Atlanta Film Festival to honor filmmaker David O. Russell

David O Russell will be honored by the Atlanta Film Festival on May Photo provided by the Atlanta Film Festival The Atlanta Film Festival has added a special presentation of the David O Russell film The Fighter to its lineup and will also present the festival s Originator Award to Russell The event will take place on May and is in celebration of the th anniversary of The Fighter which won two Academy Awards for actors Christian Bale and Melissa Leo Russell will be present at the screening to accept the Originator Award According to a press release the award honors filmmakers known for creating new tactics of seeing and experiencing art In the release Atlanta Film Festival Executive Director Chris Escobar called The Fighter a powerful example of character-driven storytelling David O Russell s career is defined by bold choices unforgettable characters and a relentless pursuit of new tactics to experience art Escobar mentioned in the release He is a true Originator In addition to his work in film over the years Russell has been the subject of numerous claims including multiple where he has allegedly displayed verbally and physically abusive behavior on set Russell has denied specific of these claims while others such as a video from the set of I Heart Huckabees where he curses at actress Lily Tomlin while throwing and kicking props he has declared he regrets In that particular development Tomlin mentioned in that the situation wasn t any big deal In Russell s then -year-old niece Nicole Peloquin filed a police document alleging that Russell had sexually assaulted her while at the gym According to the summary Peloquin alleged that Russell reached under her shirt and felt her breasts Peloquin a transgender woman was on hormone medication at the time In the description Russell admitted to touching Peloquin s breasts stating that he was curious about how the hormones affected them He stated that he inquired her if she was uncomfortable multiple times and also reportedly described police Peloquin was causing drama and had become provocative and seductive since her transition Later he denied any wrongdoing in a report to the Los Angeles Times TMZ later disclosed that the Broward County Sheriff s Office closed the matter because it was an allegation of simple battery that was not witnessed by law enforcement Russell did not face criminal charges A Vulture timeline of all of the claims against Russell can be revealed here A representative for the Atlanta Film Festival did not respond to requests for further clarification about why Russell was chosen for this honor The Fighter tells the story of boxer Mickey Ward Mark Wahlberg and his half-brother Dicky Edklund Christian Bale In addition to The Fighter Russell is the director behind American Hustle Silver Linings Playbook and more He has been nominated for five Academy Awards and is the winner of four Independent Spirit Awards and two BAFTA Awards He has also been nominated for two Directors Guild of America Awards and three Writers Guild of America Awards Russell s new film Madden which stars Nicolas Cage as NFL coaching legend John Madden is set to film in Atlanta The post Atlanta Film Festival to honor filmmaker David O Russell appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta