The Raid Production Blog #1: Bootcamp and Choreography

As premiered earlier on TwitchFilm here is the first of six production blogs detailing the making of THE RAID. We will release one each week every friday leading up to March 23rd.

THE RAID: PRODUCTION BLOG 1 - Bootcamp & Choreography

First episode covers me sending the guys to learn all they need to know about guns, knives, bombs and military strategy and a little showing the pre-vis storyboards used in pre-production during the fight scene design.

English Version

Indonesian Version

TWITTER COMPETITION

This week we began posting @THERAIDMOVIE and opened week 1 of a 5 week competition for fans to win tickets to see THE RAID at the GALA PREMIERE on March 21st. The contest is only open to Indonesian or Indonesian based entrants.

So after a week of posting captions, the winner is @.

Congrats, we look forward to seeing you at the premiere.

AND FINALLY THE Q&A....

Q. A-Bye - Apakah the Raid Cast and Crew ketika premiere di Amerika akan datang ke sana? 

A. We're unsure yet of who will be going to do any promo for the film, there's a lot of territories opening in a short space of time everything depends on demands from domestic and International promotion.

Q. kunderempFeb 11, 2012 05:12 PM
1. I wonder when Merantau DVD Special Edition will be released?
2. I believe most of Indonesians would love to hear Mike Shinoda and Joe Trapanese score. Is it possible to have it as alternative track when The Raid finally have the DVD version?
3. Is there any plan to add 'femme fatale' in BERANDAL? I can think at least four popular Indonesian actress which have Martial Art background:
- Julia Perez -> Merpati Putih
- Dinda Kanya Dewi -> Muay Thai Boxing
- Sherina Munaf -> Al-Azhar silat, Wushu
- Prisia Nasution -> Perisai Diri silat
4. Is there any plan to have Indonesian old icon of martial movie to be cameo in Berandal? I believe some people want to see 'Barry Prima', 'Rhoma Irama', 'Sandi Nayoan', etc for even 2 second in the movie. ;p
5. Is there any plan to have THE RAID as front cover for any Indonesian movie magazine (e.g. Cinemags, M2)? Being a front cover probably is more effective than having multiple TV Spot;
6. I was amazed by the sound effect when I watch THE RAID in INAFFF. Do you create your own sound effect or using the existing library of existing software? Is it possible to present the process in the Production Blog?

A. That's a lot of questions.
1. Merantau Special Edition DVD is almost finalized and will be released to coincide with THE RAID, most likely the same week.
2. Most likely we will feature both versions of the score on the DVD.
3. We have a femme fatale in Berandal, but not cast yet. I certainly hope to work with some of those on your list, but not naming names and not necessarily on Berandal. We'll see what happens further down the line.
4. Again, we'll see what happens. Too early to speculate.
5. Ideally we can get front cover AND multiple TV spots. Hopefully we'll have something out on the shelves next month.
6. It was a mix of library sounds and foley fx recorded at siam lab in bangkok. Some stuff we completely designed ourselves - the silenced gun fire for example - we hated the library sounds all "pings" and "pyuus" so we stripped it back and I asked the guys to use just the mechanics of the guns with a low deep bass thud giving the guns power but also detail.

Q. Gerardo MayukoFeb 14, 2012 08:05 AM
Hi Gareth,
I have questions regarding the crew of The Raid. On imdb page of The Raid I found these crew names mentioned :

- Gilbert Carreras (color timer)
- Bill Wohlken (post-production executive)

as far as I know, the difference between the US version and the Indonesian version is the music/score only. So how come there are 2 additional Hollywood crew making changes on the color timer and handling the post production? Does it mean the US version will have a new touch on the color and the finished editing compare to the Indonesian version?

I also found couple of names, Kier Lehman & Brian Richards, but both are working in music department. So I assume they were included because of the whole new music/score for the US release.

A. All these guys have worked their asses off in the lead up to the release, while the film and it's main content hasn't changed there are always some small fixes needed - adding more details to the end credits - the original was made before Mike and Joe worked on the score, and little shifts also like timing of the final title cards to stay in the rhythm and beat of the new score.

Q. Reny CamiraFeb 15, 2012 12:15 AM
Hi Gareth,
today I just watched a movie in XXI and you know what, there's no trailer for The Raid played yet. I mean come on, here we've got the trailer for the new Resident Evil movie which will come out in September! We also got a cool big advertising board for Battleship standing tall at Blitz Megaplex which will come out in May. The Raid? None. Nada. Not even a poster! It's less than 6 weeks to the big premiere mate. Do Merantau Films think they can just rely 100% to what Sony can pull up in terms of marketing in their territory to bring effects to our home? I can assure you mate, internet hype of The Raid haven't reached the general audience yet. Many Indonesian moviegoers who aren't really active in the internet are still blind to this movie.

Hope we will see all the marketing stuff - posters, ad board, and most importantly the trailer - showing up here soon.
A. Thanks for the spirited question. We're busy prepping materials as we speak for promo on The Raid. You'll start to see the trailer appearing in cinemas as of next week along with posters also. Other materials: radio ads, tv spots, tv bumpers, billboards, online, print - the rest of our campaign will all follow shortly after. We're not arrogant enough to believe there is an automatic audience for the film and we're working on all we can to maximize it's exposure. Buzz and hype is one thing, but the number of seats filled is what matters in order to give the film a good run in the cinema. We appreciate every single comment and link we see when enthusiastic followers of the film help us spread the word. We can't reach everyone, but hopefully come the release we'll have done enough to make the film a success.

And lastly, thanks to Phrygian, Rocky and Pamungkas 3 Kusumo for the kind words.

Las Acacias

If you ask me what type of movie would I like to see a lot more nowadays my answer absolutely is the type Las Acacias has. What a fantastic movie, one that makes you feel good, makes you wonder why cinema doesn’t have more stories told like this one and one that absolutely deserves all the honors that has been collecting since premiering at 2011 Cannes where won the prestigious Camera d’Or plus the Grand Rail d’Or, the ACID Award and the Young Critics award in the Semaine de la Critique section.

As you know I don’t like to know much about a movie and in this case I knew nothing, zip, nada. I strongly suggest that if possible that’s the best way to watch this marvelous movie that slowly, very slowly will grow in you, grab you, hold you tight with a big smile in your face and won’t release you –nor your smile- until is over.

Let me just share that Pablo Giorgelli’s film is what we could call a road movie but is of the unexpected kind –if you know nothing about story- that starts near the Paraguay/Argentina border and ends in Buenos Aires, Argentina; trip is done in a trailer and yes, there are handheld cameras that will allow you to feel inside the cabin the uneven roads the truck transits. It’s great.

Actually have to comment that last year Canes Critics’ Week had fabulous movies like this one and Take Shelter, which is NOT common as usually the strangest/weirdest movies are screened in this section; second all the honors that film have been collecting all over the world are extremely well deserved for a fantastic story, great production values, excellent performances and a filmmaker that masters the art of storytelling with images, little details and very little dialogue. While is not unique certainly is not common so-well done in Latin American cinema, thus chapeau Master Giorgelli!

All right is not for all audiences unless you prepare for a very slow storytelling, a long while where nothing seems to be happening, lots of silences where actors expressions –or lack of expressions- (including an impressive baby) tell everything that’s going on and an intrusive camera with many handheld takes.

Strongly recommend this movie to all that enjoy great world-class cinema and especially to those that enjoy Latin American cinema, even when story is not local, is really universal and filmmaker transcended most styles that predominate in the region. Oh yes, I enjoyed the movie well-beyond my expectations and well, when movie was over I was surprised beyond my imagination with the high quality of this complete cinematic experience.

Big Enjoy!!!

Watch trailer @MOC

L'Apollonide (Souvenirs de la maison close) (House of Tolerance)

Bertrand Bonello paints magnificent moving pictures that absolutely recall Ingres, Degas, Manet -and more- with those decadent scenes in a decadent house of tolerance that is about to disappear with the coming of the 20th century as story starts in the twilight of the 19th century in November 1899. With an unconventional story that probably will not be true in a real bordello, we are taken in a voyage that starts in the “normal” everyday life of the girls until one girl becomes careless with a regular and allows him to damage her for life. She becomes “the woman that laughs” and is like the invisible axis that holds the stories of the madam and a few of the girls.

Story is complex and layered with the most interesting ending that proposes that even do the houses of tolerance were banned in France a long time ago, today the setting might have change, but the everyday life and conditions under what the girls work may have remain the same.

Is a very beautiful to watch film with great performances by Hafsia Herzi, Adele Haenel, Jasmine Trinca, Céline Sallette, and especially Alice Barnole that plays Madeleine, the woman that laughs with makeup that is scary/awkward/pathetic as looks a lot like Batman’s the Joker in the latest version.

A film with a name that comes from Apollonie Sabatier the muse that inspired Baudelaire verses like: "Ange plein de gaîté, connaissez-vous l'angoisse/ La honte, les remords, les sanglots, les ennuis/Et les vagues terreurs de ces affreuses nuits/qui compriment le coeur comme un papier qu'on froisse ?/Ange plein de gaîté, connaissez-vous l'angoisse ?" (Réversibilité). Verses that also talk about this film.

This film made me think about another poetic bordello film Hai shang hua (Flowers of Shanghai) by Hsiao-hsien Hou and believe is the best reference when I say that if you enjoyed this film you will also highly enjoy Bonello film. But I know that film is not for all audiences as is a very French/European film that shows images of the body but actually is speaking about or reflecting the soul.

I highly enjoyed the film both visually as well as because the female story that while set in the past is so true nowadays. I do recommend film but be aware that film is not sexy, sexual or soft porn and there are much less sensual or erotic scenes than in other films or other Bonello’s films, so if you’re watching because anything similar you will be bored to death as many have been.

This is another outstanding film from Cannes 2011 in competition selection that confirms me that last year was an excellent year for world cinema and Cannes just showcased the best of the best. Great.

Enjoy!!!

Watch trailer @MOC

Land Gold Women

Thanks to Feo Aladag’s Die Fremde (When We Leave) I learned about the eastern concept of honor or namus as is call in some Asian cultures. As a good westerner I was shocked with a tradition that so shameless and inhumanly could harm women. Avantika Hari’s movie introduces me to the same concept as is seen in other Asian countries like India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc. Zan Zar Zameen in Urdu, or its Hindi equivalent Jar Joru Jameen, translates to Land Gold Women or as you can see the name of this movie. As you can imagine story is appalling especially for women, but I believe that every women in the world should watch movies like this to start to understand how women can be considered less than secondary citizens and a much worthless men possession when and if females disobey them.

Was reading movie reviews and found one that mentioned a recent –January 2012- case that happened in Canada, so went to look for more information only to find that the real life story that happened a few months ago could be the fictional story told in this film. If you like to learn about the real case search for Mohammed Shafia in the net and you will find the news that tell about killing women that disobeys their male “owner” or husband/father.

This film tells the story of a teenager, Saira, educated to be more occidental than oriental until there is the chance that she may leave home to pursue higher education and Nazir –the father- realizes that he won’t be able to take care of her if she leaves. Is in that moment that “blood” teachings come alive and decides to go back to India to marry his daughter in an arranged marriage. But the girl has a boyfriend and he is white. Is when Nazir discovers the boyfriend that realizes that Saira has betrayed his trust and damaged his, his nuclear and his extended family honor. Not even the mother can save her and there is only one thing to be done, to kill his daughter Saira in order to restore some of the lost honor.

Because of the horrible story I’m really glad that movie production values and actors performances are not in the good side as movie would have become unbearable to watch (like was Feo Adalag’s Die Fremde); but movie value is the story that tells that should be spread to erase westerner ignorance of how deeply rooted in ancient traditions are the “reasons” to mistreat women. Most disturbing is a moment when the solicitor finally understands the concept of land, gold, women and mentions how many centuries ago there was something similar in England; well, we know that western women had to earn their acceptance in western societies and still there are many things where women is not equal (or even near equal) to men. Sigh. Still movie won India’s National Film Award for Best Feature Film in English.

Absolutely not a movie to enjoy but one that every woman in the world should watch to understand what happens to women in “traditional” Asian families or to realize that if they don’t obey their father or husband it might happen to her. I know that many that read this blog should watch this movie but please don’t expect much production values, watch for story.

Enjoy!

Watch trailer @MOC

26th Annual American Society of Cinematographers Award Winner

Last night the ASC had the awards ceremony and winner is in *BLUE.

Guillaume Schiffman for The Artist
Robert Richardson for Hugo
Jeff Cronenweth for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hoyte van Hoytema for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
*Emmanuel Lubezki for The Tree of Life

To check official announcement go here.

2012 BAFTA Award Winners

No, it doesn't seem, it is! The Artist is the big BAFTA winner and even if many try to not recall it, it is a French movie, so good for French Cinema, even do I believe movie is not a good representative of great French Cinema, but looks and feels more like American cinema, isn't?? Sigh.

First Update
Seems like The Artist is collecting many awards; probably similar trend could reach Oscar. Winners in all categories are at official site. Winners are in *BLUE.

--//--

1/17

A few hours ago the British Academy of Film and Television Arts announced the nominations and if you feel like watching the less than five minutes video please go here.

Announcement was made by Holliday Grainger and Daniel Radcliffe and to be honest BAFTA’s nods look very similar to what has been happening in America, both with critics as well as the few industry groups that have made nominations announcements. As we know 2012 awards celebrate films that were released in 2011 and nominees are the result of Round Two voting.

The Artist leads nominations with 12 followed by Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy with 11, Hugo with 9 and My Week With Marilyn with 6.

Best Film
*The Artist
The Descendants
Drive
The Help
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Outstanding British Film
My Week with Marilyn
Senna
Shame
*Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
We Need to Talk About Kevin

Film Not In the English Language
Incendies, Denis Villeneuve
Pina, Wim Wenders
Potiche, François Ozon
A Separation, Asghar Farhadi
*La Piel Que Habito (The Skin I Live In), Pedro Almodóvar

Animated Film
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, Steven Speielberg
Arthur Christmas, Sarah Smith
*Rango, Gore Verbinski

Director
*Michel Hazanavicius for The Artist
Nicolas Winding Refn for Drive
Martin Scorsese for Hugo
Tomas Alfredson for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Lynne Ramsay for We Need to Talk About Kevin

Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer
Joe Cornish for Attack The Block
Will Sharpe, Tom Kingsley and Sarah Brocklehurst for Black Pond
Ralph Fiennes for Coriolanus
Richard Ayoade for Submarine
*Addy Consdine and Diarmid Scrimshaw for Tyrannosaur

Leading Actress
Bérénice Bejo in The Artist
*Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams in My Week with Marilyn
Tilda Swinton in We Need to Talk About Kevin
Viola Davis in The Help

Supporting Actress
Carey Mulligan in Drive
Jessica Chastain in The Help
Judi Dench in My Week with Marilyn
Melissa McCarthy in Bridesmaids
*Octavia Spencer in The Help

Leading Actor
Brad Pitt in Moneyball
Gary Oldman in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
George Clooney in The Descendants
*Jean Dujardin in The Artist
Michael Fassbender in Shame

Supporting Actor
*Christopher Plummer in Beginners
Jim Broadbent in The Iron Lady
Jonah Hill in Moneyball
Kenneth Branagh in My Week with Marilyn
Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Ides of March

Cinematography
*Guillaume Schiffman for The Artist
Jeff Cronenweth for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Robert Richrdson for Hugo
Hoyte van Hoytema for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Janusz Kaminski for War Horse

Original Screenplay
*Michel Hazanavicius for The Artist
Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig for Bridesmaids
John Michael McDonagh for The Guard
Abi Morgan for The Iron Lady
Woody Allen for Midnight in Paris

Adapted Screenplay
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, and Jim Rash for The Descendants
Tate Taylor for The Help
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, and Beau Willimon for The Ides of March
Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin for Moneyball
*Bridget O’Connor and Peter Straughan for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Editing
Anne-Sophie Bion and Michel Hazanvicius for The Artist
Mat Newman for Drive
Thelma Schoonmaker for Hugo
*Gregers Sall and Chris King for Senna
Dino Jonsater for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Production Design
Laurence Bennet and Robert Gould for The Artist
Stuart Craig and Stephenie McMillan for Harry Potter and the Deadthly Hallows – Part 2
*Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schiavo for Hugo
Maria Djukovic and Tatiana MacDonald for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Rick Carter and Le Sandales for War Horse

Costume Design
*Mark Bridges for The Artist
Sandy Powell for Hugo
Michael O’Connor for Jane Eyre
Jill Taylor for My Week with Marilyn
Jacqueline Durran for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Original Music
*Ludovic Bource for The Artist
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Howard Shore for Hugo
Alberto Iglesias for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
John Williams for War Horse

Sound
The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
*Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse

Special Visual Effects
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn
*Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Hugo
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
War Horse

Make Up & Hair
The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Hugo
*The Iron Lady
My Week with Marilyn

Documentary
George Harrison: Living in the Material World, Martin Scorsese
Project Nim, James Marsch and Simon Chinn
*Senna, Asif Kapadia

Short Animation
Abuelas, Afarin Eghbal, Kasia Malipan, and Francesca Gardiner
Bobby Yeah, Robert Morgan
*A Morning Stroll, Grant Orchard and Sue Goffe

Short Film
Chalk, Martina Amati, Gavin Emerson, James Bolton, and Ilaria Bernardini
Mwansa The Great, Rungano Nyoni and Gabriel Gauchet
Only Sound Remains, Arash Ashtiani and Anshu Poddar
*Pitch Black Heist, John Maclean and Gerardine O'Flynn
Two and Two, Babak Anvari and Kit Fraser, Gavin Cullen

To check official announcement go here.  Awards ceremony will be on Sunday, February 12 and surely will be broadcast by local TV as well as stream live at the Academy site. As soon as I have specific info will post here or in calendar.

Definitively most categories look like what Oscar could look and most interesting is the Best Actress category as not only does not include British Actresses that were expected to be nominated but from the five I’ve been closely following, Glenn Close is out and Berenice Bejo is in; now more than ever I’m sure about the four out of five actresses that have to be nominated for Oscar.

Best actor has two actors that probably will not be in Oscar, but this category is not easy for me and BAFTA’s doesn’t give me real clues. Well, have less than a week to do my Oscar nominations predictions, so my crystal ball has to come out of the closet, be cleaned and hopefully will work again (lol). Yes I do believe that BAFTA's nominations help to predict Oscar with a lot of interpretation.

Can’t complain as have seen most films in the nods, there are a couple that I’m dying to watch, and a few that I’m delaying until I find the right mood.

Cheers!

BAFTA Live

Red Carpet and probably Backstage coverage...