When talking to filmmakers and aspiring filmmakers about who influences and inspires them you often hear the same well-known names being thrown around, names such as Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Christopher Nolan. However, among the glorified names of Hollywood, there is one unsung hero who’s compassionate and funny humanist dramas and his gentle approach to directing endeared him to everyone he worked with— Hal Ashby.
Ashby loved filmmaking and throughout his time in Hollywood wore the hats of director, writer, producer, and editor; the last of which earned him an Academy Award for Best Film Editing for the 1967 film “In the Heat of the Night.”
READ MORE: The Essentials: The Films Of Hal Ashby
Despite his love of the craft, his three Oscar nominations (one win), and a string of well-received and successful films, Ashby flew under the radar for most of his career, at least from the mainstream, and it still baffles the people who admire and have worked with him why he hasn’t received the attention he deserves. Thankfully, though, the world is finally getting a glimpse into the life and work of this incredible filmmaker.
Brought to us by director Amy Scott, “Hal” is a documentary bringing on-camera interviews with Oscar-winning actors Lee Grant, Jane Fonda, Jon Voight, Louis Gossett Jr, Jeff Bridges, and more as they recall how they were empowered by Ashby and granted collaborative freedom. As well, contemporary directors including Alexander Payne, Judd Apatow, Lisa Cholodenko, and David O. Russell attest to the quiet but powerful influence Ashby has had on their own filmmaking while behind the camera colleagues Norman Jewison, Robert Towne, Haskell Wexler, and Pablo Ferro stand witness to Ashby’s brilliance as a filmmaker and the forces that led to his undoing.
“Hal” is in theaters on September 7 in New York and September 14 in Los Angeles. You can watch the trailer below:
