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A Cooler Climate film image

A Cooler Climate

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Canadian Premiere

Veteran filmmaker James Ivory takes a look back at his life in this warm, engrossing documentary. Co-directed with Giles Gardner, A Cooler Climate recalls Ivory’s unfinished film about Afghanistan; those reminiscences are paired with a wider biographical summary, which takes us from his childhood in Klamath, Oregon through his beginnings as a director and his partnerships with producer Ismail Merchant and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. Shot in and around Kabul, the Afghanistan footage is notable for its air of mystery as much as for its beauty. Ivory had planned to make a documentary that followed the city’s long, winding river, and there are beautiful shots of sun reflecting off its waters mixed in with what is now a fascinating time capsule. No less engrossing are the reminiscences of small-town life, Hollywood dreams, and beginnings as a documentarian of Venice and India. Ever discreet and tasteful, Ivory discusses his sexuality honestly but without salaciousness. Ultimately, the film is a record of triumph—a moving valediction to a great career.

 

Series Media Partner

Directors
Cast

James Ivory

Credits
Country of Origin

France

Year

2022

Series

Portraits

Language

English

Film Contact
18+
72 min
Documentary LGBTQIA2S+

Book Tickets

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Credits

Producer

Bertrand Faivre

Screenwriter

James Ivory

Editor

Giles Gardner

Original Music

Alexandre Desplat

Directors

James Ivory headshot

James Ivory

James Francis Ivory (born June 7, 1928) is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. For many years, he worked extensively with film producer Ismail Merchant, his domestic as well as professional partner, and with screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. All three were principals in Merchant Ivory Productions. Ivory won awards for Best Adapted Screenplay from the Academy Awards, British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and many others. Upon winning the Oscar and BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay for Call Me By Your Name at the age of 89, Ivory became the oldest-ever winner in any category for both awards.

Filmography: Shakespeare Wallah (1965); A Room with A View (1985); Howard’s End (1992); The Remains of the Day (1993); The White Countess (2005)

Giles Gardner headshot

Giles Gardner

Giles Gardner has been working with James Ivory for over twenty years. He lives in Paris where he has edited numerous award winning documentaries that regularly appear on the International Festival Circuit.

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