Blog | JohnSaylesBlog

writer- director- Original Independent

Search

John Wins Lifetime Achievement PROGIE Award

Mar 25, 2014

John Wins Lifetime Achievement PROGIE Award

We recently learned that John has won the 2013 Lifetime Achievement PROGIE Award from The Progressive. John shares this award with co-winner Robert Redford. The Progressive writes: Since 1979’s “The Return of the Secaucus Seven” — a look back at ’60s student radicalism — writer/director John Sayles has displayed a singular, independent vision. 1983’s “Lianna” dealt with lesbianism long before it was chic to do so; 1984’s “The Brother From Another Planet” tackled racism; while

The 54th FICCI in Colombia

Mar 3, 2014

The 54th FICCI in Colombia

This March, John and Maggie will be attending the 54th FICCI film festival in Colombia. The FICCI will be presenting a retrospective of ten John Sayles films, as well as a roundtable discussion with John on March 18th. From the press release: Two time, Oscar-nominated American actor, director and screenwriter John Sayles will be at the 54th FICCI along with the very best of his films and will be part of a roundtable discussion at Salón FICCI. If Sayles’ films could be describ

An Update from Hawaii

Feb 22, 2014

An Update from Hawaii

John and Maggie have spent February in Hawaii, teaching master classes and doing Q&As at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (where John has been in residence as the 2014 Inouye Chair in Democratic Ideals). Now that their time on the islands is wrapping up, Maggie sends us this greeting, and an artist shout-out. Greeting from sunny Oahu! I won’t rub it in just to say I am so happy to be away from snow. We’d like to acknowledge Shepard Fairey and thank him for designing the John

John in Residency as 2014 Inouye Chair in Democratic Ideals at UHawaii at Manoa

Jan 28, 2014

John in Residency as 2014 Inouye Chair in Democratic Ideals at UHawaii at Manoa

John and Maggie will be spending most of the month of February at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. John will be in residency as the 2014 Inouye Chair in Democratic Ideals, and he and Maggie will both be giving master classes to students. In addition, the American Studies Department has been presenting John Sayles Film series, co-sponsored by the College of Arts & Humanities and the Academy for Creative Media. The film series will conclude on February 13th with a screening o

Luis Jimenez: From the Barrio to the Smithsonian

Dec 10, 2013

Luis Jimenez: From the Barrio to the Smithsonian

Please take a look at this forthcoming project from Cesar Alejandro, an old friend of John and Maggie’s who played the fighting cock trainer in AMIGO. Cesar is working to make a documentary about the life and art of Luis Jimenez, the first Latino/Hispanic sculptor to come to National and International prominence in the United States. Luis opened roads when there were none, back in the 60s, when embracing your roots and surviving weren’t two things that could go well together.

GO FOR SISTERS — More Cities Added!

Dec 5, 2013

GO FOR SISTERS — More Cities Added!

GO FOR SISTERS has officially opened in cities coast-to-coast, to sold-out houses and fantastic press! But the film’s journey is far from over. New cities have been added all across the US, and we’re happy to announce all the places you’ll be able to catch John’s newest film in the coming months! Up-to-the-minute theatre listings can always be found at: goforsistersmovie.com/#theaters And you can also find ticket information at the link above. GO FOR SISTERS Upcoming Playdat

AMIGO for Bohol: Benefit Screenings

Nov 19, 2013

AMIGO for Bohol: Benefit Screenings

You will remember that last month a massive 7.2 earthquake hit the Bohol Province of the Philippines, where AMIGO was filmed. Many of the cast and crew members of AMIGO were affected by this catastrophic event. The Amigo Para Sa Bohol (“Amigo for Bohol”) effort was created to use benefit screenings of the film to collect monetary and physical donations for victims of the national disaster. As you have no doubt heard, this region is once again in the news due to Super Typhoo

Amigo for Bohol : How To Help

Nov 12, 2013

Amigo for Bohol : How To Help

Members of the AMIGO cast and crew You will remember that last month a massive 7.2 earthquake hit the Bohol Province of the Philippines, where AMIGO was filmed. Many of the cast and crew members of AMIGO were affected by this catastrophic event. The Amigo Para Sa Bohol (“Amigo for Bohol”) effort was created to use benefit screenings of the film to collect monetary and physical donations for victims of the national disaster. Screenings have been scheduled for: Friday, Novemb

GO FOR SISTERS opens in NYC Tomorrow!

Nov 7, 2013

GO FOR SISTERS opens in NYC Tomorrow!

It’s almost showtime! GO FOR SISTERS opens in NYC tomorrow, and there will be Q&A sessions with John, Yolonda Ross, and Edward James Olmos after the Friday and Saturday shows at both cinemas this weekend! Click here for tickets to the Village East (Downtown) location: Village East. Click here for info on the AMC (Midtown) location: AMC. We’ll see you tomorrow, New York City! #screening #GoforSisters #JohnSayles #VarianceFilms #filmmaking #moviemaking #moviemaking #movie #movi

New Trailer and Poster for GO FOR SISTERS

Oct 26, 2013

New Trailer and Poster for GO FOR SISTERS

Since Variance Films became our distributor for John’s newest film GO FOR SISTERS, they’ve been hard at work on getting the word out about the movie, in advance of its November release (see dates/cities at goforsistersmovie.com). This preparation has included a new trailer (released on Yahoo! Movies) and a new poster (released on Fandango) for the film. Check them out below! You can also click here to sign up for Fandango Fan Alerts to let you know when GO FOR SISTERS comes

#AmigoParaSaBohol (Amigo for Bohol)

Oct 21, 2013

#AmigoParaSaBohol (Amigo for Bohol)

As you may have heard, a few days ago a massive 7.2 earthquake hit the Bohol Province of the Philippines, where AMIGO was filmed. Many of the cast and crew members of AMIGO have been affected by this catastrophic event. “The 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol and other areas in Central Visayas is now recorded as one of the deadliest in our recent history, with the death toll at over 170 and rising. Hundreds of residences – including centuries-old houses of worship — wer

John Donates His Film Archives to University of Michigan

Oct 14, 2013

John Donates His Film Archives to University of Michigan

We are thrilled to announce that John and Maggie have recently found a new home for over 230 boxes of screenplays, story boards, photos, props, notes, legal documents and other materials which span John’s 34-year movie making career. John and Maggie on the set of Sunshine State in 2002 These materials have been donated to the University of Michigan’s Special Collections Library, for the creation of the John Sayles Archive. Maggie says, “We chose the University of Michigan ove

GO FOR SISTERS — Where to see it soon!

Sep 23, 2013

GO FOR SISTERS — Where to see it soon!

As we told you last month, Variance Films has picked up John’s 18th feature film, GO FOR SISTERS, and the movie will be released on screens around the country very soon! Where, you ask, and when? Will John be doing any Q&As? Read on! GO FOR SISTERS Playdates October 4th @ 8:30pm || Woodstock Film Festival || Woodstock, NY (click here for info) October 6th @ 5:40pm || Scottsdale International Film Festival || Scottsdale, AZ (click here for info) October 16th @ 6:30pm || Santa

“The Story of Film: An Odyssey” on TCM

Sep 11, 2013

“The Story of Film: An Odyssey” on TCM

This is a must see! The beloved Turner Classic Movies channel has just bought a bunch of new movies, and begun airing a visionary 15-part documentary series called “The Story of Film: An Odyssey.” Logo via TCM website This massive project is the brainchild of film historian Mark Cousins, a friend of John and Maggie’s from Northern Ireland. “The Story of Film” will be aired one hour per week on TMC, starting this month. Mark will introduce you to films you used to know and di

New Web Series: Talents

Sep 4, 2013

New Web Series: Talents

John Sayles has been called “The Godfather of American Independent Cinema,” and has always been known for finding a way to make the movies he wants to make, the way he wants to make them. In this day and age of digital media and web-based content, some of the most determined up-and-coming indie filmmakers are finding a new avenue for storytelling: the web series. While self-producing a web series may not follow the exact same set of steps as creating a TV show or movie, some

Variance Films to Release GO FOR SISTERS

Aug 29, 2013

Variance Films to Release GO FOR SISTERS

Exciting news, Sayles Fans! Our friends at Variance Films, who did such a great job releasing Amigo, have picked up John’s 18th feature film, GO FOR SISTERS! GO FOR SISTERS premiered at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin back in March, and now the rest of the country will get a chance to see the story of Bernice and Fontayne. Official Poster About the Film: Bernice Stokes and Fontayne Gamble grew up the closest of friends. After high school Bernice got into social services and

John and Maggie to Be Honored with Williams College Bicentennial Medals

Aug 22, 2013

John and Maggie to Be Honored with Williams College Bicentennial Medals

Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts is the alma mater of both John Sayles and Maggie Renzi. In 1993, on the college’s 200th anniversary, Williams established its Bicentennial Medals to honor accomplished alumni for distinguished achievement in any field of endeavor. This year, both John (class of ’72) and Maggie (class of ’73) will be honored at the September 7th Fall Convocation for their work as “creative partners and pioneers in independent film.” President Fal

Upcoming Amigo Screening in Plymouth

Jul 13, 2013

Upcoming Amigo Screening in Plymouth

Chris Cooper and John on the set of “Amigo” On July 19th at 6:30pm, John, Maggie, and actor Chris Cooper will attend a special screening of Amigo in Plymouth, MA. There will be a Q&A after the screening. Get more information here. Reservations recommended. Call 508-746-1622 x 8346 for tickets or purchase online by clicking here. $20 General Admission $15 Plimouth Plantation Museum Members, Senior Citizens & Students Need Dinner? Reserve a special box dinner for just $12. All

GO FOR SISTERS Q&A Videos from SXSW

Jul 12, 2013

GO FOR SISTERS Q&A Videos from SXSW

Back in March, John Sayles premiered his 18th feature film, GO FOR SISTERS, at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin. After screenings, he answered questions from sold-out crowds about the making of the movie, his career in film, and upcoming projects. In this Q&A, John talks about his fascination with the Border, and how it plays a role in GO FOR SISTERS and his other films. Head over to our YouTube channel for more new Q&A videos from SXSW! www.YouTube.com/TheJohnSaylesChannel

John and Maggie and “100 Bloody Acres”

Jun 27, 2013

John and Maggie and “100 Bloody Acres”

Remember when John and Maggie went to Australia to be mentors for Film Victoria? They stayed in a lovely Victorian spa town called Hepburn Springs, ate great food and drank great wine (Maggie) while each day having a couple of meetings with teams of filmmakers to discuss their scripts? Well one of the teams they mentored has a film opening in the U.S. and on demand tomorrow! It’s a crazy horror/comedy called 100 BLOODY ACRES. Watch the trailer below, and click here for the m