War, Inc. (2008)

Director:

Joshua Seftel

Writers (WGA):

Mark Leyner (written by) &
Jeremy Pikser (written by) ...
(more)

Release Date:

4 September 2008 (Israel)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Thriller

Tagline:

When it comes to war...America means business

Plot:

A political satire set in Turaqistan, a country occupied by an American private corporation run by a former US Vice-President...

Plot Keywords:

Corporation | Reporter | Assassin | Pop Star | Satire

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

John Cusack	...	Hauser
Hilary Duff	...	Yonica Babyyeah
Marisa Tomei	...	Natalie Hegalhuzen
Joan Cusack	...	Marsha Dillon
Dan Aykroyd	...	Mr. Vice President
Sergej Trifunovic	...	Ooq-Mi-Fay Taqnufmini
Ned Bellamy	...	Ooq-Yu-Fay Taqnufmini / Zubleh
John McLaughlin	...	Himself
Montel Williams	...	GuideStar Voice (voice)
Ben Kingsley	...	Walken / The Viceroy
Lyubomir Neikov	...	Omar Sharif (as Lubomir Neikov)
Nikolay Stanoev	...	Bhodi Bhundhang (as Nikolai Stanoev)
George Zlatarev	...	Director (as Georgi Zlatarev)
Bashar Rahal	...	Video Guy #1
Velislav Pavlov	...	Video Guy #2 (as Vesilav Pavlov)
Zahary Baharov	...	Video Guy #3 (as Zahari Baharov)
Doug Dearth	...	Geoff
Bill Cusack	...	Tamerlane Caffeinated Soldier (as William Cusack)
Ben Cross	...	Medusa Hair
Mark Roper	...	Choreographer
Andrey Slabakov	...	Cameraman (as Andrei Slabakov)
Joost Scholte	...	Popeyes Cashier
Ryan Spike Dauner	...	First Production Assistant (as Ryan Dauner)
Velizar Binev	...	German Businessman
Davorka Tovilo	...	German Woman
James Graves	...	Tamerlane Guard
Troy Rowland	...	Tamerlane Wedding Guard
Rachel O'Meara	...	Implanted Reporter
Sandy Schklair	...	Submarine Captain (as Sanford Schklair)
Nick Harvey	...	Interfaith Clergyman
Itai Diakov	...	Kid In Fallaf (as Itai Djakov)
Stanimir Stamatov	...	Posse Guy
Georgi Gatzov	...	Sound Man (as Georgi Gatsov)
Mark Johnson	...	Tamerlane Staple-Gun Guard
Krassimir Simeonov	...	Tamerlane Guard #1 (as Krasi Simeonov)
Velizar Peev	...	Thug (as Zarko Peev)
Shirly Brener	...	Hauser's Wife
Katerina Grableva	...	Hauser's Child
Sergio Buenrostro	...	Tamerlane Airport Guard
Alex Brown	...	Tamerlane Airport Guard #2
Attia Hosni Attia	...	Arabic Waiter
Ivo Kehayov	...	Dry Cleaning Soldier Posse (as Ivaio Kehajov)
Teodor Tsolov	...	Cab Driver
Lina Miyahara	...	Wedding Guest
Daniela Dancheva	...	Amputee Rockette
Gary Roper	...	Tamerlane Bunker Guard
Lea Rosen	...	Wedding Groomer
Ani Petrovska	...	Amputee Back-Up Dancer
Maximus	...	Yonica's Back-Up Dancers
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nenko Genov	...	Winking Soldier (uncredited)

Directed by
Joshua Seftel

Writing credits (WGA)
Mark Leyner		(written by) &
Jeremy Pikser		(written by) &
John Cusack		(written by)

Produced by
John Cusack	....	producer
Vic David	....	line producer: second unit
Boaz Davidson	....	executive producer
Doug Dearth	....	co-producer
Danny Dimbort	....	executive producer
Avi Lerner	....	executive producer
Danny Lerner	....	producer
Grace Loh	....	producer
Mark Roper	....	associate producer
Trevor Short	....	executive producer
Les Weldon	....	producer
Katsuhiko Yoshida	....	co-producer (as Katsu J.J. Yoshida)

Original Music by
David Robbins

Cinematography by
Zoran Popovic

Film Editing by
Michael Berenbaum

Casting by
Marianne Stanicheva
Victoria Thomas

Production Design by
Miljen Kreka Kljakovic

Art Direction by
Branimir Babic

Costume Design by
Vicki Graef

Makeup Department
Sofi Hvarleva	....	makeup artist (as Sofi Hvurleva)
Ivon Ivanova	....	key makeup artist
Violeta Lazarova	....	makeup artist: second unit
Naska Popova	....	makeup artist: second unit
Tatyana 'Tita' Sleptsova	....	makeup artist: Ms. Tomei (as Tatyana Sleptcova)
Rositsa Tsanovska	....	hair stylist (as Rositza Tzanovska)
Denise Wynbrandt	....	hair stylist: Mr. Cusack
Denise Wynbrandt	....	makeup artist: Mr. Cusack

Production Management
George Gale	....	post-production supervisor
Veselin Karadjov	....	production manager
Joseph Lobato	....	post-production manager
Alexander Peytchev	....	unit production manager: second unit

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Doug Dearth	....	second unit director
Petya Evtimova	....	second assistant director
Borimir Ilkov	....	second second assistant director
Alexander Kossev	....	third assistant director
Peter Mechkoff	....	first assistant director
Mark Roper	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Borislav Belberov	....	stand-by props
Bogdan Bogdanov	....	carpenter
Dirk Buchmann	....	property master
Damian Dinev	....	storyboard artist
Maria Doicheva	....	painter
Andrey Filchev	....	stand-by props
Martin Genchev	....	carpenter
Branka Gligorova	....	art department assistant
Anna Hadzhieva	....	art department coordinator
Alexei Karagyaur	....	graphic designer
Georgi Kodzhabashiyski	....	painter
Jasen Kovachev	....	set dresser
Axel Nicolet	....	construction manager
Vladimir Petkov	....	carpenter
Sonya Savova	....	draftsperson
Eleonora Slavkova	....	painter
Rosen Stefanov	....	assistant set decorator
Kristian Stoyanov	....	set dresser
Arta Tozzi	....	art department assistant
Zhivko Zhelyazkov	....	storyboard artist
Evgeni Yordanov	....	carpenter foreman (uncredited)

Sound Department
Joshua Adeniji	....	foley editor
Randy Babajtis	....	sound effects editor
Jeremy Balko	....	adr mixer
Scott Cannizzaro	....	adr engineer
Dhyana Carlton-Tims	....	dialogue editor
Robert Dehn	....	assistant sound editor
Robert Dehn	....	sound studio manager
Jason Dotts	....	sound re-recording mixer
Jason Gaya	....	assistant sound editor
Brennan Gerle	....	foley editor
Judah Getz	....	adr mixer
Judah Getz	....	foley mixer
Jerry Gilbert	....	sound re-recording mixer
Scott Hinkley	....	sound re-recording mixer
Vladimir Kaloyanov	....	sound mixer
Richard Kitting	....	sound recordist
Craig Kyllonen	....	adr recordist
Shawn London	....	sound effects editor
Valery Metodiev	....	boom operator
Zach Michaelis	....	foley artist
Jonathan Miller	....	supervising sound editor
Andrew Morgado	....	adr mixer
Clayton Perry	....	additional boom operator
Stuart Provine	....	sound effects editor
Dean Treloar	....	sound editor
Anthony Viera	....	additional sound mixer
Jonathan Wales	....	sound re-recording mixer

Special Effects by
Orlin Budinov	....	special effects technician
Ivo Jivkov	....	special effects supervisor
Georgi Karadjov	....	special effects
Stefan Razlojki	....	armourer
Marten Ruskov	....	special effects crew
Yana Stoyanova	....	special effects artist

Visual Effects by
Nikolay Agopyan	....	digital effects artist
Ivaylo Andonov	....	digital artist
Javor Asenov	....	visual effects
Simeon Asenov	....	visual effects art director
Luba Atanasova	....	colorist
Luba Atanasova	....	video colorist
Dilyan Aynadzhiev	....	visual effects systems administrator
Svilen Aynadzhiev	....	digital compositor
Angelina Borisowa	....	visual effect assistant editor
Lawles Bourque	....	visual effects compositor
Maria Boyuklieva	....	digital compositor
Rachel Clement	....	digital cleanup artist
Scott Coulter	....	visual effects producer
Yasen Denev	....	digital matte painter
Yasen Denev	....	illustrator
Konstantin Dimitrov	....	digital compositor
Stoycho Dimitrov	....	digital compositor
Stoycho Dimitrov	....	digital effects artist
Denitsa Dimitrova	....	digital compositor
Paounka Dimitrova	....	digital artist
Paounka Dimitrova	....	visual effects
Georgi Gavanozov	....	CGI lead animator
Toma Genov	....	matte painter
Dobri Georgiev	....	lead cgi artist
Kiril Georgiev	....	visual effects coordinator
Veselina Georgieva	....	visual effects supervisor
Kiril Gizdov	....	digital compositor
Dobromir Hristov	....	digital compositor
Angel Ivanov	....	digital effects artist
Ivan Ivanov	....	digital artist
Ivan Gochev Ivanov	....	visual effects artist
Velichko Ivanov	....	lead artist
Albena Ivanova	....	digital compositor
Milen Jiliazkov	....	digital effects artist
Ivet Jordanova	....	visual effects artist
Peter Keranov	....	digital compositor
Momchil Kirov	....	digital artist
Momchil Koev	....	visual effects compositor
Nikolay Kolev	....	digital artist
Kalin Krumov	....	digital compositor
Dennis Little	....	DI producer
Jordan Markov	....	visual effects
Nikolay Mihailov	....	digital compositor
Diana Moneva	....	digital artist
Nikolay Pachov	....	visual effects assistant editor
Nikolay Peev	....	digital artist
Iskra Petkova	....	digital artist
Steven Ramirez	....	visual effects editor
Diana Simeonova	....	matchmove artist
Georgi Staikov	....	visual effects
Atanas Stankov	....	visual effects
Boyan Stoyanov	....	animator
Milan Stoyanov	....	digital compositor
Stefan Tchakarov	....	visual effects production supervisor
Peter Tomov	....	visual effects lead artist
Stoilova Tsvetelina	....	modeler
Arturo Lopez Uscanga	....	scanning manager
Desislava Valcheva	....	digital compositor
Alexander Valev	....	digital compositor
Silvia Vasileva	....	animator
Slavov Yanko	....	matchmove artist
Vladimir Zdravkov	....	visual effects systems administrator
Petko Zhivkov	....	digital compositor

Stunts
Boyan Anev	....	stunts
Asen Asenov	....	stunt double
Lee Charles	....	stunts
Georgi Dimitrov	....	stunt rigger
Ivailo Dimitrov	....	stunt double: John Cusack
Ivailo Dimitrov	....	stunts
Dian Hristov	....	stunt coordinator
Radoslav Ignatov	....	stunts
Danko Jordanov	....	stunts
Georgi Manchev	....	stunt performer
Stilyan Mavrov	....	stunt double: Ben Kingsley
Trayan Milenov-Troy	....	stunts
Radoslav Parvanov	....	stunts
Velizar Peev	....	stunts
Elitsa Rajeva	....	stunt double
Krasimir Simeonov	....	stunts
Stanimir Stamatov	....	stunts
Georgi Stanislavov	....	stunts
Vencislav Stojanov	....	stunts
Teodor Tsolov	....	stunts
Benny Urquidez	....	fight coordinator
Kaloian Vodenicharov	....	stunts
Benny Urquidez	....	fight trainer (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Hristo Aleksandrov	....	assistant camera
Ivan Aleksandrov	....	grip
Mihail Apostolov	....	key grip
Martin Balkanski	....	second assistant camera
Miroslav Borisov	....	grip
Bruce Jones	....	additional electrician: second unit
Tsvetan Kostov	....	grip
Alexander Krumov	....	camera operator: second unit
Neven Mihailova	....	camera operator: "c" camera, main unit
Anton Nakov	....	focus puller
Georgi Petkov	....	grip
Radoslav Petkov	....	video assist
Brian Pryzpek	....	gaffer
Shimon Sabach	....	grip (as Shimon Sabbah)
Devon Schwab	....	second assistant camera: second unit
Lorenzo Senatore	....	Steadicam operator
Lorenzo Senatore	....	camera operator
Venelin Stepanov	....	grip
Emil Topuzov	....	director of photography: second unit
Simon Varsano	....	still photographer
Ivan Vatzov	....	second assistant camera
Mihail Yanakiev	....	second assistant camera: second unit
Yavor Zahariev	....	gaffer

Casting Department
Yesi Ramirez	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Desislava Andonova	....	costumer
Nancy Ceo	....	assistant costume designer
Ina Damianova	....	costume supervisor
Anna Gelinova	....	key costumer
Jasmina Vasileva	....	costumer: Mr. Cusack

Editorial Department
Julius Friede	....	digital intermediate colorist
David Graubard	....	digital intermediate senior systems engineer
Sharon Smith Holley	....	first assistant editor
Candice Levy	....	post-production coordinator
Dennis Little	....	digital intermediate producer
Jon Pehlke	....	on-line editor
Faust Pierfederici	....	digital preview colorist
Sarah Priestnall	....	production supervisor: digital intermediate
Chris Ward	....	digital intermediate producer
Todor G. Todorov	....	telecine colorist (uncredited)

Music Department
Selena Arizanovic	....	music coordinator
Steven A. Saltzman	....	music editor
Ashley Waldron	....	music supervisor (as Ashley Miller)

Transportation Department
Yavor Mantarkov	....	driver: cast
Kalin Nikolov	....	transportation coordinator

Other crew
Omar Adam	....	adr loop group
Cameron Arguelles	....	positive assembler
Prince Bagdasarian	....	film and high definition coordinator
Alexandre Coscas	....	assistant: Mr. Danny Lerner
Valentin Dimitrov	....	location manager
Annie Domingo	....	accounting: Millennium Films, No Image Inc.
Claude Forest	....	insurance broker
Gabriel Georgiev	....	location manager
Eric Green	....	marketing and publicity
Todd Korody	....	systems engineer
Galina Kyuchukova	....	production assistant
Alan J. Lam	....	production controller
Kevin Lawn	....	coordinator: New Crime Productions
Aurelie Levy	....	assistant: John Cusack
Joan Mao	....	assistant: Mr. Davidson
Aine McAteer	....	chef: Mr. Cusack
Christian Mercuri	....	assistant: Mr. Avi Lerner
Iva Nanova	....	assistant: Mr. Seftel & Sir Kingsley
Peter Nikolov	....	armourer
Rouslan Ovtcharoff	....	production associate
Petia Petrova	....	assistant production office coordinator
Violeta Piperevska	....	production coordinator
Lonnie Ramati	....	production business affairs
Tina Rosen	....	senior v.p. finance
David Rosenbaum	....	studio executive
Troy Rowland	....	assistant: Ms. Duff
Lea Rozen	....	assistant: Ms. Tomei
Sam Sako	....	adr loop group
Sandy Schklair	....	script supervisor
Shelly Stoyanova	....	script supervisor: second unit
Ray Tamayo	....	staff accountant
Nadejda Tzvetkova	....	assistant: Mr. Cusack, Bulgaria
Nadia Tzvetkova	....	assistant: Mr. Cusack
Roman Viaris-de-Lesegno	....	vice president finance
Dana Wilkey	....	product placement

Thanks
Pamela Anderson	....	thanks
Jeff Gordon	....	thanks
Hulk Hogan	....	thanks
Mr. T	....	thanks
Jim Nabors	....	thanks
William Shatner	....	thanks
Donald Trump	....	thanks
Henry Winkler	....	thanks

Production Companies

• New Crime Productions
• B & W Films
• Boyana Film Studios
• Millennium Films
• Nu Image Entertainment GmbH

Distributors

• First Look International (2008) (USA) (theatrical)
• Long Shong Entertainment Multimedia Company (2008) (Taiwan) (theatrical)
• Top Film (2008) (Russia) (theatrical)
• 3L Filmverleih (2008) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Manga Films (2008) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Moonlight Films (2008) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• SP Films (2008) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• All Interactive Distribution (2008) (Australia) (DVD)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Eagle Films (2008) (non-USA) (all media) (Middle East)
• First Look International (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Gativideo (2009) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Ledafilms (2008) (Mexico) (TV)
• Odeon (2008) (Greece) (all media)
• Odeon (2008) (Romania) (all media)
• Scanbox Entertainment (2008) (Finland) (DVD)
• VVS Films (2008) (Canada) (all media)

Special Effects

• Worldwide FX

Other Companies

• Digital Post Services  delivery and international servicing
• Hollywood Intermediate  digital intermediate services
• Sonic Magic  sound post-production
• Soundtrack  ADR Facility

Also Known As:

"Agent of War" - Japan (English title) (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, language and brief sexual material

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Hungarian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #43117) | Australia:MA | Finland:K-15 | Singapore:NC-16 | Argentina:16 | UK:15 | Hungary:16 | France:U | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:18 | Germany:16

Filming Locations:

New Boyana Film Studios, Sofia, Bulgaria

Company:

New Crime Productions

Trivia:

The corporation, Tamerlane, refers to Timur, known in the West as Tamerlane. Timur conquered a great deal of central and western Asia in the 14th Century and founded the Timurid Empire and Timurid dynasty.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Hauser is ambushed in the castle, we hear the sound of a gun being cocked. The camera pans to a thug holding an uncocked revolver.

Quotes:

Brand Hauser:This little Turaqi pop star. She really disturbs me and I can't figure out why.

Movie Connections:

References My Darling Clementine (1946)

Soundtrack:

Get Down Moses

"...sh-t happens"

Joshua Seftel's first film - a satire of memorable proportions - is about just as the title suggests: The corporations effect on War.

The film is about a mercenary (John Cusack) traveling to Turaqistan (not a real country, fyi) to help the American government 'get their message across' to Turaqistan's leaders. He meets a reporter (Marisa Tomei) and we all know what will ensue with a lonely man + a hot reporter. Somewhere in the mix, a pop star named Yonica Babyyeah gets thrown in. As Yonica is marrying one of Turaquistan's most important people (a son of the president), a subplot is created where the mercenary must watch over this star, well, somewhat. The film starts off with a lonely Cusack in a bar; no more than fifteen seconds later, the film hooks you. With it's amusing and intriguing insight on terrorism and politics, the film's running time blows by you. The film has a lot more action than I expected, with the occasional scene of war, well choreographed fights and just sporadic scenes of murder. Though the story isn't much deep, the simplicity of it all makes the film perfect for both the common man and movie critics alike.

In the final act of the film, the simplicity of it all turns very hostile and jumbled. I thought it was executed very well, but other may disagree, and I could understand why. Twist after twist is what the ending is all about, and like most films, it is a true hit/miss situation. Regardless, the three writers on the film (Mark Leyner, Jeremy Pikser & John Cusack) did a fantastic job creating a realistic and entertaining satire on today's situation overseas.

Joshua Seftel does an excellent job insuring the film's integrity; not reducing the material to the most redundant of films (which I was afraid would happen). Seftel crafted the film as perfectly as one could: he created a vibrant atmosphere, one that is both examines harsh reality and cartoonish falsities; - contrasting them perfectly - as well as making the film feel as if you were watching it all. Seftel really gets you involved in all of the action and it pays off completely. No missteps here. Hopefully, he takes on more directorial jobs, for he is one director to look out for.