Films & Events
Cold Souls
An entertaining slice of existential whimsy with an Eastern European bent, Cold Souls posits a world in which humans can have their souls extracted and implanted into each other’s bodies. Just as Being John Malkovich allowed Malkovich to spoof himself, so Cold Souls hands its leading actor a similar opportunity. Paul Giamatti plays Paul Giamatti, a New York actor who’s preparing for the title role in Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” and finding it increasingly difficult to separate himself from the character. After discovering a New Yorker magazine piece about soul storage, the science of temporarily removing up to 95% of a person’s soul and all the emotional burdens that accompany it, the emotionally exhausted performer winds up in the offices of Dr. Flintstein. Wary but desperate, Paul agrees to the operation and is pushed into a giant contraption that resembles a radiotherapy machine. With his soul bottled for safekeeping, he leaves a brand new man. Trouble is, the new man can’t act. Debuting writer-director Sophie Barthes playfully blends science fiction, deadpan absurdism, and sharp social satire. Director Sophie Barthes and actor Paul Giamatti expected to attend both screenings
Sponsors:
American Airlines, POP
Cast & Crew
Director: Sophie Barthes
Producer: Dan Carey, Elizabeth Giamatti, Paul Mezey, Andrij Parekh, Jeremy Kipp Walker
Editor: Andrew Mondshein
Screenwriter: Sophie Barthes
Cinematographer: Andrij Parekh
Music: Dickon Hinchliffe
Principal Cast: Paul Giamatti, Dina Korzun, David Strathairn, Emily Watson, Katheryn Winnick, Lauren Ambrose
Filmography: Debut Feature Film
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(4 reviews)
user reviews
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Impressive Experience!, Jun 11, 2009
By christan van slyke
“I have no words to express how impressed I was with this film. The acting, cinemotography, directing, writing, etc. was spot on! I am a huge Paul Giamatti supporter and have to say this was definitely some of his best works. I adored the storyline and thought it was played out delicately and”
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Thanks Paul, sorry Paul, Jun 12, 2009
By Zheng Wang
“Paul Giamatti alone makes this movie worth watching. I just wish the movie was move deserving of him...
During the Q&A, writer-director Sophie Barthes said she was tired of hearing the comparison with "Being John Malkovich." Unfortunately, given the storyline, such a comparison is inevitable,”
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Good acting, underdeveloped story, Jun 12, 2009
By Sean Enright
“During the post-movie Q&A, Paul Giamatti adamantly denied that his character in the film was autobiographical. Still, he certainly pulled off playing "himself". Giamatti responds very well to a series of events that gets progressively more ridiculous as the film progresses, with the highlights”
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Amazing! , Jun 14, 2009
By tom tury
“I loved this film. It was highly original, thought-provoking, extremely funny and well... soulful. The film manages to beautifully mix comedy and serious moments. It's one of Paul Giamatti's best performances. All the performances are actually strong.
The look of the film and the cinematography”
… full review
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