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What is Film Police?

 

Film Police:  (philm po-leez')  1. An independent non-government watchdog organization dedicated to creative rights, freedom of the press, and an open society; 2. An internationally-recognized, award-winning production company based in Chicago; 3. A wicked cool, smokin’ hot web site; 4. All of the above.

Jack Wallace eyes the camera on set of
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Medusa Challenger

Medusa Challenger has been nominated to the National Film Registry!  We need your help!  Save a classic film from fading away!  Please nominate “Medusa Challenger” to the National Film Registry.  Send an email to Donna Ross at the Library of Congress:

                              dross@loc.gov

Put “National Film Registry” in the subject line and “I nominate Medusa Challenger” in the body of the message.  Thank you for helping to preserve quality films! It’s quick & easy. You won’t get any unwanted emails.

 

Nominating emails will help “Medusa Challenger” be selected for the National Film Registry and to enable us to restore the negative.

 

To view the National Film Registry official web site, click here!

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Joe Mantegna and Jack Wallace
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in Medusa Challenger

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Stylized Art Deco set for "Night of The Lawyers"

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In Memoriam

Stuart Brent

1912 – 2010

 

Stuart Brent was a dear friend and beloved mentor. He was a shining beacon of intelligence, warmth, humor, and inspiration.  He enriched, expanded and enlivened the lives of so many—particularly those who had the good fortune to be blessed with the gifts of his advice, knowledge and wisdom.  A wonderful story teller himself, he was also a champion of great writing and an inspiration to several generations of authors, students, teachers and readers.  Our world is diminished by his passing but may his family be comforted by his legacy and lifelong example—his tireless mission to promote the creation and reading of great literature.

 

“Every reader finds himself. The writer's work is merely a kind of optical instrument that makes it possible for the reader to discern what, without this book, he would perhaps never have seen in himself.”
Marcel Proust

 

 

“And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.”  As You Like It,
William Shakespeare

Read the Tribute to Stuart Brent in The Chicago Tribune!

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A Summer in Genoa stars Colin Firth

Chicago critics give “A Summer in Genoa” rave reviews!

 

Metromix (Chicago Tribune online)

4 out of 5 stars!

“Beautifully raw, wonderfully acted.  One of the most affecting movies in awhile!”

“heartbreaking…it’s got more tension and feeling than Robin Hood and Iron Man II combined!”—Matt Pais

 

Chicago Sun-Times

“Winterbottom displays his eye for urban spaces…creates a geographical metaphor for unspoken grief and secret guilt.”—Bill Stamets

 

Chicago Reader (Critics Choice this week!)

“The film is eerily persuasive in conjuring up a child’s troubled mind, where delight, fantasy, and horror maintains a delicate balance.”—J.R. Jones

Newcity

“There are rich moments glancingly observed between his displaced characters in labyrinthine Genova….the score by Melissa Parmenter is a lovely accent.”—Ray Pride

 

Time Out Chicago

“[Winterbottom] uses music sparingly but brilliantly.”—Hank Sartin

 

 

 

 

 

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Naomi Klein in "The Shock Doctrine"

Chicago Sun-Times

“An effective counter-strategy to the onslaught of economic calamities.”—Bill Stamets

 

 

A Special Film Premiere Event!

May 21-27, Friday through Thursday at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State Street, Chicago, IL

It’s Michael Winterbottom double feature week,

both films’ Chicago locations shot by Film Police crews!

 

The first US screenings of the Sundance hit feature documentary

“The Shock Doctrine” based on Naomi Klein’s NYT best-seller!

 

From a Sundance Review of “The Shock Doctrine”:

Polished and persuasive...fluent and mesmerizing”—Leslie Felperin/Variety.

 

“The Shock Doctrine”—Chicago locations shot by Film Police crews headed by cinematographers Joe Costello & Rich Ball, & Producers Phillip Koch & Sally Marschall, a Chicago premiere!

 

ALSO showing the same week: 

“A Summer in Genoa” (US Title) feature film starring Colin Firth, Hope Davis, and Catherine Keener, a contemporary ghost story directed by Michael Winterbottom, partially shot in Chicago by Film Police crews headed by cinematographer Bob Long & Producers Phillip Koch & Sally Marschall, A US Premiere!

 

http://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/

 

Screenings at the Gene Siskel Film Center

164 North State Street
Chicago, Illinois 60601

MOVIE HOTLINE: 312-846-2800

 

“A SUMMER IN GENOA” Starring Colin Firth, Catherine Keener, Hope Davis

Directed By Michael Winterbottom

May 21 - 27

Fri. 5/21 at 6:00 pm

Sat. 5/22 at 4:45 pm and 8:30 pm

Sun. 5/23 at 3:00 pm

Mon. 5/24 and Thu. at 8:00 pm

 

“THE SHOCK DOCTRINE” Based on Naomi Klein’s NYT best-selling book

Directed by Michael Winterbottom & Mat Whitecross

May 21 - 27

Fri. 5/21 and Tue. 5/25 at 8:15 pm

Sat. 5/22 at 3:00 pm and 6:45 pm

Sun. 5/23 at 5:00 pm

Mon. 5/24 and Thu. 5/27 at 6:15 pm

 

Check out the rave review from The Copenhagen Post (Denmark)

"Eye-opening documentary shockingly good."

To read the Copenhagen Post (Denmark) review, click HERE

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Naomi Klein autographs her book "The Shock Doctrine"

Check out the excellent article about Naomi Klein in The New Yorker by Larissa MacFarquahr!

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For Tickets visit the Gene Siskel Film Center! Click HERE!

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“THE SHOCK DOCTRINE”
Line producer Phillip Koch and associate producer Sally Marschall will be present for audience discussion on Friday May 21 after the 8:15 PM screening.

“A SUMMER IN GENOA”
Line producer Phillip Koch and associate producer Sally Marschall will be present for audience discussion on Friday May 21 after the 6:00 PM screening and on Saturday May 22 after the 8:30 PM screening.

 

Tickets to movies are $10 general admission, $7 students, $4 for students and faculty of the School of the Art Institute, and staff of the Art Institute, $5 Film Center members.

For more information, call our hotline at (312) 846-2800.

 

All ticket levels are available at the Gene Siskel Film Center Box Office which opens one hour before the start of the first show of the day (typically 5pm weekdays and 2pm weekends).

 

General admission and member tickets are available through Ticketmaster at
(800) 982-2787 or by visiting ticketmaster.com. There is a $2 per ticket convenience charge and a $3.30 processing charge added to each order.

The $3.30 processing charge is waived for Film Center members. To receive the $5 member ticket price, a valid membership card must be presented for each ticket purchased when the tickets are claimed at the box office.

The View London Review March 25, 2009

 

Rave Reviews for “A Summer in Genoa

 

The View London Review March 25, 2009

 “Genova is an impressively directed, superbly acted and sharply written drama that packs a powerful emotional punch. Highly recommended.”  By Matthew Turner

 

Variety, Sep. 10, 2008—“Fast-paced editing…beautifully lensed film.” By Rob Nelson

 

Hollywood Reporter, Sept 6, 2008—“Tautly-choreographed, effectively acted…Fine performances”  By Michael Rechtshaffen

 

Time Out London, March 26—April 1, 2009—“strong performances…deeply truthful and optimistic.”  By Dave Calhoun

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European poster art for "A Summer in Genoa"

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Naomi Klein in "The Shock Docrine"

Sundance US Premiere!  The new documentary “The Shock Doctrine” directed by Michael Winterbottom & Mat Whitecross premiere screens at Sundance to packed audiences SRO!

 

Also downloadable at Sundance Selects (check cable listings) with Naomi Klein, Robert Redford, & Michael Winterbottom for post-screening Q&A!

 

Shot in Chicago by ace Film Police crews headed by veteran Cinematographers Joe Costello and Rich Ball (our very own “Chicago boys”), Phillip Koch, Line Producer and Sally Marschall, Associate Producer!

 

Edited in London, based on the stunning New York Times best-selling book by Naomi Klein, this is a hard-hitting documentary on the dangers of government and corporate control of economies throughout the world including Pinochet in Chile, and Bush in this country, all based on the precepts of the late University of Chicago Economics Professor Milton Friedman and implemented by his “Chicago boys.”  A must-see!

 

Shot in High-Def with Fletcher Chicago camera equipment (thank you Archie, Tom, Sally, Stan, Sip, Zoe, Megan, Kevin, Mike & Al!) and on location at the University of Chicago in Hyde Park (thank you Mary Beth, Katie & Alison), WBEZ radio station at Navy Pier (thank you Alison & Shawn!), and Loyola University in Chicago (thank you David, April, Jeff, Tamara, & Mark!), Film Police captures all the excitement!

Film Police crew with Naomi Klein in Chicago
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Clem Blakemore, Philip Koch, Naomi Klein, Avi Lewis, Sally Marschall

Film Police Director Sally Marschall shoots the
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sun, surf and sand on beautiful Lake Michigan!

A&E Series Premiere
The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty

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Compare the original location still to the
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final shot in the A&E Pilot clip below. We shoot real locations!

Naomi Klein signs her best-selling book
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as she is filmed for "The Shock Doctrine"

The New York Times article about "The Shock Doctrine"

Film Police film crew with Naomi Klein
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for "The Shock Doctrine" directed by Michael Winterbottom & Mat Whitecross.

Read Naomi Klein's response to the New York Times article about the editing of the film "The Shock Doctrine"

Naomi Klein Disagrees With Film of Her Book
"The makers of a film adapted from Naomi Klein’s book “The Shock Doctrine” probably knew it would provoke arguments, but not like this: The Independent of London reported that Ms. Klein, had withdrawn from participation in the film and does not appear in its credits as a writer or consultant or serve as its narrator. In the book Ms. Klein wrote about how politicians and corporations have taken advantage of countries that have suffered wars, terror attacks or natural disasters, finding examples from postapartheid South Africa to post-9/11 America. A film adaptation directed by Michael Winterbottom (whose films include “A Mighty Heart”) and Mat Whitecross had its premiere at the Berlin Film Festival and is to be shown on Britain’s Channel 4 on Tuesday. But Ms. Klein told The Independent she had disagreed over “the content, tone and structure of the film” with Mr. Winterbottom. “As often happens, we had different ideas about how to tell this story and build the argument,” she said. “This is Michael’s adaptation of my book, and I didn’t want there to be any confusion about that. I wish the film success.” Plans for distribution in the United States have not been announced."

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"The American Flag" on PBS

Check out the story about "The American Flag" PBS program on Ruth Ratny's Reel Chicago!

Hear the interview with Phillip Koch about "The American Flag" PBS program on Public Radio!

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View the "Tropicana Orange Juice" commercial!
Locations include the Chicago lakefront, the El train, and downtown Chicago!  Film Police provided Line Producing, production management, crew, location scouting and management, casting, actors, equipment rentals, transportation, and more!

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click here to play the Tropicana Commercial!

Check out our latest project for "Play For Peace" on You Tube!

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Director Michael Winterbottom and Cameraman Bob Long filming "Genova" in Chicago

Film Police has been busy lately. Line Producer Phil Koch just wrapped a brisk two-week production for Michael Winterbottom, a British director best known for directing "A Mighty Heart," the 2007 drama about the search for Daniel Pearl in Pakistan by his wife Mariane Pearl starring Angelina Jolie. Winterbottom is also notable for directing "24 Hour Party People" and "Tristam Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story" both starring British Comedian Steve Coogan. Winterbottom came to Chicago to direct introductory scenes for his latest feature film "Genova," a ghost story inspired by Nicolas Roeg’s 1973 thriller "Don’t Look Now" starring Colin Firth ("Bridget Jones," "Pride and Prejudice"). "Genova" mainly takes place in Genova, Italy but Colin Firth’s character is a University of Chicago professor who has two daughters.  Phil Koch said, "Michael needed to complete a number of scenes within a tight indie-film budget and schedule. He could not afford to fly his British crew over here, in fact he traveled alone without department heads, a support staff or even an assistant. When a filmmaker of Michael’s stature travels out of his comfort zone, we have to work extra hard to ensure a smooth production and positive experience that may result in a return shoot in the future. We coordinated the casting and location scouting during pre-production and we line-produced and production managed the shoot days." Leading man Colin (modern Darcy in both "Bridget Jones" movies and period Darcy in "Pride and Prejudice") Firth was not on the Chicago call sheet. Casting Director (and Film Police co-owner) Sally Marschall was able to work with the director by email and telephone in setting up casting sessions. Veteran Film Police cinematographer Bob Long was the cameraman. Fletcher Chicago provided the camera equipment including a Sony F900 High Def camera package. Film Police was recommended to Winterbottom by a producer at BBC London who has worked with Film Police on other projects. Sally Marschall said, "Michael told us that if he had known in advance how beautiful the skyline, the downtown and the parks appear on camera, how easy and efficient it is to shoot in Chicago, and the depth of the crew and talent base, he would have scheduled more scenes here."

Earlier this year, Film Police worked with another world-class director, Lars Von Trier ("Dogville" with Nicole Kidman, "Dancer in The Dark") and his Zentropa Entertainment. Zentropa is the largest production company in Denmark. Zentropa was commissioned by the Chicago-based Weber Stephens company to produce a corporate film for the European market for Weber Grills. Zentropa called Koch who Line Produced talent, crew, vehicles, equipment, locations and other production requirements. Koch said, "We shot in Weber’s factories and test kitchens in Palatine and Huntley, Illinois." Filming involved staging two backyard barbecues at a Weber employee’s house in Long Grove, a one week shoot in January to get footage of a Bears Super Bowl party with outdoor grilling in the snow and a one week shoot in May to get beauty shots of an All-American Midwest backyard barbecue with Spring in full bloom. Marc Menet was the camera assistant, Andy Cook was the gaffer, Bill Lindgren and Bily Salazar were grips, Steve Lafayette and Mike Capulli were the soundmen, and Fletcher Chicago provided the Sony F900 High Def camera. Lars Von Trier famously does not travel by air, only by train or by auto, so Zentropa flew in from Denmark two directors, a Steadicam operator, a cameraman, a writer, a marketing director, and two producers, everyone making two round trips, Chicago/Copenhagen, for the two shoots. All the Danes spoke fluent English so there were no communication problems.

PBS broadcasts "The American Flag" currently!
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Producer/Director Phillip Koch & TV/Film Producer Norman Lear

A One-hour television documentary produced for prime time national broadcast on PBS stations. Featuring renowned flag historians Howard Madaus and Whitney Smith, leading flag collectors Ben Zaricor and Louise Veninga, graphic designer Kit Hinrichs, and prominent Americans including legendary television ("All In The Family") and film ("The Princess Bride") producer Norman Lear, and famed filmmaker Harold Ramis ("Ghostbusters," "Caddyshack," "Analyze This"). Also respected historian Wayne Fields. Flag stories will include the oldest known revolutionary battle flags recently auctioned at Sotheby’s breaking records for flag sales, Custer flags, Civil War flags, Lincoln flags, WWII flags, Kennedy flags, 9/11 flags and many more. Also, the origin of the Pledge of the Allegiance. Includes new, provocative information that challenges our pre-conceptions about the flag. 

click here to play :30 second clip of "The American Flag"

click here to play :40 clip of "Tropicana" commercial

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Film Police has hosted productions from England, Denmark, Korea, Japan, Canada just this year!

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BBC/History Channel "Days That Shook The World" Al Capone

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BBC/History Channel/Lion TV "St. Valentine's Day Massacre"




























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Sean Connery and Director Phil Koch on a BBC-TV shoot






Film Police is an award-winning film and video production company. We specialize in high-quality commercials, documentaries, corporate films, and feature films.

We will assist you in developing your feature film projects, preparing screenplays, budgets, and schedules for investor presentations.  We are experienced in casting and production managing.  We produce films in the U.S. and around the world. 




























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"PINK NIGHTS"

"Charming, well-written...a few of the supporting roles are creations of genius! A fabulous soundtrack! Pink Nights nicely captures the wonder and puzzlement of being a teen-ager."--Chicago Sun-Times

"Splendidly acted, civilized, droll and well-written, Pink Nights is the kind of thoughtful coming of age movie you didn't think they made anymore."--American Film Insitute Preview

"Recommended...a few of the bit parts are inspired off-the-wall creations."--Chicago Tribune

"A rosy indie charmer.  Perceptive, a bright nicely sketched tale of teen-age romance.  The performances are gold and silver."--Hollywood Reporter

"Acting credits are tops and even the marginal roles are expanded with a charming humor."--Variety

Online review: "The Unknown Movies Page"

"Pink Nights is a breath of fresh air in the teenage genre…blessed by having taste, intelligence, and heart."

From "Yahoo movies":

"What a Gem!
by jimparkey_1999  Oct 10, 2004

It's a wonderful story with a wonderful cast. It's in the "Risky Business' type 80s genre, but much, much more heartfelt and satisfying a film. I highly recommend it!"

 

Order your copy today!

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"Medusa Challenger"

Short dramatic film Starring Joe Mantegna and Jack Wallace

WINNER:

Blue Ribbon of the American Film Festival

Gold Plaque of the Chicago Film Festival

Gold Medal and Special Jury Award of the Virgin Islands Film Festival

Special Jury Award of the San Francisco Film Festival

A Selected Film for Young Adults by the American Library Association

REVIEW QUOTES:

"A gem. A...masterpiece of economic cinematic storytelling…that in its flawless economy recalls classic shorts such as Roman Polanski’s ‘Two Men and A Wardrobe.’ Generates considerable suspense because Wallace and Mantegna are such good actors."—Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

"Every once in a while a film comes along which is a pure joy to watch. The film is a gem, a ray of sunshine that brightens the day. ‘Medusa Challenger’ is such a film. Anyone who sees this film will come away richer for it."—Barbara Flynn, Film News

"Engaging and quietly touching…The movie has the clarity of narrative and bittersweet view of human nature of an O. Henry story."—Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

"Beautifully acted and produced…a moving and loving short film."—Richard Christiansen, Chicago Daily News

"Excellent. Mantegna’s performance is a masterpiece. A hauntingly beautiful musical score. A cinematic folk poem."—David Jones, Chicago Reader

"MEDUSA CHALLENGER" is one of the first American films to be translated into Mandarin Chinese and broadcast on television in the People's Republic of China. Mr. Koch was awarded the Emmy Award for Individual Excellence for "MEDUSA CHALLENGER

Order your copy today!

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Order your copy today!

"NIGHT OF THE LAWYERS"
"Very clever!  The acting is great, wonderful music, a very amusing, deeply wacky script!  Tom Towles pulls off two really amazing double roles.  A strange, silly, funny, very well-produced movie that should attract a cult following!"--Artistic License, WBEZ Radio, Chicago
"Tom Towles astonishes in a double role as the alien and killer lawyer!"--Alissa Simon, Film Center, Art Institute of Chicago
"Cheerfully venemous!  "Nice double role by Tom Towles"--Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
"Hilarious! Like an X-Files on laughing gas!"--Daniel Bhatty, Trial Diplomacy Journal

PBS broadcasts "The American Flag" in 2008!!
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Producer/Director Phillip Koch &TV/Film Producer Norman Lear

Photographed at Second City in Chicago
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Harold Ramis interviewed for the PBS program "The American Flag"

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"Betaville" Distributed by Porchlight Ent.
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Phil Koch and Lou Rawls on the set of "Betaville"

Film Police!