Entertainment | Film & Cinema
Bedazzled
He heads a company that has scooped 60 Academy Awards and has been nominated for 249. So it's pretty safe to say Harvey Weinstein certainly knows his stuff when it comes to the world of films.
- By Kelly Crane, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:06 October 16, 2007
- Image Credit: Tracy Brand/Gulf News
- Harvey Weinstein, founder of Miramax Films.
He heads a company that has scooped 60 Academy Awards and has been nominated for 249. So it's pretty safe to say Harvey Weinstein certainly knows his stuff when it comes to the world of films.
Incredible
Featuring as keynote speaker at this year's first Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF), Weinstein told tabloid! he
had been "dazzled by the beauty" of Abu Dhabi and believed it "won't be long before the film industry jumps on such a
glorious place".
In a press conference with a few select media representatives — including tabloid! — he said he was amazed with the country and what it was capable of.
He said: "I keep being asked what can the Middle East do to improve links between the rest of the world when it comes to film and my answer is simple; keep doing exactly what you're doing.
"This is clearly a country which has positive support from the government and incredible ideas and plans for the future. You only have to look around you today, at this festival, which has been made possible in less than four months. This nation has the ability to do whatever it wants and do it well.
"I have been dazzled by the beauty of the place. I thought I was coming to give a speech in a room and I have been utterly astounded by what this place has to offer."
Major releases
Weinstein launched the Weinstein Company, a multi-media company, with his brother Bob on October 1, 2005. Dimension Films, the genre label that began at Miramax, is also included under the Weinstein Company banner.
Since then, the Weinstein Company and Dimension Films have released many films, some of which include Derailed, Wolf Creek, Transamerica, The Matador, Mrs. Henderson Presents, Hoodwinked, Scary Movie 4, Pulse, Shut Up & Sing and Grindhouse.
Bobby, Lucky Number Slevin, Clerks II, School for Scoundrels, Factory Girl and Miss Potter are Weinstein Company presentations that have been theatrically released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM).
Upcoming films to be released by The Weinstein Company and Dimension Films include: the heartfelt drama Grace Is Gone starring John Cusack — a feature at MEIFF — and Anton Corbijn's Control about former Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis.
Censorship
With the censorship of film a hurdle for many filmmakers in the region, Weinstein put minds at rest and said he didn't think it would be an issue when it comes to funding.
He said: "Since I have landed in this delightful country, I have heard so much about culture and heritage. Yes, the culture
is strong and plays a immense part in the life of the region, but I don't believe the censorship issues will hinder
financing. If a film is good and worth investing in then it's worth investing in. I believe this is a growing nation which is
also a lot more open than people give it credit. In many ways, because everything is new and people are still learning, they
are almost more eager to open the doors and be led by experienced people. This allows for change. I believe the restrictions here are less than in the States.
"This country has to keep doing what it is doing. They are coming up with ideas, looking into them and are not afraid to ask for help from people in the know when they need it."
In 1979, he and his brother Bob started Miramax, one of the most successful independent distribution and production houses.
Willing to take risks, the Weinsteins utilised specialised marketing and distribution strategies, individually tailoring each film's release to suit its particular strengths. Their inventive marketing techniques are widely known to be responsible for many artistic success stories.
Oscar nominations
Under Harvey and Bob's leadership, Miramax Films released some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful independent feature films. The outstanding quality of Miramax's films under the Weinsteins leadership was represented in the company's success in the annual Academy Awards. Under the Weinsteins, Miramax received 249 Academy Award nominations.
Honour
Weinstein has also been named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the British film industry, and made Chevaliers de Arts et des Lettres (Chevaliers of the Order of Arts and Letters) at the French Consulate in New York City. This great honour was bestowed to recognise Miramax's efforts in greatly increasing the presence and popularity of foreign films in the United States.
Talent
He said: "There is a great deal of talent here in the Middle East but it's about making the right decisions for the right
reasons. You don't ask a filmmaker to produce your movie just because he is here and cheap. You get what you pay for and you may as well pay for a good job — even if that does mean using resources from elsewhere in the world. But that's not to say there aren't quality filmmakers here because there are."
Weinstein is also active in the philanthropic community on issues such as poverty, AIDS, juvenile diabetes and multiple
sclerosis research. He serves on the Board of Robin Hood, New York City's premiere non-profit organisation in fighting
poverty, and recently co-chaired their annual benefit where they raised a record $72 million (Dh264 million) in one night.
He said: "I can definitely see the potential in the Middle East and can confirm it is a place I will be open to doing
business with in the future."
60
That's the number of Oscars won by the Weinstein-headed studio Miramax. The films that won Oscars are: Pulp Fiction, Il
Postino, The English Patient, Good Will Hunting, Life Is Beautiful, Shakespeare In Love, Gangs of New York, Chicago and The Aviator.
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