Miramax dies

The indie studio founded in 1979 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein is closing today.

Eighty people will lose their jobs in the closing, and six movies which have wrapped will have uncertain fates. Many of the most talked about movies over the past thirty years have come from Miramax, including Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare in Love, and The Piano. In its heyday, the company produced or distributed more than seven films grossing over $100m at the box office, including its highest-grossing film, Chicago. Miramax was purchased by the Walt Disney Company in 1993, but the Weinsteins stayed on board until 2005. Disney, however, had the final say over what would be released under the Miramax name, and rejected several titles that went on to be highly successful including Fahrenheit 9/11 and Kids.

Bob and Harvey Weinstein have attempted to buy back the name of the studio they called after their parents Max and Miriam:

The Weinsteins have tried to buy the name of their former company back. Disney has not responded. But Bob Iger has made it known that he would be willing to sell Miramax outright — for about $1.5 billion.

Too rich for the Weinsteins, and probably anybody else.

Kevin Smith, who attributes his success to the company, blogged about the studio’s closure here.