The Nantucket Film Festival, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), and FILMMAKER magazine will present a screening of Brad Anderson's The Machinist, featuring Christian Bale and Jennifer Jason-Leigh, at the MFA on Sunday, May 9, 2004 at 7:00 PM.

The film, which will be released by Paramount Classics later this year, stars Bale as an insominac factory machinest. His lack of sleep leads to his physical and mental deterioration. (Bale reportedly lost 65 lbs. to play the part.)

Although Scott Kosar's (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) script is set in California, the film was financed by Barcelona-based producer, distributor and exhibitor Filmax on the condition that it be shot entirely in Spain, where The Machinest filmed eight weeks last summer in the most generic locations possible. "Obviously we weren't going to shoot around [Antonio Guadi's cathedral] Sagrada Familia," Anderson told Screen International, adding that he brought in American street signs and cars and "avoided wide shots" whenever possible. In the end, "the anonomity [of the locations] enhanced the story," says Anderson. "The audience feels Christian Bale's alienation."

Anderson also hired mostly local crew, including d.p. Xavi Gimenez, and cast numerous local actors to meet Spanish film subsidy requirements.

Following the screening, critic Gerald Peary will lead a discussion with Anderson. Tickets are $12; $10 students, seniors and MFA members. For more information call the MFA box office at 617-369-3306, or visit the museum Web site.

# posted by Steve Gallagher @ 4/26/2004 04:22:00 PM

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