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This So-Called Disaster

Play trailer Poster for This So-Called Disaster R 2003 1h 27m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
In this documentary, filmmaker Michael Almereyda chronicles the San Francisco production of "The Late Henry Moss," a play written and directed by noted scribe Sam Shepard. The film explores Shepard's artistic inspirations as well as his working relationships with the play's cast, which includes stars such as Sean Penn, Woody Harrelson, Cheech Marin and Nick Nolte. Much of the film is devoted to a detailed examination of the work that goes into readying a play for opening night.
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This So-Called Disaster

Critics Reviews

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Ty Burr Boston Globe 06/18/2004
3.5/4
One of the finer peeks into the creative process of staging a play. Go to Full Review Manohla Dargis Los Angeles Times 06/17/2004
4/5
In its vision of the push-and-pull of rehearsal and the revelation of how a play comes to breathing, snorting life onstage, Almereyda's video brings us close to the act of creation. Go to Full Review Moira MacDonald Seattle Times 05/21/2004
3/4
Ultimately, you leave This So-Called Disaster with renewed respect for Shepard, who comes off as a kind of quiet hero: a man of words, confronting his past with little fuss, and from it creating a legacy. Go to Full Review Robert W. Butler Kansas City Star 09/10/2004
3/4
Will appeal mostly to those who love theater and relish the opportunity to see a production being built, scene by scene. Go to Full Review David Noh Film Journal International 08/08/2004
Consistently engrossing, with nary a dull moment, and very enlightening on what is popularly called "the actor's process." Go to Full Review Paul Sherman Boston Herald 06/18/2004
3/4
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Audience Reviews

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Geke g 07/29/2024 Creativity is splendid. Nice directing. See more Munkhchimeg T 07/29/2024 Very creative movie. The most liked is how to show characters’ emotions and their specific personalities. See more 05/24/2012 A movie every theatre person should watch. There is something gratifying in seeing how universal theatre is. Even mega-talented stars like Woody Harrelson and Sean Penn get frustrated with characters and lines, bad acts, not understanding a scene. In a film their performances are so prestigious, you see the take where they nailed it, but the work that went into it is never hinted at. And you can't feel the electricity like you can in a live show. Watching their processes, although it doesnt' dive deep enough into it, and seeing and hearing Sam Shepard talk about it all, is just a treat for a buff like me. See more 08/30/2011 Brilliant movie all actors MUST see. See more 06/12/2011 We are so very lucky to have such a great look into the private process of Sam Shepard directing a play. See more 08/08/2010 In this documentary about theater, I enjoyed the quality of language used by the director, the way Shepard told his story, Gammon's acting, the diversity of activities that go on during rehearsal, including those to memorize lines, and the music. See more Read all reviews
This So-Called Disaster

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Almereyda

Director

T Bone Burnett

Self

James Gammon

Self

Woody Harrelson

Himself

Cheech Marin

Caesar

Anne Militello

Self

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This So-Called Disaster

This So-Called Disaster (2003) This So-Called Disaster (2003) This So-Called Disaster (2003) A scene from the movie "This So-Called Disaster." A scene from the movie "This So-Called Disaster." A scene from the movie "This So-Called Disaster." A scene from the movie "This So-Called Disaster." A scene from the movie "This So-Called Disaster." A scene from the movie "This So-Called Disaster." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this documentary, filmmaker Michael Almereyda chronicles the San Francisco production of "The Late Henry Moss," a play written and directed by noted scribe Sam Shepard. The film explores Shepard's artistic inspirations as well as his working relationships with the play's cast, which includes stars such as Sean Penn, Woody Harrelson, Cheech Marin and Nick Nolte. Much of the film is devoted to a detailed examination of the work that goes into readying a play for opening night.
Director
Michael Almereyda
Producer
Caroline Kaplan, Callum Greene, Anthony Katagas
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
Keep Your Head, IFC Productions
Rating
R (Strong Sexual Content|Disturbing Violent Images|Language|Drug Material)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 24, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 30, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA)
$45.2K
Runtime
1h 27m