Searching for Mr. Rugoff (2019)

Name: Searching for Mr. Rugoff
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2019
Duration: 94 min
Rating: 7.0
Cast: Donald S. Rugoff, Elyce Bonnell, Peter Broderick, Bea Brydson, Nat Chediak

1h 34m United States of America

Documentary

Plot

Searching for Mr. Rugoff unravels the life of Donald Rugoff, the unconventional mastermind behind Cinema 5, a prominent theater chain and film distribution company of the mid-20th century. Known for his challenging personality, Rugoff revolutionized the art film landscape with audacious marketing tactics and sheer bravado. His contributions significantly shaped American cinema, influencing everything from studio classics to the independent film scene and the emergence of the Weinsteins. Through the perspective of former employee Ira Deutchman, the documentary explores Rugoff's enigmatic legacy and the reasons behind his obscurity in film history.

Cast

Donald S. Rugoff Elyce Bonnell Peter Broderick Bea Brydson Nat Chediak Costa-Gavras Ira Deutchman Jean Donnelly Robert Downey Sr. Jerome Gary John Goldstone Jim Hudson Annette Insdorf Harlan Jacobson Mary Kay Kammer