As a movie lover, one of the most wonderful pleasures of this passion is discovering new filmmakers with their own identity, style, and message. There’s almost always something special about a feature film debut from an unknown director, but when it’s from a highly popular actor with an overwhelmingly positive public opinion, the expectations surrounding the movie inevitably change. Dev Patel directs, writes – along with Paul Angunawela and John Collee (Hotel Mumbai) – produces, and stars in Monkey Man, whose story described as “John Wick in Mumbai” was deemed too heavy for the Indian audience by Netflix, prompting Jordan Peele (Get Out) to watch it, buy it, and give it a theatrical release window, so impressed he was.
Monkey Man tells the story of Kid (Patel), a young man who tries to survive night after night in an underground fight club where, while wearing a monkey mask, he’s...
Monkey Man tells the story of Kid (Patel), a young man who tries to survive night after night in an underground fight club where, while wearing a monkey mask, he’s...
- 4/7/2024
- by Manuel Sao Bento
- Talking Films
History may not look more favorably upon many directorial debuts than Dev Patel’s inaugural feature Monkey Man. The film is both a wholly entertaining action film and an emotional, rewarding tale of revenge and dramatic character growth and development.
The story of Monkey Man concerns itself with the legend of something called Hanuman – which is the embodiment of strength and courage – that is supposed to serve as a vessel of retribution for those unable to achieve so themselves. At this point, the character of Kid (Patel) is introduced as a young man trying to earn a living participating in an illegal fight club wearing a gorilla mask. Through a series of flashbacks, it is revealed that Kid has been scarred by some rather brutal childhood traumas. The result of these incidents initiates and fuels his methodical quest for revenge against the men who destroyed the idyllic life he once enjoyed.
The story of Monkey Man concerns itself with the legend of something called Hanuman – which is the embodiment of strength and courage – that is supposed to serve as a vessel of retribution for those unable to achieve so themselves. At this point, the character of Kid (Patel) is introduced as a young man trying to earn a living participating in an illegal fight club wearing a gorilla mask. Through a series of flashbacks, it is revealed that Kid has been scarred by some rather brutal childhood traumas. The result of these incidents initiates and fuels his methodical quest for revenge against the men who destroyed the idyllic life he once enjoyed.
- 4/6/2024
- by Mike Tyrkus
- CinemaNerdz
With a premise that is as simple or as complex as you’d like it to be, Monkey Man anoints Dev Patel as a new action director and star. Filmed on location in Mumbai and Indonesia in the height of the Covid pandemic and saved from a Netflix direct-to-streaming deal by Jordan Peele and Universal, this film about reinvention bursts with the same frenetic energy of a Danny Boyle or John Woo picture, with Patel––co-writer, director, star, and sometimes camera operator––throwing everything he has at the screen, and then some.
The plot, on one level, is a simple revenge tale unfolding for reasons revealed at the narrative’s midpoint. Inspired by the Hindu myth of Hanuman Patel’s unnamed Kid embraces this persona in wrestling matches that have left him battle-tested before he undergoes a profound spiritual awakening. The training comes in handy when he plots his big...
The plot, on one level, is a simple revenge tale unfolding for reasons revealed at the narrative’s midpoint. Inspired by the Hindu myth of Hanuman Patel’s unnamed Kid embraces this persona in wrestling matches that have left him battle-tested before he undergoes a profound spiritual awakening. The training comes in handy when he plots his big...
- 3/12/2024
- by John Fink
- The Film Stage
Focus Features has bought international rights to Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist,” starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce and Joe Alwyn, Variety has learned.
Corbet, who sits on the Berlinale jury, penned the film with Mona Fastvold (“The World to Come”), a Norwegian filmmaker who is also his wife. The film charts 30 years in the lives of visionary architect László Toth and his wife, Erzsébet, who flee post-war Europe in 1947 and witness the birth of modern America. László initially endures poverty and indignity, but the architect’s genius soon catches the attention of charming industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren, whose dark influence threatens to destroy everything László and his wife have built.
The cast is completed by Raffey Cassidy (“White Noise”), Isaach De Bankolé (“Casino Royale”), Alessandro Nivola (“The Many Saints of Newark”), Stacy Martin (“Nymphomaniac Vol I”), Emma Laird (“Mayor of Kingstown”), Jonathan Hyde (“Titanic”) and Peter Polycarpou...
Corbet, who sits on the Berlinale jury, penned the film with Mona Fastvold (“The World to Come”), a Norwegian filmmaker who is also his wife. The film charts 30 years in the lives of visionary architect László Toth and his wife, Erzsébet, who flee post-war Europe in 1947 and witness the birth of modern America. László initially endures poverty and indignity, but the architect’s genius soon catches the attention of charming industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren, whose dark influence threatens to destroy everything László and his wife have built.
The cast is completed by Raffey Cassidy (“White Noise”), Isaach De Bankolé (“Casino Royale”), Alessandro Nivola (“The Many Saints of Newark”), Stacy Martin (“Nymphomaniac Vol I”), Emma Laird (“Mayor of Kingstown”), Jonathan Hyde (“Titanic”) and Peter Polycarpou...
- 2/17/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Brady Corbet has debuted the next star-studded cast for his upcoming feature.
The “Vox Lux” and “Childhood Of a Leader” director helms and co-writes “The Brutalist,” starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, and Joe Alwyn. IndieWire can confirm that Alessandro Nivola, Raffey Cassidy, Isaach De Bankolé, Stacy Martin, Jonathan Hyde, and Peter Polycarpou also star.
“The Brutalist” follows architect László Toth (Brody) and his wife Erzsébet (Jones) as they flee post-war Europe and restart their lives in America. Yet a mysteriously wealthy client (Pearce) complicates their plans. The film captures 30 years of László Toth’s life, charting an epic saga and an unconventional love story that take László and Erzsébet to both monumental heights and devastating lows.
Corbet co-wrote the script with partner Mona Fastvold (“The World To Come”). Principal photography has begun in Hungary as of April 2023. Director of photography Lol Crawley (“White Noise”), composer Daniel Blumberg (“The World To Come...
The “Vox Lux” and “Childhood Of a Leader” director helms and co-writes “The Brutalist,” starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, and Joe Alwyn. IndieWire can confirm that Alessandro Nivola, Raffey Cassidy, Isaach De Bankolé, Stacy Martin, Jonathan Hyde, and Peter Polycarpou also star.
“The Brutalist” follows architect László Toth (Brody) and his wife Erzsébet (Jones) as they flee post-war Europe and restart their lives in America. Yet a mysteriously wealthy client (Pearce) complicates their plans. The film captures 30 years of László Toth’s life, charting an epic saga and an unconventional love story that take László and Erzsébet to both monumental heights and devastating lows.
Corbet co-wrote the script with partner Mona Fastvold (“The World To Come”). Principal photography has begun in Hungary as of April 2023. Director of photography Lol Crawley (“White Noise”), composer Daniel Blumberg (“The World To Come...
- 4/11/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Oscar winner Adrien Brody (The Pianist), Oscar nominee Felicity Jones (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Emmy winner Guy Pearce (Mare of Easttown) and Conversations With Friends and The Favourite star Joe Alwyn are among cast confirmed for Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist.
Principal photography began in recent weeks in Hungary with cast also comprising Raffey Cassidy (White Noise), Isaach De Bankolé (Casino Royale), Alessandro Nivola (The Many Saints Of Newark), Stacy Martin (Nymphomaniac Vol I), Jonathan Hyde (Titanic), and Peter Polycarpou (Evita).
Word has been seeping out on social media and on blogs (including our friends at World Of Reel) about some of the rumoured casting but this is the first official confirmation from the production about the new configuration of the project we first revealed three years ago.
Co-written by Vox Lux and Childhood Of A Leader filmmaker Corbet with partner Mona Fastvold (The World To Come...
Principal photography began in recent weeks in Hungary with cast also comprising Raffey Cassidy (White Noise), Isaach De Bankolé (Casino Royale), Alessandro Nivola (The Many Saints Of Newark), Stacy Martin (Nymphomaniac Vol I), Jonathan Hyde (Titanic), and Peter Polycarpou (Evita).
Word has been seeping out on social media and on blogs (including our friends at World Of Reel) about some of the rumoured casting but this is the first official confirmation from the production about the new configuration of the project we first revealed three years ago.
Co-written by Vox Lux and Childhood Of A Leader filmmaker Corbet with partner Mona Fastvold (The World To Come...
- 4/11/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Get in touch to send in cinephile news and discoveries. For daily updates follow us @NotebookMUBI.NEWSAbove: Casting board Polaroids from Heat (1995). (Courtesy of Michael Mann)Michael Mann's debut novel is titled Heat 2, which is both a prequel and sequel to his 1995 classic crime thriller. Co-written with novelist Meg Gardiner, Heat 2 will be published on August 9 through the HarperCollins-based Michael Mann Books imprint. Jonas Mekas 100! is a program dedicated to honoring the influential critic, writer, and filmmaker Jonas Mekas. The events of the program are currently underway and are taking place worldwide, from Sweden to Taiwan, with a focus on "[expanding] global recognition of his work." Bong Joon-ho is moving forward with his next English-language film, an adaptation of Edward Ashton's upcoming science fiction novel Mickey7, with Robert Pattinson set to star. The book is about a "disposable employee" on a space colony base who refuses to be replaced by a clone.
- 1/26/2022
- MUBI
When Vanessa Kirby went from starring in “The World to Come” to “Pieces of a Woman,” she had the rare gift of working with Dávid Jancsó for 18 months, because Jancsó ended up as the editor on both films.
Kirby first met Jancsó during an Adr session. “I remember thinking, ‘He’s going to see me in this red wig [on ‘The World to Come’] and all these takes of this character who is external, expressive and filled with big energy. And on ‘Pieces of a Woman,’ it was the opposite.” Kirby adds she felt vulnerable, but it was then that the close relationship between the actor and the editor formed. “You’re both crafting the performance,” she says.
Adds Jancsó, “We are there to protect your character and you.”
Kirby, a contender in the Best Actress race, sat down with Jancsó to discuss the collaboration between actor and editor and the art of the cut.
Kirby first met Jancsó during an Adr session. “I remember thinking, ‘He’s going to see me in this red wig [on ‘The World to Come’] and all these takes of this character who is external, expressive and filled with big energy. And on ‘Pieces of a Woman,’ it was the opposite.” Kirby adds she felt vulnerable, but it was then that the close relationship between the actor and the editor formed. “You’re both crafting the performance,” she says.
Adds Jancsó, “We are there to protect your character and you.”
Kirby, a contender in the Best Actress race, sat down with Jancsó to discuss the collaboration between actor and editor and the art of the cut.
- 3/3/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Director Mona Fastvold’s second feature film The World to Come is an adaptation of a Jim Shepard short story of the same name. The film follows Abigail (Katherine Waterston), a well-read 19th century wife living in upstate New York who has grown frustrated with the humdrum of provincial life. She soon begins a love affair with her new neighbor Tallie (Vanessa Kirby). Editor Dávid Jancsó tells us of the film’s meticulous editing style, the influence of Daniel Blumberg’s score on the process, and his prior collaborations with Fastvold. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the editor of your […]
The post "Treat the Ptsd That Comes from Filming": Editor Dávid Jancsó on The World to Come first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post "Treat the Ptsd That Comes from Filming": Editor Dávid Jancsó on The World to Come first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/2/2021
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Director Mona Fastvold’s second feature film The World to Come is an adaptation of a Jim Shepard short story of the same name. The film follows Abigail (Katherine Waterston), a well-read 19th century wife living in upstate New York who has grown frustrated with the humdrum of provincial life. She soon begins a love affair with her new neighbor Tallie (Vanessa Kirby). Editor Dávid Jancsó tells us of the film’s meticulous editing style, the influence of Daniel Blumberg’s score on the process, and his prior collaborations with Fastvold. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the editor of your […]
The post "Treat the Ptsd That Comes from Filming": Editor Dávid Jancsó on The World to Come first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post "Treat the Ptsd That Comes from Filming": Editor Dávid Jancsó on The World to Come first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/2/2021
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Awards season has begun in earnest now that it’s January and several critics groups have weighed in, giving love to contenders such as “Nomadland,” “Mank” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7.”
But work in other films is also deserving, and some of the most striking aspects of the contenders are in cinematography, production design, costume design and editing, all contributing powerfully to the mise-en-scène. To kick off the year, Variety’s awards team of Jazz Tangcay, Clayton Davis, Tim Gray and Jenelle Riley highlight artisans flying below the radar.
Greyhound, Production design, David Crank
Crank re-created a World War II battleship for the Tom Hanks-starring film. He captures the claustrophobia of life aboard the vessel in the living quarters of Hanks’ Capt. Krause and in the sonic room, in which the crew tracks the formation of U-boats trying to destroy the USS Keeling, code-named Greyhound, in a battle on the Atlantic.
But work in other films is also deserving, and some of the most striking aspects of the contenders are in cinematography, production design, costume design and editing, all contributing powerfully to the mise-en-scène. To kick off the year, Variety’s awards team of Jazz Tangcay, Clayton Davis, Tim Gray and Jenelle Riley highlight artisans flying below the radar.
Greyhound, Production design, David Crank
Crank re-created a World War II battleship for the Tom Hanks-starring film. He captures the claustrophobia of life aboard the vessel in the living quarters of Hanks’ Capt. Krause and in the sonic room, in which the crew tracks the formation of U-boats trying to destroy the USS Keeling, code-named Greyhound, in a battle on the Atlantic.
- 1/6/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay, Jenelle Riley, Clayton Davis and Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
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