Q&A: James Schamus

In an age when the specialty business is under full-fledged attack, with major labels being killed by their corporate parents, Focus Features stands firm. Not only has its CEO James Schamus greenlighted some of the best films in recent history, from "Milk" to "Brokeback Mountain," but he has managed the Universal Pictures division to profitability at the same time. A writer-producer whose collaboration with Ang Lee has led to films like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Lust, Caution," he also is a professor and scholar who has published a well-regarded book on the Danish director Carl Theodor Dreyer. For his work as an executive, artist and his ongoing commitment to specialty film, The Hollywood Reporter has named him its Indie Icon of the Year. He recently spoke with THR's Matthew Belloni and Stephen Galloway.