Alfonso Cuarón to Adapt Renee Knight’s Novel “Disclaimer” as an Apple TV+ Series

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Alfonso Cuarón is releasing a disclaimer…

The 60-year-old Mexican Oscar-winning filmmaker will adapt Renee Knight’s novel Disclaimer as a series for Apple TV+ with Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline starring.

The project marks the first series from the Roma filmmaker since he signed an overall deal with the streamer in 2019. It also marks a series debut for Sophie’s Choice and A Fish Called Wanda star Kline.

Cuarón will write, direct and executive produce all episodes of the series, marking the first time that he has written and directed all episodes of an original series. Blanchett will also executive produce.

Blanchett plays Catherine Ravenscroft, a successful and respected television documentary journalist whose work has been built on revealing the concealed transgressions of long-respected institutions. When an intriguing novel written by a widower, played by Kline, appears on her bedside table, she is horrified to realize she is a key character in a story that she had hoped was long buried in the past. A story that reveals her darkest secret. A secret she thought was hers alone.

Disclaimer is produced by Cuarón’s Esperanto Filmoj and Anonymous Content. Academy Award-winner Emmanuel Lubezki (Gravity) and Academy Award nominee Bruno Delbonnel (The Tragedy of Macbeth) will serve as directors of photography on the project. Cuarón serves as executive producer alongside Esperanto Filmoj’s Gabriela Rodriguez and Anonymous Content’s David Levine, Dawn Olmstead and the late Steve Golin. Renee Knight serves as co-executive producer.

Emmanuel Lubezki Partners with Kind for “No More Deaths” Campaign

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Emmanuel Lubezki is using his talents to spread a message of empathy…

The 53-year-old Mexican cinematographer, a three-time Academy Award winner, has partnered with Kind to produce a video for the granola bar company’s new campaign.

Lubezki, of Birdman, Gravity and The Revenant fame, personally interprets the difference between nice and kind through the eyes of volunteers from No More Deaths.

Diverting the focus from the many militia groups on the Mexico-US border, Lubezki’s short, More Than Nice, follows volunteers from the humanitarian group as they walk through the Sonoran Desert leaving jugs of water for migrants attempting to cross.

Their objective is not to encourage nor deter people from crossing, but simply to save lives. Although seemingly small, the group’s actions make a real difference for those in desperate situations facing harsh natural conditions.

“I was struck not just by the incredible courage but also by the tremendous empathy that these volunteers had, going out of their way to protect the well-being of fellow human beings they may never meet,” said Lubezki for Kind’s website.

The issue hits home not only for Lubezki, but also for KIND CEO Daniel Lubetzky – both are Jewish-Mexican immigrants who have used their respective platforms to connect people, expand understanding and strengthen communities.

To learn more about No More Deaths visit: www.nomoredeaths.org KIND is inviting people to share their own take on the difference between nice and kind by submitting a written essay, photo or video.

A panel of judges, made up of entrepreneurs, creatives, journalists and activists will select three winners who will receive $25,000 to donate to the charity of their choice, along with resources, including cash prizes and photography/videography gear to help fund their next creative project.

Alejandro G. Inarritu to Receive Special Oscar for His Virtual Reality Installation “Carne y Arena”

Posted on October 29, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Alejandro G. Inarritu is getting a special Oscar…

The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has voted to give a special honorary Oscar to the 54-year-old Mexican filmmaker’s extraordinary virtual reality installation Carne y Arena.

It will be presented at the upcoming Governors Awards on November 11 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland.

This joins previously announced Governors Award honorees this year including actor Donald Sutherland, director Agnes Varda, cinematographer Owen Roizman and filmmaker Charles Burnett.

In making the announcement of the Oscar to this unique achievement — full name: Carne y Arena (Virtually Present, Physically Invisible) — the Academy said it was in recognition of a visionary and powerful experience in storytelling. It was first unveiled at this year’s Cannes Film Festival in May in a nearby airport hangar where I was among the lucky ones to experience it. And experience is the word.

“The Governors of the Academy are proud to present a special Oscar to Carne y Arena, in which Alejandro Iñárritu and his cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki have opened for us new doors of cinematic perception,” said Academy president John Bailey. “Carne y Arena, Iñárritu’s multimedia art and cinema experience, is a deeply emotional and physically immersive venture into the world of migrants crossing the desert of the American southwest in early dawn light. More than even a creative breakthrough in the still emerging form of virtual reality, it viscerally connects us to the hot-button political and social realities of the U.S.-Mexico border.”

Los Angeles residents currently have the opportunity to see Carne y Arena as it is on display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, as well as at Fondazione Prada in Milan, and Tlatelolco Cultural Center in Mexico City. It’s a collaboration between Iñárritu, Lubezki, producer Mary Parent, Legendary Entertainment, Fondazione Prada, ILMxLAB, and Emerson Collective.

The Oscar will be Inarritu’s fifth Academy Award. He won three for Birdman including Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay as well as becoming only the second helmer in 65 years to win back-to-back awards when he won Director again for 2015’s The Revenant.

Gonzalez Inarritu Developing Virtual Reality Short About Immigrants Crossing the U.S./Mexico Border

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is planning to shed some light on immigrant experience…

The two-time Mexican Oscar-winning director is working on a virtual reality short, one that he’s been developing for four years.

The short is being produced and financed by Legendary Entertainment and Fondazione Prada, which announced it. ILMxLAB, Lucasfilm’s recently established Immersive Entertainment division, will build the virtual world and characters.

Gonzalez Inarritu will work once again with Oscar-winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki in what is described as an experiment for their first time within a space narrative in this new visual medium.

The immersive virtual reality piece will explore the intense and excruciating experience of a group of immigrants and refugees crossing the border between Mexico and the U.S.

The companies haven’t disclosed their plans for releasing the project.

Isaac Earns First Acting Critics’ Choice Awards Nomination

Posted on December 13, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Oscar Isaac is getting a heroes reception…

The 36-year-old Guatemalan and Cuban American actor is among the Latino talents earning a Critics’ Choice Awards nomination.

Isaac earned his nod in the Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series for his performance in the HBO miniseries Show Me a Hero. It’s his first nomination in an acting category. He previously was nominated in the Song category for co-penning “Please Mr. Kennedy” for the film Inside Llewyn Davis with Adam Driver and Justin Timberlake.

Gina Rodriguez, who earned a Golden Globe earlier this year, picked up her second consecutive nomination in the Actress in a Comedy Series category for her starring role in The CW’s Jane the Virgin.

Rodriguez’s Jane the Virgin co-star Jamie Camil picked up his second nod in the Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series category for his role as Rodriguez’s onscreen father. He’ll face off against Mel Rodriguez, who received his nomination for his performance on HBO’s Getting On.

In the film section, Alejandro González Iñárritu earned a nod in the Director category for helming the western drama/thriller The Revenant, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy. The Mexican filmmaker was nominated last year in the same category for directing Birdman. He lost in that category, but took home the Screenplay trophy for the same film.

Meanwhile, the film’s lenser Emmanuel Lubezki received a nom in the Cinematography category. He’s the two-time reigning champion in the category after winning for his work on Gravity in 2014 and Birdman in 2015. He also won the prize in 2012 for The Tree of Life.

Paco Delgado picked up a nod in the Costume Design category for his work on The Danish Girl. He previously was nominated in 2013 for his work on Les Misérables.

Hosted by T.J. Miller, the awards show will be held on January 17 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. It will air simultaneously on A&E, Lifetime and LMN.

Here are the categories featuring Latino nominees for the 21st annual Critics’ Choice Awards:

MOVIE

DIRECTOR
Todd Haynes – Carol
Alejandro González Iñárritu – The Revenant
Tom McCarthy – Spotlight
George Miller – Mad Max: Fury Road
Ridley Scott – The Martian
Steven Spielberg – Bridge of Spies

CINEMATOGRAPHY
Carol – Ed Lachman
The Hateful Eight – Robert Richardson
Mad Max: Fury Road – John Seale
The Martian – Dariusz Wolski
The Revenant – Emmanuel Lubezki
Sicario – Roger Deakins

COSTUME DESIGN
Brooklyn – Odile Dicks-Mireaux
Carol – Sandy Powell
Cinderella – Sandy Powell
The Danish Girl – Paco Delgado
Mad Max: Fury Road – Jenny Beavan

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
The Assassin
Goodnight Mommy
Mustang
The Second Mother
Son of Saul

TELEVISION

ACTOR IN A MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION OR LIMITED SERIES
Wes Bentley – American Horror Story: Hotel – FX
Martin Clunes – Arthur & George – PBS
Idris Elba – Luther – BBC America
Oscar Isaac – Show Me a Hero – HBO
Vincent Kartheiser – Saints & Strangers – National Geographic Channel
Patrick Wilson – Fargo – FX

ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Rachel Bloom – Crazy Ex-Girlfriend – The CW
Aya Cash – You’re the Worst – FXX
Wendi McLendon-Covey – The Goldbergs – ABC
Gina Rodriguez – Jane the Virgin – The CW
Tracee Ellis Ross – Black-ish – ABC
Constance Wu – Fresh Off the Boat – ABC

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Andre Braugher – Brooklyn Nine-Nine – Fox
Jaime Camil – Jane the Virgin – The CW
Jay Duplass – Transparent – Amazon
Neil Flynn – The Middle – ABC
Keegan-Michael Key – Playing House – USA
Mel Rodriguez – Getting On – HBO

Broad Green Pictures to Distribute García’s “Last Days in the Desert”

Posted on September 9, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Rodrigo García’s latest project hasn’t seen its last days…

Broad Green Pictures has agreed to a deal to distribute the 56-year-old Colombian filmmaker and screenwriter’s drama Last Days in the Desert.

García’s project stars Ewan McGregor, who portrays both Jesus and the Devil in the film that highlights the work of Oscar-winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki.

Tye Sheridan, Ciarán Hinds and Ayelet Zure co-star in Last Days, which follows Jesus in an imagined chapter from his 40 days of fasting and praying in the desert. On his way out of the wilderness, he struggles with the Devil over the fate of an ordinary family in crisis, setting for himself a dramatic test with distinctly human conflicts.

Last Days In The Desert premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

The deal puts the film on the 2016 release slate in a partnership with Tugg and specialty marketing agency Different Drummer that will put the movie in non-theatrical spaces in local markets.

It’s the first collaboration between Broad Green — coming off the recent successful bow of its Robert Redford–Nick Nolte film A Walk In The Woods — and Tugg, after the former announced an investment in the crowdsourcing cinema-on-demand platform last year.

García’s previous projects include the films Mother and Child, Nine Lives, Albert Nobbs, and the television series In Treatment.

Cuarón to Preside Over the International Jury at This Year’s Venice Film Festival

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Alfonso Cuarón is ready to chair, and chair alike…

The 53-year-old Mexican director and Oscar-winner will chair the International Jury for the Competition at the 72nd Venice Film Festival in September.

The appointment by the board of directors comes two years after Cuarón’s Gravity opened the festival out of competition and one year after his friend Alejandro G. Inarritu raised the curtain with Birdman.

Both men went on to win the directing Academy Award (among others) for their respective films.

Two of Cuarón’s other Oscar nominated films have also premiered on the Lido: 2001’s Y Tu Mamà También and 2006’s Children Of Men. The former won the Osella Award for Best Screenplay and the Marcello Mastroianni Award (for stars Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna).

Children Of Men later won the Osella Award for Emmanuel Lubezki’s cinematography.

The Venice Film Festival runs from September 2-12.

González Iñárritu Takes Home Three Oscars, Including Best Picture, for “Birdman”

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

And just like that, Alejandro González Iñárritu is a three-time Oscar winner…

The 51-year-old Mexican filmmaker, who had previously come away empty-handed after four previous nominations, walked away with three golden statuettes as the 87th Academy Awards, becoming the first-ever three-time Latino Oscar winner in history.

González Iñárritu’s dark comedy Birdman was named Best Picture at the end of Sunday night’s telecast. The film, starring Michael Keaton, tells the story of a down-and-out actor looking to get back into the spotlight with a passion project on Broadway. The film was produced by González Iñárritu, John Lesher, Arnon Milchan and James W. Skotchdopole, who were on-hand to accept the award.

Additionally, González Iñárritu took home the prize for Best Director, a recognition of the awe-inspiring technical feat of making nearly the entire film appear to take place in a single shot, as well as a tip of the hat to his incredible career. He’s the second Latino director to win the prize, following Alfonso Cuarón’s win last year for Gravity.

González Iñárritu’s third Oscar came in the Best Original Screenplay for co-writing the script for Birdman with Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo.

In his acceptance speech, González Iñárritu mentioned issues facing Mexicans and Mexican Americans, “I pray that we can find & build a government that we deserve. And the ones that live in this country that they can be treated with the same dignity and respect as ones that came before in this great nation.”

Meanwhile, Birdman cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki won his second Oscar in two years. The Mexican cinematographer, a frequent collaborator of auteurs Terrence Malick and Cuarón, won his first Oscar for 2013’s Gravity, and brought his awe-inspiring single-take methodology back for Birdman.

Backstage following his acceptance speech, Lubezki stressed that the decision to shoot in one take was Gonzalez Iñarritú’s. “At first I told him I wasn’t interested, it sounded like a nightmare! But then he talked about the characters and why it had to be one shot. He captivated me. It was complex and hard; there’s no book on how to do it, but I have to say that the style was because Alejandro is a strong, curious artist.”

Lubezki Wins Best Cinematography Award at This Year’s BAFTA Awards

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Emmanuel Lubezki is a hit across the pond… again!

The Mexican cinematographer on Sunday won his second BAFTA Award in as many years.

During the film awards ceremony at the Royal Opera House in London, Lubezki picked up the cinematography award for his work on Alejandro G. Inarritu’s Birdman. The win comes one year after getting the same honor for his work on Alfonso Cuaron‘s Gravity.

At the Academy Awards in 2014, Lubezki won the cinematography award for his work on Gravity. He’s also nominated for the Academy Award this year and widely seen as a lead contender.

There has been only one back-to-back Oscar winner in the cinematography category. John Toll won in 1994 and 1995 for Legends of the Fall and Braveheart.

Lubezki also served as director of photography on Terrence Malick’s Knight of Cups, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival on Sunday.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

BEST FILM
BOYHOOD
Richard Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland

LEADING ACTRESS
JULIANNE MOORE
Still Alice

LEADING ACTOR
EDDIE REDMAYNE
The Theory of Everything

DIRECTOR
BOYHOOD
Richard Linklater

EE RISING STAR
Jack O’Connell

COSTUME DESIGN
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
Milena Canonero

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
Anthony McCarten

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
IDA
Pawel Pawlikowski, Eric Abraham, Piotr Dzieciol, Ewa Puszczynska

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
Wes Anderson

OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER
STEPHEN BERESFORD (Writer), DAVID LIVINGSTONE (Producer)
Pride

CINEMATOGRAPHY
BIRDMAN
Emmanuel Lubezki

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
PATRICIA ARQUETTE
Boyhood

SUPPORTING ACTOR
J.K. SIMMONS
Whiplash

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
INTERSTELLAR
Paul Franklin, Scott Fisher, Andrew Lockley, Ian Hunter

ANIMATED FILM
THE LEGO MOVIE
Phil Lord, Christopher Miller

SOUND
WHIPLASH
Thomas Curley, Ben Wilkins, Craig Mann

EDITING
WHIPLASH
Tom Cross

BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Chris Hees, Daisy Jacobs, Jennifer Majka

BRITISH SHORT FILM
BOOGALOO AND GRAHAM
Brian J. Falconer, Michael Lennox, Ronan Blaney

PRODUCTION DESIGN
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
Adam Stockhausen, Anna Pinnock

MAKE UP & HAIR
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
Frances Hannon

DOCUMENTARY
CITIZENFOUR
Laura Poitras

ORIGINAL MUSIC
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
Alexandre Desplat

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
James Marsh, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten

Sanchez Wins Critics’ Choice Movie Award for “Birdman”

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Antonio Sanchez is a critics’ choice…

The 43-year-old Mexican jazz drummer has won his first-ever Critics‘ Choice Movie Award from the Broadcast Film Critics Association.

Sanchez collected the trophy for Best Score during the 20th annual awards show, which was held at the Hollywood Palladium, for his acclaimed work on Alejandro González Iñárritu‘s Birdman.

González Iñárritu, meantime, took home the prize for Best Original Screenplay for co-penning his dark comedy with Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. and Armando Bo.

Emmanuel Lubezki picked up his second consecutive Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Cinematography. The Mexican cinematographer, who won the award last year for his work on Gravity, picked up the award this time around for his acclaimed work on Birdman.

In all, González Iñárritu’s Birdman won seven awards.

The Broadcast Film Critics Association honored cinematic achievement in 28 categories.

Here’s the complete list of winners of the 20th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards:

BEST PICTURE: Boyhood
BEST ACTOR: Michael Keaton, Birdman
BEST ACTRESS: Julianne Moore, Still Alice
BEST DIRECTOR: Richard Linklater, Boyhood
BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE : Birdman
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Gone Girl
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Birdman
BEST COMEDY: The Grand Budapest Hotel
BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY: Jenny Slate, Obvious Child
BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY: Michael Keaton, Birdman
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS : Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash
BEST SONG: “Glory,” Common/John Legend, Selma
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: The Lego Movie
BEST ACTION MOVIE: Guardians of the Galaxy
BEST ACTRESS IN AN ACTION MOVIE: Emily Blunt, Edge of Tomorrow
BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION MOVIE: Bradley Cooper, American Sniper
BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS: Ellar Coltrane, Boyhood
BEST SCI FI/HORROR MOVIE : Interstellar
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Life Itself
BEST CINEMATOGRAPY: Birdman, Emmanuel Lubezki
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
BEST EDITING: Birdman, Douglas Crise, Stephen Mirrione
BEST ART DIRECTION: The Grand Budapest Hotel, Adam Stockhausen/Production Designer, Anna Pinnock/Set Decorator
BEST COSTUME DESIGN : The Grand Budapest Hotel, Milena Canonero
BEST HAIR & MAKEUP: Guardians of the Galaxy
BEST SCORE: Antonio Sanchez, Birdman
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: Force Majeure (Sweden)

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