Cube (1997)

Country of Origin: Canada
Year of Production: 1997
Running Times: 92 mins
Format: colour 35mm
Ratio: 1.85:1
Sound: Ultra Stereo

PRODUCTION
Production Companies: Cube Libre/OFDC/The Feature Film Project/ Téléfilm Canada/Viacom Canada
Executive Producers: Colin Brunton, Justine Whyte
Producers: Mehra Meh, Betty Orr
Production Manager: Norah Wakula
Production Coordinator: Deborah Kiss

SCRIPT
Script: Vincenzo Natali, André Bijelic, Graeme Manson
Story Editor: Hugh Graham

DIRECTION
Director: Vincenzo Natali
2nd Unit Directors: Oscar Fenoglio, William Phillips
1st Assistant Director: Patrick Tidy
2nd Unit 1st Assistant Director: Sarah Jarvis
2nd Assistant Director: Deborah Kiss
2nd 2nd Assistant Director: Jill Girling
3rd Assistant Director: Sarah Jarvis
Trainee Assistant Directors: Samuel Lee, Jae Pak

PHOTOGRAPHY
Director of Photography: Derek Rogers
2nd Unit Director of Photography: Scott Smith
Camera Operator: Derek Rogers
1st Assistant Camera: Andy Jekabsons
2nd Unit 1st Assistant Camera: Patrick McGowan, Mark McLean
2nd Assistant Camera: Dany Chiasson
2nd Unit 2nd Assistant Camera: Matthew Brookes, Kevin P. O'Rourke
Gaffer: Jeremy Hudspith
Electricians: Stephanie Buchman, Scott Craven, Edmond Kopp, Jim Young
Best Boy: Michael Yaremchuk
Key Grip: Kevin Richter
Grips: Sandor Ajzenstat, Don Irvine, Bryan Myatt, Craig Semenuk, Barb Sniderman
2nd Unit Grips: Brad Hopkins, Paul Howden, Todd Moore, Mark Ryan
Daily Grips: Jason Capstick, Michael Carry, Jeff Orr, Christopher J. Toudy
Best Boy Grip: Hugh Hardy
Camera Trainees: Paul Gentleman, Juliet Wintrobe
Stills: Michael Gibson
Additional Stills: Sophie Giraud
Video Colourist: Debbie Holland
Video Sync Transfers: Becky Slocombe
Colour Timer: Frank Leone
Camera Systems: Clairmont Camera Inc
Lighting Equipment: Rosco Laboratories Ltd
Grip and Lighting Equipment: P.S. Productions Services
Additional Camera and Lighting Equipment: William F. White Ltd
Laboratory: DeLuxe

EDITING AND POST-PRODUCTION
Editor: John Sanders
Associate Editor: Wiebke von Carolsfeld
Consulting Film Editor: Steve Weslak
1st Assistant Editors: Rob MacKinnon, Geoff Tunnard
2nd Assistant Editor: Mark Stokes
Apprentice Editors: Davina A. Bailey, Elizabeth E. Bailey, Jason PJ Deschamps, Chuck Kahn
Post Production Supervisor/The Door Doctor: William Phillips
Negative Cutting: Catherine Rankin Productions Ltd
Film to Video Transfer: Magnetic North Ltd
Non-Linear Editing: Motion Edit Corp

MUSIC
Music: Mark Korven

SOUND
Sound: Steve McNamee
Boom Operator: Jeff Wachsmann
2nd Boom Operators: Dana Kearns, Bryan Myatt
Mix Operators: Brad Thornton, Mark Zsifkovits
Re-Recording Mixers: Peter Kelly, Darcy Kite, Todd Warren
Dialogue Editor: Sue Conly
Assistant Dialogue Editor: Colin Woods
ADR Re-Recordist: Greg Shim
ADR Editor: John Laing
Assistant ADR Editor: Mishann Lau
Sound Effects Editors: Stephen Barden, Craig Henighan, Jill Purdy
Foley Operators: Walter J. Grabowski, Darcy Kite
Foley Recordists: Keith Elliott, Walter J. Grabowski, Darcy Kite
Foley Artists: Michelle Schubert, John Sievert, Virginia Storey
Foley Editor: Keith Elliott
Post-Production Facilities: Sound by DeLuxe

COSTUMES AND MAKE-UP
Make Up/Hair Designer: Louise Mackintosh
Make Up/Hair: Susann Greenwood
Additional Make Up/Hair: Patty White
Hair Consultant: Cheryl Ross
Costume Designer: Wendy May Moore
Wardrobe Mistress: Tamara Rigby-Funke
Wardrobe Graphic Designer: Madelaine Vieira

SPECIAL MAKE-UP EFFECTS
Special Make Up and Physical Effects: Louise Mackintosh, Russell Cate, Ray Mackintosh

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Mechanical Effects: Monica Babic, Ion Dumitrescu, JJamb, John Jackson

VISUAL EFFECTS
Visual Effects: C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures; Cine-Byte Imaging Inc
Digital Effects Producers: Lisa Bechard, Stephen Segal
Digital Effects Directors: John Mariella, Bob Munroe
Digital Effects Technician: Dennis Berardi
Digital Artists: Derek Grime, Moris Molino, Ralph Sevazlian, Brian A. Smeets, Claude Theriault, Tracey Vaz, David Willows
Digital Animator: Emily Roach, Yves Therrien
Digital Transfer: Cine-Byte Imaging Inc
Graphic Engraving: Dimensional; Boots; Roots
Optical Effects: Film Effects Inc

DESIGN AND SET CONSTRUCTION
Production Designer: Jasna Stefanovic
Art Director: Diana Magnus
Assistant Art Directors: Anastasia Masaro, Andrew Rucklidge, Greg Sigurdson
Property Master: Gene Alexander
On-Set Props: Dana Kearns, Evelyn Mitsou
Construction Head: Joe Madziak
Head Carpenter: Brian Fowler
Daily Carpenters: Luke Ballon, John Cameron, Bob Ceh, Mike Fearnall, Lino Frutti, Rod James, Brian Jones, Marty Kay, Allan MacIssac, Raoul Martinez, Jesse O'Connor, John Rice, Grant Rowland, Cathy Smith, Doug Stensrud, Susan E. Tanton, Stephen Willetts
1st Assistant Carpenter: Hubert Peddle
Scenic Painters: Cheryl Ladrillo, Susan E. Tanton
Art Department Assistants: Peter Atto, Mario D'Amaral, Darren Doyle, Jane Kim, Sue Mohatedin, Mark Newman, Jamie Williamson

OTHER CREW
Script Supervisor: Lisa Burling
Daily Script Supervisor: Patricia Joyes
Production Accountant: Nick Seary
2nd Unit Production Assistant: Liz Wolfe
Production Secretary: Linda Darras
Title Search and Clearance: Dennis Angel; Joan Pearce Research Associates
Lawyers: Doug Barret, Diana Cafazzo
Craft Service: Kevin Chassie
On-Set Craft: Lisa Jackson, Marie Vepsalainer
Key Nurse On Set: Patty White
Nurses: Michelle Howes, Kim Kurchinsky, Leonard Rose
Unit Publicist: Rob Kingston
Maths Consultant: David W. Pravica
Systems Guy: Costa Roussakis
Insurance: Thompson Thompson Entertainment Insurance Brokers
Production Auditor: KPMG
Funding: Harold Greenburg Fund
Accounting Software: Emcil Business Services Ltd
On Location Supplies: Film Inc
Catering: Amazing Foods by David's; One Hour for Lunch
Production Guarantor: The Motion Picture Bond Company Inc
Website Designers: Darkyl New Media
Legal Services: McMillan Binch

LOCATIONS
Studio: Wallace Avenue Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

STUNTS
Stunt Coordinator: John Stoneham Jr
Stunts: Regan Moore, Rebecca Stoneham

CASTING
Casting Consultant: Deirdre Bowen

CAST
Nicole de Boer (Leaven)
Nicky Guadagni (Helen Holloway)
David Hewlett (David Worth)
Andrew Miller (Kazan)
Julian Richings (Alderson)
Wayne Robson (Rennes)
Maurice Dean Wint (Quentin)

PLOT SUMMARY

Six strangers wake to find themselves trapped in a cuboid room. The only door leads to another almost identical room which in turns leads to others. The structure is rigged with lethal traps and the group have to work together to try to survive. But where are they, who has imprisoned them, and for what purpose?

Belatedly released during a summer of generally atrocious genre blockbusters (Godzilla, Armaggedon, The Avengers, Lost in Space and Deep Impact were all critically mauled and/or shunned by the public, with only The X-Files, itself a huge disappointment, scrapping through relatively unscathed), Vincenzo Natali's sublime Cube gave screen scienfe fiction the good shaking it needed. Made on a budget that would barely have animated a single scale on Godzilla's hide and set almost entirely on a single set relit to represent different rooms, Cube was a triumph of intelligence over hype, of wit over spectacle. In short it was the return of proper science fiction, aimed at adults and designed to make audience's think rather than simply react to expensive effects. Highly recommended.

Argentina
Theatrical Distributor: Primer Plano Film Group S.A.

Canada
Theatrical Distributor: Cineplex-Odeon

France
Theatrical Distributor: Metropolitan Filmexport

Germany
Theatrical Distributor: Constantin Film
DVD Distributor: MAWA Film und Medien (includes - deleted scenes; comparative and alternate storyboards; production design; schematic set design; special effects artwork; commentary)

Greece
Video Distributor: Spentzos Films

Poland
Theatrical Distributor: Tantra DMPC Ltd

Spain
Theatrical Distributor: Araba Films

UK
DVD Distributor: First Independent (VAD 10004; includes - commentary by Vincenzo Natali; production stills)

USA
Theatrical Distributor: Trimark Pictures
DVD Distributor: Trimark Home Video (VM 6914D; includes - deleted scenes; comparative and alternate storyboards; production design; schematic set design; special effects artwork; commentary)

Argentina
Rating: 13

Australia
Rating: M

Chile
Rating: 14

Finland
Rating: K-16

France
Rating: -12

Germany
Rating: 16

Mexico
Rating: B

New Zealand
Rating: M

Norway
Rating: 15

Portugal
Rating: M/12

Singapore
Rating: PG

Switzerland
Rating: 16

UK
Rating: 15

USA
Rating: R (for some strong sci-fi violence/gore and language)

1998
Catalonian International Film Festival, Sitges, Spain
Best Film (Vincenzo Natali) - winner
Best Screenplay (André Bijelic, Graeme Manson, Vincenzo Natali) - winner (tied with Gaspar Noé for Seul contre tous (1998))

1999
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films USA
Saturn Award Best Home Video Release - nominated

Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film, Belgium
Silver Raven (Vincenzo Natali) - winner

Canadian Society of Cinematographers Awards, Canada
Best Cinematography in Theatrical Feature (Derek Rogers) - winner

Fantasporto, Portugal
Audience Jury Award (Vincenzo Natali) - winner
International Fantasy Film Award Best Film (Vincenzo Natali) - winner
Best Special Effects (John Mariella, Bob Munroe) - winner

Genie Awards, Canada
Best Achievement in Art Direction/Production Design (Jasna Stefanovic) - nominated
Best Achievement in Editing (John Sanders) - nominated
Best Music Score (Mark Korven) - nominated
Best Overall Sound (Peter Kelly, Darcy Kite, Steve McNamee, Todd Warren) - nominated
Best Sound Editing (Stephen Barden, Sue Conly, Craig Henighan, John Laing, Jill Purdy, John Sievert) - nominated

Gérardmer Film Festival, France
Audience Award (Vincenzo Natali) - winner
Grand Prize (Vincenzo Natali) - winner
International Critics Award (Vincenzo Natali) - winner

Toronto International Film Festival, Canada
Best Canadian First Feature Film (Vincenzo Natali) - winner

1997
September
9: Canada - shown at the Toronto Film Festival

1998
January
16: USA - shown at the Sundance Film Festival

February
19: Germany - shown at the Berlin International Film Festival

August
17: UK - shown at the Edinburgh Film Festival

September
11: USA - theatrical release
12: Japan - theatrical release
23: Finland - shown at the Helsinki International Film Festival
25: UK - theatrical release

November
13: Spain - theatrical release
19: Norway - shown at the Oslo Film Festival

1999
January
26: USA - DVD release (Trimark Home Video (VM 6914D))

February
28: Portugal - shown at the Fantasporto Film Festival

March
4: Australia - theatrical release

April
16: Thailand - theatrical release
28: France - theatrical release

May
27: Singapore - theatrical release
28: Italy - theatrical release

July
10: New Zealand - shown at the Auckland Film Festival
23: Iceland - theatrical release

October
10: Hungary - shown at the Titanic International Filmpresence Festival
23: South Korea - theatrical release

November
11: New Zealand - theatrical release
17: Switzerland (French speaking region) - theatrical release
19: Poland - theatrical release

2000
January
17: UK - DVD release (First Independent (VAD 10004))

February
10: Argentina - theatrical release

May
19: Denmark - theatrical release

July
13: Germany - theatrical release

August
11: Finland - theatrical release

September
14: Israel, Switzerland (German speaking region) - theatrical release

October
20: Portugal - theatrical release

2001
January
25: Czech Republic - shown at the Febio Film Festival

February
8: Peru - theatrical release

March
15: Czech Republic - theatrical release

April
26: Slovakia - theatrical release

May
10: Germany - DVD release (MAWA Film und Medien)

June
7: Chile - theatrical release
29: Turkey - theatrical release

October
3: Venezuela - theatrical release

November
27: Russia - DVD release

2002
May
23: UK - television broadcast (on The Sci-Fi Channel)

June
24: USA - television broadcast (on The Sci-Fi Channel)

Fear... Paranoia... Suspicion... Desperation

Don't Look For A Reason... Look For A Way Out

The Walls Are Closing In.

El cubo - Argentinian/Mexican/Venezuelan title
Cube - Il cubo - Italian title
Cubo - Portugese title

LINKS

SEQUEL
Hypercube: Cube 2 (2002)

SEE ALSO
Resident Evil (2002)

MAGAZINES

Empire October 1998 p.40 (UK)
review (by Kim Newman)

Empire June 1999 p.143 (UK)
review (by Bob McCabe)

Empire no.160 (October 2002) p.91 (UK)
review

Film Review October 1998 p.26 (UK)
review (by Ian Calcutt)

Neon October 1998 p.86 (UK)
review

Shivers no.52 p.4 (UK)
illustrated review

Shivers no.58 pp.13, 42-43 (UK)
illustrated article

NEWSPAPERS

La Repubblica 29 May 1999 (Italy)
review (by Roberto Nepoti)

BOOKS

Flesh and Blood Book One pp.58-59
review

autism, booby traps, cubes, escape artists, mathematics, mazes, prime numbers, prisons, puzzles

Last Updated: 15 October, 2008