Down and Dirty Pictures: Miramax, Sundance, and the Rise of Independent Film (Paperback)
This is really a fascinating book about how Robert Redford started Sundance and how the Weinstein brothers founded Miramax. Along the way we meet familiar directors and one-hit-wonders. They all struggle for power and control for the final cut. I couldn’t imagine a rougher industry to be involved in. After you read about the shenanigans that happen behind the scenes you’ll be amazed that a decent movie ever gets made. If this is how indie films were/are made I’d hate to be working in Hollywood. Geez.
From Publisher’s Weekly: Biskind brilliantly covers their career hits, from the high-profile acquisition of Steven Soderbergh’s Sex, Lies and Videotape through backstories for Cinema Paradiso, Good Will Hunting and Chicago to brutal clashes with Martin Scorsese over Gangs of New York. And Quentin Tarantino’s lust for stardom, Billy Bob Thornton’s “ornery, stick-to-your-guns” personality and Ben Affleck’s frustration about being underpaid are just a few of the other mesmerizing elements Biskind includes. Above all, Biskind conveys a key truth: the Weinsteins and Redford, whatever their personal imperfections, possess courage and a deep, overwhelming love of film.
