Minister for Foreign Affairs - Arnaud Trouvé
Hi everyone, welcome on Movie Parliament !
You can find my Minister presentation and read my reviews. Don't forget to let us hear your thoughts in the "Your Say" section.
You can contact me via my personal website.
Exclusive coverage of the 2011 Cannes film festival !
Reviews for upcoming films The Skin I Live In, Take Shelter, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Footnote, ...
You can find my Minister presentation and read my reviews. Don't forget to let us hear your thoughts in the "Your Say" section.
You can contact me via my personal website.
Exclusive coverage of the 2011 Cannes film festival !
Reviews for upcoming films The Skin I Live In, Take Shelter, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Footnote, ...
Top Ten Anticipated Films of 2012
First, thank you phantom for a great selection of 2012 upcoming films (http://awardscorner.blogspot.com/)
#10 Rust and Bone
Writers: Jacques Audiard and Thomas Bidegain, based upon the short story collection by Craig Davidson
Director: Jacques Audiard
Starring: Marion Cotillard, Bouli Lanners, Corinne Masiero (Louise Wimmer)
Release date: October 24th (France)
IMDb plot: (nothing to be found on IMDb so this is the book review) In steel-tipped prose, Craig Davidson conjures up a bleak world populated by hardscrabble pugilists, fighting dogs, sex addicts, and others held captive by their own bad luck and bad decisions. Visceral and with a dark urgency, Rust and Bone is a strikingly original debut.
After "Read My Lips" (3 César awards), "The Beat That My Heart Skipped" (BAFTA + 8 César) and "A Prophet" (BAFTA + 9 César + Cannes Grand Prix + Oscar Nom), expectations are inevitably high for this new opus by master Audiard. I hardly can't wait to discover ubiquitous Marion Cotillard in what seems to be a dark, gritty story where she plays a killer whale tamer. The actress definitely jumps from one success to another, both in the US (Midnight in Paris, The Dark Knight Rises) and in France (her latest role here was in 2010 hit "Little White Lies"). Few months ago, pics of a topless Cotillard leaked from the set, creating extra buzz.
Director: Jacques Audiard
Starring: Marion Cotillard, Bouli Lanners, Corinne Masiero (Louise Wimmer)
Release date: October 24th (France)
IMDb plot: (nothing to be found on IMDb so this is the book review) In steel-tipped prose, Craig Davidson conjures up a bleak world populated by hardscrabble pugilists, fighting dogs, sex addicts, and others held captive by their own bad luck and bad decisions. Visceral and with a dark urgency, Rust and Bone is a strikingly original debut.
After "Read My Lips" (3 César awards), "The Beat That My Heart Skipped" (BAFTA + 8 César) and "A Prophet" (BAFTA + 9 César + Cannes Grand Prix + Oscar Nom), expectations are inevitably high for this new opus by master Audiard. I hardly can't wait to discover ubiquitous Marion Cotillard in what seems to be a dark, gritty story where she plays a killer whale tamer. The actress definitely jumps from one success to another, both in the US (Midnight in Paris, The Dark Knight Rises) and in France (her latest role here was in 2010 hit "Little White Lies"). Few months ago, pics of a topless Cotillard leaked from the set, creating extra buzz.
#9 Stoker
Writers: Wentworth Miller and Erin Cressida Wilson (Secretary)
Director: Park Chan-Wook (Oldboy, Thirst)
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland) and Dermot Mulroney (Zodiac)
Release date: Unknown
IMDb plot: A teenage girl mourning the death of her father deals with an uncle who mysteriously shows up to meet the family.
This is one of the most exciting associations I can dream of: Nicole Kidman in a Park Chan-Wook film. Furthermore, in a film written by Wentmorth Miller ?! (yes, the guy from Prison Break). 'Nuff said.
Director: Park Chan-Wook (Oldboy, Thirst)
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland) and Dermot Mulroney (Zodiac)
Release date: Unknown
IMDb plot: A teenage girl mourning the death of her father deals with an uncle who mysteriously shows up to meet the family.
This is one of the most exciting associations I can dream of: Nicole Kidman in a Park Chan-Wook film. Furthermore, in a film written by Wentmorth Miller ?! (yes, the guy from Prison Break). 'Nuff said.
#8 Asterix & Obelix: God Save Brittania
Writers: Laurent Tirard and Grégoire Vigneron, based upon the comic book by Uderzo & Goscinny
Director: Laurent Tirard (Little Nicholas, Molière)
Starring: Gérard Depardieu, Edouard Baer (Chicken with Plums) and Catherine Deneuve.
Release date: October 17th (France)
IMDb plot: Asterix crosses the channel to help second-cousin Anticlimax face down Julius Caesar and invading Romans.
This 4th installment of the Asterix saga aligns a star-studded cast: in addition to the 3 leads, we'll also see Fabrice Luchini, Jean Rochefort, Gérard Jugnot, Dany Boon, Valérie Lemercier, ... they're all popular French actors. Let's hope this episode is as funny as the second one (2002's "Asterix and Obelix Meet Cleopatra"). Will its British-oriented plot translate into success at the international box-office ? NB: The third Asterix episode (2008's "Asterix at the Olympic Games") was co-directed by "The Artist" producer, Thomas Langmann.
Director: Laurent Tirard (Little Nicholas, Molière)
Starring: Gérard Depardieu, Edouard Baer (Chicken with Plums) and Catherine Deneuve.
Release date: October 17th (France)
IMDb plot: Asterix crosses the channel to help second-cousin Anticlimax face down Julius Caesar and invading Romans.
This 4th installment of the Asterix saga aligns a star-studded cast: in addition to the 3 leads, we'll also see Fabrice Luchini, Jean Rochefort, Gérard Jugnot, Dany Boon, Valérie Lemercier, ... they're all popular French actors. Let's hope this episode is as funny as the second one (2002's "Asterix and Obelix Meet Cleopatra"). Will its British-oriented plot translate into success at the international box-office ? NB: The third Asterix episode (2008's "Asterix at the Olympic Games") was co-directed by "The Artist" producer, Thomas Langmann.
#7 Les Misérables
Writer: William Nicholson (Gladiator), based upon the book by Victor Hugo
Director: Tom Hooper (The King's Speech)
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway.
Release date: December 7th
IMDb plot: An adaptation of the successful stage musical based on Victor Hugo's classic novel set in 19th-century France, in which a paroled prisoner named Jean Valjean seeks redemption.
Who hasn't heard of "Les Miz" ? (I will always remember that moment when I was flying towards Newark a few years ago: I was discussing with the passenger next to me and as soon as I said I was French, he said: "Ha ! Les Misérables !") Not so long ago, there was the Bille August adaptation starring Liam Neeson, Geoffrey Rush and Uma Thurman, but I must say that I'm eager to see the new cast singing and dancing: Crowe and Jackman have been Broadway stars, while Amanda Seyfried and Helena Bonham Carter were already caught singing in, respectively, "Mamma Mia !" and "Sweeney Todd". As for Hathaway, well, we all remember her 2008 Oscar opening duet with Jackman, so she should be fine. By the way, this film looks like a heavy contender for the 2012 Oscars: will Brit Tom Hooper win his first directing Oscar ? (come on people, we all know that David Fincher won for "The Social Network" ! No ?? *sighs*)
Director: Tom Hooper (The King's Speech)
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway.
Release date: December 7th
IMDb plot: An adaptation of the successful stage musical based on Victor Hugo's classic novel set in 19th-century France, in which a paroled prisoner named Jean Valjean seeks redemption.
Who hasn't heard of "Les Miz" ? (I will always remember that moment when I was flying towards Newark a few years ago: I was discussing with the passenger next to me and as soon as I said I was French, he said: "Ha ! Les Misérables !") Not so long ago, there was the Bille August adaptation starring Liam Neeson, Geoffrey Rush and Uma Thurman, but I must say that I'm eager to see the new cast singing and dancing: Crowe and Jackman have been Broadway stars, while Amanda Seyfried and Helena Bonham Carter were already caught singing in, respectively, "Mamma Mia !" and "Sweeney Todd". As for Hathaway, well, we all remember her 2008 Oscar opening duet with Jackman, so she should be fine. By the way, this film looks like a heavy contender for the 2012 Oscars: will Brit Tom Hooper win his first directing Oscar ? (come on people, we all know that David Fincher won for "The Social Network" ! No ?? *sighs*)
#6 Django Unchained
Writer: Quentin Tarantino
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kerry Washington (Ray)
Release date: December 25th
IMDb plot: With the help of his mentor, a slave-turned-bounty hunter sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner.
This is Tarantino, so I'm expecting a "'Nuff said" commentary. However, it will be interesting to see how the director lives up to last year's extraordinary "Drive" by Nicholas Winding Refn, aka "the best Tarantino film that Tarantino never made" (as says our revered Prime Minister).
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kerry Washington (Ray)
Release date: December 25th
IMDb plot: With the help of his mentor, a slave-turned-bounty hunter sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner.
This is Tarantino, so I'm expecting a "'Nuff said" commentary. However, it will be interesting to see how the director lives up to last year's extraordinary "Drive" by Nicholas Winding Refn, aka "the best Tarantino film that Tarantino never made" (as says our revered Prime Minister).
#5 Prometheus
Writers: Jon Spaihts (The Darkest Hour) and Damon Lindelof (Lost, Cowboys & Aliens)
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Noomi Rapace (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows), Michael Fassbender and Charlize Theron
Release date: June 1st
IMDb plot: A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.
This "Alien" prequel seems like much, much more than that. Let's all go back to the "Future Films" section of Movie Parliament and watch again this hell of a trailer, full of action and hidden clues. My friends and I are counting the days.
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Noomi Rapace (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows), Michael Fassbender and Charlize Theron
Release date: June 1st
IMDb plot: A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.
This "Alien" prequel seems like much, much more than that. Let's all go back to the "Future Films" section of Movie Parliament and watch again this hell of a trailer, full of action and hidden clues. My friends and I are counting the days.
#4 Amour
Writer: Michael Haneke
Director: Michael Haneke
Starring: Isabelle Huppert and Jean-Louis Trintignant (A Man and a Woman)
Release date: May 23rd (France)
IMDb plot: A retired couple deals with aftermath of the wife suffering from a debilitating stroke.
The title "amour" is the French word for "love", which is kind of an obvious shocker when you know the dangerous worlds Haneke usually takes us in. Violence, guilt and terrorism are the trademarks of the Austrian director of "The White Ribbon" (2009 Palme d'Or and Golden Globe winner). But all his films are not that bleak and some of them also contain vibrant calls for forgiveness and redemption ("Hidden", "The Piano Teacher"). So we may witness in 2012 the start of a new trend, as well as another performance by Haneke's favourite Isabelle Huppert and a come-back by veteran Trintignant after an 8-year-old hiatus. Given that all Haneke's films premiered in Cannes (except "Funny Games U.S.", I think), see you in May, in the South of France.
Director: Michael Haneke
Starring: Isabelle Huppert and Jean-Louis Trintignant (A Man and a Woman)
Release date: May 23rd (France)
IMDb plot: A retired couple deals with aftermath of the wife suffering from a debilitating stroke.
The title "amour" is the French word for "love", which is kind of an obvious shocker when you know the dangerous worlds Haneke usually takes us in. Violence, guilt and terrorism are the trademarks of the Austrian director of "The White Ribbon" (2009 Palme d'Or and Golden Globe winner). But all his films are not that bleak and some of them also contain vibrant calls for forgiveness and redemption ("Hidden", "The Piano Teacher"). So we may witness in 2012 the start of a new trend, as well as another performance by Haneke's favourite Isabelle Huppert and a come-back by veteran Trintignant after an 8-year-old hiatus. Given that all Haneke's films premiered in Cannes (except "Funny Games U.S.", I think), see you in May, in the South of France.
#3 Upside Down
Writers: Santiago Amigorena and Juan Diego Solanas
Director: Juan Diego Solanas
Starring: Kirsten Dunst and Jim Sturgess (One Day)
Release date: 2d semester
IMDb plot: A man searches an alternate universe for a long-lost love from his youth.
Argentinean director Solanas, whose first short film "The Man Without a Head" earned him a César and a Cannes Jury prize, comes back with an intriguing story and exciting visuals. I feel some "Mr Nobody"'s vibes coming from this one. After her remarkable performance last year in "Melancholia", Mrs Dunst seems to choose very surprising projects.
Director: Juan Diego Solanas
Starring: Kirsten Dunst and Jim Sturgess (One Day)
Release date: 2d semester
IMDb plot: A man searches an alternate universe for a long-lost love from his youth.
Argentinean director Solanas, whose first short film "The Man Without a Head" earned him a César and a Cannes Jury prize, comes back with an intriguing story and exciting visuals. I feel some "Mr Nobody"'s vibes coming from this one. After her remarkable performance last year in "Melancholia", Mrs Dunst seems to choose very surprising projects.
#2 Gravity
Writers: Alfonso Cuaron, Jonas Cuaron and Rodrigo Garcia (Mother and Child)
Director: Alfonso Cuaron (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)
Starring: Sandra Bullock and George Clooney
Release date: November 21st
IMDb plot: The lone survivor of a space mission to repair the Hubble telescope desperately tries to return to Earth and reunite with her daughter.
The director of "Children of Men" teams up with two Academy-Award winning stars and Harry Potter producer to create a breathtaking quest for survival. Rumors from London (where post-production is on its way) evoke insane camera movements and VFX work. The majority of the film may be a single tracking shot (Cuaron's trademark). While promoting "Extremely Loud.." Bullock mentioned how she did not wear make-up during the shooting, for more authenticity. My expectations are so high for this flick: I'm sure this will be (at the very least) as great as Danny Boyle's "Sunshine". Thank you Potter for being such a lucrative series, so that this kind of project can be green-lit !
Director: Alfonso Cuaron (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)
Starring: Sandra Bullock and George Clooney
Release date: November 21st
IMDb plot: The lone survivor of a space mission to repair the Hubble telescope desperately tries to return to Earth and reunite with her daughter.
The director of "Children of Men" teams up with two Academy-Award winning stars and Harry Potter producer to create a breathtaking quest for survival. Rumors from London (where post-production is on its way) evoke insane camera movements and VFX work. The majority of the film may be a single tracking shot (Cuaron's trademark). While promoting "Extremely Loud.." Bullock mentioned how she did not wear make-up during the shooting, for more authenticity. My expectations are so high for this flick: I'm sure this will be (at the very least) as great as Danny Boyle's "Sunshine". Thank you Potter for being such a lucrative series, so that this kind of project can be green-lit !
#1 Life of Pi
Writer: David Magee (Finding Neverland), based upon the book by Yann Martel
Director: Ang Lee
Starring: Suraj Sharma, Irfan Khan (Slumdog Millionaire) and Tobey Maguire
Release date: December 21st
IMDb plot: The story of an Indian boy named Pi, a zookeeper's son who finds himself in the company of a hyena, zebra, orangutan, and a Bengal tiger after a shipwrecked sends them adrift in the Pacific Ocean.
The book by Canadian Yann Martel (2002 Man Booker Prize) has inspired mad love in me when I first read it in 2003. I now tend to offer it to my friends and family for Christmas and birthdays. Some of my favourite directors expressed interest in putting this story to the screen: Alfonso Cuaron, M. Night Shyamalan (this book seems written for him) and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. I closely followed the development of the project by Jeunet, but it got stuck in development hell.(I strongly suggest you read this article by Jeunet himself: "Life of Pi, or how I lost two years of my professional life" http://jpjeunet.com/life-of-pi/. The article is in French: I can translate it if you're interested.)Good news it that Ang Lee is now directing it. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "Sense & Sensibility", "Hulk", "Brokeback Mountain": Lee certainly is a master of adaptations and I'm confident he can bring substance & style, as well as an Asian sensibility, to this extraordinary story.A dream has come true as I'm having now the opportunity to work at BUF with the VFX supervisor of one key sequence of the film, and I can tell you this already looks amazing.This is my most anticipated film of the year.
Director: Ang Lee
Starring: Suraj Sharma, Irfan Khan (Slumdog Millionaire) and Tobey Maguire
Release date: December 21st
IMDb plot: The story of an Indian boy named Pi, a zookeeper's son who finds himself in the company of a hyena, zebra, orangutan, and a Bengal tiger after a shipwrecked sends them adrift in the Pacific Ocean.
The book by Canadian Yann Martel (2002 Man Booker Prize) has inspired mad love in me when I first read it in 2003. I now tend to offer it to my friends and family for Christmas and birthdays. Some of my favourite directors expressed interest in putting this story to the screen: Alfonso Cuaron, M. Night Shyamalan (this book seems written for him) and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. I closely followed the development of the project by Jeunet, but it got stuck in development hell.(I strongly suggest you read this article by Jeunet himself: "Life of Pi, or how I lost two years of my professional life" http://jpjeunet.com/life-of-pi/. The article is in French: I can translate it if you're interested.)Good news it that Ang Lee is now directing it. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "Sense & Sensibility", "Hulk", "Brokeback Mountain": Lee certainly is a master of adaptations and I'm confident he can bring substance & style, as well as an Asian sensibility, to this extraordinary story.A dream has come true as I'm having now the opportunity to work at BUF with the VFX supervisor of one key sequence of the film, and I can tell you this already looks amazing.This is my most anticipated film of the year.
My Top Ten for 2011
Here we are, folks.
Waiting for the 2011 Movie Parliament Awards (revealed around mid-February), here are the laughs, the thrills, and even the tears (for no less than 3 of the films listed here, I'll let you guess). Stay tuned, as some 2011 flicks will come in France around early 2012 and may finally show up there (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, War Horse, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, ...)
Love yourself and take care of your dear ones
Arnaud
Waiting for the 2011 Movie Parliament Awards (revealed around mid-February), here are the laughs, the thrills, and even the tears (for no less than 3 of the films listed here, I'll let you guess). Stay tuned, as some 2011 flicks will come in France around early 2012 and may finally show up there (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, War Horse, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, ...)
Love yourself and take care of your dear ones
Arnaud
#10 Shame
A man alone in the dark. In the dark of his desires, of his pulsions.
What do we share with others ? What do we share during sex, during a discussion, during seduction ?
The people we love are also the ones we fear the most, because they can see right through us. They know those moments when we are truly, emotionally naked.
After "Hunger", Steve McQueen delivers another directing tour-de-force, around the performance of Michael Fassbender (this man may be the actor of the year, along with Ryan Gosling). Carey Mulligan brings a deep and emotional supporting turn. The score by Harry Escott is amazing.
What do we share with others ? What do we share during sex, during a discussion, during seduction ?
The people we love are also the ones we fear the most, because they can see right through us. They know those moments when we are truly, emotionally naked.
After "Hunger", Steve McQueen delivers another directing tour-de-force, around the performance of Michael Fassbender (this man may be the actor of the year, along with Ryan Gosling). Carey Mulligan brings a deep and emotional supporting turn. The score by Harry Escott is amazing.
#9 We Have A Pope
A man alone with his beliefs, his own certitudes.
But what do they weigh, compared with millions of daily prayers ?
How can one follow the path of his own destiny ? It's a film about playing the game, dreaming and living together.
The brilliant Nanni Moretti offers us a moving film full of grace and laughter, with the splendid Michel Piccoli. It also contains one of the scenes of the year (mild spoilers).
But what do they weigh, compared with millions of daily prayers ?
How can one follow the path of his own destiny ? It's a film about playing the game, dreaming and living together.
The brilliant Nanni Moretti offers us a moving film full of grace and laughter, with the splendid Michel Piccoli. It also contains one of the scenes of the year (mild spoilers).
#8 Midnight in Paris
"I see ... a rhinoceros"
Thanks to the marvelous Adrien Brody, the new Woody Allen movie offered another scene of the year.
A charming travel through time, filled with passsion and regrets.
Read my full review here.
Thanks to the marvelous Adrien Brody, the new Woody Allen movie offered another scene of the year.
A charming travel through time, filled with passsion and regrets.
Read my full review here.
#7 Donoma
It's about three young women.
It's about loving someone.
It's about believing in something.
It's about living today in Paris.
Thanks to his amazing troop of comedians, the one-man-band Djinn Carrénard shoots with zero budget an astonishing reflection on our lives. It shows the power of women (great leading roles for them), and how we have to cheat to express our opinion. Thanks to Facebook, hundreds of contributors helped to promote and release the film. Watch the trailer here (sorry, no subtitles).
It's about loving someone.
It's about believing in something.
It's about living today in Paris.
Thanks to his amazing troop of comedians, the one-man-band Djinn Carrénard shoots with zero budget an astonishing reflection on our lives. It shows the power of women (great leading roles for them), and how we have to cheat to express our opinion. Thanks to Facebook, hundreds of contributors helped to promote and release the film. Watch the trailer here (sorry, no subtitles).
#6 The Skin I Live In
For once, a trailer knows how to suggest and tease without revealing too much of the intrigue.
(The amazing music is "Shades of Marble" by Trentemøller and you hear it in the film too !)
And believe me, you don't want to know too much before entering this new Almodovar masterpiece, otherwise you'll miss the power of its mind-blowing ending.
The most WTF twist of the year.
You can read my review here.
(The amazing music is "Shades of Marble" by Trentemøller and you hear it in the film too !)
And believe me, you don't want to know too much before entering this new Almodovar masterpiece, otherwise you'll miss the power of its mind-blowing ending.
The most WTF twist of the year.
You can read my review here.
#5 A Separation
The most brilliant screenplay of the year.
A woman wants to leave her country (Iran), but she's also leaving a teenage daughter and her husband who may still love her. A mysterious event will occur, and soon everyone gets involved.
As soon as the film starts, you'll get hooked because you can totally relate to any of the characters, and their choices who at first may seem simple, will become more and more intricate.
Watch the trailer here.
A woman wants to leave her country (Iran), but she's also leaving a teenage daughter and her husband who may still love her. A mysterious event will occur, and soon everyone gets involved.
As soon as the film starts, you'll get hooked because you can totally relate to any of the characters, and their choices who at first may seem simple, will become more and more intricate.
Watch the trailer here.
#4 The Tree of Life
The film is messy ? Well, life is messy. Characters don't say much ? So do we, when you think of it. Nothing extraordinary happens ? You know the answer. Unless... you let your imagination run free, and dream of infinite landscapes, blinding lights and secret doors. Unless you watch this drowning clown, this red-haired girl and her white dress. Unless you see the happiness in your garden and hear the mysteries in a whispering voice.
I'm glad this film exists.
Read my review (as well as President Michael Dalton's) and join the discussion in the 'Your Say' section.
I'm glad this film exists.
Read my review (as well as President Michael Dalton's) and join the discussion in the 'Your Say' section.
#3 Drive
The Driver is the Deluxe version of a man.
He doesn’t have a name, he doesn’t have a past. He just drives, from place to place.
He tells us twice his only rule: “I give you a five-minute window, anything happens in that five minutes and I’m yours no matter what. After that, you’re on your own”.
With this hell of a film, I discovered the superhuman director Nicolas Winding Refn. It was also one more proof of the extraordinary Cannes Film Festival we had this year with films like this one and The Artist, Melancholia, We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Skin I Live In, The Tree of Life, Take Shelter, ...
You can read my full "Drive" analysis here.
He doesn’t have a name, he doesn’t have a past. He just drives, from place to place.
He tells us twice his only rule: “I give you a five-minute window, anything happens in that five minutes and I’m yours no matter what. After that, you’re on your own”.
With this hell of a film, I discovered the superhuman director Nicolas Winding Refn. It was also one more proof of the extraordinary Cannes Film Festival we had this year with films like this one and The Artist, Melancholia, We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Skin I Live In, The Tree of Life, Take Shelter, ...
You can read my full "Drive" analysis here.
#2 Super 8
What is left of our childhood ?
This film is for everyone ready to imagine that this brighter star in the sky is actually an alien spaceship, ready to go home.
With "Letting Go", Michael Giacchino gives us one of the most beautiful piece of music used in film this year. It's also one of the best endings ever.
This film is for everyone ready to imagine that this brighter star in the sky is actually an alien spaceship, ready to go home.
With "Letting Go", Michael Giacchino gives us one of the most beautiful piece of music used in film this year. It's also one of the best endings ever.
#1 Declaration of War
Valérie Donzelli is a French actress and director.
Some years ago, her baby had a cancer which he fortunately survived.
Along with lover Jérémie Elkaim, she decided to tell their story in a movie. Both play romanced versions of themselves (their characters are named Romeo and Juliet).
Shot on Canon 5D, with a relatively small budget (1 million euros), Donzelli overcomes all odds and encounters beauty, truth and love, charming critics and audiences alike (nearly 1 million tickets sold at the national box-office). This is the French pick for the 2011 Foreign Language Oscar. Watch the trailer here.
Some years ago, her baby had a cancer which he fortunately survived.
Along with lover Jérémie Elkaim, she decided to tell their story in a movie. Both play romanced versions of themselves (their characters are named Romeo and Juliet).
Shot on Canon 5D, with a relatively small budget (1 million euros), Donzelli overcomes all odds and encounters beauty, truth and love, charming critics and audiences alike (nearly 1 million tickets sold at the national box-office). This is the French pick for the 2011 Foreign Language Oscar. Watch the trailer here.
2011 European Film Awards (UPDATED)
Hi everyone ! Nominations are announced for the 24th European Academy Awards. This is one of the first awards show of the 2011 season !
Exciting line-up for the Best Picture award
MELANCHOLIA: 8 noms including Pic, Director, Actress (twice) and Screenplay / 3 wins - Pic, Cinematography and Art DIrection.
IN A BETTER WORLD: 4 noms - Pic, Director, Actor and Screenplay / 1 win - Director
THE KID WITH A BIKE: 4 noms - Pic, Director, Actress and Screenplay / 1 win - Screenplay
LE HAVRE: 4 noms - Pic, Director, Actor and Screenplay / 0 win
THE ARTIST: 4 noms including Pic and Actor / 1 win - Score
THE KING'S SPEECH: 4 noms including Pic and Actor / 2 wins - Actor and Editing
Look what we have here: the Cannes Grand Prix (THE KID WITH A BIKE), the Best Actress/Best Actor Cannes Awards (MELANCHOLIA/THE ARTIST), a Palme d'Or nominee (LE HAVRE), as well as the Oscar for Best Picture (THE KING'S SPEECH) and the Oscar for Foreign Language Film (IN A BETTER WORLD).
Among films nominated in other categories, there's a strong showing for Berlin Grand Prix THE TURIN HORSE (3 noms including Director). On a personal note, I'm happy to see THE SKIN I LIVE IN get 2 well-deserved noms (Production Design and Score).
"Melancholia" and its girls
With a whopping tally of 8 nominations (twice as much as the other Best Pic nominees), MELANCHOLIA is the clear frontrunner. Well deserved for what is already one of the most memorable films of the year. I'm really excited to see the two main actresses (Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg) both nominated for Best Actress. Without spoilering, this nicely echoes the structure of the film itself.
As for the girls' competition, hooray for Tilda Swinton and her tour-de-force performance in WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN.
Trivia
- Why do some categories contain only 3 nominees, while others get up to 6 ? I would have loved to see Nanni Moretti's script for HABEMUS PAPAM get some recognition.
- In the Best Animated Feature category, it is quite funny to find two French films whose leading character is a cat.
- A Lifetime Achievement award will be given to Stephen Frears, while the People's Choice award will go to one of the following films ( I think you can still vote on the following site: www.europeanfilmawards.eu) : Animals United (Konferenz der Tiere) / Even the rain (También la lluvia) / Revenge (Hævnen) / The King’s Speech / Little White Lies (Les petits mouchoirs) / Potiche / Unknown / Benvenuti al sud.
Little Golden Guy
I guess some voters are also members of the Oscar Academy (especially the Brits :)
Kirsten Dunst's nomination definitely may translate into Oscar buzz, while if "The King's Speech" got nominated, it is of course out of 2011 Oscar consideration (it was released early 2011 in many European countries). One thing that stands out is the snub of director Michel Hazanavicius for "The Artist". How this could hurt the film's chances at the Oscars still remains a mystery.
Guessing the winners
I'm happy I have seen every European Best Picture since 1996, and these are all terrific films that have stood the test of time. So I guess we can be confident in the Academy's choice.
Last year, "The Ghost Writer" swept with 6 awards (Film, Director, Actor, Screenplay, Production Design, Score). Let's guess who will win this year (my predictions in bold). Since then, see you in Berlin on December the 3rd !
Exciting line-up for the Best Picture award
MELANCHOLIA: 8 noms including Pic, Director, Actress (twice) and Screenplay / 3 wins - Pic, Cinematography and Art DIrection.
IN A BETTER WORLD: 4 noms - Pic, Director, Actor and Screenplay / 1 win - Director
THE KID WITH A BIKE: 4 noms - Pic, Director, Actress and Screenplay / 1 win - Screenplay
LE HAVRE: 4 noms - Pic, Director, Actor and Screenplay / 0 win
THE ARTIST: 4 noms including Pic and Actor / 1 win - Score
THE KING'S SPEECH: 4 noms including Pic and Actor / 2 wins - Actor and Editing
Look what we have here: the Cannes Grand Prix (THE KID WITH A BIKE), the Best Actress/Best Actor Cannes Awards (MELANCHOLIA/THE ARTIST), a Palme d'Or nominee (LE HAVRE), as well as the Oscar for Best Picture (THE KING'S SPEECH) and the Oscar for Foreign Language Film (IN A BETTER WORLD).
Among films nominated in other categories, there's a strong showing for Berlin Grand Prix THE TURIN HORSE (3 noms including Director). On a personal note, I'm happy to see THE SKIN I LIVE IN get 2 well-deserved noms (Production Design and Score).
"Melancholia" and its girls
With a whopping tally of 8 nominations (twice as much as the other Best Pic nominees), MELANCHOLIA is the clear frontrunner. Well deserved for what is already one of the most memorable films of the year. I'm really excited to see the two main actresses (Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg) both nominated for Best Actress. Without spoilering, this nicely echoes the structure of the film itself.
As for the girls' competition, hooray for Tilda Swinton and her tour-de-force performance in WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN.
Trivia
- Why do some categories contain only 3 nominees, while others get up to 6 ? I would have loved to see Nanni Moretti's script for HABEMUS PAPAM get some recognition.
- In the Best Animated Feature category, it is quite funny to find two French films whose leading character is a cat.
- A Lifetime Achievement award will be given to Stephen Frears, while the People's Choice award will go to one of the following films ( I think you can still vote on the following site: www.europeanfilmawards.eu) : Animals United (Konferenz der Tiere) / Even the rain (También la lluvia) / Revenge (Hævnen) / The King’s Speech / Little White Lies (Les petits mouchoirs) / Potiche / Unknown / Benvenuti al sud.
Little Golden Guy
I guess some voters are also members of the Oscar Academy (especially the Brits :)
Kirsten Dunst's nomination definitely may translate into Oscar buzz, while if "The King's Speech" got nominated, it is of course out of 2011 Oscar consideration (it was released early 2011 in many European countries). One thing that stands out is the snub of director Michel Hazanavicius for "The Artist". How this could hurt the film's chances at the Oscars still remains a mystery.
Guessing the winners
I'm happy I have seen every European Best Picture since 1996, and these are all terrific films that have stood the test of time. So I guess we can be confident in the Academy's choice.
Last year, "The Ghost Writer" swept with 6 awards (Film, Director, Actor, Screenplay, Production Design, Score). Let's guess who will win this year (my predictions in bold). Since then, see you in Berlin on December the 3rd !
2011 in the Cinema World: Part Two - [Updated]
Dear All, Summer's now gone, I hope you enjoyed it and saw a lot of great films !
Here are news of the cinema world, sorted by category:
July/August
- I was lucky enough to win my entry to the Kubrick Exposition (thank you UGC cinemas !)
The Paris Cinémathèque is a somptuous building, designed by Frank Gehry, architect of the famous Guggenheim museum. Starting with "Lolita", every film is allowed its own room with a lot of documents and personal details.
- Going to the theatre is one of the most enjoyable aspects of cinema, and these are two famous Parisian places I had the opportunity to visit recently: the Mac Mahon cinema and the Grand Rex.
The first one is located near the Arc de Triomphe and shows movies from the 40's and 50's, while the Grand Rex is the theatre of premieres and big events. While visiting Paris, you should check them out.
- Studio Harcourt is a prestigious photography studio for movie stars. A "photomaton" booth now replicates the famous look of their pictures, and for 10 euros I got my picture taken the Harcourt way !
Here are news of the cinema world, sorted by category:
July/August
- I was lucky enough to win my entry to the Kubrick Exposition (thank you UGC cinemas !)
The Paris Cinémathèque is a somptuous building, designed by Frank Gehry, architect of the famous Guggenheim museum. Starting with "Lolita", every film is allowed its own room with a lot of documents and personal details.
- Going to the theatre is one of the most enjoyable aspects of cinema, and these are two famous Parisian places I had the opportunity to visit recently: the Mac Mahon cinema and the Grand Rex.
The first one is located near the Arc de Triomphe and shows movies from the 40's and 50's, while the Grand Rex is the theatre of premieres and big events. While visiting Paris, you should check them out.
- Studio Harcourt is a prestigious photography studio for movie stars. A "photomaton" booth now replicates the famous look of their pictures, and for 10 euros I got my picture taken the Harcourt way !
|
September
- While our Prime Minister reported you the Zurich Film Fest, three other famous festivals took place in September: Venice, Toronto and Deauville. Venice has been a start-studded event as it always is. The jury headed by Darren Aronofsky offered the Golden Lion to Alexander Sokurov's "Faust" (see him on the right). (last year's winner was Sofia Coppola's "Somewhere"). Michael Fassbender was awarded Best Actor for his performance in "Shame", which crowns a stellar 3-year run for the actor, from 2008's "Hunger" to "Fish Tank", "Inglourious Basterds", "X-Men" and "A Dangerous Method". |
|
|
Toronto is notorious for not having any competitive selection, so the buzz is often generated by the audience award, already won in the past years by a bunch of crowd-pleasers: Amélie, Slumdog Millionaire, The King's Speech... This year's winner is "Where Do We Go Now ?" by Libanese director Nadine Libaki, which was quite a surprise actually, and automatically propelled it into the Foreign Language Oscar competition.
Finally, Deauville (US film festival) awarded its Grand Prix to "Take Shelter", which may become one of the most awarded films of the year, after its wins in Cannes Critics' Week section and at Zurich Film Fest. |
|
October
- French animation fans should be pleased with the upcoming release of "A Monster in Paris", directed by Eric "Bibo" Bergeron ("Shark Tale"). Nothings blends better than animation and music, and this flick seems to get it right, being voiced by famous French singers M and Vanessa Paradis (Johnny Depp's wife). On a sad note, an ambitious French production is now postponed. "Boy with a Cuckoo-Clock Heart" is the adaptation of singer/songwriter/author Mathias Malzieu's book and integrates songs inspired by the novel. Let's hope the project will finally hit the screen. |
|
|
November
Have you seen "Untouchable" ? If you've been to France lately, you may have heard this question ! The comedy by Eric Toledano & Olivier Nakache propelled its good word-of-mouth to insane box-office: two months after its release, the film has earned more than 16 million tickets at the French box-office. (That's about a quarter of France population). For its 9th week of release, the film is still #1 at the box-office ! Inspired by a true story, "Untouchable" is about the friendship between a quadriplegic aristocrat (Philippe) and a young man from the suburbs (Driss). At first, Driss is only an employee who must take care of Philippe, but it's no long before the two men share uncommon bonds and start living their life in a different way. Subtitled trailer is here ! |
|
December
This is the end..the end of a wonderful year at the movies, so with 4 of my French friends, we've decided to make the ultimate 2011 top 10. After many discussions and head scratchings (blatantly exposed on my Facebook page), we blended together our personal tops 10 and...Tada !! #1 Melancholia #2 Drive #3 The Tree of Life #4 Super 8 #5 The Skin I Live In #6 Untouchable #7 Declaration of War #8 Midnight in Paris #9 Shame #10 Tomboy |
|
For the record, I did not mention "Melancholia" in my top 10, but I have to admit this is an astounding piece of cinema. (You can read my top 10 above on this page). Of all my friends, I was the one closest to the final result, missing only 3 of my choices, the other two being "Untouchable" (mentioned just above) and "Tomboy" (touching story about a girl who wants to be a boy - Trailer here !)
[REVIEW] "Balada Triste de Trompeta" (11/6/6)
Dear all,Last Monday, I was lucky enough to attend a screening of the new film by Alex de la Iglesia, "Balada Triste de Trompeta". The film will be released in the US under the title "The Last Circus". Be sure to check it out when you can: it's dark, funny, sexy and scary, like nothing else you will see this year.
"Balada Triste de Trompeta" (2010)
Written and directed by: Álex de la Iglesia
Starring: Carlos Areces, Antonio de la Torre and Carolina Bang
The story revolves around two Spanish clowns in the 70's. One is alcoholic and violent but makes children laugh; the other is shy and sad, secretely trying to fulfill his dad's revenge against Franco's fascist government. Things get worse when they both fall in love for Natalia, the pretty trapezist.This "Sad Trumpet Ballad" is an amazing ride: from the stunning opening credits, you are hooked by the pace of the story and the visual extravaganza displayed on screen. This evocation of the Spanish Civil War is completely original, while bitter and ironic : the biggest laugh of the film comes right after the recreation of a true dramatic event that shook Spanish people in 1973; you shouldn't miss it. Introducing the gorgeous Carolina Bang as Natalia, "Balada..." is full of sincerity and passion. There is also nice VFX work during the 20-minute climax.
Summary: As unlikely as it seems, "Balada Triste de Trompeta" = "Pan's Labyrinth" + "Inglourious Basterds" + "Micmacs". Not as unforgettable as the first ones, it still left me flabbergasted.
Rating: 6+/10
"Balada Triste de Trompeta" (2010)
Written and directed by: Álex de la Iglesia
Starring: Carlos Areces, Antonio de la Torre and Carolina Bang
The story revolves around two Spanish clowns in the 70's. One is alcoholic and violent but makes children laugh; the other is shy and sad, secretely trying to fulfill his dad's revenge against Franco's fascist government. Things get worse when they both fall in love for Natalia, the pretty trapezist.This "Sad Trumpet Ballad" is an amazing ride: from the stunning opening credits, you are hooked by the pace of the story and the visual extravaganza displayed on screen. This evocation of the Spanish Civil War is completely original, while bitter and ironic : the biggest laugh of the film comes right after the recreation of a true dramatic event that shook Spanish people in 1973; you shouldn't miss it. Introducing the gorgeous Carolina Bang as Natalia, "Balada..." is full of sincerity and passion. There is also nice VFX work during the 20-minute climax.
Summary: As unlikely as it seems, "Balada Triste de Trompeta" = "Pan's Labyrinth" + "Inglourious Basterds" + "Micmacs". Not as unforgettable as the first ones, it still left me flabbergasted.
Rating: 6+/10
|
Q&A with Álex de la Iglesia
Director Alex de la Iglesia introduced us to the film ("I hope I will not make you lose 2 hours of your time. If so, you can throw stones at me.") At the end of the projection, he stayed for a Q&A session. Here are my questions: (I tried to transcript the exchange the best I could) MP: How did you react to the Best Director & Best Screenplay awards you won at Venice ? De la Iglesia: I was in a state of shock. The film team was with me and we celebrated by heading to Piazza San Marco and getting drunk. [laughs] MP: What does it mean to you, winning these awards for this very film ? De la Iglesia: Writing is such a long and painful process; this screenwriting award really means special to me, moreover this is the first film I wrote on my own. In a sense, I'm glad I won these awards and not the Golden Lion, because these are more specific acknowledgements. During the half-an-hour discussion, De la Iglesia also stressed the fact that writing this film was a difficult experience ("but that was definitely worth it"), as he searched through decades of Spanish history, reliving again the 70's and the end of the Franco regime that he remembers as a child ("from the outside, it really looked like a circus").In this regard, the set of the film climax evokes Franco in a direct, hard-to-swallow way; it is something that non-Spanish people may have a hard time figuring out and that conveys a lot of depth and emotion.Finally, De la Iglesia thanked his French producers who were also present among us, and unveiled some secrets around the shooting of "The Oxford Murders" and his adaptation of "Blake & Mortimer". Have a nice weekend,Your Minister. |
 September 14, 2010 - Photo by Matt Carr/Getty Images North America |
Arnaud Trouvé on the Oscar chances of The Tree of Life (11/5/28)
While writing my review of "The Tree of Life", I felt I was living again the experience of the film and my opinion of it was unfolding in front of me.
I can't help but praise Terrence Malick for the sheer ambition of his work.
After last year's "Uncle Boonmee", the Palme d'Or is once again a world in itself, a "film-cerveau" ("film-brain") like Deleuze would say.
I can't help but praise Terrence Malick for the sheer ambition of his work.
After last year's "Uncle Boonmee", the Palme d'Or is once again a world in itself, a "film-cerveau" ("film-brain") like Deleuze would say.
 |
I think Brad Pitt has a shot for an Oscar nomination. This is how I would rank the film's chances:
- Picture ** - Director *** - Leading Actor (Brad Pitt) * - Editing ** - Cinematography *** - Art Direction ** - Costume Design * - Original Score * The film may fly way above the Academy's head. But I am already convinced that "The Tree of Life" is one of the 10 cinematic achievements of 2011, so I hope for a Best Picture nod. |
An Interview with Arnaud Trouvé (april 2011)
First, let me briefly introduce myself:
With a scientific background (mathematics/physics), I graduated from University of Marne-La-Vallée (East of Paris) in 2007 with a master's degree in multimedia/audiovisual. I did an internship in the studios Duran-Duboi (Amélie, A Very Long Engagement), then worked several months as a software GUI designer.
I've been now working for BUF, a Paris-based VFX company, for almost 3 years. From the mid-eighties, BUF has become famous for its innovative creations and work on big-budget films (Fight Club, The Matrix Reloaded, The Dark Knight) as well as on more confidential art-house movies, clips and designs. As a matter of fact, BUF invented the "bullet-time" effect for a 1995 Rolling Stones clip directed by Michel Gondry.
My job is to manage the core production tracking development team. I am responsible for pipeline developments that impact the entire company including the central asset management system.
Daily concerns are: what is the best way to share data with VFX supervisors, producers and graphic artists ? How can we follow up with the amount of information provided by every project, whether it be a commercial, animated short, of VFX-driven feature film ?
1. What is the toughest part about working on the VFX for a film?
Tight schedules are a common threat in the industry, and one must learn to be as competitive as possible. There is always a balance to find between artistry and increasingly demanding projects and techniques. For my part, pipeline modifications, though crucial, must be handled carefully. People tend to get used to work habits, good or bad, and it's always tricky to introduce new ways of dealing with things. The key is collaborating and communicating.
2. What skills does working on VFX require?
I would say that the needed skills mainly depend on your position on the project, whether you're a graphic artist or a producer, for example. As a whole, you have to be aware of the new trends in the ever-evolving cinema world. You also need to be reactive and propose new things, because let's face it, there's always something to do.
3. How was working on the VFX for Thor different to working on the VFX for other films? Did the films conversion into 3D change the way you worked on it?
I got involved in "Thor" a year ago; a lot of tests has already been done. The space travel sequence was a pretty big deal in terms of techniques and time length, and a challenging opportunity for BUF to break new grounds. I had to incorporate all the material that has been created into the new asset management system. Some things were matching, others not, and solutions had to be found on the go. As I loaded more and more data into the system, I came to realize this was the biggest project I have ever worked on. The two sequels of Luc Besson's "Arthur and the Invisibles" were huge projects too, but post-production was already on its way when I started working on them and these were BUF co-productions, so a little less intimidating.
A new feature I'm glad I succeeded in developing for "Thor" is the automatic generation of reviews and reports. Whenever a graphic artist wishes to present his work to his supervisors, he must prepare a kind of "previs" that includes movies, image sequences and comments. These little presentations are then uploaded onto the system and shared to everyone. An awful lot of time was spent by VFX supervisors to find the work needed to be validated among the dozens of new previs created every day. With my new technique, a simple option allows you to "copy" your presentation, so it is automatically added in a special directory for the Marvel reviews. No more searching.
As for 3D conversion, BUF software has been able to handle stereoscopic work for a while now. Some tests were made here, but the majority of "Thor"'s conversion into 3D was handled by the company StereoD.
4: What is the best thing about working on VFX?
Meeting new people. It is a privilege to discuss with graphic artists and be a part of a process that, from raw footage and green screens, will finally end on the big screen.
On a personal note, I love discovering I can actually affect the way things go and improve people's daily work day. On a recent meeting with Geoffrey Niquet (Technical Director on "Thor" and CEO Pierre Buffin's long-time associate), he told me the automatic generation of reviews was a great help during the making of "Thor" and it will be used in all future BUF projects. That kind of moment is priceless.
5. What advice would you give to people who would like to do VFX work?
I suggest you watch a lot of movies and start to think about the artistry behind them. You can also watch DVD bonuses and visit VFX company websites. With the profusion of tutorials and social networks on the Internet, you can quickly get involved in the making of a film and learn your first tricks on the most widely used softwares in the VFX world: Maya, 3D Studio Max, After Effects, Nuke, Shake, RenderMan, etc. If you have graphic skills, don't forget to set up a demo reel. Don't waste your time with fancy music: most of the reels are watched with sound off.
6. Do you think there is too much VFX in films nowadays?
I don't think so, I'm more reluctant towards movies that rely too much on VFX to carry their story. It's amazing to consider how VFX has become a huge part of the film industry. We are now able to create literally anything on screen, from CG characters to facial expressions, set extensions, color schemes, etc. But VFX are only a tool, and the point is how you use them.
7. What do you think is the best way to use the advantages of VFX? In a subtle way like how David Fincher used it in The Social Network? Or in a more explicit way such as the Transformers films?
You couldn't choose a better example: I'm a huge fan of David Fincher's work. "Fight Club" started it all in 1999; this was also how I discovered BUF's work. The way Fincher deals with computer-generated images while tackling ambitious topics never ceases to amaze me. The rowing sequence in "The Social Network" is gorgeous and Armie Hammer playing the twins is mesmerizing.
"Transformers" is a lot of fun (I only saw the first one) but there are some times when I feel like I'm watching a VFX company demo reel. Same can be said for this year's "Sucker Punch".
"Jurassic Park", "Inception", "The Lord of the Rings", "Black Swan" : these are wonderful blends of VFX work and good story-telling. "Alien" and "Signs" are captivating too, although you almost see no special or visual effect until the end of the movie. In the end, I think it always comes down to the sincerity and quality of your story.
8. What are you working on next?
"Marsupilami", an adaptation of a famous French comics, and "The Grandmasters", the latest film by Wong Kar-Wai. If you like VFX for big art-house names, you should definitely check out Gaspar Noé's "Enter the Void", which BUF co-produced in 2009.
Thank you for your interest.
You can contact me via my personal website.
With a scientific background (mathematics/physics), I graduated from University of Marne-La-Vallée (East of Paris) in 2007 with a master's degree in multimedia/audiovisual. I did an internship in the studios Duran-Duboi (Amélie, A Very Long Engagement), then worked several months as a software GUI designer.
I've been now working for BUF, a Paris-based VFX company, for almost 3 years. From the mid-eighties, BUF has become famous for its innovative creations and work on big-budget films (Fight Club, The Matrix Reloaded, The Dark Knight) as well as on more confidential art-house movies, clips and designs. As a matter of fact, BUF invented the "bullet-time" effect for a 1995 Rolling Stones clip directed by Michel Gondry.
My job is to manage the core production tracking development team. I am responsible for pipeline developments that impact the entire company including the central asset management system.
Daily concerns are: what is the best way to share data with VFX supervisors, producers and graphic artists ? How can we follow up with the amount of information provided by every project, whether it be a commercial, animated short, of VFX-driven feature film ?
1. What is the toughest part about working on the VFX for a film?
Tight schedules are a common threat in the industry, and one must learn to be as competitive as possible. There is always a balance to find between artistry and increasingly demanding projects and techniques. For my part, pipeline modifications, though crucial, must be handled carefully. People tend to get used to work habits, good or bad, and it's always tricky to introduce new ways of dealing with things. The key is collaborating and communicating.
2. What skills does working on VFX require?
I would say that the needed skills mainly depend on your position on the project, whether you're a graphic artist or a producer, for example. As a whole, you have to be aware of the new trends in the ever-evolving cinema world. You also need to be reactive and propose new things, because let's face it, there's always something to do.
3. How was working on the VFX for Thor different to working on the VFX for other films? Did the films conversion into 3D change the way you worked on it?
I got involved in "Thor" a year ago; a lot of tests has already been done. The space travel sequence was a pretty big deal in terms of techniques and time length, and a challenging opportunity for BUF to break new grounds. I had to incorporate all the material that has been created into the new asset management system. Some things were matching, others not, and solutions had to be found on the go. As I loaded more and more data into the system, I came to realize this was the biggest project I have ever worked on. The two sequels of Luc Besson's "Arthur and the Invisibles" were huge projects too, but post-production was already on its way when I started working on them and these were BUF co-productions, so a little less intimidating.
A new feature I'm glad I succeeded in developing for "Thor" is the automatic generation of reviews and reports. Whenever a graphic artist wishes to present his work to his supervisors, he must prepare a kind of "previs" that includes movies, image sequences and comments. These little presentations are then uploaded onto the system and shared to everyone. An awful lot of time was spent by VFX supervisors to find the work needed to be validated among the dozens of new previs created every day. With my new technique, a simple option allows you to "copy" your presentation, so it is automatically added in a special directory for the Marvel reviews. No more searching.
As for 3D conversion, BUF software has been able to handle stereoscopic work for a while now. Some tests were made here, but the majority of "Thor"'s conversion into 3D was handled by the company StereoD.
4: What is the best thing about working on VFX?
Meeting new people. It is a privilege to discuss with graphic artists and be a part of a process that, from raw footage and green screens, will finally end on the big screen.
On a personal note, I love discovering I can actually affect the way things go and improve people's daily work day. On a recent meeting with Geoffrey Niquet (Technical Director on "Thor" and CEO Pierre Buffin's long-time associate), he told me the automatic generation of reviews was a great help during the making of "Thor" and it will be used in all future BUF projects. That kind of moment is priceless.
5. What advice would you give to people who would like to do VFX work?
I suggest you watch a lot of movies and start to think about the artistry behind them. You can also watch DVD bonuses and visit VFX company websites. With the profusion of tutorials and social networks on the Internet, you can quickly get involved in the making of a film and learn your first tricks on the most widely used softwares in the VFX world: Maya, 3D Studio Max, After Effects, Nuke, Shake, RenderMan, etc. If you have graphic skills, don't forget to set up a demo reel. Don't waste your time with fancy music: most of the reels are watched with sound off.
6. Do you think there is too much VFX in films nowadays?
I don't think so, I'm more reluctant towards movies that rely too much on VFX to carry their story. It's amazing to consider how VFX has become a huge part of the film industry. We are now able to create literally anything on screen, from CG characters to facial expressions, set extensions, color schemes, etc. But VFX are only a tool, and the point is how you use them.
7. What do you think is the best way to use the advantages of VFX? In a subtle way like how David Fincher used it in The Social Network? Or in a more explicit way such as the Transformers films?
You couldn't choose a better example: I'm a huge fan of David Fincher's work. "Fight Club" started it all in 1999; this was also how I discovered BUF's work. The way Fincher deals with computer-generated images while tackling ambitious topics never ceases to amaze me. The rowing sequence in "The Social Network" is gorgeous and Armie Hammer playing the twins is mesmerizing.
"Transformers" is a lot of fun (I only saw the first one) but there are some times when I feel like I'm watching a VFX company demo reel. Same can be said for this year's "Sucker Punch".
"Jurassic Park", "Inception", "The Lord of the Rings", "Black Swan" : these are wonderful blends of VFX work and good story-telling. "Alien" and "Signs" are captivating too, although you almost see no special or visual effect until the end of the movie. In the end, I think it always comes down to the sincerity and quality of your story.
8. What are you working on next?
"Marsupilami", an adaptation of a famous French comics, and "The Grandmasters", the latest film by Wong Kar-Wai. If you like VFX for big art-house names, you should definitely check out Gaspar Noé's "Enter the Void", which BUF co-produced in 2009.
Thank you for your interest.
You can contact me via my personal website.
Movie Parliament 2011 Awards (so far)
FilmThe Beaver
Hanna Midnight in Paris A Separation Take Shelter The Skin I Live In Source Code Tomboy The Tree of Life X-Men: First Class |
DirectorPedro Almodóvar - The Skin I Live In
Sean Durkin - Martha Marcy May Marlene Duncan Jones - Source Code Terrence Malick - The Tree of Life Céline Sciamma - Tomboy |
ActressElena Anaya - The Skin I Live In
Leila Hatami - A Separation Saoirse Ronan - Hanna |
ActorLior Ashkenazi - Footnote
Mel Gibson - The Beaver Michael Shannon - Take Shelter Owen Wilson - Midnight in Paris |
Supporting Actress
Jodie Foster - The Beaver
Marisa Paredes - The Skin I Live In Song Sun Mi - The Day He Arrives |
Supporting Actor
Adrien Brody - Midnight in Paris
Michael Fassbender - X-Men: First Class John Hawkes - Martha Marcy May Marlene Shahab Hosseini - A Separation Brad Pitt - The Tree of Life |
Promising Actress
Sareh Bayat - A Separation
Jessica Chastain - Take Shelter Sarina Farhadi - A Separation Zoé Héran - Tomboy Elizabeth Olsen - Martha Marcy May Marlene |
Promising Actor
Jan Cornet - The Skin I Live In
Hunter McCracken - The Tree of Life Peyman Moaadi - A Separation Corey Stoll - Midnight in Paris |
Original Screenplay
The Beaver
Footnote Midnight in Paris A Separation Tomboy |
Adapted Screenplay
The Skin I Live In
X-Men: First Class |
Editing
A Separation
The Skin I Live In Source Code The Tree of Life X-Men: First Class |
Art Direction
Midnight in Paris
Sucker Punch Thor The Tree of Life X-Men: First Class |
Cinematography
Midnight in Paris
The Skin I Live In Sucker Punch The Tree of Life |
Costume Design
Midnight in Paris
Sucker Punch Thor The Tree of Life X-Men: First Class |
Hair & Make-Up
The Skin I Live In
Thor X-Men: First Class |
Sound
Sucker Punch
Thor Transformers: Dark of the Moon The Tree of Life X-Men: First Class |
Score
The Skin I Live In
Take Shelter The Tree of Life X-Men: First Class |
Song
Where's My Mind ? - Sucker Punch
La Zagada - Case Départ |
Visual Effects
Sucker Punch
Thor Transformers: Dark of the Moon The Tree of Life X-Men: First Class |
Animated Film
Cars 2
Kung Fu Panda 2 Rango Rio |
Awards Page (in construction)
