First Person

FIRST PERSON | Film Historian David Bordwell Releases His Authoritative History of the Digital Transition

Film historian David Bordwell, who with his wife Kristin Thompson has written the popular intro to film textbook "Film Art" for several decades and was profiled on Indiewire several weeks ago in our Movie Lovers we Love column, has been investigating the digital transition in movie theater...

In His Own Words: Alex Ross Perry Shares a Scene From 'The Color Wheel'

Alex Ross Perry shares an exclusive scene from his sophomore feature "The Color Wheel," which topped Indiewire's 2011 end-of-year poll for best undistributed film. The film got picked up by Cinema Conservancy after topping that chart and opens Friday at BAMcinematek in New York. Co-staring and co-wr...

FIRST PERSON | How to Take on Programming Hot Docs Without Breaking It

Four months ago I found myself sitting in a half-empty apartment in Toronto about to start the biggest challenge of my life, taking over the position of Director of Programming at Hot Docs. For the previous three months I had been traveling across Europe looking for films for the festival, many of m...

In Her Own Words: Aimee Lagos Shares One of Her Favorite Scenes From '96 Minutes'

"96 Minutes" is on it’s face a story about a carjacking gone horribly wrong, but at it’s core it’s an exploration of four young characters – all very different on the outside and from completely different walks of life, yet whom are all struggling with many of the same issues emotionally that face s...

In His Own Words: Braden King Shares a Scene from 'Here'

Below filmmaker Braden King shares a scene from his Armenia-set drama "Here," starring Ben Foster ("The Messenger") and Lubna Azabal ("Incendies"). The film opens in New York this Friday through Strand Releasing, and expands to Los Angeles and San Francisco in May.

Watch: Mario Van Peebles Tells Us How Going 'Inconegro' Became 'We the Party'

Filmmaker/actor Mario Van Peebles ("Baadasssss!") takes a revealing look at contemporary youth culture, showing how teenagers really are behind closed doors with his comedy "We the Party" (out in select theaters this Friday). Set amidst the latest trends in music, dance and fashi...

First Person: 'Bully' Writer-Producer Cynthia Lowen Speaks Out

Never has failure been so successful: While Harvey Weinstein was unable to get "Bully" a PG-13 rating, his attempts resulted in massive public awareness, celebrity rallies and even free advertising in support of the film and its cause.

First Person: Gay 'Mumbleporn' Filmmaker Travis Mathews Talks About Sex, Baby

In His Own Words: Tony Kaye Shares a Scene From 'Detachment' Starring Adrien Brody

Below director Tony Kaye ("American History X") shares a scene from his latest, "Detachment." The timely drama centers on Henry Barthes (Adrien Brody), a substitute teacher who makes it a point to avoid emotional connection with his students and colleagues. Rounding out the stellar ensemble is Marci...