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| director = [[Kathryn Bigelow]]
| director = [[Kathryn Bigelow]]
| producer = [[Tony Mark (producer)|Tony Mark]] (executive)<br>[[Kathryn Bigelow]]<br>[[Mark Boal]]<br>Greg Shapiro<br>[[Nicolas Chartier]]<br>Donall McCusker (co-producer)
| producer = [[Tony Mark (producer)|Tony Mark]] (executive)<br>[[Kathryn Bigelow]]<br>[[Mark Boal]]<br>Greg Shapiro<br>[[Nicolas Chartier]]<br>Donall McCusker (co-producer)
| writer = [[Mark Boal]]<br>
| writer = [[Mark Boal]]<br>[[Kathryn Bigelow]]
| starring = [[Jeremy Renner]]<br>[[Ralph Fiennes]]<br>[[Guy Pearce]]<br>[[Anthony Mackie]]<br>[[Brian Geraghty]]<br>[[Christian Camargo]]<br>[[David Morse (actor)|David Morse]]<br>[[Evangeline Lilly]]
| starring = [[Jeremy Renner]]<br>[[Ralph Fiennes]]<br>[[Guy Pearce]]<br>[[Anthony Mackie]]<br>[[Brian Geraghty]]<br>[[Christian Camargo]]<br>[[David Morse (actor)|David Morse]]<br>[[Evangeline Lilly]]
| music = [[Marco Beltrami]]
| music = [[Marco Beltrami]]
| cinematography = [[Barry Ackroyd]]
| cinematography = [[Barry Ackroyd]]
| editing = [[Chris Innis]]<br>[[Bob Murawski]]
| editing = [[Chris Innis]]<br>[[Bob Murawski]]
| distributor = [[Summit Entertainment]]
| distributor =
| released = October 2008 (Italy only); TBD (U.S./wide)
| released =
| runtime = 125 minutes
| runtime =
| country = {{USA}}
| country = [[United States]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
| budget = $11 million
| budget =
| preceded_by =
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
| followed_by =
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}}
}}


'''''The Hurt Locker''''' is an [[2008 in film|2008]] [[United States|American]] award-winning film directed by [[Kathryn Bigelow]] (''[[Near Dark]]'', ''[[Point Break]]''). It has been called a "high adrenaline war movie" which "is a taut, intimate psychosexual mind trip through male masochism."<ref name="TIFF">[http://tiffg.ca/mediacentre/viewrelease.aspx?recordId=585 "Zinn, Bigelow, Damon And Brolin On Stage As Part Of TIFF08 Mavericks" TIFF]</ref> Filmed entirely on location in the [[Middle East]] within miles of the [[Iraq]] border, the film is based on recently declassified information about an elite Army [[Explosive Ordnance Disposal]] (EOD) bomb squadron. ''The Hurt Locker'' was written by journalist/screenwriter [[Mark Boal]] (author of the short story from which came the film, ''[[In the Valley of Elah]]'') who has also written for [[Playboy]], [[The Village Voice]] and [[Rolling Stone Magazine]].<ref name="Cinematical">[http://www.cinematical.com/2007/07/17/cast-announced-for-kathryn-bigelows-iraq-drama-hurt-locker/ "Cast Announced for...'Hurt Locker'", July 17th 2007, Cinematical]</ref> Boal was embedded with U.S. troops during the height of the [[Iraq war]].<ref name="ToMakeLocker">[http://www.movieweb.com/news/93/21193.php Kathryn Bigelow to Make The Hurt Locker]</ref><ref name="Guardian">[http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/sep/07/venicefilmfestival "A few choice triumphs keep the Lido afloat" The Guardian UK, by Nick James September 7 2008]</ref> <ref name="Hollywood">[http://blog.spout.com/2007/07/17/hollywood-tackles-iraq-trade-roughage-71707/ "Hollywood Tackles Iraq" Karina Longworth, July 2007]</ref>
'''''The Hurt Locker''''' is an [[2008 in film|2008]] [[United States|American]] war film directed by [[Kathryn Bigelow]]. Filmed entirely on location in [[Jordan]], the film is based on recently declassified information about an elite Army [[Explosive Ordnance Disposal]] (EOD) team in present day [[Iraq]]. It also incorporates observations from journalist/screenwriter [[Mark Boal]], who was embedded with troops.<ref name="ToMakeLocker">[http://www.movieweb.com/news/93/21193.php Kathryn Bigelow to Make The Hurt Locker]</ref><ref name="Guardian">[http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/sep/07/venicefilmfestival "A few choice triumphs keep the Lido afloat" The Guardian UK, by Nick James September 7 2008]</ref>


The film has been picked up for release by indie distributor [[Summit Entertainment]].<ref name="Summit">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117991968.html?categoryId=13&cs=1&nid=2854 "Summit takes 'Hurt Locker' in U.S." Variety, by Sharon Swart, Sept. 10, 2008]</ref> Differing reports suggest that Summit will either position ''The Hurt Locker'' as a potential Oscar contender in 2008, or alternatively hold it until mid-2009.<ref name="OscarChances">[http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/hurt_locker_to_summit_and_che_to_ifc "'Hurt Locker' to Summit and 'Che' to IFC: Festival pick-ups find their Oscar chances" Rope of Silicon, by Brad Brevet, September 10, 2008]</ref> <ref name="LATimes910">[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2008/09/toronto-the-hur.html "Toronto: "The Hurt Locker" sold to Summit Entertainment" LA Times blog, by Mark Olsen, Sep 10 2008]</ref> <ref name="Rope">[http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/oscar_update_dark_knight_push_brothers_bloom_update_and_more "Oscar Update" Rope of Silicon]</ref>
The film has been picked up for release by [[Summit Entertainment]].<ref name="Summit">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117991968.html?categoryId=13&cs=1&nid=2854 "Summit takes 'Hurt Locker' in U.S." Variety, by Sharon Swart, Sept. 10, 2008]</ref> Differing reports suggest that Summit will either position ''The Hurt Locker'' as a potential Oscar contender in 2008, or alternatively hold it until mid-2009.<ref name="OscarChances">[http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/hurt_locker_to_summit_and_che_to_ifc "'Hurt Locker' to Summit and 'Che' to IFC: Festival pick-ups find their Oscar chances" Rope of Silicon, by Brad Brevet, September 10, 2008]</ref> <ref name="LATimes910">[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2008/09/toronto-the-hur.html "Toronto: "The Hurt Locker" sold to Summit Entertainment" LA Times blog, by Mark Olsen, Sep 10 2008]</ref> <ref name="Rope">[http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/oscar_update_dark_knight_push_brothers_bloom_update_and_more "Oscar Update" Rope of Silicon]</ref>


== Overview ==
== Overview ==
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''The Hurt Locker'' stars [[Jeremy Renner]], [[Guy Pearce]], [[Ralph Fiennes]], [[Brian Geraghty]], [[Anthony Mackie]] and [[Evangeline Lilly]].<ref name="Cinematical">[http://www.cinematical.com/2007/07/17/cast-announced-for-kathryn-bigelows-iraq-drama-hurt-locker/ "Cast Announced for...'Hurt Locker'", July 17th 2007, Cinematical]</ref> <ref name="Screenweek">[http://www.screenweek.it/film/9442-The-hurt-Locker Screenweek lists full cast incl. E. Lilly July 31, 2008]</ref> <ref name="VivaCinema">[http://www.vivacinema.it/articolo/the-hurt-locker-scheda-del-film/3527/ "The Hurt Locker, scheda del film e locandina Martedì", 15 Luglio 2008, cast listed]</ref> <ref name="Renner">[http://www.jeremyrenner.org/ Jeremy Renner.org - The Hurt Locker "Renner headlines... with Ralph Fiennes, Guy Pearce, David Morse, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, and Evangeline Lily."]</ref>
''The Hurt Locker'' stars [[Jeremy Renner]], [[Guy Pearce]], [[Ralph Fiennes]], [[Brian Geraghty]], [[Anthony Mackie]] and [[Evangeline Lilly]].<ref name="Cinematical">[http://www.cinematical.com/2007/07/17/cast-announced-for-kathryn-bigelows-iraq-drama-hurt-locker/ "Cast Announced for...'Hurt Locker'", July 17th 2007, Cinematical]</ref> <ref name="Screenweek">[http://www.screenweek.it/film/9442-The-hurt-Locker Screenweek lists full cast incl. E. Lilly July 31, 2008]</ref> <ref name="VivaCinema">[http://www.vivacinema.it/articolo/the-hurt-locker-scheda-del-film/3527/ "The Hurt Locker, scheda del film e locandina Martedì", 15 Luglio 2008, cast listed]</ref> <ref name="Renner">[http://www.jeremyrenner.org/ Jeremy Renner.org - The Hurt Locker "Renner headlines... with Ralph Fiennes, Guy Pearce, David Morse, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, and Evangeline Lily."]</ref>


The script was co-written by [[Mark Boal]] (''[[In the Valley of Elah]]''), a [[journalist]] who has written for [[Playboy]], [[The Village Voice]] and [[Rolling Stone Magazine]],<ref name="Cinematical">[http://www.cinematical.com/2007/07/17/cast-announced-for-kathryn-bigelows-iraq-drama-hurt-locker/ "Cast Announced for...'Hurt Locker'", July 17th 2007, Cinematical]</ref> and who also spent time embedded with a bomb squad.<ref name="Hollywood">[http://blog.spout.com/2007/07/17/hollywood-tackles-iraq-trade-roughage-71707/ "Hollywood Tackles Iraq" Karina Longworth, July 2007]</ref>
The rest of the core filmmaking team consists of cinematographer [[Barry Ackroyd]] (''[[United 93 (film)|United 93]]'', ''[[Battle in Seattle]]''), film editors [[Chris Innis]] (''[[G.I. Jane]]'', ''[[American Gothic (TV series)|American Gothic]]'') and [[Bob Murawski]] (''[[Spider-man (film)|Spider-man]]'' series of films), production designer [[Karl Júlíusson]] (''[[Breaking the Waves]]'', ''[[Dancer in the Dark]]'') and costume designer George Little (''[[Jarhead (film)|Jarhead]]''). The score was composed by [[Academy Award]] nominated composer, [[Marco Beltrami]] (''[[3:10 to Yuma (2007 film)|3:10 to Yuma]]'', ''[[I, Robot (film)|I, Robot]]'').


Other members of the production crew include cinematographer [[Barry Ackroyd]], film editors [[Chris Innis]] and [[Bob Murawski]], production designer [[Karl Júlíusson]] and costume designer George Little. The score was composed by [[Academy Award]] nominated composer [[Marco Beltrami]].
⚫
On shooting the film in the Middle East, lead actor [[Jeremy Renner]] said, "There were two by fours with nails being dropped from two-story buildings that hit me in the helmet and they were throwing rocks... we got shot at a few times while we were filming." Renner added, "When you see it, you're gonna feel like you've been in war."<ref name="WNNNews">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0887912/news#ni0264141 WENN news 20 July 2008 "Renner Caught Up In Film 'War'"]</ref> Renner is glad the film looks great because it was such an gut-wrenching experience: "I was miserable in 120-degree heat in a 150-pound bomb suit playing a soldier in an elite Army bomb squad." Renner adds, "It was an $80 million movie that was made for (much less)." <ref name="WNNNews">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0887912/news#ni0264141 WENN news 20 July 2008 "Renner Caught Up In Film 'War'"]</ref>


⚫
On shooting the film in the [[Middle East]], lead actor [[Jeremy Renner]] said, "There were two by fours with nails being dropped from two-story buildings that hit me in the helmet and they were throwing rocks... we got shot at a few times while we were filming." Renner added, "When you see it, you're gonna feel like you've been in war."<ref name="WNNNews">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0887912/news#ni0264141 WENN news 20 July 2008 "Renner Caught Up In Film 'War'"]</ref>
⚫
According to screenwriter Boal, "It's the first movie about the Iraq war that purports to show the experience of the soldiers."<ref name="GuardianUK">[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/aug/14/iraq.film "Hollywood tears up script to make anti-war films while conflicts rage", Ewen MacAskill, The Guardian UK, August 14, 2007]</ref> "We wanted to show the kinds of things that soldiers go through that you can't see on [[Cable News Network|CNN]]." He adds, "Most war movies don't come out until after the war is over.<ref name="GuardianUK">[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/aug/14/iraq.film "Hollywood tears up script to make anti-war films while conflicts rage", Ewen MacAskill, The Guardian UK, August 14, 2007]</ref> It's really exciting for me, coming out of the world of journalism, to have a movie come out about a conflict while the conflict is still going on." <ref name="Cinematical">[http://www.cinematical.com/2007/07/17/cast-announced-for-kathryn-bigelows-iraq-drama-hurt-locker/ "Cast Announced for...'Hurt Locker'", July 17th 2007, Cinematical]</ref>


⚫
According to Boal, "It's the first movie about the Iraq war that purports to show the experience of the soldiers."<ref name="GuardianUK">[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/aug/14/iraq.film "Hollywood tears up script to make anti-war films while conflicts rage", Ewen MacAskill, The Guardian UK, August 14, 2007]</ref> "We wanted to show the kinds of things that soldiers go through that you can't see on [[Cable News Network|CNN]]." He adds, "Most war movies don't come out until after the war is over.<ref name="GuardianUK">[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/aug/14/iraq.film "Hollywood tears up script to make anti-war films while conflicts rage", Ewen MacAskill, The Guardian UK, August 14, 2007]</ref> It's really exciting for me, coming out of the world of journalism, to have a movie come out about a conflict while the conflict is still going on." <ref name="Cinematical">[http://www.cinematical.com/2007/07/17/cast-announced-for-kathryn-bigelows-iraq-drama-hurt-locker/ "Cast Announced for...'Hurt Locker'", July 17th 2007, Cinematical]</ref>


== Plot ==
== Plot ==


⚫
In [[Iraq]], an elite Army [[Explosive Ordnance Disposal]] (EOD) unit is forced to play a dangerous game of cat and mouse in the chaos of war in a city where everyone is a potential enemy and every object could be a deadly bomb.<ref name="BigelowReturn">[http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2033466,00.html Bigelow returns for The Hurt Locker Staff Wednesday March 14, 2007 Guardian.co.uk]</ref> [[Jeremy Renner]] plays the leader of the EOD team, as he contends with not only diffusing bombs in the backdrop of a war but also the psychological and emotional strain that it inflicts.<ref name="FilmIndie">[http://filmindependent.org/directorseries/speakerbios.php Film Independent.Org Director Series/Speakerbios]</ref>
The ''Hurt Locker'' is not a by-the-book, plot-driven war film. It is about survival instincts and relationships between a group of soldiers in a war where the "enemy" is felt, seen and heard, yet frustratingly invisible.<ref name=Whitty>[http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2008/09/two_winners.html "Two Winners" by Stephen Whitty, The Star-Ledger, September 08, 2008]</ref>

⚫
In [[Iraq]], an Army [[Explosive Ordnance Disposal]] (EOD) unit is forced to play a dangerous game of cat and mouse in the chaos of war in a city where everyone is a potential enemy and every object could be a deadly bomb.<ref name="BigelowReturn">[http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2033466,00.html Bigelow returns for The Hurt Locker Staff Wednesday March 14, 2007 Guardian.co.uk]</ref> [[Jeremy Renner]] plays the leader of the EOD team, as he contends with not only diffusing bombs in the backdrop of a war but also the psychological and emotional strain that it inflicts.<ref name="FilmIndie">[http://filmindependent.org/directorseries/speakerbios.php Film Independent.Org Director Series/Speakerbios]</ref> When a new sergeant, William James ([[Jeremy Renner]]), takes over a highly trained bomb disposal team amidst violent conflict, he surprises his two subordinates, Sanborn ([[Anthony Mackie]]) and Eldridge ([[Brian Geraghty]]), by recklessly plunging them into a deadly game of urban combat. James behaves as if he's indifferent to death. As the men struggle to control their wild new leader, the city explodes into chaos, and James' true character reveals itself in a way that will change each man forever.<ref name="Moviehole">[http://www.moviehole.net/200815423-moviehole-at-the-tiff-part-4 "Moviehole at the TIFF - Part 4" - Movie and Entertainment news - Australia, by Paul Fischer, September 9th, 2008]</ref>

The Hurt Locker has been called an "intense portrayal of elite soldiers who have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, disarming bombs in the heat of combat."<ref name="Moviehole">[http://www.moviehole.net/200815423-moviehole-at-the-tiff-part-4 "Moviehole at the TIFF - Part 4" - Movie and Entertainment news - Australia, by Paul Fischer, September 9th, 2008]</ref> The film pulls no punches with phony political hand-wringing; it's just a very well-made, character-based, "war-is-hell movie."<ref name="Guardian">[http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/sep/07/venicefilmfestival "A few choice triumphs keep the Lido afloat" The Guardian UK, by Nick James September 7 2008]</ref> It has been said by several reviewers and news outlets to be the first Iraq war film that has the possibility of breaking through and attracting a major audience.<ref name="FN">[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,419247,00.html "Hurt Locker; ' Golden Globes' Espresso Machine" By Roger Friedman, Fox News, September 9, 2008]</ref>

Lew Harris, the editor of Movies.com, attributes the fact that films about Iraq are being released while the war is still ongoing to a more politicized Hollywood. Says Harris, "Hollywood's much more political now and less afraid to speak out... The film-makers and actors themselves are far more politicised than they were in the 1960s.<ref name="ABCAustralia">[http://arts.abc.net.au/news/artsnews_2009684.htm Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Arts & Entertainment News "Record crop of anti-war films to hit cinemas" Monday, August 20, 2007]</ref> Lew Harris does warn that the success of the films will ultimately hinge on their ability to entertain. "I think if it's good entertainment and the actors are good then they will be successful," Harris said.<ref name="ABCAustralia">[http://arts.abc.net.au/news/artsnews_2009684.htm Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Arts & Entertainment News "Record crop of anti-war films to hit cinemas" Monday, August 20, 2007]</ref>


==Premieres==
==Premieres==
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The world premiere of ''The Hurt Locker'' was at the [[65th Venice International Film Festival|65th Annual]] [[Venice Film Festival]], Venice, Italy, on September 4th, 2008.<ref name="Venice">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117989668.html?categoryId=19&cs=1&nid=3078 Variety, "Venice Film Fest Announces Slate" by Nick Vivarelli, July 29, 2008]</ref> According to VARIETY, the bomb-squad actioner "jolted Venice" with high-adrenaline, receiving a ten minute standing ovation.<ref name="Jolt">[http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=story&id=1061&articleid=VR1117991591&cs=1 Variety "Hurt Locker gives Venice a jolt" By Nick Vivarelli, Sept, 4, 2008]</ref>
The world premiere of ''The Hurt Locker'' was at the [[65th Venice International Film Festival|65th Annual]] [[Venice Film Festival]], Venice, Italy, on September 4th, 2008.<ref name="Venice">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117989668.html?categoryId=19&cs=1&nid=3078 Variety, "Venice Film Fest Announces Slate" by Nick Vivarelli, July 29, 2008]</ref> According to VARIETY, the bomb-squad actioner "jolted Venice" with high-adrenaline, receiving a ten minute standing ovation.<ref name="Jolt">[http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=story&id=1061&articleid=VR1117991591&cs=1 Variety "Hurt Locker gives Venice a jolt" By Nick Vivarelli, Sept, 4, 2008]</ref>


The film also won the prestigious [[SIGNIS]] grand prize at the Venice film festival. According to the jury’s statement, the motivation for this choice is "the filmmakers' uncompromising approach to the Iraq war and its consequences seen through the experience of the bomb diffusion specialists for whom war is an addiction rather than a cause. The film challenges the audience’s view of war in general and the current war in particular because it demonstrates the struggle between violence to the body and psychological alienation."<ref name="Signis">[http://journals.aol.com/rosepacatte/MyMovies/entries/2008/09/05/hurt-locker-wins-catholic-jury-prize-at-65th-venice-film-festival/2587 "HURT LOCKER wins Catholic Jury Prize at 65th Venice Film Festival"]</ref> The film picked up several other awards as well (see list below).<ref name="VeniceAwards">[http://www.labiennale.org/en/news/cinema/en/80160.html Venice Film Festival Awards]</ref>
The film also won the [[SIGNIS]] grand prize at the Venice film festival. According to the jury’s statement, the motivation for this choice is "the filmmakers' uncompromising approach to the Iraq war and its consequences seen through the experience of the bomb diffusion specialists for whom war is an addiction rather than a cause. The film challenges the audience’s view of war in general and the current war in particular because it demonstrates the struggle between violence to the body and psychological alienation."<ref name="Signis">[http://journals.aol.com/rosepacatte/MyMovies/entries/2008/09/05/hurt-locker-wins-catholic-jury-prize-at-65th-venice-film-festival/2587 "HURT LOCKER wins Catholic Jury Prize at 65th Venice Film Festival"]</ref> The film picked up several other awards, including the Arca Cinemagiovani Award (Arca Young Cinema Award) for "Best Film Venezia 65" (chosen by an international youth jury); the Human Rights Film Network Award; and the "La Navicella" – Venezia Cinema Award.<ref name="VeniceAwards">[http://www.labiennale.org/en/news/cinema/en/80160.html Venice Film Festival Awards]</ref>


Reviewing the film for ''[[TIME]]'' magazine at Venice, film critic Richard Corliss said, "The Hurt Locker is a near-perfect movie about men in war, men at work. Through sturdy imagery and violent action, it says that even Hell needs heroes... I may think of a better depiction of the helplessness and heroism attending the U.S. presence in the war on terrorism, but for now I'll say this one's the tops."<ref name="Time">[http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1838615,00.html Time Magazine - Corliss on Film - "The Hurt Locker: A Near-Perfect War Film", by Richard Corliss, Venice, Sept 4, 2008]</ref> ''[[Toronto Star]]'' critic Peter Howell said, "Just when you think the battle of Iraq war dramas has been fought and lost, along comes one that demands to be seen... If you can sit through The Hurt Locker without your heart nearly pounding through your chest, you must be made of granite."<ref name="TStar">[http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/FilmFest/article/487954 The Star.com "The Hurt Locker" by Peter Howell, Movie Critic, Aug 31, 2008]</ref>
Reviewing the film for ''[[TIME]]'' magazine at Venice, film critic Richard Corliss said, "The Hurt Locker is a near-perfect movie about men in war, men at work. Through sturdy imagery and violent action, it says that even Hell needs heroes."<ref name="Time">[http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1838615,00.html Time Magazine - Corliss on Film - "The Hurt Locker: A Near-Perfect War Film", by Richard Corliss, Venice, Sept 4, 2008]</ref> ''[[Toronto Star]]'' critic Peter Howell said, "Just when you think the battle of Iraq war dramas has been fought and lost, along comes one that demands to be seen... If you can sit through The Hurt Locker without your heart nearly pounding through your chest, you must be made of granite."<ref name="TStar">[http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/FilmFest/article/487954 The Star.com "The Hurt Locker" by Peter Howell, Movie Critic, Aug 31, 2008]</ref>


The film's North American premiere was at the [[2008 Toronto International Film Festival|33rd annual]] [[Toronto International Film Festival]], where it was listed as being among the "top 6 picks" of the festival.<ref name="Vlessing">[http://themovie-fanatic.com/the_buzz!/movie_news/spike_lees_miracle_at_tiff/ "WWII Drama Among World Premieres..." by Etan Vlessing]</ref><ref name="Top6">[http://www.canada.com/topics/entertainment/tiff08/story.html?id=ed296418-3bdf-470b-a2a8-f854a1e11c05 "TIFF: Our Top 6 picks" Canwest News Service]</ref> Festival co-director Bailey says that ''The Hurt Locker'' "unlocked the key to making a film about the Iraq War. It transcends what is going on in the headlines... and finds something that's mysterious and symbolic."<ref name="VarFallFests">[http://weblogs.variety.com/thompsononhollywood/2008/08/fall-fests-come.html Variety - Fall Fests Come into View, August 14, 2008]</ref> Entertainment Weekly's film critic Lisa Schwarzbaum listed the film as her number one find at Toronto, adding: "Jeremy Renner gives a knockout performance... Every step he takes is truly a matter of life and death — for him as well as for the soldiers he serves with... the anxiety and tension of battle (are compressed) into every frame."<ref name="EW">[http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/09/run-dont-walk.html Entertainment Weekly "Toronto Film Festival highlights, including 'The Hurt Locker,' 'JVCD,' and '$9.99'" by Lisa Schwarzbaum, Sept. 11, 2008]</ref>
The film's North American premiere was at the [[2008 Toronto International Film Festival|33rd annual]] [[Toronto International Film Festival]], where it was listed as being among the "top 6 picks" of the festival.<ref name="Vlessing">[http://themovie-fanatic.com/the_buzz!/movie_news/spike_lees_miracle_at_tiff/ "WWII Drama Among World Premieres..." by Etan Vlessing]</ref><ref name="Top6">[http://www.canada.com/topics/entertainment/tiff08/story.html?id=ed296418-3bdf-470b-a2a8-f854a1e11c05 "TIFF: Our Top 6 picks" Canwest News Service]</ref> Festival co-director Bailey says that ''The Hurt Locker'' "unlocked the key to making a film about the Iraq War. It transcends what is going on in the headlines... and finds something that's mysterious and symbolic."<ref name="VarFallFests">[http://weblogs.variety.com/thompsononhollywood/2008/08/fall-fests-come.html Variety - Fall Fests Come into View, August 14, 2008]</ref> Entertainment Weekly's film critic Lisa Schwarzbaum listed the film as her number one find at Toronto, adding: "Jeremy Renner gives a knockout performance... Every step he takes is truly a matter of life and death — for him as well as for the soldiers he serves with... the anxiety and tension of battle (are compressed) into every frame."<ref name="EW">[http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/09/run-dont-walk.html Entertainment Weekly "Toronto Film Festival highlights, including 'The Hurt Locker,' 'JVCD,' and '$9.99'" by Lisa Schwarzbaum, Sept. 11, 2008]</ref>


⚫
''The Hurt Locker'' is also scheduled to head out on its world tour stopping at the [[Zurich Film Festival]] where it will screen out of competition with several other high profile festival films such as the [[Ethan Coen|Coen Brothers]]' ''[[Burn After Reading]]'', ''[[Blindness (film)|Blindness]]'' directed by [[Fernando Meirelles]], and [[Larry Charles]]' film, ''[[Religulous]]''.<ref name="Zurich">[http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=story&id=1061&articleid=VR1117992031&cs=1 "Peter Fonda Rides to Zurich: Actor to head jury at Swiss festival" Variety, by Ed Meza, Sept. 11, 2008]</ref> The film will also screen at Montreal's 37th [[Festival du Nouveau Cinéma]] October 8-19, 2008.<ref name="Montreal">[http://www.indiewire.com/buzz/080921.html#013402 Indiewire iW NEWS "Nouveau Cinema Announces Full Program" by Peter Knegt]</ref> <ref name="Nouveau">[http://www.nomorepotlucks.org/news-arts/37th-festival-du-nouveau-cinema "The 37th Festival du Nouveau Cinéma Exciting films and extraordinary events for all audiences!" Sept. 24, 2008]</ref>
==World Tour==

⚫
''The Hurt Locker'' has already opened in Italy and is also headed out on a world tour stopping at the [[Zurich Film Festival]] where it screened out of competition with several other high profile festival films such as the [[Ethan Coen|Coen Brothers]]' ''[[Burn After Reading]]'', ''[[Blindness (film)|Blindness]]'' directed by [[Fernando Meirelles]], and [[Larry Charles]]' film, ''[[Religulous]]''.<ref name="Zurich">[http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=story&id=1061&articleid=VR1117992031&cs=1 "Peter Fonda Rides to Zurich: Actor to head jury at Swiss festival" Variety, by Ed Meza, Sept. 11, 2008]</ref> The film also screened at Montreal's 37th [[Festival du Nouveau Cinéma]] October 8-19, 2008 and is scheduled as the opening film at the [[Mar del Plata, Argentina|Mar del Plata]] Film Festival in [[Argentina]] running from November 6th through 16th, 2008.<ref name="Montreal">[http://www.indiewire.com/buzz/080921.html#013402 Indiewire iW NEWS "Nouveau Cinema Announces Full Program" by Peter Knegt]</ref> <ref name="Nouveau">[http://www.nomorepotlucks.org/news-arts/37th-festival-du-nouveau-cinema "The 37th Festival du Nouveau Cinéma Exciting films and extraordinary events for all audiences!" Sept. 24, 2008]</ref> <ref name="Mar">[http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=story&id=1061&articleid=VR1117994960&cs=1 Variety "Hurt Locker to Open Mar Festival", by Charles Newbery, October 30, 2008]</ref> <ref name="Mar2">[http://www.screendaily.com/ScreenDailyArticle.aspx?intStoryID=41696&Category= Screen Daily, "The Hurt Locker Kicks off 23rd Mar del Plata Film Festival", by Diego Batlle, October 30, 2008]</ref>

==Awards==
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%;"
|- bgcolor="#B0C4DE" align="center"
! style="background-color: #BCBCBC"|Year
! style="background-color: #BCBCBC"|Award
! style="background-color: #BCBCBC"|Result
! style="background-color: #BCBCBC"|Category
! style="background-color: #BCBCBC"|Recipients
|-
| rowspan=5|2008 || [[Golden Lion|Venice Film Festival Golden Lion]] ||rowspan=1| <center>'''Nominated'''</center>
|| Best Film ||rowspan=5| '''The Hurt Locker'''
|-
| [[SIGNIS|Venice Film Festival SIGNIS Grand Prize]] ||rowspan=4|<center>'''Won'''</center> || Best Film
|-
| Venice Film Festival - Arca Cinemagiovani Award (Arca Young Cinema Award) || Best Film Venezia 65
|-
| Venice Film Festival Human Rights Film Network Award || Best Film
|-
| Venice Film Festival Venezia Cinema Award - "La Navicella" || Best Film
|}


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{imdb title|0887912|The Hurt Locker}}
* {{imdb title|0887912|The Hurt Locker}}
* [http://www.totallyhollywoodhunksnews.com/Film/HLocker.html The Hurt Locker News] (Most comprehensive web site listing of articles on ''The Hurt Locker'')
* [http://www.aintitcool.com/node/34760 Ain't It Cool News: "NEAR DARK Director Kathryn Bigelow Focuses On Iraq!! THE HURT LOCKER Is Coming Captain Plantastic Chats With Her About It!!"]
* [http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2008/07/venice-festival.html The Los Angeles Times, "Will the Venice Film Festival launch Oscars' lead ponies again?"]
* [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117972471.html?categoryid=1445&cs=1 "Film Business Blooms in Jordan" Variety, by Ali Jaafar, Sep. 21, 2007]
* [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117972471.html?categoryid=1445&cs=1 "Film Business Blooms in Jordan" Variety, by Ali Jaafar, Sep. 21, 2007]
* [http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=story&id=1061&articleid=VR1117965466&cs=1 "'Locker' to be Filmed in Jordan" by Ali Jaafar, Variety, May 20, 2007]
* [http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=story&id=1061&articleid=VR1117965466&cs=1 "'Locker' to be Filmed in Jordan" by Ali Jaafar, Variety, May 20, 2007]
* [http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/453168 "TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: Cera's special presentation" Linda Barnard, Toronto Star Jul 03, 2008]
* [http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/453168 "TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: Cera's special presentation" Linda Barnard, Toronto Star Jul 03, 2008]
* [http://www.economist.com/books/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12000929 "Waiting for John Wayne: American audiences have been staying at home, not tempted by films about an unpopular war. Perhaps the emergence of a new hero may do the trick" The Economist, Aug 28th 2008, LOS ANGELES]
* [http://www.economist.com/books/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12000929 "Waiting for John Wayne: American audiences have been staying at home, not tempted by films about an unpopular war. Perhaps the emergence of a new hero may do the trick" The Economist, Aug 28th 2008, LOS ANGELES]
* [http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/14535 "Toronto Film Festival to Feature Ralph Fiennes" By: Brian Scott Lipton Jul 10, 2008, theatermania.com]
* [http://www.jonathanolley.com/pages/imagegroup.public.display.php?igId=64 Photos of ''The Hurt Locker'', from set photographer, Jonathan Olley]
* [http://www.aaton.com/gallery/on-location/5_Aatons_and_1_Cantar Aaton - AATON - Hurt Locker Camera Crew]


{{Kathryn Bigelow}}
{{Kathryn Bigelow}}
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[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:War drama films]]
[[Category:War drama films]]
[[Category:War films]]
[[Category:Action films]]
[[Category:Drama films]]




Revision as of 23:18, 30 October 2008

Template:Future film

The Hurt Locker
Directed byKathryn Bigelow
Written byMark Boal
Kathryn Bigelow
Produced byTony Mark (executive)
Kathryn Bigelow
Mark Boal
Greg Shapiro
Nicolas Chartier
Donall McCusker (co-producer)
StarringJeremy Renner
Ralph Fiennes
Guy Pearce
Anthony Mackie
Brian Geraghty
Christian Camargo
David Morse
Evangeline Lilly
CinematographyBarry Ackroyd
Edited byChris Innis
Bob Murawski
Music byMarco Beltrami
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Hurt Locker is an 2008 American war film directed by Kathryn Bigelow. Filmed entirely on location in Jordan, the film is based on recently declassified information about an elite Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team in present day Iraq. It also incorporates observations from journalist/screenwriter Mark Boal, who was embedded with troops.[1][2]

The film has been picked up for release by Summit Entertainment.[3] Differing reports suggest that Summit will either position The Hurt Locker as a potential Oscar contender in 2008, or alternatively hold it until mid-2009.[4] [5] [6]

Overview

The Hurt Locker stars Jeremy Renner, Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, Brian Geraghty, Anthony Mackie and Evangeline Lilly.[7] [8] [9] [10]

The script was co-written by Mark Boal (In the Valley of Elah), a journalist who has written for Playboy, The Village Voice and Rolling Stone Magazine,[7] and who also spent time embedded with a bomb squad.[11]

Other members of the production crew include cinematographer Barry Ackroyd, film editors Chris Innis and Bob Murawski, production designer Karl Júlíusson and costume designer George Little. The score was composed by Academy Award nominated composer Marco Beltrami.

On shooting the film in the Middle East, lead actor Jeremy Renner said, "There were two by fours with nails being dropped from two-story buildings that hit me in the helmet and they were throwing rocks... we got shot at a few times while we were filming." Renner added, "When you see it, you're gonna feel like you've been in war."[12]

According to Boal, "It's the first movie about the Iraq war that purports to show the experience of the soldiers."[13] "We wanted to show the kinds of things that soldiers go through that you can't see on CNN." He adds, "Most war movies don't come out until after the war is over.[13] It's really exciting for me, coming out of the world of journalism, to have a movie come out about a conflict while the conflict is still going on." [7]

Plot

In Iraq, an elite Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit is forced to play a dangerous game of cat and mouse in the chaos of war in a city where everyone is a potential enemy and every object could be a deadly bomb.[14] Jeremy Renner plays the leader of the EOD team, as he contends with not only diffusing bombs in the backdrop of a war but also the psychological and emotional strain that it inflicts.[15]

Premieres

The world premiere of The Hurt Locker was at the 65th Annual Venice Film Festival, Venice, Italy, on September 4th, 2008.[16] According to VARIETY, the bomb-squad actioner "jolted Venice" with high-adrenaline, receiving a ten minute standing ovation.[17]

The film also won the SIGNIS grand prize at the Venice film festival. According to the jury’s statement, the motivation for this choice is "the filmmakers' uncompromising approach to the Iraq war and its consequences seen through the experience of the bomb diffusion specialists for whom war is an addiction rather than a cause. The film challenges the audience’s view of war in general and the current war in particular because it demonstrates the struggle between violence to the body and psychological alienation."[18] The film picked up several other awards, including the Arca Cinemagiovani Award (Arca Young Cinema Award) for "Best Film Venezia 65" (chosen by an international youth jury); the Human Rights Film Network Award; and the "La Navicella" – Venezia Cinema Award.[19]

Reviewing the film for TIME magazine at Venice, film critic Richard Corliss said, "The Hurt Locker is a near-perfect movie about men in war, men at work. Through sturdy imagery and violent action, it says that even Hell needs heroes."[20] Toronto Star critic Peter Howell said, "Just when you think the battle of Iraq war dramas has been fought and lost, along comes one that demands to be seen... If you can sit through The Hurt Locker without your heart nearly pounding through your chest, you must be made of granite."[21]

The film's North American premiere was at the 33rd annual Toronto International Film Festival, where it was listed as being among the "top 6 picks" of the festival.[22][23] Festival co-director Bailey says that The Hurt Locker "unlocked the key to making a film about the Iraq War. It transcends what is going on in the headlines... and finds something that's mysterious and symbolic."[24] Entertainment Weekly's film critic Lisa Schwarzbaum listed the film as her number one find at Toronto, adding: "Jeremy Renner gives a knockout performance... Every step he takes is truly a matter of life and death — for him as well as for the soldiers he serves with... the anxiety and tension of battle (are compressed) into every frame."[25]

The Hurt Locker is also scheduled to head out on its world tour stopping at the Zurich Film Festival where it will screen out of competition with several other high profile festival films such as the Coen Brothers' Burn After Reading, Blindness directed by Fernando Meirelles, and Larry Charles' film, Religulous.[26] The film will also screen at Montreal's 37th Festival du Nouveau Cinéma October 8-19, 2008.[27] [28]

References

  1. ^ Kathryn Bigelow to Make The Hurt Locker
  2. ^ "A few choice triumphs keep the Lido afloat" The Guardian UK, by Nick James September 7 2008
  3. ^ "Summit takes 'Hurt Locker' in U.S." Variety, by Sharon Swart, Sept. 10, 2008
  4. ^ "'Hurt Locker' to Summit and 'Che' to IFC: Festival pick-ups find their Oscar chances" Rope of Silicon, by Brad Brevet, September 10, 2008
  5. ^ "Toronto: "The Hurt Locker" sold to Summit Entertainment" LA Times blog, by Mark Olsen, Sep 10 2008
  6. ^ "Oscar Update" Rope of Silicon
  7. ^ a b c "Cast Announced for...'Hurt Locker'", July 17th 2007, Cinematical
  8. ^ Screenweek lists full cast incl. E. Lilly July 31, 2008
  9. ^ "The Hurt Locker, scheda del film e locandina Martedì", 15 Luglio 2008, cast listed
  10. ^ Jeremy Renner.org - The Hurt Locker "Renner headlines... with Ralph Fiennes, Guy Pearce, David Morse, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, and Evangeline Lily."
  11. ^ "Hollywood Tackles Iraq" Karina Longworth, July 2007
  12. ^ WENN news 20 July 2008 "Renner Caught Up In Film 'War'"
  13. ^ a b "Hollywood tears up script to make anti-war films while conflicts rage", Ewen MacAskill, The Guardian UK, August 14, 2007
  14. ^ Bigelow returns for The Hurt Locker Staff Wednesday March 14, 2007 Guardian.co.uk
  15. ^ Film Independent.Org Director Series/Speakerbios
  16. ^ Variety, "Venice Film Fest Announces Slate" by Nick Vivarelli, July 29, 2008
  17. ^ Variety "Hurt Locker gives Venice a jolt" By Nick Vivarelli, Sept, 4, 2008
  18. ^ "HURT LOCKER wins Catholic Jury Prize at 65th Venice Film Festival"
  19. ^ Venice Film Festival Awards
  20. ^ Time Magazine - Corliss on Film - "The Hurt Locker: A Near-Perfect War Film", by Richard Corliss, Venice, Sept 4, 2008
  21. ^ The Star.com "The Hurt Locker" by Peter Howell, Movie Critic, Aug 31, 2008
  22. ^ "WWII Drama Among World Premieres..." by Etan Vlessing
  23. ^ "TIFF: Our Top 6 picks" Canwest News Service
  24. ^ Variety - Fall Fests Come into View, August 14, 2008
  25. ^ Entertainment Weekly "Toronto Film Festival highlights, including 'The Hurt Locker,' 'JVCD,' and '$9.99'" by Lisa Schwarzbaum, Sept. 11, 2008
  26. ^ "Peter Fonda Rides to Zurich: Actor to head jury at Swiss festival" Variety, by Ed Meza, Sept. 11, 2008
  27. ^ Indiewire iW NEWS "Nouveau Cinema Announces Full Program" by Peter Knegt
  28. ^ "The 37th Festival du Nouveau Cinéma Exciting films and extraordinary events for all audiences!" Sept. 24, 2008
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