The Art House Powerhouse 100

[ACTORS] [DIRECTORS]

Every year, magazines and other media outlets release their critics’ picks. In 2007, Paste spotlighted films ranging from indie darling Juno to legal thriller Michael Clayton to smart-but-broad comedy Superbad to the commercially overlooked Syndromes and a Century.

Another annual tradition at many media outlets is the Power List. Apparently, there are a lot of people out there dying to know know how Paramount stacked up against Disney, how Tom Cruise drew versus The Rock, how Michael Bay’s films grossed versus Jerry Bruckheimer’s. People who aren’t us.

But two years ago, we did ask a related set of questions: Who are the power players in the world of quality cinema? What individuals and organizations make intelligent, well-crafted movies and have the profile, financial resources and/or critical esteem to attract discerning audiences? In short, we looked for those at the intersection of art and commerce who make independent film the viable and sustainable industry that we’ve come to enjoy.

In 2007, Viggo Mortensen and David Cronenberg re-teamed for yet another powerhouse of a film. Martin Scorsese finally won the validation of a golden statue he’s been earning repeatedly for decades. Joe Swanberg helped popularize the new “mumblecore” genre. And Paramount Vantage proved that late bloomers can finish strong.

We once again celebrate these and many others in this, our 3rd Annual Art House Powerhouse 100.—Tim Regan-Porter