No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos

No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos is a 2008 American documentary film written and directed by James Chressanthis.[1]

No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJames Chressanthis
Written byJames Chressanthis
Produced byJames Chressanthis
Tony Frere
Zachary Kranzler
Kian Soleimanpour
CinematographyAnka Malatynska
Edited byElisa Bonora
Music byJeffrey Kite
Production
company
NC Motion Pictures
Distributed byCinema Libre Studio
Cinetic Media
PBS
Release date
  • May 22, 2008 (2008-05-22) (Cannes)
Running time
104 minutes
CountryUnited states
LanguageEnglish

Synopsis

This documentary traces the careers of cinematographers László Kovács and Vilmos Zsigmond. These lifelong friends are Hungarian expatriates who had been studying cinematography in Hungary and defected following the 1956 Soviet invasion. Coincidentally, they also photographed many of the tumultuous events during the invasion.

Michael Goldman, of the Los Angeles Times, described their introduction to America:

"After a harrowing journey secreting the footage out of the country so it can be seen by the rest of the world, they end up in Los Angeles, where they toil anonymously in B-level biker films, wandering into Roger Corman's orbit. Soon after, both men flash to prominence filming several classic movies, playing important roles in the New Hollywood movement of the late '60s and '70s."[2]

The documentary chronicles their careers with numerous clips and testimonials from Peter Bogdanovich, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Sandra Bullock, Tatum O'Neal, Sharon Stone and Barbra Streisand and others.

Interviews

Background

One of the motivations for making the documentary was "[t]he one-two punch of Altman's death in 2006 and the onset of health problems for Mr. Kovacs ultimately spurred Mr. Chressanthis and his co-producers to bring the two men together again — this time in front of a camera — and have them tell their tale." Director James Chressanthis studied under both Kovacs and Zsigmond.[3]

Some critics noted that the film is more than about Zsigmond and Kovacs' work. Michael Goldman said, "As much as No Subtitles Necessary documents the professional successes of these cinematographers, it's mainly about their profound friendship and devotion to each other. Near the end of the documentary, Audrey Kovács illustrates that point, insisting that while she lost her husband in 2007, she isn't in fact his only widow. 'Frankly, I think that László had one widow, and it's Vilmos,' she sighs. 'I think they were as close as two men could ever be.'"[4]

Reception

Critical response

Rob Nelson, film critic for Variety magazine liked the documentary and said, "Still inadequately renowned for having literally supplied the pictures, gritty and pretty, of the 1970s New Hollywood, Hungary-born lensers Vilmos Zsigmond and the late Laszlo Kovacs are warmly illuminated in No Subtitles Necessary. Spanning the pair's half-century-long friendship and individual work on strikingly shot films of the past four decades, pic deftly combines personal, political and cinematic histories through anecdote-laden interviews and eye-popping clips. Docu would naturally light up any serious fest worldwide, while its humanistic ode to the lensers' love of their families, their collaborators and each other gives it a shot at even wider exposure."[5]

In his review of the film/DVD, critic Kevin Jagernauth, discussed the Hollywood contacts and film shoots that helped the cinematographers careers in the early days. He wrote of Vilmos, "For Zsigmond, it would be Robert Altman's anti-western McCabe & Mrs. Miller that would bring him fame. For anyone who has seen the film, the entire mood is set by the cinematographer's gauzy lensing of the interiors, and his uncomprosing camerawork with the exteriors. Robert McLachlan (Final Destination 3, Cursed) recalls being on the set, and being amazed that what he saw with his own eyes and on the big screen couldn't be more different, inspiring him to follow his own path to becoming a cinematographer."[6]

See also

References
  1. No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos at the TCM Movie Database.
  2. Goldman, Michael. The Los Angeles Times, Entertainment Section, "László Kovács, Vilmos Zsigmond: Fade in on a friendship," November 15, 2009.
  3. Seitz, Matt Zoller. The New York Times, Television Section, November 13, 2009. Accessed: August 15, 2013.
  4. Goldman, Michael. Ibid.
  5. Nelson, Rob. Variety, film review at Cannes Film Festival (Cannes Classics), May 22, 2008.
  6. Jagernauth, Kevin. The Playlist, film review, February 27, 2012. Accessed: August 15, 2013.
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