NYFF 07: Sidney Lumet On The Digital Revolution

Legendary director Sidney Lumet weighs in what he perceives an an inevitable shift from celluloid to hi-def digital production at a Q&A following a press screening of his latest film "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" at the 2007 New York Film Festival.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Film
• lumet
• digital
• festival

[nicolawicz]

So typical of a hack, preferring digital video to film. He's always been a styleless hack. Talented, but a hack nonetheless.

[RabbiReport]

@nicolawicz You can't really be a hack and be talented. Not only that, but 12 Angry Men, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, Network, The Verdict... styleless? Please.

[nicolawicz]

@RabbiReport You certainly can be a talented hack. Those films are great and all, but you can't even tell they were made by the same person. He'd direct anything. Maybe I shouldn't have said hack, he's more like a Hollywood craftsman.

[RabbiReport]

@nicolawicz Who cares if you can't tell if they were made by the same person? Why should you be able to? Can you tell that Crouching Tiger and Brokeback Mountain are the same filmmaker? Oceans 11 and Sex, Lies & Videotape? The Daytrippers and Paul? How about 1941 and ET? Apocalypse Now and Jack? I'm not sure why similarity in style from film to film is a good thing in your book.

[remsify1]

@RabbiReport lol hack. this is sidney lumet fool

[RabbiReport]

@remsify1 I didn't call him a hack.

[Widukind75]

Sidney Lumet was a amazing film director. The world lost one of the most talented and most creative people we have. We also love his movies in Germany but I think the whole world loved him.

Rest in peace Sidney

[BeastGlatisant]

Great insights; I love this man and that he is STILL with us and churning out great work. Thanks so much for posting this--would've loved to have been there!

[klausweasley]

@nicolawicz People throw the word "HACK" around way too much. The definition of the word HACK means that you make something purely just for money. It does NOT necessarily mean you're a bad filmmaker. There are hacks who actually make good films from time to time and there are bad filmmakers who are definitely does not fit the definition of the word hack. Love or hate Sidney's films, you can definitely see he mostly makes films that interests him. Not something an actual hack would do.

[Jayla60]

I like how Lumet style is not meant to be see but felt. Bravo.

[nicolawicz]

@RabbiReport One thing is for each film to have a particular style and another is to have a workmanlike approach to all your films. The only stylish film I've seen from this guy is The Pawnbroker.

[fbisono66]

Truly one of our greatest Directors of all time. Its amazing that he never won an Oscar God Bless you Mr. Lumet.

And thank you!

[cha5]

R.I.P. Mr Lumet, In these days where film is becoming nothing more than a massive C.G .I. fest with no human touch, your films will always stand the test of time.

[OMFGITSROHIT]

The greatest director of all time and he hasn't won an oscar. How the fuck could they nominate Juno instead of Before the devil knows you're dead?