Los Angeles, CA -
CUT BANK had its World Premiere at the 20th Los Angeles Film FestivalCut Bank,
written and directed by Matt Shakman, had its World Premiere at this year's 20th AnnualLos Angeles Film Festival.
It boasted an all-star cast in Liam Hemsworth, Teresa Palmer, Billy Bob Thornton, John Malkovich, Bruce Dern, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Oliver Platt; and, they did not disappoint!
SYNOPSIS:
DWAYNE MCLAREN (Liam Hemsworth, Hunger Games), a high school star athlete recently turned auto mechanic,
dreams of getting out of tiny Cut Bank, MT - the coldest town in America - and whisking his pageant-hopeful girlfriend,
CASSANDRA (Teresa Palmer), away to the big city. But his plan to do so sets in motion a deadly series of events and
thrusts him into a police investigation headed by SHERIFF VOGEL (John Malkovich),
the protector of Cut Bank and the closest thing Dwayne has to a father figure.
Panic sweeps across the community in mere hours, but things are not what they seem.
Cassandra's father BIG STAN STEELEY (Billy Bob Thornton) is the only one who seems to realize this.
However, the damage is already done and the events that unfold change Dwayne's life - and the life of the town - forever.
During the LAFF 2014, The IN Show had the opportunity to interview Mr. Shakman before CUT BANK's
World Premiere. Here are a few excerpts from that interview (combined with a quick meet-up on the Red Carpet): to hear the
entire interview you can listen to the audio below or go here.
What a career you've had. From a young age - successful actor, you made the jump to director, television, theatre, movies,
and now you have CUT BANK.
Let me see here you have Bruce Dern, Oliver Platt, Billy Bob Thornton, John Malkovich, Liam Helmsworth
and Teresa Palmer...now let me ask what was your technique when you approached a cast that has, what, roughly around 200+ years
in hollywood?
"...(laughing)...with humility, obviously! I'm a theater guy...so I reached out to a lot of fellow theater actors. John Malkovich
was the first guy to come on board...and I kind of approach working with actors in theatre and tv and film in the same way which is to
speak about story."
Having been an actor before, I know what they're going through so I try to approach it as much as I can from their point of
view." [Also,] "these guys are unbelievably talented; so, alot of it is about getting out of their way and letting them
do what they do so well."
Listen here to learn more about...
Matt Shakman's extensive background,
how he utilizes the Rule Of Improv,
and the real CUT BANK connection.
Talking about this cast - a dream team - come together. When it all finally was said and done, did you think to yourself,
"Wow, how did I do this? How did this all happen?"
"Yes, definitely! Absolutely; and, it was a slow process...it took a couple of years to gather those guys and bring them
together...to shoot the film.
The first person on board I have to really thank is John Malkovich. His involvment really helped encourage others to be
involved. Who comes to the party first is always important...and having John Malkovich stay with it for years...really helped make it
happen."
What drew you to the storyline?
"What drew me to the story was the interesting combination of tones and genres. It's a little bit of a black comedy. It's a
little bit of a thriller. It's a little bit of a drama. It's all these different things which I really responded to.
I'm a big fan of thrillers and so it allowed me to create suspense which I love to do."
In CUT BANK, Shakman did an excellent job of walking that fine line between paying homage and going retro-style. What could have been
just another story about getting away from one's trapped existence instead became a hypnotic need to watch the cat-and-mouse
struggle between the desire for more versus the madness of man.
A clean, crisp film, the cast gave a solid performance. Believable, reserved, and never over-the-top, Shakman brought out the
best of his cast and they did a fine job of holding the film from beginning to end. Michael Stuhlbarg, who played the CUT BANK town
recluse, brought such weight to his character thus giving validity to CUT BANK being called a thriller.
CUT BANK premiered during the 20th AnnualLos Angeles Film Festival;
and, director Matt Shakman, along with members of the cast, surprised fans as they walked the Red Carpet. In addition to snapping a few
photographs, The IN Show had the pleasure to talk briefly with Hollywood Icon, Bruce Dern, and a long-time film and television favorite,
Oliver Platt.
Hollywood Icon: Bruce Dern
Film and Television fave: Oliver Platt
Film: CUT BANK Directed by: Matt Shakman Screenplay by: Roberto Patino Starring: Liam Hemsworth, Teresa Palmer, John Malkovich, Billy Bob Thornton, Bruce Dern and Michael Stuhlbarg Cinematographer: Ben Richardson Production Design by: Laura Fox Costume Designer: Narda McCarroll Editor: Craig Wood Produced by: Ed Zwick, Dan Cohen, Mark Manuel, Ted O'Neal, Laura Rister and Mickey Barold Executive Produced by: Brad Ferguson, Corinne L. Ferguson, Matthew Therrell, Vinny Pilegge and Larry Dorr PR:Sunshine Sachs
Gus Summers is the Host and Broadcast Producer for The "IN Show, an entertaining broadcast that covers all things exciting and enlightening.
When Gus isn't busy covering current events and interesting people, you'll see him out and about enjoying all that the City of Angels has to offer.
For any questions, comments, or program ideas, he can be reached at gus@theinshow.com.
SYNOPSIS:
DWAYNE MCLAREN (Liam Hemsworth, Hunger Games), a high school star athlete recently turned auto mechanic,
dreams of getting out of tiny Cut Bank, MT - the coldest town in America - and whisking his pageant-hopeful girlfriend,
CASSANDRA (Teresa Palmer), away to the big city. But his plan to do so sets in motion a deadly series of events and
thrusts him into a police investigation headed by SHERIFF VOGEL (John Malkovich),
the protector of Cut Bank and the closest thing Dwayne has to a father figure.
Panic sweeps across the community in mere hours, but things are not what they seem.
Cassandra's father BIG STAN STEELEY (Billy Bob Thornton) is the only one who seems to realize this.
However, the damage is already done and the events that unfold change Dwayne's life - and the life of the town - forever.
