A first clip has been unveiled from Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau’s Nat Geo documentary “Fly,” which will screen at Hot Docs on Sunday.
The doc follows three couples entwined in the world of base jumping, one of the world’s deadliest sports. Schwarz and Clusiau began working on “Fly” for seven years following the death of well-known climber Dean Potter, who lost his life while base jumping at Yosemite National Park.
“We were intrigued by these people who wanted to jump off cliffs with parachutes and wondered about their motivations,” says Schwarz. “We had this idea that maybe (base jumpers) are part of this crazy, reckless death cult or are empty adrenaline seekers, but we quickly found out how amazing they were and how full of life they were. That’s when we started filming.”
The directors chose to follow three couples: Jimmy and Marta, affectionately known as...
The doc follows three couples entwined in the world of base jumping, one of the world’s deadliest sports. Schwarz and Clusiau began working on “Fly” for seven years following the death of well-known climber Dean Potter, who lost his life while base jumping at Yosemite National Park.
“We were intrigued by these people who wanted to jump off cliffs with parachutes and wondered about their motivations,” says Schwarz. “We had this idea that maybe (base jumpers) are part of this crazy, reckless death cult or are empty adrenaline seekers, but we quickly found out how amazing they were and how full of life they were. That’s when we started filming.”
The directors chose to follow three couples: Jimmy and Marta, affectionately known as...
- 4/26/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival has selected 168 films for its 2024 edition, including world premieres of Red Fever, American Cats: The Good, the Bad and the Cuddly and The Ride Ahead.
The festival is pushing ahead with its 2024 event from April 25 to May 5, despite the resignation of 10 programmers this past weekend; and the departure of artistic director Hussain Currimbhoy on March 20.
The 51 world premieres in the festival include Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond’s Red Fever, in which he travels North America and Europe investigating the world’s fascination with Native Americans; Amy Hoggart’s American Cats: The Good, the Bad and the Cuddly,...
The festival is pushing ahead with its 2024 event from April 25 to May 5, despite the resignation of 10 programmers this past weekend; and the departure of artistic director Hussain Currimbhoy on March 20.
The 51 world premieres in the festival include Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond’s Red Fever, in which he travels North America and Europe investigating the world’s fascination with Native Americans; Amy Hoggart’s American Cats: The Good, the Bad and the Cuddly,...
- 3/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
In making Fly, their feature documentary about Base jumping, directors Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau spent seven years trying to capture the feeling of whole-heartedly wanting to throw yourself off a cliff.
The doc, which premiered this week at the SXSW Film and TV Festival, takes a look at the sport, which has been maligned for the obvious dangers it imposes on its participants, through the lens of three romantic couples, whose love of Base jumping butts up against the realities of being in love with a partner.
The Base jumping, as seen in Fly, is either jumpers deploying parachutes after leaping from high surfaces (bridges, buildings and cliffs) or using wingsuits (web-sleeved jumpsuits also called squirrel suits), that allow the user to glide down a mountain, sometimes reaching speeds of 200 mph. “Sometimes we would hike hours just to have what’s called the “fly by shot.” You’re spending...
The doc, which premiered this week at the SXSW Film and TV Festival, takes a look at the sport, which has been maligned for the obvious dangers it imposes on its participants, through the lens of three romantic couples, whose love of Base jumping butts up against the realities of being in love with a partner.
The Base jumping, as seen in Fly, is either jumpers deploying parachutes after leaping from high surfaces (bridges, buildings and cliffs) or using wingsuits (web-sleeved jumpsuits also called squirrel suits), that allow the user to glide down a mountain, sometimes reaching speeds of 200 mph. “Sometimes we would hike hours just to have what’s called the “fly by shot.” You’re spending...
- 3/15/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Toronto’s Hot Docs, North America’s largest documentary festival, has unveiled the full lineup of films that will screen in its Special Presentations program. The festival runs April 25 to May 5.
World premieres include “Red Fever,” which sees Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond travel to the four corners of Turtle Island and across Europe to explore the world’s fascination with Native Americans; “American Cats: The Good, the Bad, and the Cuddly,” in which “Full Frontal With Samantha Bee” correspondent Amy Hoggart explores the controversial practice of declawing cats; “The Ride Ahead,” an expansion of co-director Samuel Habib’s short film “My Disability Roadmap” (which got an Honorable Mention in the International Shorts section of Hot Docs in 2022), exploring a typical 21-year-old itching to move out, start a career and find love—all while navigating life with a disability; “Lost in the Shuffle,” which follows world champion magician Shawn Farquhar as...
World premieres include “Red Fever,” which sees Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond travel to the four corners of Turtle Island and across Europe to explore the world’s fascination with Native Americans; “American Cats: The Good, the Bad, and the Cuddly,” in which “Full Frontal With Samantha Bee” correspondent Amy Hoggart explores the controversial practice of declawing cats; “The Ride Ahead,” an expansion of co-director Samuel Habib’s short film “My Disability Roadmap” (which got an Honorable Mention in the International Shorts section of Hot Docs in 2022), exploring a typical 21-year-old itching to move out, start a career and find love—all while navigating life with a disability; “Lost in the Shuffle,” which follows world champion magician Shawn Farquhar as...
- 3/12/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Documentary producer Lauren Haber has joined Amplify Pictures as its head of documentary, a newly created role at the studio.
Amplify is an independent television studio founded back in 2018 by “Fleabag” producer Joe Lewis. The studio recently released Season 2 of HBO’s docuseries “100 Foot Wave” which follows surf legend Garrett McNamara, who broke the record for the largest wave ever surfed. The series earned six Emmy nods this season including a nomination for outstanding documentary or nonfiction series.
“I was immediately struck by the ambition, integrity and collaborative spirit that Joe, Rachel and Colin radiate and bring into everything they do at Amplify Pictures,” Haber said in a statement. “The company’s fresh perspective and focus on innovation in the documentary space is absolutely thrilling for me to step into. I’m honored and excited to build Amplify Pictures’ global documentary slate, working with visionary filmmakers to tell stories that surprise and entertain,...
Amplify is an independent television studio founded back in 2018 by “Fleabag” producer Joe Lewis. The studio recently released Season 2 of HBO’s docuseries “100 Foot Wave” which follows surf legend Garrett McNamara, who broke the record for the largest wave ever surfed. The series earned six Emmy nods this season including a nomination for outstanding documentary or nonfiction series.
“I was immediately struck by the ambition, integrity and collaborative spirit that Joe, Rachel and Colin radiate and bring into everything they do at Amplify Pictures,” Haber said in a statement. “The company’s fresh perspective and focus on innovation in the documentary space is absolutely thrilling for me to step into. I’m honored and excited to build Amplify Pictures’ global documentary slate, working with visionary filmmakers to tell stories that surprise and entertain,...
- 9/20/2023
- by Sophia Scorziello
- Variety Film + TV
Veteran documentary producer Lauren Haber has been appointed to the newly created role of Head of Documentary at Amplify Pictures, the award-winning studio announced on Wednesday.
In her new position, Haber will be responsible for overseeing the company’s current slate of documentary projects and expanding its doc portfolio of globally commercial, filmmaker-driven projects with an emphasis on ongoing series and IP creation. The hiring comes at a dynamic time for Amplify, which has continued to build out its team and slate of global content following an infusion of private equity capital.
Haber comes to the company after serving as VP of Production at Impact Partners, where she curated and supported their slate of independent documentary projects including 32 Sounds directed by Sam Green, Another Body directed by Sophie Compton and Reuben Hamlyn, Peabody winner Aftershock directed by Paula Eiselt & Tonya Lewis Lee, Paper & Glue directed by Jr, and the three-part HBO series Nuclear Family,...
In her new position, Haber will be responsible for overseeing the company’s current slate of documentary projects and expanding its doc portfolio of globally commercial, filmmaker-driven projects with an emphasis on ongoing series and IP creation. The hiring comes at a dynamic time for Amplify, which has continued to build out its team and slate of global content following an infusion of private equity capital.
Haber comes to the company after serving as VP of Production at Impact Partners, where she curated and supported their slate of independent documentary projects including 32 Sounds directed by Sam Green, Another Body directed by Sophie Compton and Reuben Hamlyn, Peabody winner Aftershock directed by Paula Eiselt & Tonya Lewis Lee, Paper & Glue directed by Jr, and the three-part HBO series Nuclear Family,...
- 9/20/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Executive most recently was VP of production at Impact Partners.
Amplify Pictures has appointed veteran documentary producer and recent VP of production at Impact Partners Lauren Haber to the new role of head of documentary.
Haber is based in New York and reports to Amsterdam-based Rachel Eggebeen, who announced the hire on Wednesday and is Amplify Pictures’ chief content officer overseeing the scripted and unscripted slate, including the eight-time Emmy-nominated HBO docuseries 100 Foot Wave.
In her new role Haber will oversee Amplify’s slate of documentary projects and expand the portfolio through universally appealing commercial projects with an emphasis...
Amplify Pictures has appointed veteran documentary producer and recent VP of production at Impact Partners Lauren Haber to the new role of head of documentary.
Haber is based in New York and reports to Amsterdam-based Rachel Eggebeen, who announced the hire on Wednesday and is Amplify Pictures’ chief content officer overseeing the scripted and unscripted slate, including the eight-time Emmy-nominated HBO docuseries 100 Foot Wave.
In her new role Haber will oversee Amplify’s slate of documentary projects and expand the portfolio through universally appealing commercial projects with an emphasis...
- 9/20/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The Max Original four-part docuseries Shaun White: The Last Run, an Msm production and directed by Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau, debuts Thursday, July 6 on Max.
Synopsis: With unprecedented access and never-before-seen personal archival footage, the docuseries is a revealing portrait of three-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the greatest athletes in two separate sports, snowboarding and skateboarding, Shaun White. It is a story that includes childhood struggles with a congenital heart condition, the development of his unbeatable talent, sacrifices made by his unconventional but remarkably supportive parents, the move into pro-snowboarding at a young age, and of course, his exploits at the Olympics, where he holds the record for most gold medals by a snowboarder.
Episode Descriptions:
Episode 1: Becoming Shaun
As Shaun gears up to qualify for his fifth Olympics, he recalls his childhood in San Diego with his remarkably supportive family. Never-before-seen footage shows how the...
Synopsis: With unprecedented access and never-before-seen personal archival footage, the docuseries is a revealing portrait of three-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the greatest athletes in two separate sports, snowboarding and skateboarding, Shaun White. It is a story that includes childhood struggles with a congenital heart condition, the development of his unbeatable talent, sacrifices made by his unconventional but remarkably supportive parents, the move into pro-snowboarding at a young age, and of course, his exploits at the Olympics, where he holds the record for most gold medals by a snowboarder.
Episode Descriptions:
Episode 1: Becoming Shaun
As Shaun gears up to qualify for his fifth Olympics, he recalls his childhood in San Diego with his remarkably supportive family. Never-before-seen footage shows how the...
- 6/20/2023
- by Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid - TV
On the eve of the 2022 Winter Olympics, which begin later this week in Beijing, Discovery+ has greenlit a documentary series about three-time gold medalist snowboarder Shaun White, TheWrap can exclusively reveal.
The three-part docuseries launches exclusively on Discovery+ this year and will follow White and explore his legacy, from his childhood struggles with a congenital heart condition to the development of his snowboarding talent to the sacrifices made by his unconventional but supportive parents, and of course his success at the Olympics where he holds the record for the most gold medals by a snowboarder.
“Trophy” and “Immigration Nation” filmmakers Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau direct the untitled docuseries and have been following White for months as he qualifies for the 2022 games, and they will be filming with him in Beijing, capturing footage as he pursues a historic fourth gold medal.
“I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to...
The three-part docuseries launches exclusively on Discovery+ this year and will follow White and explore his legacy, from his childhood struggles with a congenital heart condition to the development of his snowboarding talent to the sacrifices made by his unconventional but supportive parents, and of course his success at the Olympics where he holds the record for the most gold medals by a snowboarder.
“Trophy” and “Immigration Nation” filmmakers Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau direct the untitled docuseries and have been following White for months as he qualifies for the 2022 games, and they will be filming with him in Beijing, capturing footage as he pursues a historic fourth gold medal.
“I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to...
- 2/3/2022
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
HBO’s “I May Destroy You” and Netflix’s “Crip Camp” are among the next batch of this year’s Peabody Award winners, which continue to be announced throughout the week. Variety also has a first look at actor Selma Blair presenting the honor to “Crip Camp”; scroll down to watch.
Peabody is slowly announcing all 30 of its winners throughout the week; on Wednesday, the org announced seven more recipients.
From Nicole Newnham and James LeBrecht, “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution” centers on a group of summer campers who first met in upstate New York in the early 1970s and eventually become key players and activists in the Disability Rights Movement.
“There is an unapologetic spirit in the title of this documentary that immediately grabs you and tells you everything you need to know about this inspiring history of the disability rights movement,” Blair said. “‘Crip Camp’ is both a...
Peabody is slowly announcing all 30 of its winners throughout the week; on Wednesday, the org announced seven more recipients.
From Nicole Newnham and James LeBrecht, “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution” centers on a group of summer campers who first met in upstate New York in the early 1970s and eventually become key players and activists in the Disability Rights Movement.
“There is an unapologetic spirit in the title of this documentary that immediately grabs you and tells you everything you need to know about this inspiring history of the disability rights movement,” Blair said. “‘Crip Camp’ is both a...
- 6/23/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Every year, the Peabody Awards recognize a stacked group of TV projects across all different genres, taking care to highlight shows that are worthy of further consideration. Looking over the 2021 nominees, it’s interesting to note the Peabodys’ assertion that this year’s honorees “represent the most compelling and empowering stories” released during an unusually fraught year marked by plague, protests and a worldwide reckoning with the unjust systems that have propped up outdated thinking for too long. Very few of the nominated series were made with the knowledge of the pandemic year to come, and yet all echo its singular strangeness in some way or another.
Winner announcements began virtually on June 21. But when it comes to nominees, on the documentary front, it’s encouraging to see “Immigration Nation” garner more attention than it did upon its premiere in August. Netflix’s docuseries may have suffered from the “too hard to watch” factor,...
Winner announcements began virtually on June 21. But when it comes to nominees, on the documentary front, it’s encouraging to see “Immigration Nation” garner more attention than it did upon its premiere in August. Netflix’s docuseries may have suffered from the “too hard to watch” factor,...
- 6/21/2021
- by Caroline Framke
- Variety Film + TV
Searchlight’s Nomadland won the marquee Best Feature category on Thursday to cap the 36th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards, the final big awards show ahead of Sunday’s Oscars. The Chloé Zhao film, a frontrunner all movie-awards season, won a leading four trophies tonight in the virtual ceremony, including Director and Editing for Zhao and Cinematography for Joshua James Richards.
“In our film Bob Wells says to Fern that you’ve come to the right place to connect with your tribe, your community and independent film you are our community,” producer Mollye Asher said during the Nomadland team’s acceptance speech. Added fellow producer Dan Janvey: “We couldn’t have done it without all the hearts and hands of our fellow collaborators, our fellow filmmakers, who were the Nomadland Company, so to all of you we accept this on your behalf.”
The marquee indie-focused awards show hosted by...
“In our film Bob Wells says to Fern that you’ve come to the right place to connect with your tribe, your community and independent film you are our community,” producer Mollye Asher said during the Nomadland team’s acceptance speech. Added fellow producer Dan Janvey: “We couldn’t have done it without all the hearts and hands of our fellow collaborators, our fellow filmmakers, who were the Nomadland Company, so to all of you we accept this on your behalf.”
The marquee indie-focused awards show hosted by...
- 4/23/2021
- by Patrick Hipes and Antonia Blyth
- Deadline Film + TV
Maximum cruelty has always been the directive behind Ice (Immigration Customs and Enforcement), the monstrous federal apparatus created in 2003 to terrorize undocumented communities under the pretense of protecting the public. Throughout its six hour-long episodes, Netflix’s documentary series “Immigration Nation,” from Shaul Schwarz (“Narco Cultura”) and Christina Clusiau (“Trophy”), provides access into the inner workings of the infamous agency while juxtaposing a myriad of perspectives on the issue.
Continue reading Netflix’s ‘Immigration Nation’ Exposes The Horrors Of Ice & Reaffirms The Need For Its Abolishment [Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading Netflix’s ‘Immigration Nation’ Exposes The Horrors Of Ice & Reaffirms The Need For Its Abolishment [Review] at The Playlist.
- 8/4/2020
- by Carlos Aguilar
- The Playlist
There’s a moment in the trailer for Netflix’s docuseries Immigration Nation that’s understandably garnered quite a bit of attention. In it, camera operators sit in the back of a van filming an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agent on the job. The agent’s superior calls and says via speakerphone “I don’t care what you do but bring at least two people in.”
After the call ends, the agent says to the documentarians in the back, “He knew you guys were with me, right? Because that’s a pretty stupid thing to say.”
As developed by Christina Clusiau and Shaul Schwarz, Immigration Nation isn’t an exercise in “gotcha” storytelling by any means. Clusiau and Schwarz set out to capture a comprehensive picture of the United States’s broken immigration system and how it has changed in recent years. But due to the near totality of...
After the call ends, the agent says to the documentarians in the back, “He knew you guys were with me, right? Because that’s a pretty stupid thing to say.”
As developed by Christina Clusiau and Shaul Schwarz, Immigration Nation isn’t an exercise in “gotcha” storytelling by any means. Clusiau and Schwarz set out to capture a comprehensive picture of the United States’s broken immigration system and how it has changed in recent years. But due to the near totality of...
- 8/3/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Before embarking on their multi-year journey to document the plight of immigrants under the Trump administration, filmmakers Christina Clusiau and Shaul Schwarz entered into a contract with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agency.
While this did not given the agency approval over the final product, which is a six-episode docuseries entitled “Immigration Nation” launching on Netflix Aug. 3, it was meant to ensure an agreement that the material they released would “be factual, and [cognizant of] sensitivities and privacy issues.” Such multimedia union contracts are not unusual, Schwarz tells Variety, and in this case, signing it allowed the directing duo unprecedented and unfiltered access inside one of the most polarizing government agencies.
“We would spend hours in the car with them, as they’re doing surveillance or driving from place to place,” says Clusiau. “Once you start talking to a person as a human, you start to understand more where...
While this did not given the agency approval over the final product, which is a six-episode docuseries entitled “Immigration Nation” launching on Netflix Aug. 3, it was meant to ensure an agreement that the material they released would “be factual, and [cognizant of] sensitivities and privacy issues.” Such multimedia union contracts are not unusual, Schwarz tells Variety, and in this case, signing it allowed the directing duo unprecedented and unfiltered access inside one of the most polarizing government agencies.
“We would spend hours in the car with them, as they’re doing surveillance or driving from place to place,” says Clusiau. “Once you start talking to a person as a human, you start to understand more where...
- 7/31/2020
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
It’s hard to imagine that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agreed to be a part of “Immigration Nation” without expecting the docuseries to shine a more flattering light on the federal agency than it’s otherwise used to. Under a contract with Ice, filmmakers Christina Clusiau and Shaul Schwarz get an unprecedented inside look at how the agency runs, from following deportation officers as they sweep cities to training cameras on their paper-pushing bosses back at the office. With that access, The series includes provocative evidence of human devastation at the hands of Ice employees, as well as bosses obsessing over their arrest numbers to the point that they instruct officers to go back out and find more people to bring in (“I don’t care how”).
Ice, of course, vehemently disputes its portrayal in the series, insisting that they’re “shocked by the mischaracterizations” in the docuseries. And yet,...
Ice, of course, vehemently disputes its portrayal in the series, insisting that they’re “shocked by the mischaracterizations” in the docuseries. And yet,...
- 7/30/2020
- by Caroline Framke
- Variety Film + TV
“Immigration Nation” looks to deliver a sharp, topical examination at the ongoing immigration crisis on the United States’ southern border. Netflix has released the trailer for the upcoming docuseries
The six-part docuseries, directed by Christina Clusiau and Shaul Schwarz, will has been given an August 3 release date on Netflix.
Per Netflix:
The series will examine the processes, pitfalls, and pain of immigration in America. Shot over the course of three years, Schwarz and Clusiau capture the daily workings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, activists, lawmakers, attorneys, and a wide swath of undocumented immigrants, from desperate recent arrivals to longtime residents to deported U.S. military combat veterans.
With an unrelenting flow of migrant workers continuing across the U.S. border, the pressure on Ice to enforce the administration’s zero-tolerance policies puts immigrants in the crosshairs. But how do we fix a system that seems beyond repair? How do...
The six-part docuseries, directed by Christina Clusiau and Shaul Schwarz, will has been given an August 3 release date on Netflix.
Per Netflix:
The series will examine the processes, pitfalls, and pain of immigration in America. Shot over the course of three years, Schwarz and Clusiau capture the daily workings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, activists, lawmakers, attorneys, and a wide swath of undocumented immigrants, from desperate recent arrivals to longtime residents to deported U.S. military combat veterans.
With an unrelenting flow of migrant workers continuing across the U.S. border, the pressure on Ice to enforce the administration’s zero-tolerance policies puts immigrants in the crosshairs. But how do we fix a system that seems beyond repair? How do...
- 7/23/2020
- by Tyler Hersko
- Indiewire
In today’s roundup, Disney Plus has released first footage of “Marvel’s 616” and Tiffany Boone was cast in Hulu’s “Nine Perfect Strangers.”
Casting
Tiffany Boone has been cast in the upcoming Hulu adaptation of “Nine Perfect Strangers“ as the character Delilah. Other cast members currently include Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy, and Luke Evans. Boone recently starred in the Hulu series “Little Fires Everywhere” and Amazon’s “Hunters.” She is also known for her role in the Showtime drama “The Chi.” She is repped by ICM and Vault Entertainment.
Dates
HBO announced its limited series “The Third Day” will premiere Sept. 14. The show’s six episodes are divided into “Summer” and “Winter.” “Summer” follows Sam (Jude Law) who discovers a mysterious island off the British coast, and “Winter” tells the story of Helen (Naomie Harris) whose arrival on the island precipitates confusion. The first three episodes are written by...
Casting
Tiffany Boone has been cast in the upcoming Hulu adaptation of “Nine Perfect Strangers“ as the character Delilah. Other cast members currently include Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy, and Luke Evans. Boone recently starred in the Hulu series “Little Fires Everywhere” and Amazon’s “Hunters.” She is also known for her role in the Showtime drama “The Chi.” She is repped by ICM and Vault Entertainment.
Dates
HBO announced its limited series “The Third Day” will premiere Sept. 14. The show’s six episodes are divided into “Summer” and “Winter.” “Summer” follows Sam (Jude Law) who discovers a mysterious island off the British coast, and “Winter” tells the story of Helen (Naomie Harris) whose arrival on the island precipitates confusion. The first three episodes are written by...
- 7/22/2020
- by Janet W. Lee
- Variety Film + TV
CNN will premiere Trophy, the critically acclaimed film exploring big-game hunting and wildlife conservation, at 9 Pm Sunday, January 14, with limited commercial interruptions. CNN acquired the film, directed by Shaul Schwarz and co-directed by Christina Clusiau, at Sundance in January. The cable news network is heading back to the Park City fest next month as a buyer for a fifth year. Its first-year acquisition was Blackfish, and buys also have included Dinosaur 13, Escap…...
- 12/20/2017
- Deadline TV
CNN will premiere Trophy, the critically acclaimed film exploring big-game hunting and wildlife conservation, at 9 Pm Sunday, January 14, with limited commercial interruptions. CNN acquired the film, directed by Shaul Schwarz and co-directed by Christina Clusiau, at Sundance in January. The cable news network is heading back to the Park City fest next month as a buyer for a fifth year. Its first-year acquisition was Blackfish, and buys also have included Dinosaur 13, Escap…...
- 12/20/2017
- Deadline
When filmmakers Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau first set out to make their stunning documentary “Trophy,” about the complex industry of big-game hunting and conservation in Africa and the U.S., they thought it would be an exposé.
“We really wanted to shame the industry,” Clusiau said in a Q&A after a screening of the film at the International Documentary Association’s annual documentary screening series. “And then we realized it’s not so black and white.”
When they met South African rhino farmer John Hume, who argues that the legal trade of rhino horn will prevent poaching and keep the species alive, Zimbabwean anti-poaching wildlife officer Chris Moore, who works to keep communities safe from predators in part by working with big game hunters, and many others featured in the film, their opinion changed.
Said Schwarz, “In the long run we found that in this subject we all...
“We really wanted to shame the industry,” Clusiau said in a Q&A after a screening of the film at the International Documentary Association’s annual documentary screening series. “And then we realized it’s not so black and white.”
When they met South African rhino farmer John Hume, who argues that the legal trade of rhino horn will prevent poaching and keep the species alive, Zimbabwean anti-poaching wildlife officer Chris Moore, who works to keep communities safe from predators in part by working with big game hunters, and many others featured in the film, their opinion changed.
Said Schwarz, “In the long run we found that in this subject we all...
- 9/20/2017
- by Jean Bentley
- Indiewire
For the fifth consecutive year, IndieWire will partner with the Independent Documentary Association for its annual screening series. It launches tonight with Yance Ford’s “Strong Island,” which won a special jury prize at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.
The screenings come fast and furious after that with Christina Clusiau and Shaul Schwarz’s “Trophy” on September 14, Bryan Fogel’s “Icarus” September 18, Matthew Heineman’s “City of Ghosts” September 21, and more than 30 more documentaries to follow through the end of November, including Amir Bar-Lev’s “A Long Strange Trip,” Evgeny Afineevsky’s “Cries From Syria,” Peter Bratt’s “Dolores,” and Rebecca Miller’s “Arthur Miller: Writer.”
Each film includes a post-screening Q&A with the directors and other talent, often moderated by IndieWire. We’ll post Q&A coverage along with video of the event. All screenings are held at the Landmark Theater in Los Angeles.
The Ida Documentary Screening Series...
The screenings come fast and furious after that with Christina Clusiau and Shaul Schwarz’s “Trophy” on September 14, Bryan Fogel’s “Icarus” September 18, Matthew Heineman’s “City of Ghosts” September 21, and more than 30 more documentaries to follow through the end of November, including Amir Bar-Lev’s “A Long Strange Trip,” Evgeny Afineevsky’s “Cries From Syria,” Peter Bratt’s “Dolores,” and Rebecca Miller’s “Arthur Miller: Writer.”
Each film includes a post-screening Q&A with the directors and other talent, often moderated by IndieWire. We’ll post Q&A coverage along with video of the event. All screenings are held at the Landmark Theater in Los Angeles.
The Ida Documentary Screening Series...
- 9/13/2017
- by Indiewire Staff
- Indiewire
As we make our way deeper and deeper into the Fall Festival season, some of the highlights from festivals earlier in the year are finally arriving in theaters. Be it the Safdie Brothers Cannes-stealing Good Time or Eliza Hittman’s Sundance stunner Beach Rats some of the spring’s most talked about festival pictures are just now making their way into theaters around the country. But what about those that went relatively unspoken of? There are some true discoveries to be had.
One of those discoveries is the newest film from Narco Cultura director Shaul Schwarz and co-director Christina Clusiau, entitled Trophy. As one could gather from the title, the film focuses its lens on the world of animal conservation in an age where more and more animals inch closer and closer to extinction. We watch as people try to help nurture animals and their populations back to life as...
One of those discoveries is the newest film from Narco Cultura director Shaul Schwarz and co-director Christina Clusiau, entitled Trophy. As one could gather from the title, the film focuses its lens on the world of animal conservation in an age where more and more animals inch closer and closer to extinction. We watch as people try to help nurture animals and their populations back to life as...
- 9/8/2017
- by Joshua Brunsting
- CriterionCast
Trophy, directed by longtime photo-journos Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau, has been garnering buzz and sparking debate ever since its Sundance premiere. The film is a meticulously researched look at every possible angle of the “wildlife industry versus conservation” showdown, taking place in some of the most majestic parts of our world. Undeniably riveting, it’s also the only film I’ve seen all year that made my blood boil to the point of tossing all critical objectivity aside. I spoke with the duo, cofounders of Reel Peak Films, which aims to bring the cinematic nonfiction treatment to journalism, prior to the […]...
- 9/8/2017
- by Lauren Wissot
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
As summer cools down, we’re entering perhaps the best time of year for cinephiles, with a variety of festivals — some of which will hold premieres of our most-anticipated 2017 features — gearing up. As we do each year, after highlighting the best films offered thus far, we’ve set out to provide a comprehensive preview of the fall titles that should be on your radar, and we’ll first take a look at selections whose quality we can attest to. These acclaimed 25 films from Sundance, Cannes, Berlinale and more will arrive between September and December (in the U.S.) and are all well worth seeking out.
Kill Me Please (Anita Rocha da Silveira; Sept. 1)
Following in a wave of cerebral psychological horror films such as The Witch, It Follows, and The Babadook, Anita Rocha da Silveira’s debut Kill Me Please is the latest art-horror film that’s concerned with the internal repercussions of trauma.
Kill Me Please (Anita Rocha da Silveira; Sept. 1)
Following in a wave of cerebral psychological horror films such as The Witch, It Follows, and The Babadook, Anita Rocha da Silveira’s debut Kill Me Please is the latest art-horror film that’s concerned with the internal repercussions of trauma.
- 8/23/2017
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
"We have to keep this fight going!" The Orchard has debuted an official trailer for a documentary called Trophy, examining the world of big game trophy hunters and how it connects to wildlife conservation. This premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in competition earlier this year, and has played at other fests all over the world. The description for this says it will make you question "what is right, what is wrong and what is necessary in order to save the great species of the world from extinction." This seems like it would make a great double feature with the other wildlife doc The Ivory Game (about elephant poaching) from last year. I will admit I'm curious about seeing this, and I'm a bit sad I missed it at Sundance. Take a look below. Here's the trailer (+ poster) for Christina Clusiau & Shaul Schwarz's doc Trophy, from YouTube: Christina Clusiau...
- 8/8/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
One of the more controversial, much-discussed documentaries to come out of Sundance this year was Trophy, the latest film from Shaul Schwarz (Narco Cultura) and Christina Clusiau. Taking a deep, complex look inside big-game hunting and wildlife conservation, the documentary will be arriving next month and now a new trailer has landed.
“There’s no clear answer for what to do here, like so much in this world,” we said in our review. “For every groundswell of social media support for a Cecil The Lion, there are a hundred (a thousand!) poaching atrocities committed in the name of protecting local farmers and fueling a growing hunting economy, and some of that is certainly legitimate.”
Check out the trailer below.
Endangered African species like elephants, rhinos and lions march closer to extinction each year. Their devastating decline is fueled in part by a global desire to consume these majestic animals. Trophy...
“There’s no clear answer for what to do here, like so much in this world,” we said in our review. “For every groundswell of social media support for a Cecil The Lion, there are a hundred (a thousand!) poaching atrocities committed in the name of protecting local farmers and fueling a growing hunting economy, and some of that is certainly legitimate.”
Check out the trailer below.
Endangered African species like elephants, rhinos and lions march closer to extinction each year. Their devastating decline is fueled in part by a global desire to consume these majestic animals. Trophy...
- 8/8/2017
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
If Ulrich Seidl’s “Safari” didn’t depress you enough, there’s another documentary about big-game hunting on the way: “Trophy.” Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau’s film appeared to strong reviews at Sundance earlier this year — our own Jude Dry said that it “unearths layers of an issue much more complex than even the filmmakers initially believed” — and opens in theaters next month. Watch the trailer below.
Read More‘Trophy’ Review: This Big-Game Hunting Exposé is Jaw-Droppingly Beautiful, and Appalling — Sundance 2017 Here’s the synopsis: “Endangered African species like elephants, rhinos, and lions march closer to extinction each year. Their devastating decline is fueled by a global desire to consume and collect these majestic animals. ‘Trophy’ investigates the powerhouse businesses of big game hunting, breeding, and wildlife conservation.” Read More‘Trophy’ Exclusive Clip: SXSW Documentary Investigates the Business of Big-Game Hunting The Orchard and CNN Films acquired distribution rights to “Trophy,...
Read More‘Trophy’ Review: This Big-Game Hunting Exposé is Jaw-Droppingly Beautiful, and Appalling — Sundance 2017 Here’s the synopsis: “Endangered African species like elephants, rhinos, and lions march closer to extinction each year. Their devastating decline is fueled by a global desire to consume and collect these majestic animals. ‘Trophy’ investigates the powerhouse businesses of big game hunting, breeding, and wildlife conservation.” Read More‘Trophy’ Exclusive Clip: SXSW Documentary Investigates the Business of Big-Game Hunting The Orchard and CNN Films acquired distribution rights to “Trophy,...
- 8/4/2017
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
The Hamptons International Film Festival's SummerDocs series is set to return for its ninth year.
Five documentary films will be screened from July 8-Aug. 26, with each screening followed by discussions with filmmakers and subjects led by Hiff co-chairman Alec Baldwin and Hiff artistic director David Nugent.
The films in this year's lineup include Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press, Trophy, Take Every Wave: The Life of Laird Hamilton, Whitney: Can I Be Me? and Icarus. Post-screening discussions will be held with, respectively, directors Brian Knappenberger, Christina Clusiau and Shaul Schwarz, Rory Kennedy, Nick Broomfield and Bryan Fogel. Hamilton...
Five documentary films will be screened from July 8-Aug. 26, with each screening followed by discussions with filmmakers and subjects led by Hiff co-chairman Alec Baldwin and Hiff artistic director David Nugent.
The films in this year's lineup include Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press, Trophy, Take Every Wave: The Life of Laird Hamilton, Whitney: Can I Be Me? and Icarus. Post-screening discussions will be held with, respectively, directors Brian Knappenberger, Christina Clusiau and Shaul Schwarz, Rory Kennedy, Nick Broomfield and Bryan Fogel. Hamilton...
- 6/17/2017
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New initiatives at Cph:dox include Britdoc’s Good Pitch event, a cultural summit and tech innovation pitches at Propeller Springboard.
Cph:dox has awarded its Dox:award to Last Men in Aleppo, directed by Feras Fayyad and co-directed by Steen Johannessen.
The jury said the film, about volunteers in the war-torn Syrian city, is “a film whose devastating emotional immediacy plunges us into a Shakespearean tragedy of a people striving to retain their humanity in the face of impossible realities.”
The film previously won the grand jury prize in Sundance’s World Cinema Documentary competition.
Special mentions went to Gray House by Austin Lynch and Matthew Booth and The John Dalli Mystery by Jeppe Rønde.
The F:act Award, for a film involving in-depth journalistic investigation, went to Reber Dosky’s Radio Kobani, about a young woman’s struggle to run a local radio station in war-torn northern Syria.
A special mention went to Trophy by Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau...
Cph:dox has awarded its Dox:award to Last Men in Aleppo, directed by Feras Fayyad and co-directed by Steen Johannessen.
The jury said the film, about volunteers in the war-torn Syrian city, is “a film whose devastating emotional immediacy plunges us into a Shakespearean tragedy of a people striving to retain their humanity in the face of impossible realities.”
The film previously won the grand jury prize in Sundance’s World Cinema Documentary competition.
Special mentions went to Gray House by Austin Lynch and Matthew Booth and The John Dalli Mystery by Jeppe Rønde.
The F:act Award, for a film involving in-depth journalistic investigation, went to Reber Dosky’s Radio Kobani, about a young woman’s struggle to run a local radio station in war-torn northern Syria.
A special mention went to Trophy by Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau...
- 3/25/2017
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
“Trophy” first premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival back in January. Now, the documentary directed by Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau will be screening at South by Southwest.
Read More: ‘Trophy’ Review: This Big-Game Hunting Exposé is Jaw-Droppingly Beautiful, and Appalling — Sundance 2017
Here’s the official description of the film: “Endangered African species like elephants, rhinos, and lions march closer to extinction each year. Their devastating decline is fueled by a global desire to consume and collect these majestic animals.”Trophy” investigates the powerhouse businesses of big game hunting, breeding, and wildlife conservation.”
“Surely we want our world to survive,” says one of the subjects in the film, John Hume, a rhino breeder whose life’s mission is to save the rhino from extinction. “Surely we want our world to be a better place.”
Read More: The Orchard and CNN Acquire Documentary ‘Trophy’ — Sundance 2017
The Orchard and CNN Films have...
Read More: ‘Trophy’ Review: This Big-Game Hunting Exposé is Jaw-Droppingly Beautiful, and Appalling — Sundance 2017
Here’s the official description of the film: “Endangered African species like elephants, rhinos, and lions march closer to extinction each year. Their devastating decline is fueled by a global desire to consume and collect these majestic animals.”Trophy” investigates the powerhouse businesses of big game hunting, breeding, and wildlife conservation.”
“Surely we want our world to survive,” says one of the subjects in the film, John Hume, a rhino breeder whose life’s mission is to save the rhino from extinction. “Surely we want our world to be a better place.”
Read More: The Orchard and CNN Acquire Documentary ‘Trophy’ — Sundance 2017
The Orchard and CNN Films have...
- 3/8/2017
- by Yoselin Acevedo
- Indiewire
Relationships between documentary filmmakers and their subjects must balance access and editorial control, which leaves them walking a line between establishing trust and respecting boundaries. It’s a tricky business.
IndieWire recently asked nonfiction filmmakers behind this year’s Sundance documentary features about the understandings they established with their subjects before they started shooting, and if they considered their stars to be collaborators.
Read More: Fox Searchlight Buys Documentary ‘Step’ For More Than $4 Million — Sundance 2017
Amanda Lipitz “Step” The process started with discussing the idea with the families, especially the mothers of the young women on the step team. We set up a meeting after school one day and all the parents/guardians were invited to attend. I explained my vision of the story, with the emphasis on wanting to tell a positive story about Baltimore, these young women, and what they were trying to accomplish. I absolutely consider them collaborators.
IndieWire recently asked nonfiction filmmakers behind this year’s Sundance documentary features about the understandings they established with their subjects before they started shooting, and if they considered their stars to be collaborators.
Read More: Fox Searchlight Buys Documentary ‘Step’ For More Than $4 Million — Sundance 2017
Amanda Lipitz “Step” The process started with discussing the idea with the families, especially the mothers of the young women on the step team. We set up a meeting after school one day and all the parents/guardians were invited to attend. I explained my vision of the story, with the emphasis on wanting to tell a positive story about Baltimore, these young women, and what they were trying to accomplish. I absolutely consider them collaborators.
- 1/28/2017
- by Chris O'Falt
- Indiewire
IndieWire reached out to the filmmakers behind the feature-length narrative and documentary films premiering this week to find out what cameras they used and why they chose them. Here are their responses.
Read More: The 2017 IndieWire Sundance Bible – Every Review, Interview and News Item Posted During the Festival
Dramatic Competition & Next
Cory Finley, “Thoroughbred”
Arri Alexa Mini. Panavision G-Series lenses.
The Dp, Lyle Vincent, was very particular about getting a hold of both. They gave us flexibility in shooting and helped create the very precise, high-contrast, and slightly dreamy look we were going for.
Gillian Robespierre, “Landline”
Arri Alexa with some vintage lenses
“Landline” takes place in 1990’s Manhattan. My Dp Chris Teague and I talked a lot about what shooting a period movie from a recent period would look and feel like. Unfortunately, we were not able to shoot on film, and added a texture of LiveGrain during color...
Read More: The 2017 IndieWire Sundance Bible – Every Review, Interview and News Item Posted During the Festival
Dramatic Competition & Next
Cory Finley, “Thoroughbred”
Arri Alexa Mini. Panavision G-Series lenses.
The Dp, Lyle Vincent, was very particular about getting a hold of both. They gave us flexibility in shooting and helped create the very precise, high-contrast, and slightly dreamy look we were going for.
Gillian Robespierre, “Landline”
Arri Alexa with some vintage lenses
“Landline” takes place in 1990’s Manhattan. My Dp Chris Teague and I talked a lot about what shooting a period movie from a recent period would look and feel like. Unfortunately, we were not able to shoot on film, and added a texture of LiveGrain during color...
- 1/25/2017
- by Annakeara Stinson and Chris O'Falt
- Indiewire
Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau are the cofounders of Reel Peak Media, a production company that prides itself on documentary work of both “journalistic integrity and cinematic quality.” Both filmmakers began as photojournalists before making the move to documentary cinema. On Trophy, Schwarz and Clusiau served as DPs with Schwarz acting as director. Their film explores the worlds of big game hunting, breeding, and wildlife conservation. Below, the two discuss these issues ahead of Trophy‘s premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the cinematographer of your film? Schwarz and Clusiau: Since we are directors who started as photojournalists, […]...
- 1/22/2017
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
A woman kneels down, sets a black rhino in her sights, and pulls the trigger on the majestic animal, sending it careening to the ground. Immediately a crew rushes to the animal, straps its enormous jaw closed, and takes an electric saw to its horn. Cut to a portly older gentleman explaining in heavily accented South African English that for the rhino, the procedure is akin to having its wisdom teeth pulled. It’s for their own good, he explains: Poachers won’t kill a hornless rhino.
There are two sides to every story in “Trophy,” a sweeping new documentary from Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau. Capturing footage as unbelievable as the disturbing underworld of big-game hunting it seeks to understand, “Trophy” tells a story as captivating as its images are beautiful.
Read More: The Orchard and CNN Acquire Documentary ‘Trophy’ — Sundance 2017
The portly gentleman is John Hume, a rhino...
There are two sides to every story in “Trophy,” a sweeping new documentary from Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau. Capturing footage as unbelievable as the disturbing underworld of big-game hunting it seeks to understand, “Trophy” tells a story as captivating as its images are beautiful.
Read More: The Orchard and CNN Acquire Documentary ‘Trophy’ — Sundance 2017
The portly gentleman is John Hume, a rhino...
- 1/21/2017
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
The Orchard and CNN Films announced that they have joined forces to acquire North American rights to Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau’s documentary “Trophy.” “Trophy” is produced by Lauren Haber and Julia Nottingham of Pulse Films. The Orchard will handle all North American rights except broadcast, which will be acquired by CNN. A studio is closing international rights to the film. Also Read: So How Did Kristen Stewart's Directorial Debut Hold Up at Sundance? A startling exploration of the evolving relationship between big-game hunting and wildlife conservation, “Trophy” screens at the Sundance Film Festival in U.S. Documentary Competition.
- 1/20/2017
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
The North American deal understood to be a little over $2m was announced before the Friday world premiere of Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau’s U.S. Documentary Competition selection.
The Orchard will handle all North American distribution excluding broadcast and plans a theatrical release later this year on a minimum of 150 screens.
CNN will air the documentary later this year. It is understood a studio international deal is in the works.
Lauren Haber and Pulse Films’ Julia Nottingham produced the film about the evolving relationship between big-game hunting and wildlife conservation. Production companies include Reel Peak Films and Impact Partners.
The Orchard’s vice-president of acquisitions Danielle Digiacomo and CNN Films vice-president for business affairs Stacey Wolf and CNN Films vice-president for content development Courtney Sexton brokered the deal.
Negotiating for the Trophy filmmakers were Josh Braun and Ben Braun of Submarine, UTA Independent Film Group, and Anita Surendran of Gray Krauss Stratford Sandler Des Rochers.
Executive...
The Orchard will handle all North American distribution excluding broadcast and plans a theatrical release later this year on a minimum of 150 screens.
CNN will air the documentary later this year. It is understood a studio international deal is in the works.
Lauren Haber and Pulse Films’ Julia Nottingham produced the film about the evolving relationship between big-game hunting and wildlife conservation. Production companies include Reel Peak Films and Impact Partners.
The Orchard’s vice-president of acquisitions Danielle Digiacomo and CNN Films vice-president for business affairs Stacey Wolf and CNN Films vice-president for content development Courtney Sexton brokered the deal.
Negotiating for the Trophy filmmakers were Josh Braun and Ben Braun of Submarine, UTA Independent Film Group, and Anita Surendran of Gray Krauss Stratford Sandler Des Rochers.
Executive...
- 1/20/2017
- ScreenDaily
The Orchard and CNN Films have acquired the North American rights to the Sundance entry “Trophy,” directed by Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau. The Orchard is taking all North American rights except broadcast, which will be handled by CNN. A studio is in the process of negotiating international rights to the film.
The acquisition comes on the day of the premiere of the movie, which was produced by Lauren Haber and Julia Nottingham of Pulse Films and screens in Sundance’s U.S. Documentary Competition section.
“Trophy” is a “startling exploration of the evolving relationship between big-game hunting and wildlife conservation,” and will be released this year on at least 150 screens, according to The Orchard. The film looks at endangered African species like elephants, rhinos and lions, and investigates the industries of big-game hunting, breeding and wildlife conservation to ask the question: What are the implications of treating animals as commodities?...
The acquisition comes on the day of the premiere of the movie, which was produced by Lauren Haber and Julia Nottingham of Pulse Films and screens in Sundance’s U.S. Documentary Competition section.
“Trophy” is a “startling exploration of the evolving relationship between big-game hunting and wildlife conservation,” and will be released this year on at least 150 screens, according to The Orchard. The film looks at endangered African species like elephants, rhinos and lions, and investigates the industries of big-game hunting, breeding and wildlife conservation to ask the question: What are the implications of treating animals as commodities?...
- 1/20/2017
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
Activism must be in the air today. The Orchard and CNN Films have acquired North American rights to Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau’s documentary Trophy, which is produced by Lauren Haber and Pulse Films’ Julia Nottingham. Total deal is near $2 million, sources said. The Orchard will handle all North American rights, and CNN gets broadcast rights. International rights still are being brokered. The pic is a provocative exploration of the evolving relationship between…...
- 1/20/2017
- Deadline
Chasing Coral, which looks at dying coral reefs; Jiu-liang Wang's Plastic China, which follows an 11-year-old girl living amid a wasteland of plastic refuse; Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau's Trophy, which examines the business of big-game hunting; and Marina Zenovich's Water & Power: A California Heist, which plays like a...
- 1/18/2017
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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