Skip to main content

Deep Dive: Hal (2019)

Play Trailer

Film Lens

Hal
Hal is a documentary directed by Amy Scott that focuses on the life and career of filmmaker Hal Ashby. It presents Ashby's journey from being a celebrated figure in New Hollywood to facing challenges in the film industry. The film features interviews with Ashby's contemporaries, providing insights into his impact on cinema and the cultural shifts in America during his career. The documentary premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2018 and was released by Oscilloscope Laboratories on September 7, 2018. It is noted for its warm tone and beautiful production, aiming to pay tribute to Ashby's contributions to film while also addressing the complexities of his personal life and professional struggles.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Hal Ashby's influential contemporaries like Jane Fonda.
  • •Find out about Ashby's rise in New Hollywood.
  • •See how Ashby's life mirrored changes in American cinema.

Did You Know

•Hal premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2018.
•The film earned a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
•It was included in Rolling Stone's '10 Best Documentaries of 2018'.
•Hal was nominated for a Producers Guild Award for Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Pictures.

Perfect For

Film history enthusiastsFans of New HollywoodDocumentary lovers