Living in Oblivion (1995)

This ultimate tribute to all independent filmmakers takes place during one day on the set of a non-budget movie.

Director:

Tom DiCillo

Writer:

Tom DiCillo

Stars:

Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener, Dermot Mulroney

7 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Buscemi	...	Nick Reve
Catherine Keener	...	Nicole Springer
Dermot Mulroney	...	Wolf
Danielle von Zerneck	...	Wanda
James Le Gros	...	Chad Palomino (as James LeGros)
Rica Martens	...	Cora
Peter Dinklage	...	Tito
Kevin Corrigan	...	Assistant Camera
Hilary Gilford	...	Script
Robert Wightman	...	Gaffer
Tom Jarmusch	...	Driver / Intern
Michael Griffiths	...	Sound Mixer / 'Speedo'
Matthew Grace	...	Boom
Ryan Bowker	...	Food Service / Clapper
Francesca DiMauro	...	Production Assistant

Storyline

This ultimate tribute to all independent filmmakers takes place during one day on the set of a non-budget movie.

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Plot Keywords:

neo screwball comedy | looking at oneself in a mirror | 1990s | filmmaking | filmmaker | 

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Taglines:

He only needs three things to get through the day ... an espresso, an aspirin, and a miracle.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The idea that writer/director Tom DiCillo modeled the buffoonish Chad Palomino character on Brad Pitt after working with Pitt on Johnny Suede (1991) is a myth. Pitt himself was slated to appear as the Palomino character, until a scheduling conflict with Legends of the Fall (1994) forced him to drop out and be replaced by James Le Gros. Apparently, LeGros *was* mocking a self-absorbed Hollywood star, but it wasn't Pitt. DiCillo said that while he can't name any names, LeGros confided that he had lifted all of the Palomino character's mannerisms from a star with whom he had just finished working.

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Goofs

Underwear visible when Nicole steps into the shower.

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Quotes

Chad: What did you call me?
Nick: You heard me. I called you a "Hostess Twinkie motherfucker," motherfucker!

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Crazy Credits

statement after the end credits: The characters and incidents portrayed and the names herein are sort of fictitious, and any similarity to the name, character or history of any person is sort of coincidental and unintentional.

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Connections

Referenced in Colossal: Behind the Scenes (2017)

User Reviews

A great hidden documentary of a film

For all of us who have worked on a film production before, watching Living in Oblivion is an honor and an enjoyment. For once you have experienced what it is like to work in that kind of atmosphere with that group of people, you accept it even more. A story about a director making a movie, Living in Oblivion holds many true tidbits and crazy moments that occur regularly on a film shoot. The relationship between the director and the D of P, the treatment of the actors between the other actors and the crew, and most importantly, how a director holds himself with one member of the production with another. Altogether, you got an amazing film that tells it like it is. A pure, a true enjoyment.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 July 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Living in Oblivion

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$47,965, 16 July 1995

Gross USA:

$1,111,790

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,111,790

Company Credits

Production Co:

JDI Productions, Lemon Sky Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1