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This So-Called Disaster

Play trailer Poster for This So-Called Disaster R,  2003,  1h 27m,  Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 88% 25 Reviews Tomatometer 60% 500+ Ratings Popcornmeter
88% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 60% 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.

Critics Reviews

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Ty Burr Boston Globe Jun 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 Jun 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 May 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 Sep 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 Aug 8, 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 Jun 18, 2004
3/4
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This So-Called Disaster

My Rating

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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
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