Allen Coulter came Center Stage with Mark Gordon to talk about his new film "Hollywoodland." "Hollywoodland" is a uniquely compelling exploration of fame and identity, inspired by one of Hollywood's most infamous real-life mysteries. The film is the feature directorial debut for Allen Coulter (Emmy and DGA Award nominee for his work on The Sopranos and Sex and the City). June 16, 1959. The glamour of Tinseltown permanently fades for actor George Reeves, the heroic Man of Steel on TV's Adventures of Superman, as the actor dies in his Hollywood Hills home. Felled by a single gunshot wound, Reeves (portrayed in Hollywoodland by Academy Award winner Ben Affleck) leaves behind a fiancé- aspiring starlet Leonore Lemmon (Robin Tunney) - and millions of fans who are shocked by his death. But it is his grieving mother, Helen Bessolo (Lois Smith), who will not let the questionable circumstances surrounding his demise go unaddressed. Helen seeks justice, or at least answers. The Los Angeles Police Department closes the case, but Helen hires - for $50 a day - private detective Louis Simo (Academy Award winner Adrien Brody). Simo soon ascertains that the torrid affair Reeves had with Toni Mannix (Academy Award nominee Diane Lane), the wife of MGM studio executive Eddie Mannix (Academy Award nominee Bob Hoskins), might hold the key to the truth. But truth and justice are not so easily found in Hollywood. Simo pursues dangerous and elusive leads in both high and low places and, in trying to turn up the heat, risks getting burned. The detective also uncovers unexpected connections to his own life as the case turns more personal and he learns more about Reeves himself. Behind the icon was a complex man who gave his life to Hollywood in more ways than one. A Focus Features and Miramax Films presentation of a Back Lot Pictures production. Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Ben Affleck, Bob Hoskins. Hollywoodland. Lois Smith, Robin Tunney. Casting by Joanna Colbert, C.S.A. Costume Designer, Julie Weiss. Music Supervisor, Dan Lieberstein. Music by Marcelo Zarvos. Editor, Michael Berenbaum, A.C.E. Production Designer, Leslie McDonald. Director of Photography, Jonathan Freeman. Executive Producers, Jake Myers, J. Miles Dale, Joe Pichirallo. Produced by Glenn Williamson. Written by Paul Bernbaum. Directed by Allen Coulter. A Focus Features Release. About Allen Coulter "Hollywoodland" is the first feature film directed by Allen Coulter. He has been nominated four times for a Directors Guild of America Award, twice apiece for respective episodes of The Sopranos and Sex and the City. The Sopranos has also earned him several Emmy Award nominations, both as the director of individual episodes and as one of the producers of the series. In the latter capacity, he shared a Golden Globe Award when the show was honored as Best TV Series [Drama]. Mr. Coulter was also an Emmy Award nominee for his direction of a Budweiser commercial, one of several he has helmed. His additional television credits include directing several installments of Millennium; episodes of Rome, Six Feet Under, Prince Street (on which he first worked with Hollywoodland director of photography Jonathan Freeman), and The X-Files; and the pilot episode of the miniseries Kingpin. Previously, he wrote, directed, and produced the award-winning short film The Hobbs Case; and directed the CableACE Award-nominated short film The Secret Life of Mary Margaret, which starred Calista Flockhart. Mr. Coulter was born and raised in Texas. He began his industry career by working as a messenger for a small NYC production company.
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