Movie Primer: Taking Woodstock

This is a short primer for the drama/comedy Taking Woodstock. This Ang Lee directed film comes to theaters on August 28th. The trailer for this film can be found at http://www.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/takingwoodstock/

The Plot: The movie is based on the true story of Elliot Tiber who is a interior designer whose parents own a failing motel in upstate New York and the only festival permit in the town of Bethel, New York. When Elliot and his family make a deal with some rock stars that want to have a "little" outdoor concert they have no idea they are about to be in the center of the most famous concert in the history of music.

Star Power: The actor playing Tiber is a comedian on the rise named Demetri Martin, who has done bits for the Daily Show and also will have his own show on Comedy Central soon. There is a huge ensemble cast of actors playing the various people behind the festival and the folks in the muddy crowds who have their lives changed forever by Woodstock. The immensely talented Imelda Staunton (best known for her roles in the Harry Potter movies and her stunning performance in Vera Drake) will play Tiber's mother. Indie stars Emile Hirsch and Paul Dano will play a Vietnam vet and hippie. Even Eugene Levy makes an appearance as a nearby landowner.

Behind the Screen: The director of this film is the very talented Ang Lee. He is best known for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and his last American film Brokeback Mountain. His last movie was the very adult drama Lust, Caution. James Shamus who has been a long time partner of Ang Lee's writes the film. He has worked with Lee on eight films before this one.

What to expect: Ang Lee has been making some pretty serious movies as of late but this film looks to be a different sort of story. There will still be drama and heavy emotion but most of all it just looks like a lot of fun. It's a peek at Woodstock behind the stage and in the crowd, which is a story that has not really been told before on film. There is an amazing cast, though from the previews expect Ms. Staunton to steal the show. There will be of course great music to back up what looks to be a really cool story. A lot of care seems to have gone into this movie. It may not have robots in it but it is still going to be a fun film to see this summer.

Sources
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1127896/
http://www.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/takingwoodstock/