OurielOhayon

6mFor6m

I recently stumbled upon this very interesting project called 6mfor6m /"Unbroken Chain". It is a movie about to be produced based on a popular book about the Holocaust. I was specially sensitive to this project because of the way it is marketed and funded. The producers are looking to crowdsource the movie (they are looking for 6M USD, which is a low budget for a movie production) and call the users to fund it. According to the level of funding you contribute you get a get a grade in the production scale along with the credit in the movie trailer.



I love the idea. I don't think this could be totally replicated at scale, because at the end of the day you need high talent to execute this. But the web site and interest of the story makes this unique. So far the producer tells me that they started to raise little money and i hope they can make it.

I only have a quick suggestion for them: when you raise enough money make a quick trailer and put it on youtube, along with more widgets (those on the site are not viral but just pics to copy/paste...)

One other suggestion to the site: it should be clearer about how the money is going to be used and also what happens if you contribute but the movie can't raise enough (do you get your money back?). Crowdsourcing without transparency is not good enough

One last: put faces to this project. It s hard to see them on the site.

They have a Twitter account (@6mfor6m) if you want to track their story

Technorati Tags: movie film internet idea

Terminator 4: THE vc question

Terminator is for me a milestone movie. The kind of movie that change the way movies are made after. I still remember the terrific experience of the first 2 terminators by James Cameron, that changed for ever the way sci-fi movies would be made (like matrix did also a few years later).

I recently saw that movie and was pleasantly surprised. Timing and dramatic pressure is well orchestrated and effects are stunning. I also liked the actor that takes the terminator role. I think we ll see him a lot on screen. However i have a question i can't help thinking about

Who is the stupid VC that backed Skynet? [if you have not seen the movie you can't perceive the whole point of this question]

Watch Validation

I am currently going through a tough period. this is not the first time this is happening, and over the years i have gathered a few tools that help me cope with difficult moments. A few days ago, while learning to be patient and waiting, i have discovered an incredibly powerful video that i absolutely recommend to anyone who feels a little down.

It is a short 16 min movie called "Validation". I garantee you ll feel full of positive energy at the end of it.

This is the CellPhone James Bond would have picked, If he was deciding alone

Unfortunately, the movie business imposed him this Useless and ugly Sony Ericsson

Once

On the recommendation of a friend i watched the movie "Once". This is a little jewel and this is my duty to tell you to rush to the closest blockbuster or netflix and rent it. This is a rare movie. The quality of the emotion is unique and so real it is hard to say whether this is a movie or a documentary. It is a simple story of a would be singer (highly talented) meeting someone in the street.

The movie is about the one time when you think you met someone special (hence the title). The music is absolutely awesome and simple (listen below a song i found on Deezer) just like the movie and it is composed mostly by Glen Hansard who also happens to be the actor.

Discover Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova!

If this was not enough: even Steven Spielberg said he liked this unique movie and it is rated 8.x on imdb and won a prize at the Sundance film festival. Trust me this is a GOOD movie. Below the trailer

The most famous Israeli Hair Dresser in Hollywood

This is going to be the biggest blockbuster this year in Israel. Don't miss Zohan - Adam Sandler as an ex-Israeli soldier becoming a hair dresser in NYC. I can't think about a better pitch for a massive success in Israel (maybe also elsewhere). Below the trailer

Hollywood and America's historical Traumas

Hollywood has been, nearly since inception, a way for America to showcase and treat its own historical traumas. The movie industry never wait too much before they surf on terrible events and make them subjects for films. No taboos are allowed. And the American people rush to see them just like a big therapeutic session as if they were long gone.

Think of all the westerns of John Huston or Sam Peckinpah, the uncountable movies on the second world war (which is still a hot matter: watch upcoming Valkyrie) which were very popular at the time and then the Vietnam War (Full Metal Jacket is a must just like Platoon or the Deer Hunter) the Gulf War (Three Kings and i absolutely recommend Syriana)

Here are a series of recent good movies that surf on that trend:

 

September 11: United93 is probably the best movie on the matter and was made only a few years after the terrible events. You can also watch Oliver Stone's Word Trade Center but i do not recommend this. It stinks ketchup and popcorn too much

Afghanistan/Taliban: Charlie Wilson's War is probably the most notable movie, But i would recommend to see the Kite Runner which as a movie is more touching. Recently there was also Lion for Lambs with a great casting (Cruise, Redford, Streep) but a poor story

War in Iraq: I recently saw 2 good movies on the subject in very different styles. The Kingdom is an action movie which is well done and well executed. But the most touching is certainly In The valley of Elah by master Paul Haggis (Behind Crash and Million Dollar Baby) with the story of this father inquiring on the disappearance of his son.

 

Do you see more? What is the next big trauma hollywood is going to transform in a Movie?

Just saw Cloverfield. Still shaking

I won't write a long post. But since i am still in shock after what i saw i could not help sharing.

I don't know if Cloverfield is a great movie but it can't let you indifferent. I don't know if Cloverfield is a unique movie: it surfs on the previous success of Godzilla meet the Blair Witch Project (the scariest movie i have ever seen after Shinning). I don't know if Cloverfield will remain in people's memory: it surfs on too many current trends (including Youtube like video style, things you half see, MTV generation... ) to know if it will still be "good" in a few years.

But i know one thing. During all the movie i was shaking. even once the movie was over.

Matt Reeves, the director, made a great job at finding tipping points and climaxes all along the story (he was behind the excellent "The Yards"). I am nearly scared to go to NYC in a couple of weeks :)

I liked it. Maybe you will (if you have a good heart)

Bonus question: can someone explain the meaning of CloverField? does that have to do with the name of the flower?

Technorati Tags: cloverfield, movies

Israel going to Hollywood

Is Israel becoming an increasing provider of talents for Hollywood?

I recently wrote about successful non high tech businesses abroad and movies was one of them (TV shows also). Let me list here a few elements around that trend

• Beaufort is a movie was recently nominated at the academy awards
• betipul is being adapted by HBO under In treatments.
• I recently saw on TV that a young movie producer was hired by a major for a big production.
• Eytan fox is on the list of hot new talents with walking on the water that received good reviews in the US.
• Spielberg used recently a few Israeli actors for Munich.
• We already have a international star with Natalie Portman.
• I just saw the excellent "we own the night" where an israeli actor Moni Moshonov holds the role of the Godfather. I like very much this actor (specially in the funny series ktsarim), although i did not find him convincing in this role. [sidenote: the tech billionaire Marc Cuban is an exec producer ]

The Israeli movie industry is not very mature and probably not the most regarded internationally but all of those elements started in the last 5 years.

I would not be surprised to see some day our best Israeli actors (and we do have a few, not many but a few) going to a full career in Hollywood like Antonio Banderas did when he left Spain.

Technorati Tags: movies, israel, hollywood

An Israeli movie nominated at the 2008 Oscars

A new category should be added to the list of successful israeli non high tech businesses abroad along with Music, Food, fashion and TV shows : movies

Until recently the only strong name in the international movie scene was the controversial Amos Gitai. But recently a few new names came up in particular Eytan Fox with the successful "Walk on the Water". It would be a mistake not to mention our most international israeli actress: Natalie Portman.  Today as the movie Academy Award announced the nominees a new name came up: Joseph Cedar for Beaufort nominated in best foreign films. Here is the synopsis and trailer

In the days leading up to Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000, the soldiers stationed at the mountaintop outpost of Beaufort live under a barrage of constant attacks. Frustrated by the knowledge that they are risking--and often losing--their lives in defense of a fortress that will soon be abandoned, the men struggle to do their duty while grieving for their dead comrades and preparing for the evacuation.

On a side note i am disappointed that the Kite Runner is not included in that category (and did not win any golden globes) but it is running for best music.

Technorati Tags: movie, israel, academy award, oscar, beaufort