Shimon Dotan
Encyclopedia
Shimon Dotan is an award winning film director
, screenwriter
, and producer
.
in 1949 and moved to Israel in 1959. He grew up in an agricultural cooperative, served five years in the Israeli military as a Navy Seal, and went on to get his BFA at Tel Aviv University, where his student films won twice Israel’s Best Short Film and Best Director Awards.
), two times winner of Israeli Academy Award for Best Film and Best Director (Repeat Dive
, Smile Of The Lamb) and others.
Dotan’s feature films have received both critical acclaim and commercial success. His debut writing/directing/producing effort, Repeat Dive
(1982), which chronicles Dotan’s own experiences as a member of Israel’s elite Navy Commando unit, won three Israeli Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, and was selected for the official competition at the Berlin and Chicago Film Festivals. He followed that effort with two quasi-documentaries, Souvenirs from Tel Aviv and Souvenirs from Hebron (1982).
His 1986 feature film The Smile of the Lamb
(1986), written, directed by Dotan and co-produced with Yonatan Aroch, won numerous awards including the Silver Bear
at Berlin
and six Israeli Academy Awards, including those for Best Director and Best Picture. In 1991, Dotan wrote and directed The Finest Hour starring Rob Lowe, Tracy Griffith and Gale Hanson.
After moving to Montreal Canada in 1991 Dotan co-founded Cinequest Films Inc. together with partner Netaya Anbar. In 1994 Dotan directed and produced Warriors, starring Macha Grenon, Gary Busey and Michael Pare. In 1996 Dotan directed and produced Coyote Run, starring Peter Greene, Macha Grenon and Michael Pare. The critically acclaimed You Can Thank Me Later
(1999), was produced together with Anbar and directed by Dotan in 1999 and starred Ellen Burstyn, Genevieve Boujold, Amanda Plummer and Mary McDonnell. It was awarded Best Film at Newport Beach Film Festival
, selected for the closing night at the Palm Springs Film Festival and had its opening gala at the Montreal Film Festival. In 1999-2000 Dotan produced The List (1999) with Ryan O’Neal, Rock Lafortune and Ben Gazara, Cause of Death (2000) with Maxim Roy, Patrick Bergin and Michael Ironside and Wilder (2000) with Pam Grier, Romano Orzari and Rutger Hauer. In 2001 Dotan produced Hidden Agenda
with Dolph Lundgren
and Maxim Roy
. In 2003 Dotan co-wrote the script for Watching TV With The Red Chinese together with Netaya Anbar and in 2005 he wrote Frenzy based on a novel by David Grossman
. In 2006 Dotan wrote, directed and co-produced the documentary/feature Hot House
. It won the Special Jury Award for Best World Documentary at Sundance
. In 2007 Dotan produced and co-directed the Canadian-Chinese coproduction Diamond Dogs
with Dolph Lundgren
.
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
, and producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
.
Early life
Shimon Dotan was born in RomaniaRomania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
in 1949 and moved to Israel in 1959. He grew up in an agricultural cooperative, served five years in the Israeli military as a Navy Seal, and went on to get his BFA at Tel Aviv University, where his student films won twice Israel’s Best Short Film and Best Director Awards.
Career
Dotan is the recipient of numerous awards including, the Special Jury Prize for Best World Documentary Feature at Sundance Film Festival (Hot House), Silver Bear Award at Berlin Film Festival (Smile of the Lamb, best actor), Best Film Award at New Port Beach Film Festival (You Can Thank Me LaterYou Can Thank Me Later
You Can Thank Me Later is a 1998 Canadian comedy drama film directed by Shimon Dotan. The film is based on a play titled Hyper-Allergenic written and adapted for the screen by Oren Safdie.-Overview:...
), two times winner of Israeli Academy Award for Best Film and Best Director (Repeat Dive
Repeat Dive
Repeat Dive is a 1982 Israeli drama film directed by Shimon Dotan. It was entered into the 32nd Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Mosko Alkalai* Zaharira Harifai* Dan Muggia* Doron Nesher - Yoav* Liron Nirgad* Batia Rozental - Rachel...
, Smile Of The Lamb) and others.
Dotan’s feature films have received both critical acclaim and commercial success. His debut writing/directing/producing effort, Repeat Dive
Repeat Dive
Repeat Dive is a 1982 Israeli drama film directed by Shimon Dotan. It was entered into the 32nd Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Mosko Alkalai* Zaharira Harifai* Dan Muggia* Doron Nesher - Yoav* Liron Nirgad* Batia Rozental - Rachel...
(1982), which chronicles Dotan’s own experiences as a member of Israel’s elite Navy Commando unit, won three Israeli Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, and was selected for the official competition at the Berlin and Chicago Film Festivals. He followed that effort with two quasi-documentaries, Souvenirs from Tel Aviv and Souvenirs from Hebron (1982).
His 1986 feature film The Smile of the Lamb
The Smile of the Lamb
The Smile of the Lamb is a 1986 Israeli drama film directed by Shimon Dotan. It was entered into the 36th Berlin International Film Festival where Tuncel Kurtiz won the Silver Bear for Best Actor.-Cast:* Rami Danon as Laniado* Iris Hoffman as Shosh...
(1986), written, directed by Dotan and co-produced with Yonatan Aroch, won numerous awards including the Silver Bear
Silver Bear for Best Actor
The Silver Bear for Best Actor is the Berlin International Film Festival's award for achievement in performance by an actor.- Awards :- External links :*...
at Berlin
36th Berlin International Film Festival
-Jury:* Gina Lollobrigida * Rudi Fehr* Lindsay Anderson* August Coppola* Werner Grassmann* Otar Iosseliani* Norbert Kückelmann* Francoise Maupin* Rosaura Revueltas* Naoki Togawa* Jerzy Toeplitz-Films in competition:...
and six Israeli Academy Awards, including those for Best Director and Best Picture. In 1991, Dotan wrote and directed The Finest Hour starring Rob Lowe, Tracy Griffith and Gale Hanson.
After moving to Montreal Canada in 1991 Dotan co-founded Cinequest Films Inc. together with partner Netaya Anbar. In 1994 Dotan directed and produced Warriors, starring Macha Grenon, Gary Busey and Michael Pare. In 1996 Dotan directed and produced Coyote Run, starring Peter Greene, Macha Grenon and Michael Pare. The critically acclaimed You Can Thank Me Later
You Can Thank Me Later
You Can Thank Me Later is a 1998 Canadian comedy drama film directed by Shimon Dotan. The film is based on a play titled Hyper-Allergenic written and adapted for the screen by Oren Safdie.-Overview:...
(1999), was produced together with Anbar and directed by Dotan in 1999 and starred Ellen Burstyn, Genevieve Boujold, Amanda Plummer and Mary McDonnell. It was awarded Best Film at Newport Beach Film Festival
Newport Beach Film Festival
The Newport Beach Film Festival is a film festival in the United States held in Newport Beach, California, that showcases more than 350 films to more than 30,000 attendees annually....
, selected for the closing night at the Palm Springs Film Festival and had its opening gala at the Montreal Film Festival. In 1999-2000 Dotan produced The List (1999) with Ryan O’Neal, Rock Lafortune and Ben Gazara, Cause of Death (2000) with Maxim Roy, Patrick Bergin and Michael Ironside and Wilder (2000) with Pam Grier, Romano Orzari and Rutger Hauer. In 2001 Dotan produced Hidden Agenda
Hidden Agenda (2001 film)
Hidden Agenda is a 2001 Canadian action film directed by Marc S. Grenier and starring Dolph Lundgren.-Cast:*Dolph Lundgren ... Jason Price*Maxim Roy ... Renee Brooks*Brigitte Paquette ... Connie Glenn*Ted Whittall ... Sonny Mathis...
with Dolph Lundgren
Dolph Lundgren
Dolph Lundgren is a Swedish actor, director, and martial artist. He belongs to a generation of film actors who epitomise the movie action hero stereotype including Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme.A graduate in chemical...
and Maxim Roy
Maxim Roy
Maxim Roy is a Canadian actress from Quebec .-Career:Roy has worked in theater, film and television. Her breakthrough was the lead in a thirteen-episode TV series Au nom du Pere et du Fils. She then went on to do the sequel, Le Sorcier. She appeared in Love & Human Remains and in the television...
. In 2003 Dotan co-wrote the script for Watching TV With The Red Chinese together with Netaya Anbar and in 2005 he wrote Frenzy based on a novel by David Grossman
David Grossman
David Grossman is an Israeli author. His books have been translated into more than 30 languages, and have won numerous prizes.He is also a noted activist and critic of Israeli policy toward Palestinians. The Yellow Wind, his non-fiction study of the life of Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied...
. In 2006 Dotan wrote, directed and co-produced the documentary/feature Hot House
Hot House
"Hot House" is a bebop standard, composed by American jazz musician Tadd Dameron in 1945. Its harmonic structure is identical to Cole Porter's "What Is This Thing Called Love?."...
. It won the Special Jury Award for Best World Documentary at Sundance
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...
. In 2007 Dotan produced and co-directed the Canadian-Chinese coproduction Diamond Dogs
Diamond Dogs (film)
Diamond Dogs is a 2007 Action/Thriller film starring Dolph Lundgren and directed by Shimon Dotan and Dolph Lundgren as 'Samuel Dolhasca'.-Plot:...
with Dolph Lundgren
Dolph Lundgren
Dolph Lundgren is a Swedish actor, director, and martial artist. He belongs to a generation of film actors who epitomise the movie action hero stereotype including Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme.A graduate in chemical...
.