# Gran Torino

> 2009 film by Clint Eastwood

**Wikidata**: [Q126699](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126699)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gran_Torino)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gran-torino

## Summary
Gran Torino is a 2009 American drama film directed by Clint Eastwood, who also stars in the lead role. The film explores themes of cultural conflict, redemption, and intergenerational relationships in a Detroit neighborhood. It was produced by Warner Bros. Entertainment, Village Roadshow Pictures, and Malpaso Productions.

## Key Facts
- **Release Dates**: Premiered in the U.S. on December 12, 2008; released in France on March 5, 2009; in Japan on April 16, 2009; and in Germany on January 9, 2009.
- **Director/Star**: Clint Eastwood, who also co-produced and composed the score.
- **Production Companies**: Warner Bros. Entertainment, Village Roadshow Pictures, and Malpaso Productions.
- **Genres**: Drama, crime film.
- **Awards**: Recipient of the César Award for Best Foreign Film (2010) and recognized by the National Board of Review as one of the Top Ten Films of 2008.
- **Box Office**: Grossed over $269 million worldwide.
- **Runtime**: 116 minutes.
- **Languages**: English, Hmong.
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Featured in 56 language editions.
- **IMDb ID**: tt1205489.
- **Ratings**: 7.1/10 on IMDb, 73/100 on Metacritic, 81% on Rotten Tomatoes.
- **Music**: Original score composed by Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens, and Jamie Muhoberac.
- **Cast**: Includes Christopher Carley, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, and John Carroll Lynch.

## FAQs
**What is the central plot of Gran Torino?**  
The film revolves around Walt Kowalski, a widowed Korean War veteran, who confronts his prejudices when a Hmong family moves into his Detroit neighborhood, leading to an unlikely bond with teenager Thao Vang Lor.

**Who produced and distributed Gran Torino?**  
Produced by Warner Bros. Entertainment, Village Roadshow Pictures, and Malpaso Productions, with worldwide distribution by Warner Bros. Pictures.

**What critical and commercial success did Gran Torino achieve?**  
The film grossed over $269 million globally, received a 7.1/10 IMDb rating, and was named one of the Top Ten Films of 2008 by the National Board of Review. It also won the 2010 César Award for Best Foreign Film.

**How does Gran Torino address cultural themes?**  
It explores cultural clashes and reconciliation between the protagonist’s traditional American values and the Hmong immigrant community, highlighting themes of respect, sacrifice, and redemption.

**What roles did Clint Eastwood play in the film’s creation?**  
Eastwood directed, starred in, co-produced, and contributed to the film’s score, marking a significant creative undertaking in his career.

## Why It Matters
Gran Torino stands out for its nuanced portrayal of cultural tensions and redemption in a multicultural American setting. It revitalized Clint Eastwood’s acting career and demonstrated his versatility as a filmmaker. The film’s commercial success and critical acclaim underscore its resonance with audiences, addressing universal themes of family, honor, and bridging divides. Its exploration of the Hmong-American experience added depth to mainstream cinema, fostering dialogue about immigrant communities.

## Notable For
- **Cultural Bridge**: Depicts the Hmong-American experience, a rarely highlighted community in mainstream film.
- **Eastwood’s Triple Role**: Directed by, starring, and scored by Clint Eastwood, showcasing his multifaceted talent.
- **Awards and Recognition**: Winner of the César Award for Best Foreign Film and a National Board of Review Top Ten pick.
- **Box Office Success**: Grossed over $269 million worldwide on a $25 million budget.
- **Thematic Depth**: Explores themes of prejudice, redemption, and intergenerational bonds with gritty realism.

## Body

### Production and Release
Gran Torino was produced by Warner Bros. Entertainment, Village Roadshow Pictures, and Malpaso Productions. Filming took place in Detroit, Michigan, emphasizing the city’s cultural and economic landscape. The film premiered in the U.S. on December 12, 2008, with international releases following in 2009, including France (March 5), Japan (April 16), and Germany (January 9).

### Cast and Crew
Clint Eastwood starred as Walt Kowalski, a role that earned him critical acclaim. The supporting cast included Christopher Carley, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, and John Carroll Lynch. Eastwood also directed, co-produced, and contributed to the original score alongside Kyle Eastwood and Michael Stevens.

### Themes and Reception
The film tackles cultural conflict, redemption, and family dynamics, set against the backdrop of Detroit’s multicultural neighborhoods. Critics praised Eastwood’s performance and the film’s emotional depth, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting an 81% approval rating. It grossed over $269 million worldwide, far exceeding its $25 million production budget.

### Awards and Legacy
Gran Torino received the 2010 César Award for Best Foreign Film and was named one of the National Board of Review’s Top Ten Films of 2008. Its portrayal of the Hmong community sparked discussions about representation in media, contributing to its lasting cultural impact. The film remains a notable entry in Eastwood’s filmography, highlighting his ability to address complex social issues through storytelling.

### Technical Specifications
- **Runtime**: 116 minutes.
- **Languages**: Primarily English, with significant Hmong dialogue.
- **Rating**: Rated R for violence and language.
- **Music**: The original score, featuring a mix of orchestral and folk elements, was composed by Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens, and Jamie Muhoberac.

### Cultural Impact
Gran Torino brought attention to the Hmong-American community, offering a rare mainstream cinematic portrayal. It also revitalized Clint Eastwood’s acting career, demonstrating his range as both an actor and filmmaker. The film’s exploration of prejudice and redemption continues to resonate with audiences, making it a staple in discussions about multiculturalism in American cinema.

### Connected Entities
- **Warner Bros. Entertainment**: Distributor and co-producer.
- **Village Roadshow Pictures**: Co-producer.
- **Malpaso Productions**: Clint Eastwood’s production company, involved in the film’s creation.
- **César Award**: Recognized the film as Best Foreign Film in 2010.
- **National Board of Review**: Included the film in its 2008 Top Ten list.

### Historical Context
Released during the late 2000s, Gran Torino reflected contemporary discussions about immigration and cultural identity in the United States. Its setting in Detroit underscored themes of urban decay and resilience, relevant to the era’s economic challenges.

### Global Reception
The film performed well internationally, grossing millions in countries like France, Japan, and Germany. Its universal themes of family and redemption transcended cultural boundaries, contributing to its global appeal.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1205489/)
2. [Source](https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film539054.html)
3. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/gran-torino)
4. [Source](http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/gran-torino-film)
5. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=135063.html)
6. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/12/movies/12tori.html)
7. [Source](http://www.filmstarts.de/kritiken/99782-Gran-Torino.html)
8. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/gran-torino)
9. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1205489/fullcredits)
10. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
11. The Movie Database
12. Gran Torino. Rotten Tomatoes
13. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1205489/releaseinfo)
14. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/158984/2009_filmbemutatok_osszes.xls)
15. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1205489/releaseinfo)
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. [Cancer on the big screen. How and when movies deal with oncological diseases]
18. Google Knowledge Graph
19. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1205489/)
20. Kinopoisk
21. [Source](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/gran-torino-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zoda4odc)
22. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/gran-torino/)
23. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
24. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
25. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2021&s_month=11&e_year=2021&e_month=11&pageID=2)
26. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/122646)
27. Cineplex
28. Online-Filmdatenbank
29. [Source](http://portal.mj.gov.br/ClassificacaoIndicativa/jsps/DadosObraForm.do?select_action=&tbobra_codigo=34013)
30. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
31. [Source](https://infoicaa.mecd.es/CatalogoICAA/Peliculas/GetPdf?Pelicula=159308)
32. Bechdel Test Movie List
33. mymovies.it
34. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/7BF5-9DA3-DBD1-0985-3571-E)
35. Danish Film Database
36. TheTVDB
37. Trakt.tv
38. FilmVandaag.nl