Dale Armin Johnson, the Canadian-born Film Financier and Creative Producer Brings Hollywood Home for the Nordlys Film and Arts Festival
Direct from a gala premier for his latest film in Berlin, Dale Johnson's final stop was his hometown's film festival in Camrose, Alberta, Canada.
CAMROSE, AB, Feb. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - His latest film, The Lost City of Z, opens in the US this spring, after having been selected for the prestigious gala premiers at the New York Film Festival, Berlin, and London. Rolling Stone Magazine lists it as one of their 'Most Anticipated Films of 2017'. He's just acquired a hot screenplay property from the Meryl Streep-backed Writers Lab. Through a breakneck international festival schedule, Dale Johnson found time to fly home to celebrate his hometown film festival, the Nordlys Film and Arts Festival in Camrose, Alberta.
"The 8th annual Nordlys Film & Arts Festival was a wonderful success with record attendance," says festival president, Carole Preston. "It was a true honour to have Dale Johnson in attendance. Pawn Sacrifice had our audience on the edge of its seat. We really appreciated the opportunity to welcome Dale back to his hometown and celebrate his many achievements."
What might be even more interesting than the story on screen is the story behind the scenes for this local boy made good. Dale Johnson may not be a household name just yet. But his name is definitely on the lips of some of Hollywood's most powerful players.
"He understands finance so well and he understands the creative process so well, which makes him rare enough," says Andy Horwitz, producer of Suicide Squad and American Hustle, speaking from Atlas Entertainment head office in Los Angeles. "But then he's also extremely smart and genuinely nice. When you see what they've got in the funnel, the path Dale is on is a real testament to his character and consistency as a person and businessman. We've done two films with him to date. We'll be working with him again for sure."
This is the storyline from anyone who has worked with Johnson on any of his last 10 theatrically-release films. Co-President of Plan B, Jeremy Kleiner, who heads Brad Pitt's production company, has called him "brave and supportive." While acclaimed director of The Lost City of Z, James Gray, says he has never had a better working experience in his career than the one he had working with Johnson on Lost City.
"Obviously I always want to make the best film possible," says Gray. "But I also found myself wanting to make a film that [Dale] was also happy with; I found myself aspiring to reach higher because of the way he works and what he expects. He has great taste, yes, and that's all you really have in the end to rely on, your taste. But, more than that, he's wonderfully gutsy in a low-key way and to me it's this that makes every difference. I would walk over hot coals for that guy."
It's Johnson's philosophy to make stories that are well told. Says Johnson at the Nordlys festival, "Creating a better experience for everyone is my role; I like to think it can help to create a place where great art can happen. Because then great experiences happen for everyone, including investors and, hopefully, the audience."
Oscar-winning producer and director Ed Zwick, who worked with Johnson on Pawn Sacrifice says, "Where Dale shines is his humility and intuition about when to put opinions and ideas forward that can enable people. It's very hard to find people who will tell you the truth. Dale values this and it's integral to who he is and how he works.
"How rare is Dale Johnson is this business? Very. I can't tell you how rare it is," says Zwick.
As Gray has Sienna Miller's character in The Lost City of Z say, "A man's reach should exceed his grasp." This line could very well describe Dale Johnson himself.
RELATED QUOTES:
"Dale was a great partner on both Mojave and The Hollow Point.
His enthusiasm for bringing interesting stories and characters to the big screen was infectious and we very much look forward to working on another film with him in the future."
Charles Roven, Hollywood Reporter Producer of the Year
Batman v Superman, Wonder Woman
"I can count the guys like Dale Johnson in Hollywood on two hands."
Trevor Macy, Producer
SOURCE Nordlys Film and Arts Festival
Carole Preston, President, Nordlys Film and Arts Festival, [email protected]
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