Twelve and Holding (2005)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Michael Cuesta

Writer (WGA):

Anthony Cipriano (written by)

Release Date:

7 July 2006 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Do You Know Who Your Kids Are?

Plot:

After his twin brother is accidentally killed by vengeful bullies, a disfigured 12-year old boy and his friends face the harsh realities of death, hormones, and family dysfunction. |

Plot Keywords:

Death | 12 Year Old | Twin | Friend | Lipstick

Awards:

4 nominations

Cast

Conor Donovan	...	Jacob / Rudy Carges
Jesse Camacho	...	Leonard Fisher
Zoe Weizenbaum	...	Malee Chuang
Jeremy Renner	...	Gus Maitland
Annabella Sciorra	...	Carla Chuang
Jayne Atkinson	...	Ashley Carges
Linus Roache	...	Jim Carges
Marcia DeBonis	...	Grace Fisher
Tom McGowan	...	Patrick Fisher
Michael C. Fuchs	...	Kenny (as Michael Fuchs)
Martin Campetta	...	Jeff
Joseph Foster	...	Keith Gardner (as Joseph 'C.J.' Foster)
Max Miner	...	Tommy
Noelle 'Parker' Present	...	Haley Fisher
Jessica Sorto	...	Sara Fisher
Adam LeFevre	...	Gabe Artunion
Bruce Altman	...	Coach Gilmore
Mark Linn-Baker	...	Mr. Farmer
Julia Ryan	...	Funeral Guest #1
Terry Walters	...	Funeral Guest #2 (as Terry Urdang)
Robertson Carricart	...	Priest (as Robertson Carricat)
Tony Roberts	...	Doctor
Marcella Lowery	...	Nurse
Jodie Markell	...	Teacher (as Jodi Markell)
Bianca Ryan	...	Singing Girl
Merritt Wever	...	Debbie Poole
Michael A. Siravo IV	...	Guitar Guy
Emilio Cuesta	...	Kid in Red

Directed by
Michael Cuesta

Writing credits (WGA)
Anthony Cipriano		(written by) (as Anthony S. Cipriano)

Produced by
Brian Bell	....	producer
Michael Cuesta	....	producer
Mike Downey	....	executive producer
Frank Frattaroli	....	executive producer
Michael Hoffman	....	executive producer
Doug Mankoff	....	executive producer
Michael Nozik	....	executive producer
Amy Robinson	....	executive producer
Jenny Schweitzer	....	producer
Nick Goodwin Self	....	co-producer
Andrew Spaulding	....	executive producer
Leslie Urdang	....	producer

Original Music by
Pierre Földes

Cinematography by
Romeo Tirone		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Eric Carlson
Kane Platt

Casting by
Judy Henderson

Production Design by
Lucio Seixas

Art Direction by
Eric Friedewald

Costume Design by
Marina Draghici

Makeup Department
Joanna Stewart	....	key hair stylist
Joanna Stewart	....	key makeup artist
Stayc St. Onge	....	hair stylist
Stayc St. Onge	....	makeup artist
Maria Tancredi	....	additional hair stylist
Maria Tancredi	....	additional makeup artist

Production Management
Kristen Dirato	....	production supervisor
Paul Epstein	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Paul Epstein	....	first assistant director
Francisco Ortiz	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Matthew Amenta	....	assistant property master
Jeremy L. Balon	....	property master (as Jeremy Balon)
Zach Baylin	....	set dresser (as Zachary Baylin)
Rick Giacco	....	art department production assistant

Sound Department
Joshua Anderson	....	sound mixer
Leslie Bloom	....	foley artist
Bucky Carr	....	boom operator
Tom Efinger	....	sound re-recording mixer
Tom Efinger	....	sound supervisor
David Ellinwood	....	sound editor (as David Ellenwood)
Paul Hsu	....	sound designer
John Moros	....	assistant sound editor
Paul Sacco	....	consultant: Dolby sound
Gabriel Sanders	....	boom operator
David J. Schwartz	....	sound mixer
Brian Scibinico	....	adr engineer

Special Effects by
Drew Jiritano	....	special effects coordinator
Neil Ruddy	....	special effects

Stunts
Douglas Crosby	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Abe Albach	....	additional grip
John Anctil	....	camera and lighting provider: Fastlights Inc.
Nicola Benizzi	....	second assistant camera
Michael Burke	....	additional camera assistant
Steve Calitri	....	third electrician
Pierrot Colonna	....	additional first assistant camera
Tara Emanuelson	....	loader
Shawn Greene	....	gaffer
Julia Griner	....	still photographer
Adam Hall	....	best boy grip
David Kavanaugh	....	third electrician (as Dave Kavanaugh)
Mike Kirsch	....	grip
Nina Kuhn	....	best boy electric
Daniel Lichtblau	....	camera intern (as Daniel Sar Lichtblau)
Elaine Lincourt	....	loader
Ludovic Littee	....	first assistant camera
Louise Lovegrove	....	additional grip
Ron Morales	....	key grip
Jorge Olortegui	....	grip
Christopher T. Paul	....	Steadicam operator
Christopher T. Paul	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Christopher T. Paul	....	director of photography: second unit
Randy M. Salo	....	grip (as Randy Solo)
Erik Shirai	....	grip
Sean Taylor	....	grip intern
Adam Troeger	....	jimmy jib operator
Jonathan Vierira	....	grip
Brett Walters	....	second assistant camera
Joy Weber	....	additional electrician
David Woolner	....	third electrician

Casting Department
Molly Bennett	....	extras casting
Kimberly Graham	....	casting associate
Kia Warren	....	casting intern

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sonya M. Andonov	....	wardrobe supervisor (as Sonya Andonov)
Brooke Parr	....	assistant wardrobe supervisor
Brooke Styles	....	costumer
Kia Warren	....	costumer

Editorial Department
Bo Lee	....	second assistant editor
Christopher Pensiero	....	first assistant editor
Ken Rubenfeld	....	colorist (as Kenny Rubenfeld)
Martin Zeichner	....	production telecine

Music Department
Paul Hsu	....	music editor
Robin Urdang	....	music supervisor

Transportation Department
Zachary Henderson	....	driver: grip/electric

Other crew
Ami Armstrong	....	creative executive: Serenade Films
Molly Bennett	....	production assistant
Michelle Chai	....	production assistant
Heather Daniels	....	assistant to producer
Jo Davis	....	production assistant
Alfred DeGrand	....	production assistant
Valerie Evering	....	production assistant
Jennifer Fanning	....	production assistant
Carol Frances	....	banker: Serenade Films (as Carole Frances)
Tyrone Francisco	....	production assistant
Kristin Hensley	....	assistant to producers: Serenade Films
J.P. Impastato	....	intern: Serenade Films
Todd James	....	advisory board: Serenade Films
Emily Jerome	....	office production intern
Alexander Kalkines	....	location manager
Geoff Linville	....	production executive: Serenade Films (as Geoffrey Linville)
Jason Messeri	....	key production assistant
Max Miner	....	double: Rudy Carges
Jacquie Mitchell	....	banker: Serenade Films
Jason Mottley	....	caterer: Paradise Splash Grapevine Corp.
Chris Northrop	....	production assistant
Brendan O'Rourke	....	assistant location manager
Michael Pevney	....	office production intern
Steve Pines	....	accounting services (as Steven R. Pines)
Michael A. Price	....	advisory board: Serenade Films
Elizabeth Ramos	....	craft service
Daniel Rbibo	....	insurance services: AON/Albert G. Ruben
Leslie E.A. Rider	....	production assistant (as Leslie Rider)
Michele Robertson	....	publicist
Kelly Salmon	....	assistant: Mr. Cuesta
Stephen Scharf	....	advisory board: Serenade Films
Stephen Scharf	....	legal services: O'Melveny and Myers
David W. Schoner Jr.	....	film commissioner
April Schott	....	production assistant
Matthew Schuchman	....	production assistant
Craig Seti	....	dailies supervisor
Madeline Shapiro	....	production assistant
Raj Singh	....	advisory board: Serenade Films
Wes Waldron	....	title designer
Matt Watkins	....	assistant production office coordinator
Sharon Watt	....	script supervisor
Michael Williams	....	production assistant
Lang Yee	....	key production accountant

Thanks
Steven Gorelick	....	special thanks
Anne Hubbell	....	huge thanks

Production Companies

• Echo Lake Productions (I)
• Canary Films
• Serenade Films

Distributors

• Alfa Films (2007) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Diaphana Films (2006) (France) (theatrical)
• IFC Films (2006) (USA) (theatrical)
• Lionsgate (2005) (UK) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (UK) (DVD)
• CMV Laservision (2009) (Germany) (DVD)
• Evolution Entertainment (2009) (Switzerland) (DVD)
• Fortissimo Film Sales (2006) (worldwide) (all media)
• Future Film (2007) (Finland) (DVD)
• Genius Products (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Independent Film Channel (IFC) (2006) (USA) (all media)
• Maple Pictures (2006) (Canada) (all media)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (2008) (Argentina) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Drew Jiritano Special Effects (special effects)

Other Companies

• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  insurance (as AON/Albert G. Ruben)
• All Car Rent A Car  transportation provided by (as All Car Rent-A-Car)
• Avis Rent-a-Car  transportation provided by (as Avis Car Rental)
• Black Dog Jib Productions  jib operation
• Cafgé Budapest Ensemble, The  original score performed by
• Camera Service Center  cameras and lenses provided by
• Chinagraph  editing facility
• City National Bank  production bank
• Courier Car Rental  transportation provided by (as Courier Car Rentals)
• Dig-It Audio  audio post facility (as Dig It Audio Inc.)
• Dig-It Audio  sound (as Dig It Audio Inc.)
• Fastlights.com  grip and lighting provided by (as Fastlights Inc.)
• Fortissimo Films  world sales
• Image Group Post  dailies provided by
• Kaufman Astoria Studios  grip and lighting provided by
• La Folie Studio  original score recorded and mixed at (as La Fiolie Studio Paris)
• Lab at Moving Images, The  lab services
• Media Services Payments Plus  payroll services (as Media Services)
• O'Melveny & Myers  legal services
• Paradise Splash Grapevine  catering
• Paramount Lighting  grip and lighting provided by
• Penske Truck Leasing  transportation provided by
• PostWorks, The Lab  processing
• Silvercup Studios  grip and lighting provided by
• Thomas Cestare  generator provided by
• Villa Roberto  catering
• Xeno Lights  generator provided by (as Xeno Lights)

Also Known As:

12 and Holding (USA) (alternative spelling)

MPAA:

Rated R for some violence and sexual content involving minors, and for language.

Runtime:

Chile:90 min (Toronto International Film Festival) | USA:94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | UK:15 | Sweden:11 | Ireland:15A | Portugal:M/12 | Finland:K-11 | Australia:MA | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Haledon, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Echo Lake Productions (I)

Goofs:

Continuity: Jacob's birthmark changes in location, size, and color throughout the movie.

Quotes:

Rudy: Our birthday comes once a year and you ask for a hockey mask. You don't even play.
Jacob: Jason from Friday the 13th wears one. He's bad-ass.

Movie Connections:

References Love Story (1970)

Soundtrack:

Drive

Seen at Toronto International Film Festival

This movie is done very well and definitely engaging to watch, but perhaps not quite to my taste.

This is a movie about a tight group of 4 children -- a precocious girl, an overweight boy, and twin brothers, the more out-going who is killed in an accident. The funeral starts the journey of understanding the lives of the remaining 3 -- not only how the family deals with the murdered son/brother, but how the overweight boy deals with his obesity, and how the young girl deals with her mother and absent father.

The heart of the movie really revolves around these near teenagers, and as a result, the coming-of-age experiences are highlighted. At times, I laughed awkwardly, probably out of embarrassment for one of the characters. Nothing wrong with this -- in fact, it's probably what the director was trying to achieve. I was also pulled into the bizarre logic the brother was going through -- through talks with his parents, and even more poignant, some of the very personal kid-to-kid conversations. The visual clues and the inter-actions to parents were all well chosen to create characters that were believable, 3-dimensional and full of conflict. Kudos to the director and actors on this fine work. In particular, the precocious young girl (Zoe Weizenbaum) was well-cast in a very strong, conflicted and convincing performance.

Overall -- well done. This is one of the best 'pre-teen-angst' movies I've seen in a long time.