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Interview: James Gray Talks Working With Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix & The Central Crisis Of American Cinema

  • By Jessica Kiang
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  • December 12, 2012 3:50 PM
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  • 19 Comments
Festivals
A definite high point of our Marrakech International Film Festival was not only getting the chance to talk with director James Gray (“Two Lovers,” “We Own The Night,” “Little Odessa,” “The Yards”) about his upcoming directorial and writing projects (see our previous coverage here and here), but also having the time to let the conversation spin off, through some of his past experiences, and into a more general discussion about the state of contemporary U.S. cinema. Gray’s perspective as a commentator is of course informed by the kind of filmmaker he is: in his assessment of U.S. cinema being in a state of deep crisis, it is hard not to see a man arguing forcefully for his own livelihood.
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More: James Gray, Marrakech Film Festival, Interview, Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix, The Immigrant

Terence Stamp Talks Destiny, Vanity & His Thoughts On Michael Shannon Playing General Zod In 'Man Of Steel'

  • By Jessica Kiang
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  • December 11, 2012 10:05 AM
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  • 6 Comments
News
One of the most whimsical and enjoyable interviews of our time at the Marrakech International Film Festival came courtesy of iconic British actor Sir Terence Stamp (“Superman II,” “Far from the Madding Crowd,” “The Limey,” among many others), who was in town to present his latest film “Song for Marion” (our review from TIFF is here), in which he stars with fellow Marrakech jury member Gemma Arterton and Vanessa Redgrave. Stamp’s career stretches back to the early ‘60s, when his otherworldly handsomeness saw him teamed, professionally and romantically, with some of the most beautiful women of the age. And in recent times, he's become a reliable presence in Hollywood, ranging from “Yes Man” to “Get Smart” from “Wanted” to “The Adjustment Bureau."
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More: Terence Stamp, Interview, Marrakech Film Festival, Unfinished Song, Man of Steel

Marrakech '12: James Gray Still Hoping To Visit 'Lost City of Z,' Talks 'Blood Ties' & Jeremy Renner's Steve McQueen Biopic

  • By Jessica Kiang
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  • December 10, 2012 11:18 AM
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  • 6 Comments
News
Thoughtful and erudite, there are few filmmakers as fascinating to listen to as they talk about film than James Gray. So whenever we get the chance to catch up with him, it's a treat, and we managed to spend some time with the helmer at the Marrakech International Film Festival where he was serving on the jury. We spoke at some length about his upcoming, immigrant period drama "Lowlife," (formerly "The Nightingale" -- read all about it here), but we also wondered about some of the movies he's got brewing and what may or may not be next.
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More: James Gray, Marrakech Film Festival, Interview, Blood Ties

Marrakech '12: Zhang Yimou Talks Working With Christian Bale, The Growing Chinese Box Office & More

  • By Jessica Kiang
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  • December 8, 2012 9:23 AM
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  • 0 Comments
News
Zhang Yimou ("Raise the Red Lantern," "Ju Dou," "Hero," "House of the Flying Daggers") has been making movies in his homeland of China, from within the system, for the past two and a half decades. During this time, he has witnessed, and participated in, the gradual, incremental thawing of Chinese relations with the West, and the partial loosening of the viselike grip of governmental control over film production. Honored with a tribute at the Marrakech International Film Festival, and presenting his newest film "The Flowers of War", Zhang spoke, through two translators (Mandarin-French, French-English) to a small group of journalists about his filmmaking life under a notoriously repressive regime, the themes he revisits, and working with Christian Bale. Here are five highlights from that conversation.
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More: Zhang Yimou, The Flowers Of War, Marrakech Film Festival, Interview

Marrakech '12: Monica Bellucci On ‘Rhino Season,’ Changing Priorities & Future Projects, Including A Film For Emir Kusturica

  • By Jessica Kiang
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  • December 5, 2012 12:20 PM
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  • 1 Comment
Festivals
With Iranian director Bahman Ghobadi’s ("No One Knows About Persian Cats") new film, “Rhino Season,” screening Out of Competition at the Marrakech International Film Festival (our review is to follow shortly), we got to speak with the film’s Italian star, Monica Bellucci, in a small press group. Once our eyes recovered from the dazzle a bit (no, she really is very gorgeous), she was asked about her motives for taking a role that could be seen as quite a step outside her comfort zone.
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More: Marrakech Film Festival, Monica Bellucci, Rhino Season, Interview, Emir Kusturica

Marrakech ‘12: James Gray Says ‘The Nightingale’ Probably Reverting Back To Original Title ‘Lowlife,’ Hopes To Premiere In Cannes 2013

  • By Jessica Kiang
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  • December 5, 2012 11:19 AM
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  • 7 Comments
Festivals
With James Gray serving on the jury of the Marrakech International Film Festival this year, we were lucky enough to get some time with a director who has, in just four movies, firmly established himself as one of our very favorite filmmakers. There are a couple of further pieces to come from our talk, so articulate and interesting an interviewee he turned out to be (we left his quotes mostly uncut below), but for now, here’s a small sampler of some news that will interest anyone anticipating his next film, a period piece set around Ellis Island, even half as eagerly as we are: it seems “The Nightingale” is probably going to be jettisoned as the film’s title in favor of the original “Lowlife."
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More: Marrakech Film Festival, James Gray, Interview, The Immigrant, The Nightingale, Cannes Film Festival

Marrakech ‘12: Isabelle Huppert On Looking Back, Going Hollywood, Turning Down 'Funny Games' & More

  • By Jessica Kiang
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  • December 3, 2012 12:05 PM
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  • 7 Comments
Festivals
Frequently namechecked by critics, fellow actors and directors as one of the greatest screen actors alive, French actress Isabelle Huppert is the subject of the first of a series of impressive tributes to be made at this year’s Marrakech International Film Festival. She is also being honoured here by an eclectic, 11-movie sampling of her back catalogue, including 1980 Gerard Depardieu-starrer “Loulou”; Michael Haneke’s “The Piano Teacher,” for which she won the second of her two Best Actress awards in Cannes; and her more recent work with Brillante Mendoza and Hong Sang-soo, “Captive” and “In Another Country.”
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More: Marrakech Film Festival, Interview, Isabelle Huppert, Michael Haneke, Suspiria, Captive, In Another Country

Andrew Dominik Talks The Anger Of 'Killing Them Softly', Downplays The "Mythical" Long Version of 'Jesse James'

  • By Drew Taylor
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  • November 27, 2012 12:30 PM
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  • 10 Comments
Interviews
When Australian director Andrew Dominik and ultra-handsome super-star Brad Pitt last teamed up, it was for "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," a brilliant, elliptical ode to the old west and one of the very best movies of the past decade. Five very long years later, the pair have reteamed for "Killing Them Softly," which opens this weekend and, as it turns out, is just as brilliant as their previous collaboration.
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More: Killing Them Softly, Andrew Dominik, Brad Pitt, Features, Interviews, Interview

Rome Interview: Making 'Charles Swan,' His Version Of 'On The Road' & More From Glimpsing Into The Mind Of Roman Coppola

  • By Jessica Kiang
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  • November 26, 2012 11:59 AM
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  • 0 Comments
Festivals
At the Rome Film Festival earlier this month, Roman Coppola premiered his second directorial film “A Glimpse Into the Mind of Charles Swan III” starring Charlie Sheen. Coppola’s debut, “CQ” was eleven long years ago, but it’s not like he hasn’t been busy in the intervening years, producing sister Sofia’s “Somewhere,” co-writing “Moonrise Kingdom” and "The Darjeeling Limited" with regular collaborator Wes Anderson and even directing second unit for his father, of whom you may have heard. All this alongside a thriving career in commercials and music videos as well. We had the chance to sit down with Coppola in Rome and quiz him about how he strikes this unusual balance, his new film and his future plans, among other things. Here are seven things the ensuing conversation taught us.
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More: Roman Coppola, Rome Film Festival, Interview, A Glimpse Inside The Mind Of Charles Swan III

Rome Interview: Paul Verhoeven On 'Tricked' & What's Next Including 'Rogue,' 'Hidden Force' & 'Jesus Of Nazareth'

  • By Jessica Kiang
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  • November 26, 2012 9:56 AM
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  • 2 Comments
Festivals
One of the most enjoyable half hours we spent during the Rome Film Festival was in conversation with director Paul Verhoeven. The filmmaker behind a large number of everyone's favorite popcorn movies from the late '80s/early '90s ("RoboCop," "Total Recall," Basic Instinct," "Starship Troopers") is experiencing something of a resurgence of late, with various films of his getting the subpar-remake treatment, which often has the unintended consequence of making us realize all over again just how much we loved the originals.
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More: Rome Film Festival, Paul Verhoeven, Interview, Steekspel (Tricked), Rogue, The Last Express, Hidden Force

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