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hosted by Chess Queen™ & 12th Women's World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Indian Bollywood Chess Movie with Superstars Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar
Hello chess blog friends, here's an interesting chess video - the teaser trailer of Bollywood Indian movie 'Wazir'. Wazir, in Hindi, means vice-regent or minister, but in India, when taken in context of chess, it refers to the Queen piece! Enjoy the trailer, we will keep you posted on more updates via Chess Magazine Black and White. The movie stars Indian sub-continent superstar Amitabh Bachchan and another young star/director Farhan Akhtar.
Short Chess Movie: The Angst, The Pain, The Logic!
Hello chess blog friends, here's a YouTube short chess movie. It's an interesting chess 'short' that captures the logic, the killer instinct and the angst of it all. Different people will interpret the movie differently, but if you love chess... you will like the video. Enjoy!
Chess Fever - 1925 Russian Comedy Film Starring Capablanca!
Hello chess blog friends, it's time for a chess movie! "Chess Fever" (Russian: Шахматная горячка, Shakhmatnaya goryachka) is a 1925 Soviet silent comedy film directed by Vsevolod Pudovkin and Nikolai Shpikovsky. Chess Fever is a comedy about the Moscow 1925 chess tournament, made by Pudovkin during the pause in the filming of Mechanics of the Brain. The film combines acted parts with the actual footage from the tournament. The hero's (Vladimir Fogel) preoccupation with chess leads to him missing his own wedding ceremony, but the marital peace is restored with the help of the World Chess Champion, José Raúl Capablanca.
Cuba Gooding Jr's New Chess Movie Trailer: Life of a King
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
Black Struggle, Chess Redemption: Just one of America’s 83 Grandmasters is black. This ‘Reel Numbers’ adds context to Cuba Gooding Jr.’s new film, ‘Life of a King,’ which shows how chess can empower poor black youths. Here's the video trailer of the movie:
Cool Chess Movie Releasing in Theaters Jan 17: Life of a King (Trailer Video)
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
Jake Goldberger-directed cool new chess movie 'Life of a King' is releasing January 17, 2014. Goldberger has also written the feature film that stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Dennis Haysbert, and Lisa Gay Hamilton.
Based on a true story — and a still-active chess club – Life of a King had its premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival recently.
The story goes: After spending almost two decades in prison, Eugene Brown, played by Gooding, struggles to find a life outside of the walls of his incarceration. He finally gets a janitorial job in an inner-city Washington, D.C. high school and a chance to fix his wrongs. This is where he starts the Big Chair Chess Club and encourages the troubled teens to find purpose through learning the game. Here's the trailer video:
Blind Chess film receives Praise at the World Chess Championship in Chennai
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
A full house and an enthusiastic response greeted the award winning documentary Algorithms about young blind chess players from India, screened at the FIDE World Chess Championship on Thursday evening.
Directed by British filmmaker Ian McDonald and produced by Geetha J for the South Indian production house AkamPuram, Algorithms is the first ever feature documentary on blind chess.
Shot over three years, it follows three youths and their mentor, Charadutta Jadhav from the All India Chess Federation for the Blind, as they travel to national and international chess championships.
A long and lively Q&A with Director Ian McDonald and Producer Geetha J followed the screening. They were joined by Chennai boy Sai Krishna who features in the film and Prasanna, who scored original music for the film.
The discussion was emotionally charged and ranged from talking about the players and the music to the struggle to make the film.
One visitor remarked, “I came here to watch the match between Anand and Carlsen, but went to the screening out of curiosity and ended up staying for the whole film. It was so good”, while another reacted that he thought the film was “better than Hoop Dreams”.
Ian McDonald said, “It was a really special night. We have had a fantastic response to the film on the international film circuit, but it’s the response in India that matters most to me. So I am overjoyed that people really liked the film. Thanks must go to FIDE for inviting us to screen the film here.”
Ian McDonald and Geetha J
The producer, Geetha J commented that she is planning to take the film on a screening tour of India next year, “We are trying to raise funds to make this happen, and also to do a high spec audio-description so blind and visually impaired people can enjoy the film. We want this film to be experienced by every Indian in the country”.
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Fischer Chess Movie 'Pawn Sacrifice': Filming begins in Iceland with Toby Maguire
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013 Hi everyone,
The News of Iceland has just reported that American actor Tobey Maguire is located in Iceland these days for filming of a movie on the legendary Bobby Fischer. The movie is being filmed in Snaefellsnes peninsula, West Iceland. It is estimated that the filming will only take around three days.
The Icelandic firm Saga Film will service the filming crew in Iceland. The movie is called Pawn Sacrifice and Edward Zwick is the director of the movie.
It is probably not a coincidence that they are filming in Snaefellsnes peninsula because Fischer said that he wanted to move there, just before he died. Robert James "Bobby" Fischer (March 9, 1943 – January 17, 2008) was an American chess grandmaster and the eleventh World Chess Champion. He is considered by many to be the greatest chess player who ever lived. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Fischer lived in Hungary, Germany, the Philippines, Japan, and Iceland. During this time he made increasingly anti-American and anti-semitic statements on various radio stations. His U.S. passport was revoked, and he was subsequently detained by Japanese authorities for nine months in 2004 and 2005 under threat of deportation. In March 2005, Iceland granted Fischer full citizenship, and Japanese authorities released him to Iceland, where he lived until his death in 2008.
Tobias Vincent "Tobey" Maguire (born June 27, 1975) is an American actor and film producer who began his career in the late 1980s. He is known for his role as Peter Parker / Spider-Man in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man film trilogy (2002–2007).
Liev Schreiber will play Boris Spassky in the movie Pawn Sacrifice. Tobey Maguire will play the legend Robert James Fischer.From Alexandra Kosteniuk's www.chessblog.com Also see her personal chess blog at www.chessqueen.com Don't miss Chess Queen™ YouTube Channel
Alexandra Kosteniuk's Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) 2013
Hi everyone,
Here is a nice video of scenes compiled from ten movies on chess. These are quite popular movies in English, French and Spanish that have chess as a central motif. Enjoy and don't forget to send us your favourite chess videos.
Tobey Maguire to portray chess master Bobby Fischer in Montreal
Alexandra Kosteniuk's Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) 2013
Hi everyone,
TORONTO — Actor Tobey Maguire is heading to Montreal this winter to make a feature film about the chess match of the century.
Maguire, 38, is set to portray the late American chess master Bobby Fischer in Pawn Sacrifice.
The movie, directed by Edward Zwick, tells the story of the chess prodigy’s road to the epic Cold War face-off with Boris Spassky in 1972. Fischer emerged victorious and ended 24 years of Soviet domination of the World Championships.
Pawn Sacrifice goes into production later this year in Montreal, Global News has learned. Maguire’s Material Pictures will co-produce the film, which was written by Stephen Knight (Eastern Promises).
It is not yet known who will portray Spassky.
Zwick, whose credits include 2006′s Blood Diamond and 1994′s Legends of the Fall, has experience bringing real-life characters to the big screen — he helmed 2008′s Defiance and 1989′s Glory.
Maguire, who most recently appeared in The Great Gatsby, playedSpider-Man in three movies and starred in 2009′s Brothers and 2003′s Sea Biscuit.
Fischer’s dramatic life was chronicled in the 2011 documentaryBobby Fischer Against the World and the chess champ appeared as himself in the 1993 feature Searching for Bobby Fischer.
Movie on World Chess Champion Mikhail Tal Likely in 2014
Alexandra Kosteniuk's Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) 2013
Hi everyone,
Zhanna Tal, daughter of legendary world chess champion Mikhail Tal, has told Russian sports news website Sports.ru that shooting is likely to begin soon for a movie on her father.
"Of course this will be a fiction story, however, the name and some facts won't be changed. I am sure about success of this movie. It will be shot in Hollywood, a lot of countries will be involved. I hope this will popularise chess in Latvia. At the moment there are not a lot of investments in chess."
"We plan to start shooting this year. The fund "Film of Latvia" allocated a considerable sum of money for the movie. We have a sample scenario and professionals are already working on it. I suppose the pre-production will already be this year. Most probably the film will be released at the end of the next year. This won't be a TV-format movie. The film is created for the global audience, since American script writers and directors will be working on it."
"We haven't decided the actor for the lead yet, but if everything works out, the female lead, that is my mother, will be played by Charlotte Gainsbourg."
This was Igor Pronin's initiative. Two years ago Igor brought Hollywood, they were shooting first American movie in Latvia - The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler. It was produced for Hallmark (a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States - O.B.) and gained popularity among global audience.
Pronin established good relationship with the Hollywood actors. The idea was born and we started collecting information which showed that Tal is well known in US and he is even more popular than Fischer. Tal and Capablanca are the players who are very well known in America.
12th Women's World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk's Chess Blog for Latest Chess News and Trivia (c) 2013
Hi everyone,
Weekend chess movie trailer: A follow-up to the acclaimed Chess Kids (1996), this Special Edition release delivers the original award-winning documentary remastered for DVD, and includes all new engaging interviews with the original players, nearly 20 years later!
This clip features internationally renowned chess masters Judit Polgar, Josh Waitzkin, Morgan Pehme, Victoria Fossum, Joseph Conlon, and more! Enjoy the chess clip.
12th Women's World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk's Chess Blog for Latest Chess News and Trivia (c) 2013
Hi everyone,
Here's a nice review of a movie with chess as a motif. Director: Jake Goldberger. US. 2013. 101mins.
Life Of A King is the tale of an ex-con (Cuba Gooding Jr.,) who teaches some inner-city teens about discipline through chess. Gooding does what he can to portray Brown as a flawed, ordinary man who chose to make the world around him a little better — and, in the process, find redemption — and the actor largely avoids grandstanding theatrics.
Premiering at the Los Angeles Film Festival, Life Of A King will benefit commercially from Gooding’s involvement, and audiences may respond to the movie’s dependably feel-good genres. (Life Of A King combines a sports movie with an inspirational-teacher narrative.)
Directed and co-written by Jake Goldberger (Don McKay), Life Of A King tells the story of Eugene Brown, who in the 1990s rebuilt his life by starting a chess club for at-risk youths. The film introduces us to Brown (Gooding) just as he’s released following a 17-year sentence for a bank robbery. Because of his criminal record, Brown has difficulty finding a job, especially since he wants to leave behind his old ways, resisting overtures from a former associate (Richard T. Jones) who offers him a lucrative gig as part of his drug operation.
Instead, Brown works as a janitor at an impoverished high school, although he soon becomes a fill-in detention monitor for the school’s worst delinquents. With his street-smart demeanour, he’s able to talk to these kids in a way that their intimidated teachers can’t, and he encourages them to take up chess, a game he learned while in prison. Quickly, it becomes clear that one of his pupils, the stoic Tahime (Malcolm Mays), has real talent, but the teen is torn between pursuing chess and following his buddy Clifton (Carlton Byrd) into crime.
Brown sees chess as a metaphor for life: Each move should be carefully considered and an endgame must always be in mind. It’s a useful analogy, particularly for the poor African-American youth enrolled in Brown’s chess club who don’t have the educational or economic opportunities that others enjoy.
As Life Of A King’s storyline shifts from Brown to Tahime’s quest for a city championship, the proceedings remain stiflingly predictable, but Mays infuses his scenes with feeling, which is even more impressive because the character is so withdrawn and terse.
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
We are flooded with Hollywood chess trivia suggestions from Chess Blog readers. So, continuing the series, name the movie and actors. Chess makes life just so worthwhile! No?
New Chess Movie with Kids to be Shot in Brownsville
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
An independent movie about Brownsville chess with a story line that will resonate with locals is about to begin filming in Brownsville. “Endgame” tells the story of José, 11, who joins the school chess team and with the help of Coach Alvarado “embarks on a journey of self-discovery, team spirit and the importance of family,” Sandra Avila, the film’s co-producer and an Edinburg native, said from Los Angeles for an article by Gary Long in the Brownsville Herald. “It’s the kind of story that happens all the time in Brownsville,” Drue Brown, public information officer for the Brownsville Independent School District, said of the project.
Avila is working with BISD and Peter Goodman of the Brownsville Film Commission to secure shooting locations around Brownsville that will give the film a distinct local flavor. She also is looking for local sponsors and local talent.
“The whole goal is if we’re telling a local story, we want to tell it with local talent, both in front of and behind the camera,” Avila said. The production company, The Endgame Movie LLC, is seeking résumés from local residents to fill dozens of slots on the movie’s production crew.
Auditions will take place Saturday and Sunday at the Camille Playhouse. Filming is to start April 24 at locations around Brownsville. Avila said 20 to 25 speaking roles and about 150 roles as extras are available.
Rico Rodriguez, who is known for his role of Manny Delgado in the ABC sitcom “Modern Family,” has been engaged to play José. Efren Ramirez, best known for playing Pedro Sánchez in the 2004 indie film “Napoleon Dynamite,” has been similarly engaged to play Coach Alvarado, Avila said.
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Here is the 'Computer Chess' Movie trailer. The movie was awarded at the Sundance Film Festival recently.Previous Chess Blog posts on the movie can be read here.
'Computer Chess' Movie Impresses at Sundance Film Fest 2013
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012 Hi everyone, Screencrave.com has a very nice review of a chess film that is creating waves at the Sundance Film Festival 2013. Their reviewer has given the film 'Computer Chess' an 8/10 which is great for any chess film being showcased alongside films from several genres.
Christie Ko writes, "This film by writer/director Andrew Bujalski took me by surprise. I was expecting a relatively straight-forward reflection on a fictional, but realistic, 1980s computer science competition to develop a chess program that can beat a chess master. I was shocked and delighted to discover that Computer Chess is much more like a mockumentary, in the tradition of Best in Show, with a strange, sci-fi element reminiscent of Primer. This film is intelligent to its core, testing its limitations with brave camera work and a Lynch-worthy meta-narrative." The Players:Writer/Director: Andrew Bujalski Cinematographer: Matthias Grunsky Production Designer: Michael Bricker Starring: Patrick Riester, Myles Paige, James Curry, Robin Schwartz, Gerald Peary, Wiley Wiggins
Synopsis:The 1980 computer chess competition brings together the best and brightest computer programmers to pit their programs against each other in the hopes of developing a program capable of beating a human chess master. The eccentric competitors find themselves in awkward conversations and social situations that reveal their underlying similarities, as well as their essential differences of opinion about chess and life. Overlaid with an examination of technological innovation in the modern world, Bujalski’s film is funny, poignant, and forward-thinking.
Ko writes: This film is MY kind of weird. Its mixture of straight-faced humor and surrealist mini-vignettes manages to be both believable and fantastical. One thing that makes that possible is the look of the film, which takes a little getting used to. Shot using early PortoPak video techniques in [mostly] black and white and with an impeccably detail-oriented production, the work has a striking retro look that had me thinking it was found footage for the first five minutes. The combination of the aesthetic, the time period in which it is set, and the strangeness of the events manages a kind of equilibrium that wouldn’t have been possible had it been shot in high-def... Overall: This has been the best surprise I’ve had at Sundance so far; I walked in, was confused for a few minutes about what I was seeing, and then was positively swept away by the comedy and the strangeness that had me grinning from ear to ear, all the way through to the twisted ending."
As for us, we love chess movies. You watched Brooklyn Castle right? Check out all Chess Blog posts on Brooklyn Castle here.
Brooklyn Castle Chess Movie: Must-Watch Twice; Free Tickets for Teachers!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Have you watched chess documentary Brooklyn Castle yet? You have missed something special if you haven't! There's still time to catch this fantastic chess movie in a theater near you. Brooklyn Castle opened in NYC theaters on October 19 and is currently playing in select cities across the United States. The press and reviews for the film have been amazing.
Brooklyn Castle is now certified 'fresh' by Rotten Tomatoes.
Brooklyn Castle has got great reviews in the NY Times, LA Times and other places. Click on the photo to watch an interview on the Daily Show!
Teachers also get to see the documentary for FREE: Pick up the free tickets at this link.
MOVIE INFO Brooklyn Castle is the remarkable and improbable true story of I.S. 318 in Brooklyn. The school, where 65% of students live below the federal poverty level, has the highest ranked junior high chess team in the nation. The heart of the film is the engaging young students who populate the team: Rochelle, who has the goal of becoming the first female African-American chess master; Pobo, the team's charismatic leader; Justus, an entering student who must manage the high expectations that come with achieving master status at an early age; Alexis, who feels the pressure of his immigrant parents' desire for him to realize the American dream; Patrick, who uses chess to help overcome his ADHD; and James, the young rapping maestro and budding chess talent; among several others. Directed By: Katie Dellamaggiore In Theaters: Oct 19, 2012 Limited Read all previous Chess Blog posts on Brooklyn Castle here.
We would say, Brooklyn Castle is a chess movie to be watched twice over - once for the love of chess and once again for the love of children who play chess!
NYC Chess Fans: Brooklyn Castle Movie Preview Oct 18, in Theaters Oct 19! <--- CANNOT MISS!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012 Hi everyone,
NYC chess fans – the new film Brooklyn Castle (www.brooklyncastle.com) opens in theaters starting this Friday, October 19. If you haven't had a chance to see it yet, here's your chance! The Brooklyn Castle team is holding a very special sneak preview screening for chess groups and chess fans here in New York on Thursday, October 18.
Also, celebrate the opening of Brooklyn Castle at CHESSFEST next door to the Sunshine Cinema this Saturday, October 20! (See poster)
Brooklyn Castle – The Film is a documentary that follows five chess team members from I.S. 318 for one year, and documents their challenges and triumphs both on and off the chessboard. I.S. 318 has been consistently winning National Championships, positioning itself as one of the strongest chess teams in the country.
Cool Chess Austin, Texas Short-Film: Call for Auditions!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012 Hi everyone,
This looks like some fun. There's a casting call for Austin, Texas Student Short Film 'Rematch'! (For fun sake: Photo on left is chess scene from Harry Potter!)
Project Type: Short Film Production Location: Austin, Texas Production Start Date: October 31, 2012 Shooting Schedule: TBD Producer: Nicolai Sinyakov Writer: Nicolai Sinyakov Director: Nicolai Sinyakov
Synopsis: “Rematch” is fun little short film. A young middle school aged boy plans to trick his grandfather during a chess game over the phone. It’s the nephew’s way to get revenge after loosing to several friendly chess games in the past. His plan is to use a simultaneous chess-game with a pro, online, against his grandfather.
Character Breakdowns: JERRY, grandfather around the age of 60, keen, smart, playful. He loves kids especially his grandson, Bradley. He loves playing chess and he loves a good challenge. BRADLEY, average middle school aged boy, likes video games wants to win against his unbeatable chess playing grandfather. PRO-CHESS PLAYER, plays chess against Bradley online, unaware of who/how old Bradley is. In reality he is playing against Bradley’s grandfather, Jerry. Bradley uses his grandfather’s moves against the Pro-chess player.
Paid/Non-Paid: Non-Paid
Other/Additional Compensation: Film Credit, DVD Copy Meals/Lodging/Transportation Provided: Snacks and Beverages
Production Company: A.V. Club Productions Film/Production Company Website: http://avclubproductions.com
*Email Your Casting Submissions To: nicolai.vs@gmail.com
Audition Date: October 14, 2012
Audition Start Time: 10:00 Audition End Time: 05:00 Audition Location/Address: McCallum High School / 5600 Sunshine Drive Austin, TX 78756
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12th Women's World Chess Champion
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