AmDocs / Beverly Hills Film Festival 2019 – I, Douglas Fairbanks
The dashing and dazzling Douglas Fairbanks was the movie star who “swash buckled in Zorro, dueled exuberantly in Robin Hood and soared magnificently in The Thief of Bagdad”. He was the “First King of Hollywood”. His life story unfolds with American history and the emergence of the film industry as the backdrop. His style made him the perfect American icon. At a time when the country did not have any self-doubt, he represented America like no one else: strong, confident, heroic, smiling and conquering. He was “Everybody's Hero”. He married “America's Sweetheart”: Mary Pickford. He also started with Pickford, Chaplin and Griffith, the United Artists Studio which is still a Hollywood player today. This film is the life of Douglas Fairbanks in a first-person narration.
Interview with Directors/Producers Julia Kuperberg and Clara Kuperberg
Watch I, Douglas Fairbanks on Tubi, Kanopy and Prime Video
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Because this story was really unknown and the legacy of Douglas Fairbanks in the creation of Hollywood in the 10s and 20s was amazing.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Because if you love American film history, this is how Hollywood was made, and all the stories about the pioneers who made the film industry and invented the glamour.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The film is about the personal life of Douglas Fairbanks, with Mary Pickford, their love story and the fact that they were called the Royal Couple of Hollywood. They were both together as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, the most glamourous stars of all time. And universal because the creation of the film industry and of Hollywood talks to everybody.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
We first wrote a very long script and looked for the footage and then started the edit of the film, and it evolved with the footage.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Very good, the film had a wonderful press release and screening in France, and on national TV in France and Germany.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
We were very happy about the feedback because this film was very difficult to do and we really love it.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We are French and the film was made in France so it's important for us that the American audience can also know that this film exists.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We are looking for distributors in the US.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We would like to find a way to distribute the film in the US.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How the film industry was created and why it is still relevant today.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We have just finished a film about whitewashing in American films since the WW2.
Interview: March 2019
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
I, Douglas Fairbanks
The dashing and dazzling Douglas Fairbanks was the movie star who “swash buckled in Zorro, dueled exuberantly in Robin Hood and soared magnificently in The Thief of Bagdad”. He was the “First King of Hollywood”. His life story unfolds with American history and the emergence of the film industry as the backdrop. His style made him the perfect American icon. At a time when the country did not have any self-doubt, he represented America like no one else: strong, confident, heroic, smiling and conquering. He was “Everybody's Hero”. He married “America's Sweetheart”: Mary Pickford. He also started, with Pickford, Chaplin and Griffith, the United Artists Studio which is still a Hollywood player today. This film is the life of Douglas Fairbanks in a first-person narration.
Length: 53:00
Director: Julia Kuperberg & Clara Kuperberg
Producer: Julia Kuperberg & Clara Kuperberg
Writer: Julia Kuperberg & Clara Kuperberg
Key cast: Peter Facinelli
Looking for: distributors
Facebook: I Douglas Fairbanks
Hashtags used: #IDouglasFairbanks #peterfacinelli #clarakuperberg #juliakuperberg
Website: www.wichitafilms.com
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? AMDOCS April 4th
Beverly Hills Film Festival April 6th at the Chinese Theater TLC