
When not following his basketball team to what hopefully will be an NBA championship, Mark Cuban, the maverick billionarie owner of the Dallas Mavericks makes and distributes movies.
Through their 2929 Entertainment, Cuban and his partner Todd Wagner develop, produce and distribute films, television programs and home entertainment products.
Along with his money, Cuban has brought to Hollywood the same brash style that rankled the NBA — and truth be told has contributed greatly to the Mavericks' success since he bought the team in 2000. Cuban has caused a stir among movie moguls by, among other things, challenging the traditional movie-making business model and simultaneously releasing movies on three mediums — at theaters, on DVD and on pay TV.
Creatively, he has been a hit, too. Cuban/Wagner's 2929 Productions' co-produced "Good Night, and Good Luck," George Clooney's Oscar-nominated film about Edward R. Murrow and Joseph McCarthy.
2929 Entertainment's holdings include Magnolia Pictures, which on April 28 will release "The Lost City," Andy Garcia's movie about pre-revolutionary Cuba.
Earlier today, I e-mailed Cuban a few questions about "The Lost City."
A couple hours later, he responded.
Uncommon Sense: What was it about "The Lost City" that made it an attractive acquisition for Magnolia Pictures?
Mark Cuban: Because it's a very beautiful film with wonderful performances and a great message.
US: Andy Garcia has made it very clear that he is not a fan of Fidel Castro and communism. Do you think his politics will hurt how the movie performs at the box office?
MC: I don't think so. I think it will probably help.
US: The obvious audience for this movie — Cubans and Cuban Americans — can be found throughout the country, but the film, at first, will only be a limited release. Was there any thought to simultaneously releasing "The Lost City"on various platforms, i.e. theater, DVD, pay TV, etc. so that it would be more readily available to more people?
MC: I think there will be a lot of support for this movie. We wanted to make this more traditional since we didn't actually produce the film.
US: How has your view of Cuba, Cubans and Cuban Americans been affected by your experience with "The Lost City?"
MC: I'm still a capitalist and always will be.
Why should non-Cubans go see "The Lost City?
MC: Because it's an amazing, entertaining film.
US: Which is tougher — making and distributing movies or building a successful NBA team?
MC: The NBA. You can make unlimited number of movies. :)
For more about and from Cuban, read his blog.
For more about "The Lost City," read my previous posts here, here and here.
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