Hal Ashby

Hal Ashby (1929-1988) is considered to be the lost genius of the New Hollywood generation. While his name does not bear the familiarity of, say, Robert Altman or Martin Scorsese, his diverse films are among the best known and most beloved of the era. From the cult classicHarold and Maude(1971) to the iconic political satireBeing There(1979), from the subversive sex comedyShampoo(1975) to the anti-Vietnam romanceComing Home(1979), Ashby rejected mainstream conventions while his films attracted both popular and critical praise.A true actors' director, Ashby drew A-list stars and elicited powerful performances from Jack Nicholson inThe Last Detail(1973), Warren Beatty and Julie Christie inShampoo, Jon Voight and Jane Fonda inComing Home, and Peter Sellers inBeing There.Hal Ashby: Interviewsfor the first time brings together the best interviews conducted over the course of Ashby's career. Ashby discusses his filmmaking philosophy, memories of working his way up the Hollywood ladder in the 1950s, and his troubled productions in the 1980s.