Mark Polish and Michael Polish (born October 30, 1970), known informally as the Polish brothers, are American twin screenwriters and film producers. Michael usually directs their films, and Mark often has an acting role.
Life
The Polish brothers were born in
El Centro, California. Their father is from Montana, and is of part Austrian ancestry. He used to work at the
DEA in Sacramento. Their paternal grandfather worked on the dams of Montana. Their mother's family is Mexican. The brothers were raised Catholic.
Career
The Polish brothers began their film career with the 1999
Sundance
A Sun Dance is a Native American ceremony.
Sun dance or Sundance may also refer to:
Places
;Canada
* Sundance, Calgary, Alberta, a neighbourhood
* Sundance, Manitoba, a ghost town
;United States
* Sundance, New Mexico, a census-designated pla ...
debut of their first feature, ''
Twin Falls Idaho''. The
identical twin
Twins are two offspring produced by the same pregnancy.MedicineNet > Definition of TwinLast Editorial Review: 19 June 2000 Twins can be either ''monozygotic'' ('identical'), meaning that they develop from one zygote, which splits and forms two ...
siblings wrote and starred in the tale of
conjoined twins. Michael directed.
Sony Pictures Classics bought the rights for theatrical distribution of the film, which
Janet Maslin
Janet R. Maslin (born August 12, 1949) is an American journalist, best known as a film and literary critic for ''The New York Times''. She served as a ''Times'' film critic from 1977 to 1999 and as a book critic from 2000 to 2015. In 2000 Maslin ...
of ''
The New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
'' said had "style, gravity and originality to spare."
Michael Polish, in an interview with
Robert K. Elder
Robert K. Elder (born January 20, 1976) is an American journalist, author, and film columnist. He is currently the President and CEO othe Outrider Foundation He has written more than a dozen books on topics ranging from the death penalty and m ...
for the book ''
The Film That Changed My Life'' said much of his own inspiration came from watching ''
Once Upon a Time in America
''Once Upon a Time in America'' ( it, C'era una volta in America) is a 1984 epic crime film co-written and directed by Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone and starring Robert De Niro and James Woods. The film is an Italian–American venture produ ...
'' in his youth.
... Internally it speaks to me, as just a human, a person alone. I can watch this movie alone and be a fan. Whether a filmmaker or not, I can be a fan because it has so many symbols and situations that reflect life itself, growing up. Even growing up in the suburbs, you still have friendships the same way these kids have friendships.
In 2000, the Polish brothers followed up ''Twin Falls'' with ''
Jackpot
Jackpot or Jackpot! may refer to:
* A prize, such as a progressive jackpot
* Gardena jackpots, a poker variant
* Jackpot, Nevada, a community on the Nevada–Idaho state border
Comics
* Jackpot (comics), several comic book characters
* ''Jackp ...
'', the story of a deluded
karaoke
Karaoke (; ; , clipped compound of Japanese ''kara'' "empty" and ''ōkesutora'' "orchestra") is a type of interactive entertainment usually offered in clubs and bars, where people sing along to recorded music using a microphone. The music is ...
singer (
Jon Gries) on a tour of American dive-bars. It won the 2001
Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award and the 2001
Seattle International Film Festival New American Cinema Award. The film was distributed theatrically by Sony Pictures Classics.
In 2002, the brothers were offered the opportunity to make a mainstream film. Instead, they began to put together the independent film ''
Northfork
''Northfork'' is a 2003 film directed by Michael Polish and written by Michael and Mark Polish. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2003 and later received a limited release in the United States on July 11, 2003. The film s ...
''. When financing collapsed days before
principal photography
Principal photography is the phase of producing a film or television show in which the bulk of shooting takes place, as distinct from the phases of pre-production and post-production.
Personnel
Besides the main film personnel, such as ...
, the filmmakers signed their house to creditors, and paid for their movie with personal credit cards. Starring
James Woods and
Nick Nolte, ''Northfork'' was chosen as an early selection by the Sundance Film Festival, and when the movie premiered at Sundance in 2003,
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert (; June 18, 1942 – April 4, 2013) was an American film critic, film historian, journalist, screenwriter, and author. He was a film critic for the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, Ebert beca ...
called it "a masterpiece."
In 2005, the Polish brothers, along with producing partner Jonathan Sheldon, wrote and released
''The Declaration of Independent Filmmaking''. The book, a how-to guide for first-time,
do-it-yourself
"Do it yourself" ("DIY") is the method of building, modifying, or repairing things by oneself without the direct aid of professionals or certified experts. Academic research has described DIY as behaviors where "individuals use raw and se ...
filmmakers, follows the filmmaking process and gives firsthand accounts of the Polish Brothers' travails in making their films.
The Library Journal
''Library Journal'' is an American trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey. It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional practi ...
said the Polish Brothers "write in a way that illuminates the details more clearly than most technical scribes."
In 2006, the brothers would team with
Warner Independent
Warner Independent Pictures was an independent film division of the American film studio Warner Bros., itself a division of Warner Bros. Discovery, which then was known as TimeWarner. Established in August 2003, its first release was 2004's ''B ...
for their fourth film, ''
The Astronaut Farmer
''The Astronaut Farmer'' is a 2006 American drama film directed by Michael Polish, who co-wrote the screenplay with his brother Mark. The film stars Billy Bob Thornton, Virginia Madsen, Bruce Dern and Max Thieriot. The plot is about a Texas ranch ...
'' about a former
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agency of the US federal government responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research.
NASA was established in 1958, succeedin ...
astronaut, Charles Farmer (
Billy Bob Thornton), who has been obsessively building a rocket in his barn.
Warner Bros. released it throughout North America in 2007.
The brothers then shot two films back-to-back, just days apart while launching their new production company Prohibition Pictures with partners Ken Johnson, Janet DuBois, and Jonathan Sheldon. The Polish Brothers' fifth film, ''Manure'' (with Billy Bob Thornton and
Téa Leoni) began shooting on May 27, 2008 and was released at the Sundance Festival the following year as ''
The Smell of Success''), and the Polish Brothers' sixth film, ''
Stay Cool
''Stay Cool'' is a 2009 American comedy film directed by Michael Polish (credited as Ted Smith), and written by Mark Polish. The film stars Winona Ryder, Mark Polish, Hilary Duff, Sean Astin, Josh Holloway, Jon Cryer, and Chevy Chase. The film ...
'' (with
Winona Ryder, Mark Polish,
Chevy Chase
Cornelius Crane "Chevy" Chase (; born October 8, 1943) is an American comedian, actor and writer. He became a key cast member in the first season of '' Saturday Night Live'', where his recurring ''Weekend Update'' segment became a staple of the ...
,
Sean Astin,
Hilary Duff
Hilary Erhard Duff (born September 28, 1987) is an American actress and singer. She is the recipient of various accolades, including seven Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, four Teen Choice Awards and two Young Artist Awards. She began her acti ...
,
Jon Cryer,
Josh Holloway) began filming in July 2008 (and was shown at Tribeca Festival in 2009).
In May 2010, the Polish brothers began filming ''
For Lovers Only''. Said to be inspired by the French New Wave and
Claude Lelouch
Claude Barruck Joseph Lelouch (; born 30 October 1937) is a French film director, writer, cinematographer, actor and producer. Lelouch grew up in an Algerian Jewish Family. He emerged as a prominent director in the 1960s. Lelouch gained critica ...
's 1966 double Oscar-winner ''
A Man and a Woman
''A Man and a Woman'' (french: Un homme et une femme) is a 1966 French film written and directed by Claude Lelouch and starring Anouk Aimée and Jean-Louis Trintignant. Written by Lelouch and Pierre Uytterhoeven, the film concerns a young widow ...
'', the romance focuses on a journalist
Stana Katic (''
Castle'') in Paris on assignment, who runs into a lover (Mark Polish) from her past. Presumably enraptured by reconciliation, the pair flee Paris and travel "by train, car, and motorcycle as their love affair takes them across France from Normandy to St. Tropez."
In 2013, Michael directed American adventure drama, ''
Big Sur
Big Sur () is a rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California between Carmel and San Simeon, where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. It is frequently praised for its dramatic scenery. Big Sur ...
'', an adaptation of the
1962 novel of the same name by
Jack Kerouac. The story is based on the time Kerouac spent in Big Sur, California and his three brief sojourns to friend
Lawrence Ferlinghetti's cabin in Bixby Canyon. The film debuted on January 23, 2013 at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, where it received generally positive reviews.
In 2014, it was announced that Mark would write, direct, and star in ''
Headlock''. The film also starred
Dianna Agron and
Andy Garcia.
[
]
Personal life
In July 2011, Michael began dating actress Kate Bosworth, and on August 31, 2013, the couple married in Philipsburg, Montana. They separated in August 2021.
Filmography
*'' Hellraiser: Bloodline'' (1996) – Twin Cenobite No. 1 (Michael) – Twin Cenobite No. 2 (Mark) (acting only)
*'' Twin Falls Idaho'' (1999) (Michael – director, cowriter, actor. Mark – cowriter, actor)
*''Jackpot
Jackpot or Jackpot! may refer to:
* A prize, such as a progressive jackpot
* Gardena jackpots, a poker variant
* Jackpot, Nevada, a community on the Nevada–Idaho state border
Comics
* Jackpot (comics), several comic book characters
* ''Jackp ...
'' (2001) (Michael – director, cowriter. Mark – cowriter)
*'' The Good Thief'' (2002) (Mark - actor, Michael - actor)
*''Northfork
''Northfork'' is a 2003 film directed by Michael Polish and written by Michael and Mark Polish. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2003 and later received a limited release in the United States on July 11, 2003. The film s ...
'' (2003) (Michael – director, cowriter. Mark – cowriter, actor)
*''The Astronaut Farmer
''The Astronaut Farmer'' is a 2006 American drama film directed by Michael Polish, who co-wrote the screenplay with his brother Mark. The film stars Billy Bob Thornton, Virginia Madsen, Bruce Dern and Max Thieriot. The plot is about a Texas ranch ...
'' (2006) (Michael – director, cowriter. Mark – cowriter, actor)
*'' The Smell of Success'' (2009) (Michael – director, cowriter. Mark – cowriter, actor)
*''Stay Cool
''Stay Cool'' is a 2009 American comedy film directed by Michael Polish (credited as Ted Smith), and written by Mark Polish. The film stars Winona Ryder, Mark Polish, Hilary Duff, Sean Astin, Josh Holloway, Jon Cryer, and Chevy Chase. The film ...
'' (2009) (Michael – director. Mark - writer)
*'' For Lovers Only'' (2010, online; 2011, film festival release) (Michael – coproducer, director. Mark – coproducer, writer, actor)
*''Big Sur
Big Sur () is a rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California between Carmel and San Simeon, where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. It is frequently praised for its dramatic scenery. Big Sur ...
'' (2013) (Michael – coproducer, director, writer)
*'' Amnesiac'' (2014) (Michael – director)
*'' 90 Minutes in Heaven'' (2015) (Michael – coproducer, director, writer)
*''Hot Bot'' (2016) (Michael – director, cowriter. Mark – writer)
*''Nona'' (2017) (Michael – director, writer)
*'' Against the Clock'' (2019) (Mark – director, writer, actor)
*''One of the Good Ones'' (2019) (Michael – executive producer)[https://oneofthegoodonesfilm.com]
*'' Force of Nature'' (2020) (Michael – director)
* ''American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally'' (2021 film) directed by Michael Polish,
*'' Terror on the Prairie'' (2022) (Michael - director)
Bibliography
*'' The Declaration of Independent Filmmaking: An Insider's Guide to Making Movies Outside of Hollywood, with Jonathan Sheldon. Mariner Books 2005,
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Polish, M
1970 births
Film producers from California
Screenwriters from California
Independent Spirit Award winners
Living people
Sibling duos
Sibling filmmakers
American twins
People from El Centro, California
American film directors of Mexican descent
Film directors from California