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Bauer-Martinez: Forgotten, But Not Gone
Philippe Martinez is one of those people who make the movie business worth writing about.
The super-sized, baby-faced, would-be mogul rode into town four years ago, boasting of his plan to upend the Hollywood independent studio system and replace it with what he knew audiences wanted: better films.
With financing from the City of London, he dropped millions to cast the likes of Richard Gere and Michelle Pfeiffer in pet projects, and beat out established indie studios to buy the hot new film at the Toronto Film Festival, David Ayer’s “Harsh Times.”
But, classic story: the films failed, the financing collapsed, and Martinez found himself holding the bag for $100 million in debt.
And yet, here he was, swanning around the Carlton Hotel in Cannes with a big, fat cigar and the same adorable smile that charmed people (along with his open wallet) just a few years back.
Martinez has reinvented himself as a movie director and producer, the head of Cinepro Pictures, where instead of releasing eight to 12 films a year, he is making just one picture at a time. Meanwhile his former studio, Bauer-Martinez, named for his family, slowly pays down its debt.
“I’ve reduced the debt to $10 million,” said Martinez. “I didn’t want to declare bankruptcy. I don’t owe money to any actors, any crew, any bond companies.”
But he was done in, he said, by a distribution deal with MGM in which his movies were dumped in the marketplace. “I had the bad luck to come across MGM, which destroyed everyone’s films,” he said. “Now I’ve come back to the source. I’m making one film a year.”(He made clear he was referring to the previous regime at MGM, under Rick Sands. Sands could not be reached for comment.)
Martinez was in Cannes with seven minutes of his new film which he’s also directing, “The Tribes of October.” He described it as a CGI-heavy, “post-apocalyptic action thriller” starring Ray Stevenson, James Caan and Robert Duvall.
The film will cost a cool $25 million, and Martinez was holding court in the Carlton with potential investors and co-producers.
Amazingly, despite Martinez’s very public flame-out with the successive failure of films like “Van Wilder,” “I Could Never Be Your Woman,” “The Flock,” and “Harsh Times,” he was treated with cordial and even friendly relations by the machers and power-agents who wandered by during our conversation.
I asked Martinez what he’d learned from the experience.
“In the movie business, when you’re independent, you have to live your passion,” he said. “Now I’m happier. I spend 70 percent of my time on the artistic side of films.
“I regret that people are ungrateful for all the work and money I put in. I’m bitter about that. So now, I’ll only do my own films, for me.”
Comments
WMA Says
I agree Toby.
Once a Felon anlways a Felon.
Looks like Philippe doesn't get it. Who really wants to work with a guy with a track record such as his. He's a joke and a convicted Felon. I spoke to people at MGM and Martinez is a fraud. BEWARE ALL!!!
Hollyjerk Says
Bauer Martinez sucks balls....
Quinn Duffy Says
To all concerned.... I must first say that I have never written my opinions in the comment box of any website. I've always felt that people(especially those who hide behind catchy screen names or silly call signs), who participate in these forums have way too much time on their hands... time that would be better spent trying to fix their own problems or better yet the problems that face the world around us. With that said... I must break my silence to comment on the incredibly irresponsible things being said about a man who has changed my life for the better in more ways than I could ever have imagined... a man that has shown me how to see the world in a way that I had long forgotten, both artistically and more importantly as a member of the human race. A man who lives and dies by a code of honor... a code that I had thought no longer existed in anyone, let alone a Hollywood film producer. Philippe Martinez is that special man... I speak from the heart when I tell you he is one in a million... the kind of person that aspires at all times to make those around him feel special and important, because he truly believes in the human spirit as well as the human condition. As I knew would happen I'm running out of room on this comment page and I still have so many things I want to say... most of all I'd like to say to all those that have attacked him on so many levels... you don't know the man. I was given the gift to have Philippe as my boss and then later as my friend... and for the last year or so since we've met I am a better person for the time I've spent with him. His talents are only rivaled by his amazing character and his vision for a brighter future for all those in his circle. In closing I would like to say to all those who would wish him harm or pain.... hope and pray you don't run into me on the field of battle... to Philippe, my best in all that you try to achieve, and let the cowards who hide behind a keyboard stay just where they are... "nowhere"... Thanks for hearing my thoughts, Q
Indy Filmmaker Says
We did a study of Mr. Martinez in our film school entitled "Who not to do business with in the Indy world of film". Mr. Martinez has destroyed many peoples hard work and passion and should be banned from all film festivals.
Watch your back fatboy
Toby of the Hill People Says
First Martinez, now his sister comes to tell us how many friends he has in the business. Elie Samaha, Mike Menchel and a few bought and paid for friends don't equal a whole lot. I wonder when his cousin will show up and explain who stole his neck.
All this talk about creativity and golly gee, all his films suck!
KBEHR Says
This is addressed to the "Former Banker" and "Toby of the Hill" of this world, I don't know who you are but I have come across people like you all my life and this is how I choose to respond to your unfounded attacks .
I have worked with Philippe Martinez for 19 Years , and have known him for 41 years. I am not only his business associate but also his sister. As such I have seen him through his really good days and really bad days.
So, I can tell you that It takes an incredible human being, and inner strenght to go through what he has gone through in life, and still find the optimism to want to create and stay in this business. Life is about overcoming challenges and coming out a stronger and wiser human being, something that Philippe Martinez has done. He is a visionary and incredible creative individual , I would say that his biggest fault in life ( if you can say that wanted to help others is one) ...has always been his goodness of heart and opening his arms to all people in desperate situation or in needs...unfortunately, I agree that some of these people did not deserve his kindness and eventually hurt him at times ... With his character which can be difficult at times and passion for life , he has made so many friends in this industry , people who know him, and respect him for all he has done.
Funny you portray WMA as a victim of Mr Martinez in your message ...all I remember is the Fat check they received from Bauer Martinez for brokering the too good to be true MGM Deal....The Deal of the Century that costed the financial health of our 10 year old family company...
I'm a US citizen and proud to be in this country an can testify in any US court to this : every dime that was borrowed from any entertainment banks here or abroad was repaid in full...so you " Mr Former Banker" who thinks you know it all and can judge all... you better do your homework before you make any statements of this kind.... we have done business with the same bankers and bonders over the past 10 years and YES it is about track record you are right...one that we can be proud of , because it is SPOTLESS....so go on attack some more Philippe Martinez 's character behind your made up screen names ...in my opinion it only shows your sense honesty and your true character.
Sincerely,
Karinne Behr
Former banker Says
Ya know what they say...".Once a Felon, always a Felon", or is that "A tiger never changes its stripes"....I would be seriously concerned if any banker loaned new money to this guy.
Whatever happened to the three C's of lending?....the first "C" is "Character". and they don't mean it in the sense : is your borrower "a character". That is for the USA Channel.
Toby of the Hill People Says
Pistolero- That's a lie- it was entirely Martinez who never paid the money. People at WMA almost got fired over the deal. It was not MGM- they sucked too- but it was the deal that was foolishly made with Bauer Martinez that killed that film.
Martinez (if it is you)- You associate with people who kept multiple sets of books for their movies and lied to their investors until they were sued and brought down. I don't give a shit about your debts- you are somebody that the industry should be warned about. Waxman's lame attempt to rehabilitate you as an artist is laughable. Good luck in the biz, you'll need it.
El Pistolero Says
Hello Philippe-
I feel that an apology is in order for a comment I made in a previous article concerning Christian Bale. I wrongly addressed the fact that "Harsh Times" did not get a proper exhibition in the US theaters due to its connection with Bauer-Martinez. After reading your interview with Sharon, I have been educated to the fact that MGM (under previous leadership) was at fault. Best wishes for your new turn as a director.
Freddie Fillers
aka El Pistolero
Takethecanolli Says
So, by reading Waxman's earlier article we learn that he's been close with Elie Samaha. I think that tells us all we need to know about this fellow's great love of movies and art.
Philippe Martinez Says
Dear Toby of The Hill People
I am Philippe Martinez, and i wish that someone such as yourself who spends your time being nasty would come clean and say who you are.
I am 41 years years old. I have produced 30 films, invested over $250M in the film business and created over 6000 jobs in America.
Unlike a lot of big corporations, when BM Studios hit a rock with the MGM failed release of our films. I did not run but stayed. I have, in two years, cleared 90% of our $100M debts and will finish the last 10%.
If you know someone else in Hollywood who has ever done that , let me know.
I now enjoy producing and directing my own films so I can enjoy the process of filmmaking. I am sorry to see that there are people who insist on mentioning something that they know nothing about and which was a technical legal mistake made when i was 21 years old, one which I have already paid for dearly.
I appreciate very much that Ms. Waxman has chosen to focus on the huge effort I have made to focus my career on an artistic path.
You, Toby of the Hill People, seem to be one of these people that will always hide behind a keyboard without revealing your identity for the pure pleasure of being nasty.
So i am sorry to disappoint you, but I work hard and enjoy life making films, creating jobs and having good friends in an industry for the past 20 years.
I wish you the best and hope that one day you get to experience the pleasure of creating films and jobs.
Best
Philippe Martinez
Philippe Martinez Says
Dear Toby of The Hill People
I am Philippe Martinez, and i wish that someone such as yourself who spends your time being nasty would come clean and say who you are.
I am 41 years years old. I have produced 30 films, invested over $250M in the film business and created over 6000 jobs in America.
Unlike a lot of big corporations, when BM Studios hit a rock with the MGM failed release of our films. I did not run but stayed. I have, in two years, cleared 90% of our $100M debts and will finish the last 10%.
If you know someone else in Hollywood who has ever done that , let me know.
I now enjoy producing and directing my own films so I can enjoy the process of filmmaking. I am sorry to see that there are people who insist on mentioning something that they know nothing about and which was a technical legal mistake made when i was 21 years old, one which I have already paid for dearly.
I appreciate very much that Ms. Waxman has chosen to focus on the huge effort I have made to focus my career on an artistic path.
You, Toby of the Hill People, seem to be one of these people that will always hide behind a keyboard without revealing your identity for the pure pleasure of being nasty.
So i am sorry to disappoint you, but I work hard and enjoy life making films, creating jobs and having good friends in an industry for the past 20 years.
I wish you the best and hope that one day you get to experience the pleasure of creating films and jobs.
Best
Philippe Martinez
El Pistolero Says
Thanks Sharon for the update on Philippe Martinez.
Isn't it weird that we, in the states, seem to judge our foreign counterparts much more harshly than we do ourselves when they seem to be attempting something that many of us would like to do, but will not risk our own professional reputations on? That being a raising of the quality factor of our filmmaking art form? Okay, so I don't have a professional reputation, but what about all of the other established players out there? Let's face it, as Martinez found out, it's the power of the marketing that comes first in the would-be megaplex hits. If you can't market it to a big enough audience, it's not worth the effort to truly get behind it. As artists, we all have this holistic view of how things could and should be, but the cold reality is the bottom line on the balance sheets of the multinationals who really own our movie studios.
Maybe someone like Martinez will have the last laugh by working from the foreign side of filmmaking. After all, a pretty sizeable piece of the profits for any American made film these days comes from the foreign audiences. The right slate of projects and a little reverse engineering of the marketing campaign could equal success for a new type of foreign made film that can truly catch on with the mainstream American megaplex audience. In turn, this would mean one less degree of separation for a foreign audience that gets to see an American style film with actors from their home countries. Something like this happened before... oh yeah, it happened to the auto industry. So why not the movie industry?
Sharon Waxman Says
toby - a little harsh, wouldn't you say? martinez's story speaks for itself. some things don't need embellishing. iand '[m still mystified by the perceived need to shout insults here in the comments section, when speaking in civil tones and wielding the facts, works just fine. s.
ps yes, philippe was convicted of fraud. i broke that story in the new york times. just didn't feel the need to beat the guy over the head.
See also:
His Plan: Conquest Of Indie Hollywood
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9903E0DB1130F936A35753C1A...
"And not just because Bauer Martinez has taken over the Sunset Boulevard offices of one of the industry's more notorious recent casualties, Elie Samaha of..."
And: A New Film Director’s Agonizing Lessons
Mr. Martinez, the chairman of Bauer Martinez Entertainment, says he still loves the film and has supported it by approving a $15 million ...
October 26, 2006 - By SHARON WAXMAN - Movies
Toby of the Hill People Says
Wow is this Christmas? Why are the presents? The New Media Journalist Sharon completely omits that the guy is a convicted criminal, tries to blame the films (Harsh Times was great) rather than the fact that Martinez was an idiot and then acts like he has been accepted when in fact he was an object of derision at the festival. When this sites goes under at year's end, like David Poland projects, it won't be because of the investors it will be because of the lightweight, false articles ("Weinstein BACK at Cannes" my ass).