The IFFR opening film was the major winner in Venice with Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia, 1999; There Will Be Blood, 2007) as best director and a shared acting award for Joaquin Phoenix and Anderson regular Philip Seymour Hoffman.
The latter plays a charismatic sect leader, based on Scientology leader L. Ron Hubbard, who enters into a kind of father-son relationship with Phoenix’s character, a traumatised and frustrated WWII veteran who distils illegal alcohol. While the authoritarian Master works hard to maintain unity among his followers, supported by his wife (Amy Adams), he also tries to convert his volatile protégé to his doctrine, The Cause.
The Master was shot on the now rare 65mm format, and this is striking in the panoramic wide-angle shots. The soundtrack is by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood, his second for Anderson after There Will Be Blood. Please notice that The Master will be screened on 70mm on Wed 23 and Fri 25 only!
Film details
- Country of production
- USA
- Year
- 2012
- Festival edition
- IFFR 2013
- Length
- 137'
- Medium/Format
- 70mm
