13:52 PST 2/3/2021
in
Mikey O’Connell
Three Amazon movies star in the Golden Globes, while Steve McQueen’s ‘Small Ax’ anthology gains love in the TV race.
After drawing attention mainly through TV series since its move to original content, Amazon Studios is enjoying some good news in the film segment – watch out for Wednesday’s Golden Globe nominations. Out of a total of 10 streamer nominations, seven come courtesy of feature films.
“It is a real sign that we will continue to invest in our cinema strategy in the future”, says the head of Amazon Studios, Jennifer Salke, “both original films produced by Amazon, but also in the acquisition and creation of partnerships with artists”.
Although a mention of the best drama escaped One night in miami, the feature still got three significant nominations – for director Regina King, supporting actor Leslie Odom Jr. and for the original song “Speak Now”. With limited theatrical release, the result of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic more than any strategy, the film was released on the streaming service on January 15. And while no numbers have been discussed, Salke noted that the film’s audience is on a par with the unrest surrounding the beloved Venice Film Festival. “We knew the content itself was undeniable and we loved it very much, so we felt very confident – although we know it is a long way to stay relevant in all of these conversations,” she said. “Obviously, it is entering into a global cultural conversation. I think the talent involved and the execution speak for themselves. “
Three nominations for Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, cementing a particularly good morning for Sacha Baron Cohen, also helped with the overall acquisition of Amazon – as well as Steve McQueen’s Small ax. The latter, unique in its execution, could have competed just as easily in the film categories. “It’s quite unique in terms of specificity, not to mention that I didn’t receive filmmakers saying they wanted to create a collection of films linked thematically,” said Salke, who says the amorphous project speaks to the evolving content definition. “The global audience does not have to be in a certain category. They are used to watching limited series and love watching movies. The idea that you would have these standalone films, which could live on their own, but also be enjoyed as a chapter by chapter experience, goes beyond the limits of traditional ways of presenting content. “
Amazon Studios’ solid performance during the first major announcement of the 2021 film award season comes less than 24 hours after news that Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, a big part of the company’s entertainment strategy, is leaving office at the end of the year for a role as executive chairman. His replacement, Andy Jassy, will be a newcomer to the content side of the business.
“[Jeff] it will last a long time, ”said Salke. “He’s a big fan of our business and I’m really excited for him. Andy Jassy is an executive with deep roots at Amazon. We feel nothing but enthusiasm and confidence in the future. “
Given Salke’s long stay in the industry and his multiple collaborations, the executive also spoke affectionately about the late Jamie Tarses. The pioneer head of the chain that became a producer died on Monday at the age of 56. One of her final projects was to serve as an executive producer on Amazon Studios’s popular December release, The Wild. Already renewed for a second season, The Wilds it was a final passion project for a woman whose passion was well known in Hollywood.
“When I was arriving as an executive, I remember walking down the halls and seeing that Jamie Tarses office,” says Salke of the first female head of network, who ran ABC Entertainment from 1996 to 1999. “She was someone to aspire and admire. In her role as a producer, the line between her and the writers she worked with was very thin. I watched her during a presentation, and she could practically recite everything the writers said. It was so linked to the specificity surrounding the creative vision. Whenever she had something that excited her, we knew that she would be incredibly attentive, very well developed and special. “