- Title: USA: Oscar-nominated documentaries honored in L.A.
- Date: 20th February 2009
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY 18, 2009) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) "MAN ON WIRE" DIRECTOR JAMES MARSH, SAYING: "The film is called 'Man on Wire,' it's the story of Philipe Petit. In 1974, put a wire between the twin towers of the World Trade Center and performed on that wire. And Philipe is actually just here. And you can talk to him a little bit later on. But the film is really kind of a heist film. To do that he has to set-up a very complicated criminal conspiracy, which takes place across eight or nine months, to break into both of the towers, and then rig the wire under cover of darkness so Philippe can perform in the morning. Lots of things go wrong, and so the film is quite suspenseful." (SOUNDBITE) (French) TIGHTROPE WALKER PHILIPPE PETIT, SAYING: "Well, I had been thinking of having a film made of my adventure for dozens of years. So, when it came a tangible project, I was very touched, very happy, very excited. And then when the project was finished in the form of a film on the screen I was again very touched and very happy of the result. And very, proud that this film, you know, had a wave of international inspiration. Everybody loved this film." (SOUNDBITE) (English) "THE GARDEN" DIRECTOR SCOTT HAMILTON KENNEDY SAYING: "It's pretty amazing, it's absolutely unbelievable. It's hard work making documentaries as we probably all know. And it's really an honour to be acknowledged for that hard work, and hopefully making a good story."
- Embargoed: 7th March 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA9E3L38M6IGWXPA3C5SND8WKGP
- Story Text: The five documentary films nominated for an Oscar this year were honoured at the 27th Annual International Documentary Film (IDA) Association Nominees Reception Wednesday (February 18) night.
The event was held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in Beverly Hills.
"Man on Wire" British director James Marsh summarized his film.
"The film is called 'Man on Wire,' it's the story of Philipe Petit. In 1974, put a wire between the twin towers of the World Trade Center and performed on that wire. And Philipe is actually just here. And you can talk to him a little bit later on. But the film is really kind of a heist film. To do that he has to set-up a very complicated criminal conspiracy, which takes place across eight or nine months, to break into both of the towers, and then rig the wire under cover of darkness so Philippe can perform in the morning. Lots of things go wrong, and so the film is quite suspenseful."
Petit himself was on hand to talk about how he felt to have the story memorialized in a motion picture.
"Well, I had been thinking of having a film made of my adventure for dozens of years. So, when it came a tangible project, I was very touched, very happy, very excited. And then when the project was finished in the form of a film on the screen I was again very touched and very happy of the result.
And very, proud that this film, you know, had a wave of international inspiration. Everybody loved this film."
Meanwhile, Marsh told Reuters how he felt about being an Oscar contender for the first time.
"Well, it's, to be honest it's kind of ridiculous, in a very good way," smiled Marsh. "The joke's not on me. I'm not sure sure who the joke is on. But it's not what you expect as a documentary filmmaker to be in this kind of world. So you have to just enjoy it whilst it lasts. I mean to do that."
"The Garden" focused on the fight to preserve a thriving community garden in Los Angeles.
Director Scott Hamilton Kennedy shared his thoughts about suddenly being in the running for an Academy Award.
"It's pretty amazing, it's absolutely unbelievable. It's hard work making documentaries as we probably all know. And it's really an honour to be acknowledged for that hard work, and hopefully making a good story."
Meanwhile, "Trouble the Water" filmmakers Tia Lessin and Carl Deal told Reuters why they were compelled to make their film.
"We have been told that our film is incredibly uplifting, it's a celebration of human spirit. It's a celebration of survival. It had it's backdrop survival against Hurricane Katrina. And it's about two, beautiful resilient people who survive the storm and then seized a chance for new beginning. And, even though it's set against a tragedy, it's a really hopeful, and it seems to be resonating with people.
"The Betrayal" and "Encounters at the End of the World" were also nominated for a "best documentary" Oscar.
"The Betrayal" follows the epic story of a family forced to emigrate from Laos after the chaos of the secret air war waged by the U.S.
during the Vietnam War.
Director Ellen Kuras has spent the last 23 years chronicling the family's extraordinary journey.
And in "Encounters at the End of the World" filmmaker Werner Herzog travels to Antarctica to capture the rarely seen beauty of the harsh landscape on film.
The Oscar for the best documentary film will be handed out on Sunday, February 22nd during the Academy Awards ceremony at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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