmed by a different direction. Each will continue to explore essential moments in music for an artist or band, an iconic album, or the music industry as a whole.
The six films in the first slate were Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage, directed by Garret Price, which premiered in July, Alanis Morissette documentary Jagged, directed by Alison Klayman, Dmx: Don’t Try to Understand, directed by Christopher Frierson, Listening to Kenny G, directed by Penny Lane, Mr. Saturday Night,...
- 12/15/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
By any standard, Gordon Parks (1912-2006) led an extraordinary life as a photographer, filmmaker, composer, author, eyewitness to several major events of the 20th century, and above all a storyteller. As a Black man born into poverty in an America not-so-far removed from slavery, as Jim Crow laws swept the south, his life is even more remarkable. In “A Choice of Weapons: Inspired By Gordon Parks,” the HBO documentary premiering November 15, director John Maggio attempts to capture the essence of Parks, by celebrating his motivating ideology of the artist as activist, through the reflections of the generation of artists he inspired. A welcomed effort, the film doesn’t fully commit, resulting in a rather uninspired portrait of one of America’s greatest artistic trailblazers.
“A Choice of Weapons” blends Parks’ striking photographs (spanning more than 40 years) with footage of the artist in conversation, supported by reflections from a starry cast of interviewees,...
“A Choice of Weapons” blends Parks’ striking photographs (spanning more than 40 years) with footage of the artist in conversation, supported by reflections from a starry cast of interviewees,...
- 11/15/2021
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
Less than a decade ago the campaign to win an Academy Award for feature documentary did not include billboards on Sunset Boulevard, six-figure one-page ads in the New York Times and incessant screenings at New York’s Crosby Hotel or Los Angeles’ Four Seasons followed by free food and cocktails for Academy documentary branch members. Nowadays it’s customary.
While the docu Oscar race has never been a completely level playing field, all the money and attention being thrown at documentaries these days has made garnering a little gold man for nonfiction a big business. And although there are policies in place within the Academy to counter and compensate for films without big backers, there is no denying that the influx of streaming services and their growing appetite for doc fare has made it that much more difficult to be the indie underdog come Oscar season.
Streaming services officially entered...
While the docu Oscar race has never been a completely level playing field, all the money and attention being thrown at documentaries these days has made garnering a little gold man for nonfiction a big business. And although there are policies in place within the Academy to counter and compensate for films without big backers, there is no denying that the influx of streaming services and their growing appetite for doc fare has made it that much more difficult to be the indie underdog come Oscar season.
Streaming services officially entered...
- 11/11/2021
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
"Parks' photography demanded that America look at itself." HBO has unveiled an official trailer for a documentary film titled in full A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks, examining the life and career of an exceptional photographer. This first premiered at the Tribeca Film Fesitval, and launches on HBO soon. The film follows Gordon Parks' stellar career from staff photographer for Life magazine, through his development photographing everyday Americans, his evolution as a novelist & groundbreaking filmmaker. "Using Parks’ career as a historical map through the Black American experience, Emmy award winning director John Maggio's comprehensive documentary reveals Parks to be a true American treasure. An inspiration to generations, his captivating story is told here [with] Ava Duvernay, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Nelson George, Anderson Cooper and a host of contemporary photographers who stand on his shoulders." I really like that this film shows how Parks' work has inspired others to...
- 11/4/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Since filmmaker John Maggio jumped from PBS‘s “Frontline” to HBO, he’s remade himself into a documentarian par excellence. 2017’s “The Newspaperman” tackled the storied life and career of Washington Post journalist/editor Ben Bradlee. 2019’s “Panic: The Untold Story Of The 2008 Financial Crisis” got up close and personal with the Great Recession and its aftermath.
Continue reading ‘A Choice Of Weapons: Inspired By Gordon Parks’ Trailer: New Doc Looks At The Career Of Legendary Photographer at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘A Choice Of Weapons: Inspired By Gordon Parks’ Trailer: New Doc Looks At The Career Of Legendary Photographer at The Playlist.
- 11/4/2021
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
HBO is pressing play on “Music Box,” a documentary feature showcase series from Bill Simmons that examines historic and pivotal moments in music.
The movies in the series began airing this past weekend with the debut of “Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage.”
Each of the films are helmed by a different director and will run under the “Music Box” banner through late fall. Simmons, longtime sports writer and pop culture commentator, is executive producer through his role as head of The Ringer content banner, which has an overall deal at HBO.
Other titles set for the “Music Box” series include:
“Jagged”: An intimate exploration of Alanis Morissette and her groundbreaking 1995 album Jagged Little Pill; directed by Alison Klayman “Untitled Dmx”: A film with rare access to the late rapper after his release from prison – a portrait of a man struggling with addiction, fame, and his inner demons...
The movies in the series began airing this past weekend with the debut of “Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage.”
Each of the films are helmed by a different director and will run under the “Music Box” banner through late fall. Simmons, longtime sports writer and pop culture commentator, is executive producer through his role as head of The Ringer content banner, which has an overall deal at HBO.
Other titles set for the “Music Box” series include:
“Jagged”: An intimate exploration of Alanis Morissette and her groundbreaking 1995 album Jagged Little Pill; directed by Alison Klayman “Untitled Dmx”: A film with rare access to the late rapper after his release from prison – a portrait of a man struggling with addiction, fame, and his inner demons...
- 7/26/2021
- by Jennifer Yuma
- Variety Film + TV
If you enjoyed HBO’s Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage — which premiered on July 23rd — Bill Simmons (The Ringer) is announcing even more films under the banner of Music Box, a docuseries that highlights pivotal moments in music. Woodstock was the first in the series, with five more coming this fall.
Next up is Jagged, a doc about Alanis Morissette and her 1995 album Jagged Little Pill directed by Alison Klayman — and a continuation of that record’s long-running anniversary celebration, which also included a Broadway musical and an upcoming tour.
Next up is Jagged, a doc about Alanis Morissette and her 1995 album Jagged Little Pill directed by Alison Klayman — and a continuation of that record’s long-running anniversary celebration, which also included a Broadway musical and an upcoming tour.
- 7/26/2021
- by Brenna Ehrlich
- Rollingstone.com
Bill Simmons, co-creator of ESPN’s documentary strand 30 for 30, is turning his attention to music documentaries for his latest project.
Music Box is a 30 for 30-style strand for HBO that encompasses a number of movies about bands and artists. It kicks off tonight with Woodstock 99: Peace, Love & Rage, a film about the chaotic festival.
The film, directed by Love, Antosha helmer Garret Price, looks at what went wrong with the 1999 event that took place 30 years on from the classic hippie fest, including the destruction of the festival’s airbase site and the deaths and sexual assaults that occurred during the weekend. It also looks at the angst of a generation encapsulated by bands such as Limp Bizkit, with its hit “Break Stuff,” and Red Hot Chili Peppers, who played a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire” as the site burned.
Featuring interviews with artists such as The Roots, Korn,...
Music Box is a 30 for 30-style strand for HBO that encompasses a number of movies about bands and artists. It kicks off tonight with Woodstock 99: Peace, Love & Rage, a film about the chaotic festival.
The film, directed by Love, Antosha helmer Garret Price, looks at what went wrong with the 1999 event that took place 30 years on from the classic hippie fest, including the destruction of the festival’s airbase site and the deaths and sexual assaults that occurred during the weekend. It also looks at the angst of a generation encapsulated by bands such as Limp Bizkit, with its hit “Break Stuff,” and Red Hot Chili Peppers, who played a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire” as the site burned.
Featuring interviews with artists such as The Roots, Korn,...
- 7/23/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO Max has released a new trailer for Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage, its upcoming documentary about the infamous three-day music festival. The film will arrive on the streaming service July 23rd.
Thrown 30 years after the original Woodstock, Woodstock 99 was completely unlike the counter-cultural celebration of peace, love, and music. The trailer distills the chaos that ensued, from scorching heat and $4 bottles of water, to malfunctioning porta-potties and a whole lot of pent-up white male rage that was unleashed in the form of fights, fires, and multiple reports of sexual assault.
Thrown 30 years after the original Woodstock, Woodstock 99 was completely unlike the counter-cultural celebration of peace, love, and music. The trailer distills the chaos that ensued, from scorching heat and $4 bottles of water, to malfunctioning porta-potties and a whole lot of pent-up white male rage that was unleashed in the form of fights, fires, and multiple reports of sexual assault.
- 7/7/2021
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Acclaimed photojournalist Gordon Parks was something of a renaissance man. A photographer, writer, composer, film director, and activist—he imbued the American Black experience with a sense of gravitas, esteem, and pathos through his Black gaze. Referencing Parks’ same-titled autobiography, director John Maggio’s “A Choice Of Weapons: Inspired By Gordon Parks” showcases the famed photographer’s work for a new generation but does little to elaborate on the man incisively.
Continue reading ‘A Choice Of Weapons: Inspired By Gordon Parks’: Is Slightly Out Of Focus [Tribeca Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘A Choice Of Weapons: Inspired By Gordon Parks’: Is Slightly Out Of Focus [Tribeca Review] at The Playlist.
- 6/21/2021
- by Robert Daniels
- The Playlist
Selection presents 56 world premieres, focuses on comedic, music-centered, socially-conscious films.
Tribeca Festival 2021 has announced 66 films in the line-up of the upcoming outdoor 20th anniversary edition that runs June 9-20, including documentaries on the late food and travel broadcaster Anthony Bourdain and Norwegian pop icons A-ha.
The selection will present 56 world premieres and focuses on comedic, music-centered, and socially-conscious films. Many of the films will also be available for US audiences to view online the day after they premiere in person through the Tribeca at Home virtual hub.
Curated Juneteenth programming throughout the festival will celebrate voices from the African Diaspora,...
Tribeca Festival 2021 has announced 66 films in the line-up of the upcoming outdoor 20th anniversary edition that runs June 9-20, including documentaries on the late food and travel broadcaster Anthony Bourdain and Norwegian pop icons A-ha.
The selection will present 56 world premieres and focuses on comedic, music-centered, and socially-conscious films. Many of the films will also be available for US audiences to view online the day after they premiere in person through the Tribeca at Home virtual hub.
Curated Juneteenth programming throughout the festival will celebrate voices from the African Diaspora,...
- 4/20/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Emmy-winning U.S. director and producer John Maggio is shooting “Milano,” a high-profile doc on the rise of the Italian fashion industry that is expected to feature many of Italy’s most iconic fashion designers.
Maggio, who most recently directed HBO doc “The Perfect Weapon,” based on the best-selling book by David E. Sanger about the rise of cyber conflict, has been in production on location on the new project since late October, which was written and developed by Italy-based American journalist Alan Friedman.
“There have been plenty of films about individual fashion houses,” Friedman — who is a former Milan correspondent for the Financial Times — told Variety. “But there’s never been an independent, fair and balanced look at the extraordinary story of the birth of Italian fashion in the 1970s and ’80s and how it’s so influenced American lifestyle and world lifestyle.”
“Milano” is being produced by Friedman...
Maggio, who most recently directed HBO doc “The Perfect Weapon,” based on the best-selling book by David E. Sanger about the rise of cyber conflict, has been in production on location on the new project since late October, which was written and developed by Italy-based American journalist Alan Friedman.
“There have been plenty of films about individual fashion houses,” Friedman — who is a former Milan correspondent for the Financial Times — told Variety. “But there’s never been an independent, fair and balanced look at the extraordinary story of the birth of Italian fashion in the 1970s and ’80s and how it’s so influenced American lifestyle and world lifestyle.”
“Milano” is being produced by Friedman...
- 11/11/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
"We don't see the war, but war is taking place." HBO has unveiled a trailer for a documentary titled The Perfect Weapon, from doc filmmaker John Maggio, based on a best-selling book by NY Times national security correspondent David E. Sanger. The doc film explores the rise of cyber conflict as the primary way nations now compete with and sabotage one another. A worthy follow-up to Alex Gibney's Zero Days doc, also about cyber warfare and how it can be used to destroy entire countries. This film features interviews with top military, intelligence, and political officials on the frontlines of cyberterrorism, the documentary brings to light the combatants and innocent victims caught in the crosshairs of a hidden war that has been going on for decades — a war that America started, but has no idea how to finish. This is all horrifying, but if we talk about it, ...
- 9/28/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
HBO has released a new trailer for The Perfect Weapon, an upcoming documentary about the rise of cyber warfare set to premiere October 16th at 8 p.m. Et/Pt.
The Perfect Weapon is based on David E. Sanger’s 2018 book of the same name, and the trailer opens with the journalist explaining, “Cyber is the most inexpensive, highly destructive, highly deniable weapon.” The clip then offers a succinct breakdown of the major moments that have defined the recent history of cyber warfare, which began in 2007 when the United States slipped...
The Perfect Weapon is based on David E. Sanger’s 2018 book of the same name, and the trailer opens with the journalist explaining, “Cyber is the most inexpensive, highly destructive, highly deniable weapon.” The clip then offers a succinct breakdown of the major moments that have defined the recent history of cyber warfare, which began in 2007 when the United States slipped...
- 9/25/2020
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
HBO is in production on a documentary based on the best-selling book The Perfect Weapon: War, Sabotage and Fear in the Cyber Age by New York Times national security correspondent David E. Sanger.
As the logline states, the docu will explore “the rise of cyber conflict as the primary way nations now compete and sabotage each other.” With fear surrounding cyber attacks on the forthcoming 2020 elections, the timely documentary directed by John Maggio will feature exclusive interviews with many top military and intelligence officials as well as new on-the-ground reporting from the frontlines of the cyber wars.
Maggio’s most recent film Panic: The Untold Story of the 2008 Financial Crisis debuted on HBO and won the Emmy for “Outstanding Business and Economic Documentary.” Prior to that, he had another HBO film The Newspaperman: The Life and Times of Ben Bradlee which earned a nomination for 2018 Producers Guild Award for best documentary feature.
As the logline states, the docu will explore “the rise of cyber conflict as the primary way nations now compete and sabotage each other.” With fear surrounding cyber attacks on the forthcoming 2020 elections, the timely documentary directed by John Maggio will feature exclusive interviews with many top military and intelligence officials as well as new on-the-ground reporting from the frontlines of the cyber wars.
Maggio’s most recent film Panic: The Untold Story of the 2008 Financial Crisis debuted on HBO and won the Emmy for “Outstanding Business and Economic Documentary.” Prior to that, he had another HBO film The Newspaperman: The Life and Times of Ben Bradlee which earned a nomination for 2018 Producers Guild Award for best documentary feature.
- 11/26/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO is in production on a documentary about the rise of cyber wars between countries.
Based on David E. Sanger’s book “The Perfect Weapon: War, Sabotage and Fear in the Cyber Age,” the documentary will explore the rise of cyber conflict as the primary way nations now compete and sabotage each other. As fear mounts about potential cyber-attacks on the 2020 elections, the film will feature exclusive interviews with top military and intelligence officials, as well as new on-the-ground reporting from the frontlines of the cyber wars.
The doc hails from non-fiction production house Ark Media, for which John Maggio will direct and executive produce. Josh Tyrangiel will also serve as an Ep alongside Sanger, who is currently the New York Times national security correspondent.
The film deepens the relationship between Maggio and HBO, as the director’s most recent film, “Panic: The Untold Story of the 2008 Financial Crisis,” aired...
Based on David E. Sanger’s book “The Perfect Weapon: War, Sabotage and Fear in the Cyber Age,” the documentary will explore the rise of cyber conflict as the primary way nations now compete and sabotage each other. As fear mounts about potential cyber-attacks on the 2020 elections, the film will feature exclusive interviews with top military and intelligence officials, as well as new on-the-ground reporting from the frontlines of the cyber wars.
The doc hails from non-fiction production house Ark Media, for which John Maggio will direct and executive produce. Josh Tyrangiel will also serve as an Ep alongside Sanger, who is currently the New York Times national security correspondent.
The film deepens the relationship between Maggio and HBO, as the director’s most recent film, “Panic: The Untold Story of the 2008 Financial Crisis,” aired...
- 11/26/2019
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
HBO is at work on a documentary that will delve into the state of cyber warfare as the U.S. heads toward the 2020 elections.
The Perfect Weapon, from director and executive producer John Maggio (Panic: The Untold Story of the 2008 Financial Crisis, The Newspaperman), is based on a best-selling book by New York Times national security correspondent David E. Sanger. The film will explore the rise of cyber conflict as the primary way nations now compete with and sabotage one another.
As fear mounts about potential cyber attacks on the 2020 elections in the U.S., the film will feature ...
The Perfect Weapon, from director and executive producer John Maggio (Panic: The Untold Story of the 2008 Financial Crisis, The Newspaperman), is based on a best-selling book by New York Times national security correspondent David E. Sanger. The film will explore the rise of cyber conflict as the primary way nations now compete with and sabotage one another.
As fear mounts about potential cyber attacks on the 2020 elections in the U.S., the film will feature ...
- 11/26/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Last Year’s Winner: “The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling”
Still Eligible: No.
Hot Streak: Prior to the Netflix disruption, this category was a three-horse race from 2003 – 2016. During those 13 years, only HBO, History, and PBS earned victories in the category, and aside from one win each from Discovery and CBS, these were the only networks to win in the history of Best Documentary or Nonfiction Special category.
Fun Fact: One of the Big Four broadcast networks hasn’t been nominated in this category since 2011 — just two years before the TV Academy renamed Outstanding Nonfiction Series as Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special. Prior to the shift toward including feature-length documentaries, ABC, CBS, NBC, and/or Fox had been in the running nine of the 11 years prior.
Notable Ineligible Series: Docuseries have their own category, so don’t expect the likes of “America to Me” or “Our Planet” here.
At the bottom...
Still Eligible: No.
Hot Streak: Prior to the Netflix disruption, this category was a three-horse race from 2003 – 2016. During those 13 years, only HBO, History, and PBS earned victories in the category, and aside from one win each from Discovery and CBS, these were the only networks to win in the history of Best Documentary or Nonfiction Special category.
Fun Fact: One of the Big Four broadcast networks hasn’t been nominated in this category since 2011 — just two years before the TV Academy renamed Outstanding Nonfiction Series as Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special. Prior to the shift toward including feature-length documentaries, ABC, CBS, NBC, and/or Fox had been in the running nine of the 11 years prior.
Notable Ineligible Series: Docuseries have their own category, so don’t expect the likes of “America to Me” or “Our Planet” here.
At the bottom...
- 4/16/2019
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
With a wide field of potential contenders, the Producers Guild of America made some surprise picks and snubs for its seven nominees for Best Feature Documentary on Monday. The films nominated for the Award for Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Pictures are listed below in alphabetical order:
“Chasing Coral” (Jeff Orlowski, Netflix)
“City of Ghosts” (Mattew Heineman, Amazon)
“Cries from Syria” (Evgeny Afineevsky, HBO)
“Earth: One Amazing Day” (Peter Webber, Lixin Fan, Richard Dale, BBC Earth)
“Jane” (Brett Morgen, NatGeo)
“Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower” (Joe Piscatella, Netflix)
“The Newspaperman: The Life and Times of Ben Bradlee” (John Maggio, HBO)
Among the lauded documentaries left off the 2017 PGA nominations were Cannes documentary winner “Faces Places,” directed by Agnes Varda and Jr, Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady’s portrait of Brooklyn Hassidim, “One of Us,” and popular Turkish cat documentary “Kedi.”
While the PGA’s feature nominees often align with Oscar contenders,...
“Chasing Coral” (Jeff Orlowski, Netflix)
“City of Ghosts” (Mattew Heineman, Amazon)
“Cries from Syria” (Evgeny Afineevsky, HBO)
“Earth: One Amazing Day” (Peter Webber, Lixin Fan, Richard Dale, BBC Earth)
“Jane” (Brett Morgen, NatGeo)
“Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower” (Joe Piscatella, Netflix)
“The Newspaperman: The Life and Times of Ben Bradlee” (John Maggio, HBO)
Among the lauded documentaries left off the 2017 PGA nominations were Cannes documentary winner “Faces Places,” directed by Agnes Varda and Jr, Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady’s portrait of Brooklyn Hassidim, “One of Us,” and popular Turkish cat documentary “Kedi.”
While the PGA’s feature nominees often align with Oscar contenders,...
- 11/21/2017
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
With a wide field of potential contenders, the Producers Guild of America made some surprise picks and snubs for its seven nominees for Best Feature Documentary on Monday. The films nominated for the Award for Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Pictures are listed below in alphabetical order:
“Chasing Coral” (Jeff Orlowski, Netflix)
“City of Ghosts” (Mattew Heineman, Amazon)
“Cries from Syria” (Evgeny Afineevsky, HBO)
“Earth: One Amazing Day” (Peter Webber, Lixin Fan, Richard Dale, BBC Earth)
“Jane” (Brett Morgen, NatGeo)
“Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower” (Joe Piscatella, Netflix)
“The Newspaperman: The Life and Times of Ben Bradlee” (John Maggio, HBO)
Among the lauded documentaries left off the 2017 PGA nominations were Cannes documentary winner “Faces Places,” directed by Agnes Varda and Jr, Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady’s portrait of Brooklyn Hassidim, “One of Us,” and popular Turkish cat documentary “Kedi.”
While the PGA’s feature nominees often align with Oscar contenders,...
“Chasing Coral” (Jeff Orlowski, Netflix)
“City of Ghosts” (Mattew Heineman, Amazon)
“Cries from Syria” (Evgeny Afineevsky, HBO)
“Earth: One Amazing Day” (Peter Webber, Lixin Fan, Richard Dale, BBC Earth)
“Jane” (Brett Morgen, NatGeo)
“Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower” (Joe Piscatella, Netflix)
“The Newspaperman: The Life and Times of Ben Bradlee” (John Maggio, HBO)
Among the lauded documentaries left off the 2017 PGA nominations were Cannes documentary winner “Faces Places,” directed by Agnes Varda and Jr, Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady’s portrait of Brooklyn Hassidim, “One of Us,” and popular Turkish cat documentary “Kedi.”
While the PGA’s feature nominees often align with Oscar contenders,...
- 11/21/2017
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
HBO will debut John Maggio’s doc The Newspaperman: The Life and Times of Ben Bradlee on Monday, December 4. The film about the legendary Washington Post editor, told primarily in his own words, also includes interviews with Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, Henry Kissinger and Robert Redford, among many others. HBO describes The Newspaperman as an intimate portrait of Bradlee that traces his ascent from a young Boston boy stricken with polio to one of the most consequential…...
- 9/25/2017
- Deadline TV
Well you don't have to tell me twice, after Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash were awarded the USC Libraries Scripter Award on Saturday I got a feeling the Writers Guild would be going the same way, and just that has happened. Last night the WGA awarded The Descendants for Best Adapted Screenplay while also awarding Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris for Best Original Screenplay. As a result I have had to change my Oscar predictions in the Best Adapted Screenplay category as it would appear all heat was on the adaptation of Kaui Hart Hemmings's novel and not on Aaron Sorkin and Steve Zaillian's script for Moneyball. You can see those updated predictions right here. In the Original category I have had Allen's script at the top since the beginning and I see no reason to change that now. Granted, The Artist is expected to...
- 2/20/2012
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
The Descendants, Breaking Bad, and the other winners for the 2012 Writers Guild Awards have been announced. The 64th Annual Writers Guild Awards is “a generic term referring to the joint efforts of two different Us labor unions: The Writers Guild of America, East (Wgae), representing TV and film writers East of the Mississippi. The Writers Guild of America, West (Wgaw), representing TV and film writers in Hollywood and southern California.”
The full listing of the 2012 Writers Guild Awards winners is below.
Screen Winners
Original Screenplay: Midnight in Paris, Written by Woody Allen; Sony Pictures Classics
Adapted Screenplay:The Descendants, Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash; Based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings; Fox Searchlight
Documentary Screenplay: Better This World, Written by Katie Galloway & Kelly Duane de la Vega; Loteria Films
Television Winners
Drama Series: Breaking Bad, Written by Sam Catlin, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison,...
The full listing of the 2012 Writers Guild Awards winners is below.
Screen Winners
Original Screenplay: Midnight in Paris, Written by Woody Allen; Sony Pictures Classics
Adapted Screenplay:The Descendants, Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash; Based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings; Fox Searchlight
Documentary Screenplay: Better This World, Written by Katie Galloway & Kelly Duane de la Vega; Loteria Films
Television Winners
Drama Series: Breaking Bad, Written by Sam Catlin, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison,...
- 2/20/2012
- by filmbook
- Film-Book
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has announced the winners of the WGA Awards for outstanding achievement in writing. In the Screenplay category, "Midnight in Paris," written by Woody Allen, took home the Original Screenplay award while "The Descendants," written by Alexander Payne, and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemming, received the Best Adapted Screenplay award.
Winners of the WGA awards were announced Sunday, Feb. 19 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. Zooey Deschanel and Joel McHale served as hosts of the ceremony.
Here is the full list of winners (highlighted) and nominees of the 2012 WGA Awards (to see winners/nominees of other award-giving bodies, visit our Awards Avenue coverage right here)
Screenplay Nominees
Original Screenplay
50/50, Written by Will Reiser; Summit Entertainment
Bridesmaids, Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig; Universal Studios
*** (Winner) Midnight in Paris, Written by Woody Allen; Sony Pictures Classics
Win Win,...
Winners of the WGA awards were announced Sunday, Feb. 19 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. Zooey Deschanel and Joel McHale served as hosts of the ceremony.
Here is the full list of winners (highlighted) and nominees of the 2012 WGA Awards (to see winners/nominees of other award-giving bodies, visit our Awards Avenue coverage right here)
Screenplay Nominees
Original Screenplay
50/50, Written by Will Reiser; Summit Entertainment
Bridesmaids, Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig; Universal Studios
*** (Winner) Midnight in Paris, Written by Woody Allen; Sony Pictures Classics
Win Win,...
- 2/20/2012
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
"Homeland," "Breaking Bad" and "Modern Family" each won two honors Sunday (Feb. 19) at the Writers Guild of America Awards.
On the film side, the scripts for "The Descendants" and "Midnight in Paris" earned awards from the guild. The WGA gave Laurel Awards -- for writers who have "advanced the literature" of movies or television -- to "Forrest Gump" and "The Insider" scribe Eric Roth for film and to "thirtysomething" and "Once and Again" creators Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz for television.
Here's the complete list of winners.
Television
Drama series: "Breaking Bad"
Comedy series: "Modern Family"
New series: "Homeland"
Episodic drama (tie): "Box Cutter" ("Breaking Bad"), written by Vince Gilligan; and "The Good Soldier" ("Homeland"), written by Henry Bromell
Episodic comedy: "Caught in the Act" ("Modern Family"), written by Steven Levitan and Jeffrey Richman
Long form - original: "Cinema Verite," written by David Seltzer
Long form - adapted: "Too Big to Fail,...
On the film side, the scripts for "The Descendants" and "Midnight in Paris" earned awards from the guild. The WGA gave Laurel Awards -- for writers who have "advanced the literature" of movies or television -- to "Forrest Gump" and "The Insider" scribe Eric Roth for film and to "thirtysomething" and "Once and Again" creators Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz for television.
Here's the complete list of winners.
Television
Drama series: "Breaking Bad"
Comedy series: "Modern Family"
New series: "Homeland"
Episodic drama (tie): "Box Cutter" ("Breaking Bad"), written by Vince Gilligan; and "The Good Soldier" ("Homeland"), written by Henry Bromell
Episodic comedy: "Caught in the Act" ("Modern Family"), written by Steven Levitan and Jeffrey Richman
Long form - original: "Cinema Verite," written by David Seltzer
Long form - adapted: "Too Big to Fail,...
- 2/20/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Midnight in Paris, Young Adult, and the other nominations for the 2012 Writers Guild Awards have been announced. The 64th Annual Writers Guild Awards is “a generic term referring to the joint efforts of two different Us labor unions: The Writers Guild of America, East (Wgae), representing TV and film writers East of the Mississippi. The Writers Guild of America, West (Wgaw), representing TV and film writers in Hollywood and southern California.” The 2012 Writers Guild Awards will be held on February 19, 2012.
The full listing of the 2012 Writers Guild Awards nominations is below.
Screenplay Nominees
Original Screenplay
50/50, Written by Will Reiser; Summit Entertainment
Bridesmaids, Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig; Universal Pictures
Midnight in Paris, Written by Woody Allen; Sony Pictures Classics
Win Win, Screenplay by Tom McCarthy; Story by Tom McCarthy & Joe Tiboni; Fox Searchlight
Young Adult, Written by Diablo Cody; Paramount Pictures
Adapted Screenplay
The Descendants, Screenplay by Alexander Payne...
The full listing of the 2012 Writers Guild Awards nominations is below.
Screenplay Nominees
Original Screenplay
50/50, Written by Will Reiser; Summit Entertainment
Bridesmaids, Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig; Universal Pictures
Midnight in Paris, Written by Woody Allen; Sony Pictures Classics
Win Win, Screenplay by Tom McCarthy; Story by Tom McCarthy & Joe Tiboni; Fox Searchlight
Young Adult, Written by Diablo Cody; Paramount Pictures
Adapted Screenplay
The Descendants, Screenplay by Alexander Payne...
- 1/6/2012
- by filmbook
- Film-Book
HollywoodNews.com: The Writers Guild of America, West (Wgaw) and the Writers Guild of America, East (Wgae) have announced nominations for outstanding achievement in television, news, radio, promotional writing, and graphic animation during the 2011 season. The winners will be honored at the 2012 Writers Guild Awards on Sunday, February 19, 2012, at simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York.
Television Nominees
Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire, Written by Bathsheba Doran, Dave Flebotte, Howard Korder, Steve Kornacki, Itamar Moses, Margaret Nagle, Terence Winter; HBO
Breaking Bad, Written by Sam Catlin, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, George Mastras, Thomas Schnauz, Moira Walley-Beckett; AMC
Game of Thrones, Written by David Benioff, Bryan Cogman, Jane Espenson, George R.R. Martin, D.B. Weiss; HBO
The Good Wife, Written by Courtney Kemp Agboh, Meredith Averill, Corinne Brinkerhoff, Leonard Dick, Keith Eisner, Karen Hall, Ted Humphrey, Michelle King, Robert King, Steve Lichtman, Matthew Montoya, Julia Wolfe; CBS
Homeland, Written by Henry Bromell,...
Television Nominees
Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire, Written by Bathsheba Doran, Dave Flebotte, Howard Korder, Steve Kornacki, Itamar Moses, Margaret Nagle, Terence Winter; HBO
Breaking Bad, Written by Sam Catlin, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, George Mastras, Thomas Schnauz, Moira Walley-Beckett; AMC
Game of Thrones, Written by David Benioff, Bryan Cogman, Jane Espenson, George R.R. Martin, D.B. Weiss; HBO
The Good Wife, Written by Courtney Kemp Agboh, Meredith Averill, Corinne Brinkerhoff, Leonard Dick, Keith Eisner, Karen Hall, Ted Humphrey, Michelle King, Robert King, Steve Lichtman, Matthew Montoya, Julia Wolfe; CBS
Homeland, Written by Henry Bromell,...
- 12/7/2011
- by Josh Abraham
- Hollywoodnews.com
As soon as we thought we could predict the outcome of the Oscars, here comes another surprise! This one's brought to you by the Writers Guild of America. Picked for Best Original Screenplay was Christopher Nolan's "Inception." The director, famously dissed for not getting a Best Director Oscar nomination, may just win the Best Original Screenplay come Oscar night. Oscar front-runner, "The King's Speech" was not nominated because it didn't quality under union rules which prompted Nolan to say during his WGA acceptance award that he looked forward to a time when he could accept the award "without qualification."
That could be the beginning of a great script Mr. Nolan, go write it :happy
For adapted screenplay, I'm happy to report that Aaron Sorkin's fantastic script won! Based on "The Accidental Billionaires" by Ben Mezrich, "The Social Network" was the only film last year that I predicted to win this very category.
That could be the beginning of a great script Mr. Nolan, go write it :happy
For adapted screenplay, I'm happy to report that Aaron Sorkin's fantastic script won! Based on "The Accidental Billionaires" by Ben Mezrich, "The Social Network" was the only film last year that I predicted to win this very category.
- 2/7/2011
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
"I Love You Phillip Morris" came out of nowhere and secured a nod for the 2011 Writers Guild Awards. Based on the book by Steven McVicker, the film starring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGRegor as prisoners in love received a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination.
"Phillip Morris" will be competing with awards-favorites "127 Hours" (screenplay by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy), "The Social Network" (screenplay Aaron Sorkin), "The Town" (screenplay by Peter Craig and Ben Affleck & Aaron Stockard), and True Grit (screenplay by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen).
In the Original Screenplay category, critics-darlings "Black Swan" (screenplay by Mark Heyman and Andres Heinz and John McLaughlin), "The Fighter" (screenplay by Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson), "Inception" (Christopher Nolan), and "The Kids Are All Right" (written by Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg) will be competing with "Please Give" by Nicole Holofcener. Much like "I Love You Phillip Morris," "Please Give," a family dramedy set in New York,...
"Phillip Morris" will be competing with awards-favorites "127 Hours" (screenplay by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy), "The Social Network" (screenplay Aaron Sorkin), "The Town" (screenplay by Peter Craig and Ben Affleck & Aaron Stockard), and True Grit (screenplay by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen).
In the Original Screenplay category, critics-darlings "Black Swan" (screenplay by Mark Heyman and Andres Heinz and John McLaughlin), "The Fighter" (screenplay by Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson), "Inception" (Christopher Nolan), and "The Kids Are All Right" (written by Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg) will be competing with "Please Give" by Nicole Holofcener. Much like "I Love You Phillip Morris," "Please Give," a family dramedy set in New York,...
- 1/4/2011
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
HollywoodNews.com: The Writers Guild of America, West and the Writers Guild of America, East have announced nominations for outstanding achievement in television, news, radio, promotional writing, and graphic animation during the 2010 season to be honored at the 2011 Writers Guild Awards on February 5, 2011, in Los Angeles and New York.
Television Nominees
Dramatic Series
Boardwalk Empire, Written by Meg Jackson, Lawrence Konner, Howard Korder, Steve Kornacki, Margaret Nagle, Tim Van Patten, Paul Simms, Terence Winter; HBO
Breaking Bad, Written by Sam Catlin, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, George Mastras, Tom Schnauz, John Shiban, Moira Walley-Beckett; AMC
Dexter, Written by Scott Buck, Manny Coto, Charles H. Eglee, Lauren Gussis, Chip Johannessen, Jim Leonard, Clyde Phillips, Scott Reynolds, Melissa Rosenberg, Tim Schlattmann, Wendy West; Showtime
Friday Night Lights, Written by Bridget Carpenter, Kerry Ehrin, Ron Fitzgerald, Etan Frankel, Monica Henderson, David Hudgins, Rolin Jones, Jason Katims, Patrick Massett, Derek Santos Olson, John Zinman; NBC
Mad Men,...
Television Nominees
Dramatic Series
Boardwalk Empire, Written by Meg Jackson, Lawrence Konner, Howard Korder, Steve Kornacki, Margaret Nagle, Tim Van Patten, Paul Simms, Terence Winter; HBO
Breaking Bad, Written by Sam Catlin, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, George Mastras, Tom Schnauz, John Shiban, Moira Walley-Beckett; AMC
Dexter, Written by Scott Buck, Manny Coto, Charles H. Eglee, Lauren Gussis, Chip Johannessen, Jim Leonard, Clyde Phillips, Scott Reynolds, Melissa Rosenberg, Tim Schlattmann, Wendy West; Showtime
Friday Night Lights, Written by Bridget Carpenter, Kerry Ehrin, Ron Fitzgerald, Etan Frankel, Monica Henderson, David Hudgins, Rolin Jones, Jason Katims, Patrick Massett, Derek Santos Olson, John Zinman; NBC
Mad Men,...
- 12/8/2010
- by Linny Lum
- Hollywoodnews.com
This is for all those classic movie lovers who gripe to us that it seems the best events always seem to take place in L.A., New York or London. The Hollywood Theater in Dormont, Pennsylvania (near Pittsburgh) reopened last summer as a revival movie house. The theater specializes in creative programs that would make most retro film fans drool...for example, this weekend the theater will be showing a Three Stooges film festival on December 12. The program includes great bonus "extras" like trailers, Stooges cartoons and, of course, the shorts themselves. Click here for details and to watch a Stooges film clip. Kudos to Bill Dever, one of the owners and programmer of the film schedule, and manager John Maggio for helping to bring old Hollywood to the Pittsburgh area...Make sure you read about the fascinating history of the theater, which was originally opened in 1924, then rebuilt by...
- 12/9/2009
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Universal Pictures is tying the knot with The Divorcees, a spec script by Jesse Wigutow and John Maggio. LivePlanet's Sean Bailey is producing. Divorcees revolves around two guys in their early 30s whose longtime wives up and leave them. They are then forced out into the wild dating scene, trying to party and live like they did when they were bachelors. The script is described as a hard R-rated broad comedy. Universal president of production Jon Gordon and exec vp production Peter Cramer are overseeing for the studio.
- 1/20/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Social Media Productions
PARK CITY--"The Fight" could well have been titled "The Life and Times of Joe Louis and Max Schmeling"-- and what times they were. The American black man Louis and the German hero Schmeling were heavyweight boxers who fought twice in the mid-thirties. It's a classic case of individual lives taking on greater meaning because of the history surrounding them. American Experience doc admirably animates the period within a traditional format that should play well on television and afterwards on homevideo.
Film was inspired by a forthcoming book by David Margolick who brought the project to writer/director Barak Goodman and producer John Maggio. Before the fight, doc sets up the parallel lives of Louis and Schmeling, and they couldn't be more different.
Louis was a quiet, guarded soul who grew up the son of an Alabama sharecropper. After the flamboyant championship of Jack Johnson, Louis was not embraced by white America, but he was beloved in the black community. Schmeling was an adaptable sort: once the darling of Weimar Germany he later became a favorite of Hitler's.
After Schmeling upset Louis in their first meeting in 1936 in Yankee Stadium, ninety thousand people turned out two years later for their return bout. By then the world had been polarized and Louis became the hope of the free world and Schmeling the embodiment of Nazi aggression.
It was a colorful era, and vintage footage of boxing promoters like "Yussel the Muscle" and "Uncle Mike" share screen time with contemporary interviews with well known boxing writers, historians and friends of Louis. Splendid newsreel footage, including the fateful fight in which Louis knocks out Schmeling in two minutes and four seconds of the first round, helps give the story immediacy and weight.
PARK CITY--"The Fight" could well have been titled "The Life and Times of Joe Louis and Max Schmeling"-- and what times they were. The American black man Louis and the German hero Schmeling were heavyweight boxers who fought twice in the mid-thirties. It's a classic case of individual lives taking on greater meaning because of the history surrounding them. American Experience doc admirably animates the period within a traditional format that should play well on television and afterwards on homevideo.
Film was inspired by a forthcoming book by David Margolick who brought the project to writer/director Barak Goodman and producer John Maggio. Before the fight, doc sets up the parallel lives of Louis and Schmeling, and they couldn't be more different.
Louis was a quiet, guarded soul who grew up the son of an Alabama sharecropper. After the flamboyant championship of Jack Johnson, Louis was not embraced by white America, but he was beloved in the black community. Schmeling was an adaptable sort: once the darling of Weimar Germany he later became a favorite of Hitler's.
After Schmeling upset Louis in their first meeting in 1936 in Yankee Stadium, ninety thousand people turned out two years later for their return bout. By then the world had been polarized and Louis became the hope of the free world and Schmeling the embodiment of Nazi aggression.
It was a colorful era, and vintage footage of boxing promoters like "Yussel the Muscle" and "Uncle Mike" share screen time with contemporary interviews with well known boxing writers, historians and friends of Louis. Splendid newsreel footage, including the fateful fight in which Louis knocks out Schmeling in two minutes and four seconds of the first round, helps give the story immediacy and weight.
- 1/23/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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