This Is That: The Legacy of an Independent Film Powerhouse
The landscape of independent cinema in the early 2000s was shaped by visionary production houses that prioritized artistic risk and storytelling. Among these, This Is That stood out as a prolific force, consistently delivering critically acclaimed films and launching the careers of diverse talents. Founded by a team with deep roots in the industry, the company became a staple of the international film festival circuit.
The Origins of This Is That
The foundation of the company began long before its official launch. Hope and Carey first met in 1981 as undergraduate transfer students at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Their professional journey later converged at Good Machine, where they worked alongside Diana Victor, who joined to lead Business Affairs in 1999. When Good Machine was acquired by Universal, the trio combined their expertise to form This Is That in 2004.
To ensure the distribution and visibility of their projects, the company established strategic partnerships. They secured a multi-year, first-look pact with Focus Features and a three-year output deal in Scandinavia with Svensk Filmindustri.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]A Portfolio of Critical Success
From its inception, This Is That focused on high-caliber storytelling. Their debut production was 21 Grams, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and written by Guillermo Arriaga, featuring a powerhouse cast including Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, and Benicio del Toro.
The company's second year further solidified its reputation with a diverse slate of releases:
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: Written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Michel Gondry, starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet.
- The Door in the Floor: Based on a John Irving novel, written and directed by Tod Williams, starring Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger.
- A Dirty Shame: A collaboration with Killer Films directed by John Waters.
Festival Recognition and Awards
The company became a frequent contender at prestigious events like the Sundance and Berlin International Film Festivals. In 2005, Mike Mills' Thumbsucker premiered at both festivals, with lead actor Lou Taylor Pucci winning the Special Jury Prize at both. That same year, Jeff Feuerzeig's documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston won Best Director for a documentary at Sundance.
In 2006, the company released Friends with Money, directed by Nicole Holofcener and starring Jennifer Aniston. The film served as the opening night selection at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and became the highest-grossing film of the year for Sony Pictures Classics.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Expansion and Peak Influence
By 2007 and 2008, the production team's influence was recognized by The Hollywood Reporter, which named them to its Indie Power List for two consecutive years. This period saw a surge in high-profile projects, including The Savages, which earned two Academy Award nominations for Best Actress and Best Screenplay.
Other notable productions during this era included:
- Fay Grim: Directed by Hal Hartley and starring Parker Posey and Jeff Goldblum.
- The Ex: A collaboration with 2929 Entertainment starring Zach Braff and Jason Bateman.
- The Hawk Is Dying: Starring Paul Giamatti, which premiered at Sundance and Cannes.
- Towelhead: The feature directorial debut of Oscar-winner Alan Ball, marking the final release by Warner Independent.
- Trainwreck: My Life as an Idiot: Written and directed by Tod Harrison Williams.
The company continued to diversify, producing Adventureland (2009) in a joint effort with Miramax and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, as well as Carriers and the Spanish-language sci-fi romance Sleep Dealer, the latter of which won Best Screenplay at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.
Key Facts
- Founded: 2004 by Hope, Carey, and Diana Victor.
- Key Partnerships: Focus Features (first-look pact) and Svensk Filmindustri (Scandinavian output deal).
- Major Accolades: Multiple Sundance awards and two Academy Award nominations for The Savages.
- Industry Status: Named to The Hollywood Reporter's Indie Power List in 2007 and 2008.
- Closing Milestone: Closed in 2010 after achieving a No. 1 US box office hit with The American.
| Film Title | Key Talent | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Grams | Alejandro González Iñárritu | Initial production for the company |
| Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind | Michel Gondry / Charlie Kaufman | Critically acclaimed second-year release |
| Friends with Money | Nicole Holofcener | Sony Pictures Classics' highest grossing film of 2006 |
| The Savages | Tamara Jenkins | Two Academy Award nominations |
| Sleep Dealer | Alex Rivera | Best Screenplay at 2008 Sundance |
| The American | N/A | No. 1 at the US box office (2010) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded This Is That?
The company was formed by Hope and Carey, who met at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, and Diana Victor, who previously managed Business Affairs at Good Machine.
What were some of the company's most successful films?
Some of their most prominent works include 21 Grams, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Savages, and The American.
Which film festivals did This Is That frequently attend?
The company had a strong presence at the Sundance Film Festival, the Berlin International Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, and the Cannes Film Festival.
When did the company close?
This Is That closed in 2010, following the success of The American (which hit No. 1 at the US box office) and the sale of the film Super at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Did the company produce any documentaries?
Yes, they produced The Devil and Daniel Johnston, which won the Best Director award for a documentary at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival.