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Topic: DAMIEN MOLONY | 'THE CURRENT WAR' | news & discussion

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DAMIEN MOLONY | 'THE CURRENT WAR' | news & discussion
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The trailer is here!

Can't spot DaMo :( (can anyone else?) but it's an incredible first look at the film.





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 (posted this on Twitter and it seems quite popular..!)

Damien is not in the first The Current War trailer but is Benedict Cumberbatch wearing his old suit?

ripperstreetflight8b.jpg

currentwar12.jpg

 



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First reviews are in for The Current War, which world premiered at TIFF 2017 last night.

They are not as glowing (no pun intended, well maybe) as one might expect.

The Guardian states that the electric chair storyline "this film tactfully passes over.." ?! (But this is where Damien's character Bourke Cockran is historcially involved!) 

The Guardian | The Current War review – Benedict Cumberbatch transmits medium voltage portrait of Thomas Edison

The Wrap | ‘The Current War’ Toronto Review: Benedict Cumberbatch Sparks Quirky Historical Drama

LA Times | Five things to know from 'The Current War' premiere at TIFF

 



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Another review, this one from The Hollywood Reporter. It is heartening to at least see Damien's name in the credits at the bottom.

The Hollywood Reporter | 'The Current War': Film Review | TIFF 2017

Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production companies: Weinstein Co., Thunder Road Pictures, Bazelevs, Film Rites, SunnyMarch
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Shannon, Nicholas Hoult, Katherine Waterston, Tom Holland, Stanley Townsend, Matthew Macfayden, Tuppence Middleton, Damien Molony

 

 

Very intrigued to also see Stanley Townsend listed as cast! (not mentioned in IMDb cast list). Remember him from Ripper Street? He played Irish dynamiter, and Evelyn's father, Aiden Galvin, in Damien's episode 'Dynamite and a Woman'.

We know Bourke Cockran was Irish and travelled to the US when he was 17, so maybe there is an Irish link with both their characters?

(plus any excuse to post more pics of Damien in Ripper Street)

 

ripperstreetep4-137b.jpg

ripperstreetep4-137c.jpg



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Marvellous Molonian Moderator
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Oooh that is intriguing. For me, there never needs to be any excuse for Albert Flight pictures! The more the merrier! And funny that this episode was about the war between AC and DC current.

Disappointing that the reviews are not more positive. At least some of them mention electric chairs so perhaps this is in the film just dealt with in a tactful way?

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You're in luck then Rosie, because I seem to have posted 2 Albert photos in this topic!

who would think we'd be praying for mention of the electric chair in a film! lol! Maybe we are just assuming Damien's storyline will be tied up with that historical moment, but it is hard to imagine another, considering that was Bourke Cockran's involvement in the war of currents. I'd just love a tiny teeny sneaky peek of him!

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And another review, this one from the Playlist who are very pro Michael Shannon. (must confess, so am I.)

This review seems to contradict the guardian (who said the electric chair story wasn't dealt with) 

"A major celebrity of the era, Edison uses his influence with the press to insist people could die from the “dangerous” AC current and eventually even schemes to have Westinghouse’s AC generator power the first electric chair."

"And there’s that whole electric chair mess that Edison gets himself wrapped up in which seems like it’s meant for another film entirely."

The Playlist | ‘The Current War’: Michael Shannon Only Source of Light In This Over-Stylized Drama [TIFF}



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On further research, Stanley Townsend plays Franklin Pope in the film, who is very much American (so Irish theory out of the window!) and according to wikipedia "a telegrapher, electrical engineer, explorer, inventor, and patent attorney," who partnered with Edison at some point. What a history lesson we're getting!



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Style over substance seems to be the consensus in the reviews. Personally I am very much looking forward to Gomez Rejon's unique use of camera angles and the gorgeous sets and costumes. I bet the score is beautiful too. The performances are bound to be on point with all that talent!

At this point I am wondering what film the Guardian saw, as all other reviews have commented on the electric chair subplot!

Including this review from Splashreport

"There is an interesting subplot about the invention of the electric chair as a method to execute death row inmates that emerges in the late 1880s and 1890s as a byproduct of the cutting rivalry between Edison and Westinghouse. Edison essentially engages in a smear campaign against George’s form of delivering electricity, arguing that the alternating current system of Westinghouse was dangerous and could lead to human electrocutions and deaths." 

and this review from Variety

"But when Edison contrives to have Westinghouse’s name attached to an invention that neither man supports, the electric chair, Westinghouse shows his underhand."

I hope it is ok for everyone to continue to post these reviews with focus on this electric chair aspect of the story. It is pretty grim, but as we have summised this is the area that Damien's character is probably involved. Feel free to join in with my rambling at any point.. or tell me to shut up..



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Some far more positive words from Deadline

Some critics are already gunning for The Weinstein Company’s The Current War(11/24)  which just had its World Premiere here last night and which I caught at this morning’s first Press and Industry screening. The film, a passion project for Harvey Weinstein who took a Produced By credit on the movie, is a handsome, visually gorgeous and generally involving old-fashioned style period film of the war for superiority between electricity giants Thomas Edison (Benedict Cumberbatch) and George Westinghouse (Michael Shannon). Both stars are very fine. It was well-received at this morning’s screening . 

 

For anyone interested, Deadline's conversation with Michael Shannon, Nic Hoult, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alfonso Gomez-Rejon and writer Michael Mitnik. Real shame Katherine Waterston wasn't there as advertised, it seems a very all male thing!

(begins at 4min mark)

The Current War Press conference 



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Marvellous Molonian Moderator
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Good to see some positive reviews! And it sounds more promising that Damien will be in it (fingers crossed).

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It's great to actually see Damien's name listed in the credits for this film - thank you The Hollywood Reporter!

The reviews generally aren't glowing (cool) but audiences don't always see films the same way that critics do, so we'll just have to wait and see....

Personally I've never been more excited by the notion of execution by electric chair



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The reviews won't affect the popularity of this film when it opens in theatres, the cast alone guarantees a huge audience and as you say fifi, who knows how us non critics will react. From the brief footage we've seen so far, it is hard to see how I'd be disappointed with the epicness and style, my only concern is lack of our DaMo!

However, sources tell me Damien definitely appears in the film (squee) and his part hasn't ended up on the cutting room floor, a relief after the massive cuts mentioned in some of the reviews. But, his appearance is very brief. We probably all share the same mixed feelings on that, absolute delight and excitement that he is in this mighty film, but disappointment that his incredible talent is not given the limelight that it is due. Not a consolation but it does seem that all the supporting cast are woefully underused.

 



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2 more release dates added to the DMF THE CURRENT WAR INFO!

Hong Kong 21 December 2017

Australia 18 January 2018

 

Full release date list:

USA 24 November 2017 (limited)
Hong Kong 21 December 2017
UK 5 January 2018
Bulgaria 5 January 2018
Germany 11 January 2018
Australia 18 January 2018 
USA 19 January 2018 (wider)
Hungary 1 February 2018
Netherlands 15 February 2018

 

and in case people missed it, TCW is screening at these USA film fests:

Mill Valley Film Festival 15 October 

Austin Film Festival 26 October - 2 November, screening date tba 



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This was in my news feed this morning. Hope its wrong.

variety.com/2017/film/news/the-current-war-postponed-weinstein-company-1202590094/


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Sadly it's true Ellie.

The Harvey Weinstein scandal has been all over the news this week, it's truly awful and sadly probably the tip of a very large iceberg in Hollyweird. It's shocking how unshocking this is. You have to feel for the cast and many many creatives involved in The Current War and other Weinstein films. But hopefully something good can come out of this and there is a much much needed, long overdue culture change. My personal feelings on this are a lot stronger it is hard to talk about it in a detached way, this shit matters more than a film, any film. I'd happily never see this film if it meant just one less case of this unacceptable behaviour from / to anyone. 

Benedict Cumberbatch issued a statement earlier this week: “I am utterly disgusted by the continuing revelations of Harvey Weinstein’s horrifying and unforgivable actions,”"“We need to collectively stand up and support victims of abuse such as the brave and inspiring women who have spoken out against him and say we hear you and believe you." Read the full thing here.

The US release was originally set for December 2017, then brought forward to November 2017, for awards season, but has now been postponed until 2018. No word on the other international release dates yet, the majority of which are in 2018.

 



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Comment from Michael Shannon on The Current War, via Screen Crush

 

Well you know that’s unfortunate with The Current War because I think it’s a very relevant story. It’s a timely story. That’s why I did it in the first place, because I thought it’d be a good time for people to see that story. I don’t think a lot of people even know that story, and it’s very important in our nation’s history and as it relates to how the modern corporations seemed to have gotten out of hand. It’s nice to see someone like [George] Westinghouse, who was able to make a lot of money and have a substantial empire without completely screwing a bunch of people over at the time. So anyway, that’s sad. I mean, I understand it. I understand the reason that it’s been delayed. And I obviously I don’t approve of what Harvey did. I think it’s a little unfair to Alfonso the director just because he’s been working so hard. I just hope that the film gets out there.



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The Current War was supposed to release in UK cinemas today. Hopefully it won't be too delayed!

According to updated info on IMDb, the film will release 26 Jan in Norway and 1 Feb in Argentina. 



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Keep waiting for announcement on the current situation with The Current War!

Crossing fingers it will be that the film is sold elsewhere like Paddington 2 was, and released in its original form before HW got his grubby editing hands on it, so it is given a fresh start and the full attention the film, and all the artists /creatives involved with the project, deserve.



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It seems news on the ill-fated The Current War may come soon - the Weinstein Company are going through an assets sale, after declaring bankruptcy last month.

Since news of this whole scandal broke, part of me has wanted this film never to see the light of day, and I wondered if it would ever be able to lose the association with HW. But the bigger part wants the creatives involved to see their work celebrated as it should be.

Fingers crossed the hurt to this film and all those involved in its creation ends soon and it is released to the public, far away from the toxic fumes.

 

Oh and according to IMDb, TCW is getting a theatrical release in Norway 1 October 2018 now.  And do we know if it ever released in Argentina?



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Not sure if anyone is following the updates in this thread, but here is the latest via Deadline:

In a late development before final bids are due Monday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware for the assets of The Weinstein Company, director Timur Bekmambetovand his Bazelevs banner have petitioned the court to block the disposition of either The Current War or Apollo 18 until required payments of $800,000 to his company are made.

 

So it looks like even more of a delay for The Current War.

BUT, the most interesting thing (to me) in this latest development is:

"The director has recut the film so there is real value there."

 

Perhaps I missed this in earlier news, but it is significant that any future release of The Current War may be the director's original cut. yay

This not only separates it further from all the toxic horribleness but also gives some hope that it may have more of the Kemmel storyline related to Damien in it?!



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Very interesting...

 

Ironically, at the same time as directing or producing the Screenlife films, Bekmambetov has also been busy developing and producing a more traditional feature, The Current War, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Thomas Edison. The original coproducer was a certain Harvey Weinstein. Thanks to the scandal surrounding Weinstein and the bankruptcy of the Weinstein Company, The Current War is now in limbo. It showed in an unfinished version at the Toronto Film Festival last year. “We are waiting for the next distributor who will allow us to finish the movie.”



 

Via The Independent, 2 days ago.

So 'The Current War' is not actually finished? This is good! It means we could get a different film, with further separation from the W word.

 



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Marvellous Molonian Moderator
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Interesting. Hopefully that sounds promising for a future release and particularly without the connection to Harvey Weinstein tainting it. It would seem unusual to have a film with Benedict Cumberbatch in that doesn't get released at some point.

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RPLovesIpswich wrote:

Interesting. Hopefully that sounds promising for a future release and particularly without the connection to Harvey Weinstein tainting it. It would seem unusual to have a film with Benedict Cumberbatch in that doesn't get released at some point.


 Yeah totally, maybe the only thing that would nix it is if BC himself decided he didn't want it released? As far as we know though he has  expressed his support in waiting for a release for more separation from the HW toxicity, but never said he didn't want it released eventually. For me, if it was a choice between the film a HW getting his comeuppance I'd not give a crap about the film. But as this is not the case, to permanently shelve the film would be a travesty - not only for us but  for all the creatives involved. I hope they can reclaim the film they made, it is theirs more than his. 



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It is pretty unthinkable that a film with BC would Sit on a shelf forever.  Hopefully we will see it someday. 



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