Ismail Merchant
Production
Biography
Ismail Merchant (born Ismail Noor Muhammad Abdul Rahman; 25 December 1936 – 25 May 2005) was an Indian-born film producer and director. He worked for many years in collaboration with Merchant Ivory Productions which included director (and Merchant's longtime professional and domestic partner) James Ivory as well as screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. Their films won six Academy Awards.
Born: December 25, 1936
Place of Birth: Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India
Known For
A Tribute To Ismail Merchant
A Cooler Climate
Award-winning filmmaker James Ivory recounts his life as traveler, outsider, and artist during a trip to Afghanistan in 1960.
Merchant Ivory
The first definitive feature documentary to lend new and compelling perspectives on the partnership, both professional and personal, of director James Ivory, producer Ismail Merchant, and their primary associates, writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and composer Richard Robbins. Footage from more than fifty interviews, clips, and archival material gives voice to the family of actors and technicians who helped define Merchant Ivory’s Academy Award-winning work of consummate quality and intelligence. With six Oscar winners among the notable artists participating, these close and often long-term collaborators intimately detail the transformational cinematic creativity and personal and professional drama of the wandering company that left an indelible impact on film culture.
Shakespeare-Wallah
The story of a family troupe of English actors who travel around the towns and villages in India giving performances of Shakespearean plays. Through their travels we see the changing face of India as the old is replaced by the new, Maharajas become hotel owners, sports become more important than culture and the theater is replaced by Bollywood movies. Based on the travels of Geoffrey Kendal with his daughter Felicity Kendal.
Love & Loyalty: The Making of 'The Remains of the Day'
The filmmakers and lead actors of The Remains of the Day (1993) discuss how they came to make the film, and the subtle power of its execution.
Blind Loyalty, Hollow Honor: England's Fatal Flaw
Historical context for The Remains of the Day.
The Remains of the Day: The Filmmaker's Journey
A documentary about making The Remains of the Day.
Heat and Dust
Anne is investigating the life of her grand-aunt Olivia, whose destiny has always been shrouded with scandal. As Anne delves into the history of her grand-aunt, she is led to reconsider her own life.
The Householder
Prem, a young school teacher, is arranged married and begins the journey of learning the roles and responsibilities required of him.
Bombay Talkie
An English novelist travels to Bombay to watch one of her novels translated to film. She chases after the movie's leading man while the screenwriter chases after her.
Filmography
as Self (Archive Footage)
as Himself (Arhive Footage)
as Self (archive footage)
as Self
as Royal Indian Man
as Party Guest (uncredited)
as Self
as Indish Guy (uncredited)
as Fate Machine Producer
as Theater Owner (uncredited)
as Extra
as Himself (archive footage)