Unique new film shot on phone opening Friday in the city
On Friday we present a unique film from acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh, “Unsane” — the director’s latest film, shot entirely on a phone! This “certified fresh” (Rotten Tomatoes) film is a glimpse into the psyche of a stalking victim (Claire Foy of “The Crown”) who is kept in a mental-care facility against her will.
This psycho-thriller traps an unstable bank employee, Sawyer Valentini, in the facility, and to make matters worse, she’s positive one of the orderlies is the man who has been relentlessly stalking her for years. The film is rated 14A and runs 97 minutes in length. It carries a Coarse Language and Violence warning, and will play daily at 1:15, 3:50, 6:55 and 9:45 p.m.
Soderbergh used what is called an R1 Pro from Shoulderpod, which I am told is a simple camera rig that uses an iPhone to shoot footage. He insists that he “appreciates the crispness of the 4K video quality” and that “he does not see this as any manner of concession.”
“I think this is the future,” he is quoted, and said further “anyone going to see this movie without any idea of the backstory to the production will have no idea this was shot on the phone.” It is obvious that the skill of an accomplished artist is integral to turn a limitation into a strength. He has done just that, as he has harnessed the potential of the gadget in your pocket to create an amazing visual. On Wednesday, April 18, National Canadian Film Day (NCFD) returns! Save the date! We are proud to once again participate in this nationwide event (#CanFilmDay, @CanFilmDay), presented by REELCANADA. We will be offering the award winning Canadian film “Maudie” on this day, with showings at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Admission is free; however, tickets are available on a first come first served basis. This film is rated PG and is 111 minutes long, with a Mature Subject Matter warning. It has a strong cast, including Ethan Hawke and Sally Hawkins (“The Shape of Water”).
From the official site we learn of “Maudie:” “Based on a true story, is an unlikely romance in which the reclusive Everett Lewis (Ethan Hawke) hires a fragile yet determined woman named Maudie (Sally Hawkins) to be his housekeeper. Maudie, bright-eyed but hunched with crippled hands, yearns to be independent, to live away from her protective family and she also yearns, passionately, to create art. Unexpectedly, Everett finds himself falling in love. Maudie charts Everett’s efforts to protect himself from being hurt, Maudie’s deep and abiding love for this difficult man and her surprising rise to fame as a folk painter. See you at the movie theatre! Please feel free to contact me with your comments or feedback — even an idea for an article — len@moviemill.com. Hope to see you at the movies!