Biography on Woody Allen
by Kasper (02 Jan 2008 17:24:47)
Tags: Biography Woody Allen American film
Woody Allen (born 1st of December 1935 in New York) is one of the top-directors in the comedy-genre and his films are widely known for their portraits of his unforgettable characters.
Until 1969 when his debut-feature came, he used his humour to work as a stand-up-comedian, play-/tv-writer and author of short stories and one-liners. But thanks to his two agents he was hired to direct, write and star a light-comedy-film called "Take the Money and Run", which he has followed up on my making approximately one film a year ever since. The reason why this is possible, is that he doesn't need a high budget, yet films like "Annie Hall", "Hannah and Her Sisters" and "Match Point" show his ability to make box office-success.
What characterises a Woody Allen-film is the jazz-music, his title-cards, the famous actors, the portrait of the city (most often New York) and its people, the endless discussions about art, philosophy and life, the therapist confessions, the artist-struggle, the relationship with women (whether its wife or lover), God, death, sex and, of course, his character: The short, neurotic New Yorker with the glasses.
His audience gets what they expect from him: Interesting pictures with a obvious Woodyish-touch. And to me what makes Woody such an interesting filmmaker is the red-thread throughout his films his fascinating painting-style.
When his films are so similar its also because of his loyal cast and crew. Among actors and actresses he has worked with are Alan Alda, Diane Keaton, Mia Farrow, Tony Roberts, Dianne Wiest, Judy Davis and potentially Scarlett Johansson. Behind the camera cinematographers Gordon Willis, Carlo Di Palma and Sven Nykvist (Bergmans cinematographer). Dick Hyman usually compose and perform music to his films, Susan E. Morse is his long-time editor and his agents Charles H. Joffe & Jack Rollins have produced most of his films.
But even within these limits he is still able to play with style and form. For example Everyone Says I Love You is a musical, Zelig is a fake-documentary (mockumentary) and Husbands and Wives is an almost dogme-like filmed narrative. With Interiors, September and Another Woman he showed his potential as a drama-director. Annie Hall is known for its break of the âfourth wallâ, Manhattan is a portrait of New York set in beautiful black/white, Stardust Memories is his personal version of Fellini's 8 1/2, Deconstructing Harry arguable his version of Ingmar Bergmans Wild Strawberries and Shadows and Fog is shot in an expressionistic style.
But when making about 40 films, a lot of treasures are over-looked in his glorious repertoire. We have chosen some films in the club, which we find interesting for further discussion - e.g. his series of Bergman-like dramas ("Interiors" and "Another Woman") which only got little attention in USA. And finally with his film "Scoop" (which is said to be his last comedy) we ask what will happen now.
by Kasper (02 Jan 2008 17:24:47)
Tags: Biography Woody Allen American film
Woody Allen (born 1st of December 1935 in New York) is one of the top-directors in the comedy-genre and his films are widely known for their portraits of his unforgettable characters.
Until 1969 when his debut-feature came, he used his humour to work as a stand-up-comedian, play-/tv-writer and author of short stories and one-liners. But thanks to his two agents he was hired to direct, write and star a light-comedy-film called "Take the Money and Run", which he has followed up on my making approximately one film a year ever since. The reason why this is possible, is that he doesn't need a high budget, yet films like "Annie Hall", "Hannah and Her Sisters" and "Match Point" show his ability to make box office-success.
What characterises a Woody Allen-film is the jazz-music, his title-cards, the famous actors, the portrait of the city (most often New York) and its people, the endless discussions about art, philosophy and life, the therapist confessions, the artist-struggle, the relationship with women (whether its wife or lover), God, death, sex and, of course, his character: The short, neurotic New Yorker with the glasses.
His audience gets what they expect from him: Interesting pictures with a obvious Woodyish-touch. And to me what makes Woody such an interesting filmmaker is the red-thread throughout his films his fascinating painting-style.
When his films are so similar its also because of his loyal cast and crew. Among actors and actresses he has worked with are Alan Alda, Diane Keaton, Mia Farrow, Tony Roberts, Dianne Wiest, Judy Davis and potentially Scarlett Johansson. Behind the camera cinematographers Gordon Willis, Carlo Di Palma and Sven Nykvist (Bergmans cinematographer). Dick Hyman usually compose and perform music to his films, Susan E. Morse is his long-time editor and his agents Charles H. Joffe & Jack Rollins have produced most of his films.
But even within these limits he is still able to play with style and form. For example Everyone Says I Love You is a musical, Zelig is a fake-documentary (mockumentary) and Husbands and Wives is an almost dogme-like filmed narrative. With Interiors, September and Another Woman he showed his potential as a drama-director. Annie Hall is known for its break of the âfourth wallâ, Manhattan is a portrait of New York set in beautiful black/white, Stardust Memories is his personal version of Fellini's 8 1/2, Deconstructing Harry arguable his version of Ingmar Bergmans Wild Strawberries and Shadows and Fog is shot in an expressionistic style.
But when making about 40 films, a lot of treasures are over-looked in his glorious repertoire. We have chosen some films in the club, which we find interesting for further discussion - e.g. his series of Bergman-like dramas ("Interiors" and "Another Woman") which only got little attention in USA. And finally with his film "Scoop" (which is said to be his last comedy) we ask what will happen now.
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