Citizen Shaw
Citizen Shaw

Movie spotlight

Citizen Shaw

1980
Movie
52 min
French

A French TV documentary from 1980 directed by Maurice Frydland, in which Sir Run Run Shaw gives an all-access tour of the Shaw Brothers backlot (including behind-the-scenes footage from Return to the 36th Chamber.

Insights

IMDb8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes99%
Metacritic96/100
Google Users94%
Director: Orson WellesGenres: Drama, Mystery

Plot Summary

The film follows the rise and fall of Charles Foster Kane, a wealthy and complex newspaper magnate. A reporter is tasked with uncovering the meaning of Kane's dying word, 'Rosebud,' leading him to interview Kane's former associates and explore his life's journey. Through fragmented flashbacks, the story reveals Kane's ambition, his relationships, and the ultimate emptiness of his vast empire.

Critical Reception

Widely considered one of the greatest films ever made, Citizen Kane was critically acclaimed upon its release for its innovative cinematography, narrative structure, and Welles's ambitious direction. While it faced some controversy and was not a box office success, its artistic merit was recognized, and it has since become a cornerstone of cinematic study.

What Reviewers Say

  • Revolutionary for its time, praised for groundbreaking cinematography and narrative techniques.

  • Orson Welles's masterful direction and performance are central to its enduring power.

  • A complex and influential character study of power, ambition, and isolation.

Google audience: Viewers consistently praise Citizen Kane as a masterpiece of filmmaking, highlighting its technical brilliance and compelling, albeit tragic, story. Many are impressed by Orson Welles's talent at such a young age, and the film's lasting impact on cinema is frequently mentioned.

Awards & Accolades

Won 1 Academy Award (Best Original Screenplay) and was nominated for 8 others. Consistently ranked among the top films in numerous critical polls, including the American Film Institute's '100 Years...100 Movies'.

Fun Fact

The iconic Xanadu set was so vast and elaborate that construction crews reportedly worked on it for over a year, and it remained standing for decades after filming, becoming a curious landmark at the RKO studio lot.

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