Benjamin Odell (producer)
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Odell is an American writer, director and producer of independent films.
, where he worked as a freelance journalist before becoming a Spanish-language television writer and screenwriter. He wrote or created a number of television series, including Castillo de naipes (1998), La mujer del presidente, De pies a cabeza, and Fuego verde (1998), which Odell co-wrote with American journalist Tom Quinn
. In 1997, Odell wrote, along with Colombian filmmaker Sergio Cabrera
, the political satire Golpe de estadio, which was nominated for a Goya Award in 1999, and was Colombia’s nomination to the Oscars in 2000.
From 2001 to 2004, Odell studied at the film division of the Columbia University School of the Arts
in New York.
In 2006, Odell joined Panamax Films, which was founded by James M. McNamara, former CEO and president of the Spanish language television network, Telemundo
Communications.
The Spanish-language thriller, Sangre de mi sangre, also titled Padre Nuestro
and directed by fellow Columbia Film School MFA Christopher Zalla, tells the story of a pair of Mexican immigrants in New York. The film—starring Jesús Ochoa
, Armando Hernández, Jorge Adrián Espíndola, and Paola Mendoza—won the grand jury prize at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival
. It was also an official selection at the San Sebastian Film Festival, the Miami International Film Festival
, the Havana Film Festival
, and the Pusan International Film Festival
, as well as closing the Morelia Film Festival in Mexico. In May, 2008, the film was released by IFC Films
, after which it received two Independent Spirit Awards
nominations, for Best First Feature (for which Odell was nominated) and Best Screenplay.
In 2007, continuing his work with Panamax Films, Odell produced Ladron Que Roba a Ladron, which was released in the United States by Lionsgate. The New York Times called the Spanish-language heist movie an "effervescent comedy". This was followed by two Spanish-language films in 2008, Amor, Dolor y Vice Versa (an official selection to the Tribeca International Film Festival) and All Inclusive (official selection, Guadalajara Film Festival)
He also wrote Sin Memoria, a Televisa, Lionsgate co-production, scheduled for release in 2011.
Most recently he was an executive producer on the movie, "From Prada To Nada", a co-production between Lionsgate, Televisa and OddLot.
Early life
Odell was born in Philadelphia, and spent his childhood in the Main Line suburbs of Philadelphia. He studied creative writing and English literature at St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY.Career
From 1992 to 2000, Odell lived in ColombiaColombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, where he worked as a freelance journalist before becoming a Spanish-language television writer and screenwriter. He wrote or created a number of television series, including Castillo de naipes (1998), La mujer del presidente, De pies a cabeza, and Fuego verde (1998), which Odell co-wrote with American journalist Tom Quinn
Tom Quinn
Tom Quinn is a fictional character in the BBC espionage television series Spooks, which follows the exploits of Section D, a counter-terrorism division of MI5. He is portrayed by British actor Matthew Macfadyen. In the first two series, Tom is the chief of Section D...
. In 1997, Odell wrote, along with Colombian filmmaker Sergio Cabrera
Sergio Cabrera
Sergio Moises Cabrera Diaz is a male swimmer from Paraguay. He was the nation's only swimming competitor at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, where he ended up in 35th place in the men's 200 metres butterfly event....
, the political satire Golpe de estadio, which was nominated for a Goya Award in 1999, and was Colombia’s nomination to the Oscars in 2000.
From 2001 to 2004, Odell studied at the film division of the Columbia University School of the Arts
Columbia University School of the Arts
The Columbia University School of the Arts , also known simply as the School of the Arts or as SoA, is the division of the university that offers Master of Fine Arts degrees in Film, Visual Arts, Theatre Arts, and Writing, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Film Studies...
in New York.
In 2006, Odell joined Panamax Films, which was founded by James M. McNamara, former CEO and president of the Spanish language television network, Telemundo
Telemundo
Telemundo is an American television network that broadcasts in Spanish. The network is the second-largest Spanish-language content producer in the world, and the second-largest Spanish-language network in the United States, behind Univision....
Communications.
The Spanish-language thriller, Sangre de mi sangre, also titled Padre Nuestro
Padre Nuestro
Padre Nuestro , also known as Sangre de Mi Sangre is a U.S. film written and directed by Christopher Zalla, produced by Benjamin Odell and Per Melita and starring Jesús Ochoa, Armando Hernández, Jorge Adrián Espíndola, and Paola Mendoza...
and directed by fellow Columbia Film School MFA Christopher Zalla, tells the story of a pair of Mexican immigrants in New York. The film—starring Jesús Ochoa
Jesús Ochoa
Jesús Ochoa is a Mexican soccer player who currently plays for Los Angeles Blues 23 in the USL Premier Development League.-Career:Ochoa moved to the United States at a young age and was raised in Riverside, California...
, Armando Hernández, Jorge Adrián Espíndola, and Paola Mendoza—won the grand jury prize at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
. It was also an official selection at the San Sebastian Film Festival, the Miami International Film Festival
Miami International Film Festival
The Miami International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Miami, Florida in the late winter. The film festival is sponsored by the Miami Film Society, which has been around since 1983....
, the Havana Film Festival
Havana Film Festival
The Havana Film Festival is a Cuban festival that focuses on the promotion of Spanish-language filmmakers. It is also known in Spanish as Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano de La Habana, and in English as Festival of New Latinamerican Cinema of La Havana.The festival takes place...
, and the Pusan International Film Festival
Pusan International Film Festival
Busan International Film Festival , held annually in Haeundae-gu, Busan , South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia...
, as well as closing the Morelia Film Festival in Mexico. In May, 2008, the film was released by IFC Films
IFC Films
IFC Films is an American film distribution company based in New York, owned by AMC Networks. It distributes independent films and documentaries under the IFC Films, Sundance Selects and IFC Midnight. It operates the IFC Center....
, after which it received two Independent Spirit Awards
Independent Spirit Awards
The Independent Spirit Awards , founded in 1984, are awards dedicated to independent filmmakers. Winners were typically presented with acrylic glass pyramids containing suspended shoestrings representing the paltry budgets of independent films. In 1986, the event was renamed the Independent Spirit...
nominations, for Best First Feature (for which Odell was nominated) and Best Screenplay.
In 2007, continuing his work with Panamax Films, Odell produced Ladron Que Roba a Ladron, which was released in the United States by Lionsgate. The New York Times called the Spanish-language heist movie an "effervescent comedy". This was followed by two Spanish-language films in 2008, Amor, Dolor y Vice Versa (an official selection to the Tribeca International Film Festival) and All Inclusive (official selection, Guadalajara Film Festival)
He also wrote Sin Memoria, a Televisa, Lionsgate co-production, scheduled for release in 2011.
Most recently he was an executive producer on the movie, "From Prada To Nada", a co-production between Lionsgate, Televisa and OddLot.
Filmography
- From Prada to NadaFrom Prada to NadaFrom Prada to Nada is an American romantic comedy film directed by Angel Garcia and produced by Gary Gilbert, Linda McDonough, Gigi Pritzker and Chris Ranta. The plot was conceived from Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility...
(2011) (executive producer) - Sin Memoria (2010) (producer, writer)
- All Inclusive (2008) (executive producer)
- ViolancheloViolancheloViolanchelo is a 2008 drama film starring Bárbara Mori, Leonardo Sbaraglia and Tony Dalton. The film is based on a romantic story.-Sypnosis:...
(2008) (executive producer) aka Love, Pain and Vice Versa - Ladrón que roba a ladrón (2007) (producer)
- Padre NuestroPadre NuestroPadre Nuestro , also known as Sangre de Mi Sangre is a U.S. film written and directed by Christopher Zalla, produced by Benjamin Odell and Per Melita and starring Jesús Ochoa, Armando Hernández, Jorge Adrián Espíndola, and Paola Mendoza...
(2007) (producer) aka Sangre de mi sangre - ConfessConfess (film)Confess is a 2005 American independent feature film written and directed by Stefan Schaefer.-Plot:Terroll Lessor, a computer genius in an unpleasant job, decides to use his skills against reprehensible parts of society...
(2005) (producer) - La mujer de mi hermanoLa mujer de mi hermanoLa mujer de mi hermano is a 2005 Mexican film directed by Ricardo de Montreuil, based on the novel of the same name by the Peruvian writer, journalist and TV host Jaime Bayly...
(2005) (executive producer) - Perder es cuestión de métodoPerder es cuestión de métodoPerder es Cuestión de Método is a movie co-produced by Spain and Colombia in 2005. It is directed by Sergio Cabrera, and starring Daniel Gimenez Cacho, Cesar Mora, Martina Garcia, Victor Mallarino and Sain Castro.A grim history, but also human and fun, led by Colombian Sergio Cabrera , the...
(2004) (associate producer)
External links
- Padre Nuestro at Sundance.org