Oscar winning documentary producer is at Sheffield DocFest with Chris Smith’s ‘Wham’ and Sundance hit The Deepest Breath.
Ventureland co-founder John Battsek knew the chance to tell a postive, upbeat story about the UK 1980s pop band Wham! could very well appeal to sought-after young audiences.
Wham! , directed by the US’ Chris Smith, was one of two new films with which the Oscar-winning documentary producer was at Sheffield DocFest in the UK last week. The other was Laura McGann’s Sundance hit, The Deepest Breath, about Italian freediving champion Alessia Zecchini, which was acquired by Netflix late last year.
Ventureland co-founder John Battsek knew the chance to tell a postive, upbeat story about the UK 1980s pop band Wham! could very well appeal to sought-after young audiences.
Wham! , directed by the US’ Chris Smith, was one of two new films with which the Oscar-winning documentary producer was at Sheffield DocFest in the UK last week. The other was Laura McGann’s Sundance hit, The Deepest Breath, about Italian freediving champion Alessia Zecchini, which was acquired by Netflix late last year.
- 6/19/2023
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
Wham! is a documentary about the popular pop band directed by Chris Smith that you can watch on Netflix starting July 5.
In 1982, the best of friends and still teenagers – George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley as Wham! set out to conquer the world.By June of 1986 they played their very last gig at Wembley Stadium having done exactly that. Now for the very first time, told in their own words, the amazing story of how in four years they dominated the charts around the world with timeless and classic pop songs. Hit after hit – Club Tropicana, Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, Freedom, I’m Your Man and of course Last Christmas.
Their time in the spotlight was white-hot, becoming the very first western pop act to play in China.It was a time that both encapsulated and epitomised not just their youth, but also those of the many millions of fans that adored them.
In 1982, the best of friends and still teenagers – George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley as Wham! set out to conquer the world.By June of 1986 they played their very last gig at Wembley Stadium having done exactly that. Now for the very first time, told in their own words, the amazing story of how in four years they dominated the charts around the world with timeless and classic pop songs. Hit after hit – Club Tropicana, Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, Freedom, I’m Your Man and of course Last Christmas.
Their time in the spotlight was white-hot, becoming the very first western pop act to play in China.It was a time that both encapsulated and epitomised not just their youth, but also those of the many millions of fans that adored them.
- 6/8/2023
- by Movies Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid - TV
The Amy producer discussed his upcoming Oasis documentary at an event in London.
Producer James Gay-Rees, who recently picked up an Oscar for Asif Kapadia-directed Amy, has spoken about his upcoming documentary on iconic band Oasis.
“[Liam and Noel Gallagher are] brilliant to work with, both completely insane and hysterically funny,” said Gay-Rees, speaking today at the Base [formerly Bva] Insight Forum in London.
“It’s a really interesting anatomy of how two complete chancers - in their own words - became the biggest band in the world from a standing start in just two years, despite themselves.”
The producer revealed that brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher - whom he admitted “can’t be in the same room as each other” - approached him and Asif Kapadia (who is exec producing) with the idea for the film, which Mat Whitecross (The Road To Guantanamo) will direct.
“Noel got in touch. He asked: ‘Where have all the rock and roll heroes gone? Where’s all the...
Producer James Gay-Rees, who recently picked up an Oscar for Asif Kapadia-directed Amy, has spoken about his upcoming documentary on iconic band Oasis.
“[Liam and Noel Gallagher are] brilliant to work with, both completely insane and hysterically funny,” said Gay-Rees, speaking today at the Base [formerly Bva] Insight Forum in London.
“It’s a really interesting anatomy of how two complete chancers - in their own words - became the biggest band in the world from a standing start in just two years, despite themselves.”
The producer revealed that brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher - whom he admitted “can’t be in the same room as each other” - approached him and Asif Kapadia (who is exec producing) with the idea for the film, which Mat Whitecross (The Road To Guantanamo) will direct.
“Noel got in touch. He asked: ‘Where have all the rock and roll heroes gone? Where’s all the...
- 3/17/2016
- ScreenDaily
Independent to launch sales at Afm on film about iconic UK band.
Iconic UK band Oasis are to be the subject of a new documentary produced by Amy and Senna producer James Gay Rees of On The Corner and executive-produced by Amy and Senna director Asif Kapadia.
The Road To Guantanamo director Mat Whitecross will direct the feature, which Independent will launch at Afm.
Also producing are Fiona Neilson for Mint Pictures (Spike Island) and Simon Halfon for Nemperor (Sleuth).
Financing will come from Lorton Entertainment Limited, founded by Julian Bird, while newly launched Lorton Distribution will handledistribution in the UK.
According to the production, the filmmakers have been given “unprecendented” access to the band and unseen archive footage and the film will include candid insight from the famously stormy brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher.
The film is understood to chart the journey from the moment in 1991 when Noel joined his brother Liam’s Manchester-based band. Three...
Iconic UK band Oasis are to be the subject of a new documentary produced by Amy and Senna producer James Gay Rees of On The Corner and executive-produced by Amy and Senna director Asif Kapadia.
The Road To Guantanamo director Mat Whitecross will direct the feature, which Independent will launch at Afm.
Also producing are Fiona Neilson for Mint Pictures (Spike Island) and Simon Halfon for Nemperor (Sleuth).
Financing will come from Lorton Entertainment Limited, founded by Julian Bird, while newly launched Lorton Distribution will handledistribution in the UK.
According to the production, the filmmakers have been given “unprecendented” access to the band and unseen archive footage and the film will include candid insight from the famously stormy brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher.
The film is understood to chart the journey from the moment in 1991 when Noel joined his brother Liam’s Manchester-based band. Three...
- 11/2/2015
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Before Sunset’s Julie Delpy has found her next project. Variety reports that she is directing a biopic about the Clash frontman Joe Strummer titled The Right Profile. Simon Halfon (Sleuth). Delpy may end up starring in the film as well, since she often stars in the films she directs.
An icon in the British punk movement, Strummer died a month before he and the band were to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Not much is known about the biopic, but the idea is to “focus on Strummer's life and his planned disappearance from the public spotlight in 1982.” The film is the same name as the song that appeared on the Clash's 1979 album London Calling."
I am a huge fan of the Clash so this is a movie I would like to see. Delpy is a great actress, but I have never seen anything she has directed.
An icon in the British punk movement, Strummer died a month before he and the band were to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Not much is known about the biopic, but the idea is to “focus on Strummer's life and his planned disappearance from the public spotlight in 1982.” The film is the same name as the song that appeared on the Clash's 1979 album London Calling."
I am a huge fan of the Clash so this is a movie I would like to see. Delpy is a great actress, but I have never seen anything she has directed.
- 11/22/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
Film4 is backing a biopic about The Clash frontman Joe Strummer from the team behind Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll. The project - titled Joe Public - will be steered by Simon Halfon (Sleuth) alongside Sex producer Damian Jones and screenwriter Paul Viragh, reports The Playlist. Their Ian Dury biopic earned a BAFTA nomination for star Andy Serkis earlier this year. Strummer founded punk group The Clash in 1976, notching up six studio albums and several top 20 singles including 'Tommy (more)...
- 11/16/2010
- by By Simon Reynolds
- Digital Spy
This review was written for the festival screening of "Sleuth".Venice International Film Festival
VENICE, Italy -- Kenneth Branagh's new version of the crime caper "Sleuth" looks smashing and it features several great lines by screenwriter Harold Pinter. But despite top-flight acting from Michael Caine and Jude Law, it loses its grip in the third act and let's the air out of what might have been a memorably gripping film.
The idea of Caine doing a remake of the 1972 production in which he costarred but playing the Laurence Olivier role, and Jude Law, who has already stepped into Caine's shoes in "Alfie", doing Caine's part will no doubt intrigue audiences. The quartet of big names and a tight 86-minute running time also will help, but the film's downbeat tone won't encourage huge boxoffice.
The Joseph L. Manciewicz original was a theatrical romp some 50 minutes longer than the new version and Olivier, having mocked Anthony Quayle for stooping to it onstage, hammed it up mercilessly.
Pinter's screenplay pares the plot to the bone: two men argue and subject each other to humiliating game-playing over the love of a woman. Out-of-work actor and part-time chauffeur Milo Tindle (Law) shows up at the impressive country mansion of wealthy bestselling novelist Andrew Wyke (Caine) to demand that he grant his wife a divorce.
Pinter sets the rules at the front door showing that this is an all-male affair with the two men comparing the size of their ... cars. Wyke never misses a chance to observe that Tindle is what the English call an oik, an ignorant young man of little worth, mocking everything about him including his name, parentage, accent, job, appearance, you name it. The younger man grins and explains what he and Wyke's missus like to do with each other.
Soon the author has an offer to make. He will let Tindle keep his wife if he will do him the favor of breaking into his highly stylized home and stealing some gems worth close to a million pounds. He says he doesn't want his wife back and but wishes to provide for her and needs the insurance money. Of course, there's a catch and this is merely the opening serve in what will become a three-set match.
The setting is Wyke's opulent home filled with modern art and all kinds of doors, windows, mirrors, sky-lights, ladders, stage lights, and even an elevator, that operate by remote control. He also has an elaborate security set-up with cameras that number up to the 800s.
Tim Harvey's production design captures the mood of the piece brilliantly and Branagh and cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos make the most of it. Composer Patrick Doyle's nimble score adds greatly to the film's enjoyment.
Pinter produces some cracking lines of dialogue that Caine and Jude relish to the full. He even has Law ask: What's it all about? The two actors deliver movie star performances of the highest level and their gamesmanship is hugely entertaining. Until, that is, the third set when a grimmer mood takes over along with considerable homoerotic banter that seems to have little grounding and lacks wit. "Sleuth" is the kind of film that should leave audiences with a wicked smiling shiver, but that's not the case here.
SLEUTH
Sony Pictures Classics
Produced by Timnick Films, Castle Rock Entertainment, Media Rights Capital, Riff Raff Film Prods.
Credits:
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Screenwriter: Harold Pinter, from the play by Anthony Shaffer
Producers: Kenneth Branagh, Simon Halfon, Jude Law, Simon Moseley, Marion Pilowsky, Tom Sternberg
Director of photography: Haris Zambarloukos
Production designer: Tim Harvey
Music: Patrick Doyle
Co-producer: Ben Jackson
Costume designer: Alexandra Byrne
Editor: Neil Farrell
Cast:
Milo Tindle: Jude Law
Andrew Wyke: Michael Caine
Running time -- 86 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
VENICE, Italy -- Kenneth Branagh's new version of the crime caper "Sleuth" looks smashing and it features several great lines by screenwriter Harold Pinter. But despite top-flight acting from Michael Caine and Jude Law, it loses its grip in the third act and let's the air out of what might have been a memorably gripping film.
The idea of Caine doing a remake of the 1972 production in which he costarred but playing the Laurence Olivier role, and Jude Law, who has already stepped into Caine's shoes in "Alfie", doing Caine's part will no doubt intrigue audiences. The quartet of big names and a tight 86-minute running time also will help, but the film's downbeat tone won't encourage huge boxoffice.
The Joseph L. Manciewicz original was a theatrical romp some 50 minutes longer than the new version and Olivier, having mocked Anthony Quayle for stooping to it onstage, hammed it up mercilessly.
Pinter's screenplay pares the plot to the bone: two men argue and subject each other to humiliating game-playing over the love of a woman. Out-of-work actor and part-time chauffeur Milo Tindle (Law) shows up at the impressive country mansion of wealthy bestselling novelist Andrew Wyke (Caine) to demand that he grant his wife a divorce.
Pinter sets the rules at the front door showing that this is an all-male affair with the two men comparing the size of their ... cars. Wyke never misses a chance to observe that Tindle is what the English call an oik, an ignorant young man of little worth, mocking everything about him including his name, parentage, accent, job, appearance, you name it. The younger man grins and explains what he and Wyke's missus like to do with each other.
Soon the author has an offer to make. He will let Tindle keep his wife if he will do him the favor of breaking into his highly stylized home and stealing some gems worth close to a million pounds. He says he doesn't want his wife back and but wishes to provide for her and needs the insurance money. Of course, there's a catch and this is merely the opening serve in what will become a three-set match.
The setting is Wyke's opulent home filled with modern art and all kinds of doors, windows, mirrors, sky-lights, ladders, stage lights, and even an elevator, that operate by remote control. He also has an elaborate security set-up with cameras that number up to the 800s.
Tim Harvey's production design captures the mood of the piece brilliantly and Branagh and cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos make the most of it. Composer Patrick Doyle's nimble score adds greatly to the film's enjoyment.
Pinter produces some cracking lines of dialogue that Caine and Jude relish to the full. He even has Law ask: What's it all about? The two actors deliver movie star performances of the highest level and their gamesmanship is hugely entertaining. Until, that is, the third set when a grimmer mood takes over along with considerable homoerotic banter that seems to have little grounding and lacks wit. "Sleuth" is the kind of film that should leave audiences with a wicked smiling shiver, but that's not the case here.
SLEUTH
Sony Pictures Classics
Produced by Timnick Films, Castle Rock Entertainment, Media Rights Capital, Riff Raff Film Prods.
Credits:
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Screenwriter: Harold Pinter, from the play by Anthony Shaffer
Producers: Kenneth Branagh, Simon Halfon, Jude Law, Simon Moseley, Marion Pilowsky, Tom Sternberg
Director of photography: Haris Zambarloukos
Production designer: Tim Harvey
Music: Patrick Doyle
Co-producer: Ben Jackson
Costume designer: Alexandra Byrne
Editor: Neil Farrell
Cast:
Milo Tindle: Jude Law
Andrew Wyke: Michael Caine
Running time -- 86 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 8/31/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Venice International Film Festival
VENICE, Italy -- Kenneth Branagh's new version of the crime caper Sleuth looks smashing and it features several great lines by screenwriter Harold Pinter. But despite top-flight acting from Michael Caine and Jude Law, it loses its grip in the third act and let's the air out of what might have been a memorably gripping film.
The idea of Caine doing a remake of the 1972 production in which he costarred but playing the Laurence Olivier role, and Jude Law, who has already stepped into Caine's shoes in Alfie, doing Caine's part will no doubt intrigue audiences. The quartet of big names and a tight 86-minute running time also will help, but the film's downbeat tone won't encourage huge boxoffice.
The Joseph L. Manciewicz original was a theatrical romp some 50 minutes longer than the new version and Olivier, having mocked Anthony Quayle for stooping to it onstage, hammed it up mercilessly.
Pinter's screenplay pares the plot to the bone: two men argue and subject each other to humiliating game-playing over the love of a woman. Out-of-work actor and part-time chauffeur Milo Tindle (Law) shows up at the impressive country mansion of wealthy bestselling novelist Andrew Wyke (Caine) to demand that he grant his wife a divorce.
Pinter sets the rules at the front door showing that this is an all-male affair with the two men comparing the size of their ... cars. Wyke never misses a chance to observe that Tindle is what the English call an oik, an ignorant young man of little worth, mocking everything about him including his name, parentage, accent, job, appearance, you name it. The younger man grins and explains what he and Wyke's missus like to do with each other.
Soon the author has an offer to make. He will let Tindle keep his wife if he will do him the favor of breaking into his highly stylized home and stealing some gems worth close to a million pounds. He says he doesn't want his wife back and but wishes to provide for her and needs the insurance money. Of course, there's a catch and this is merely the opening serve in what will become a three-set match.
The setting is Wyke's opulent home filled with modern art and all kinds of doors, windows, mirrors, sky-lights, ladders, stage lights, and even an elevator, that operate by remote control. He also has an elaborate security set-up with cameras that number up to the 800s.
Tim Harvey's production design captures the mood of the piece brilliantly and Branagh and cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos make the most of it. Composer Patrick Doyle's nimble score adds greatly to the film's enjoyment.
Pinter produces some cracking lines of dialogue that Caine and Jude relish to the full. He even has Law ask: What's it all about? The two actors deliver movie star performances of the highest level and their gamesmanship is hugely entertaining. Until, that is, the third set when a grimmer mood takes over along with considerable homoerotic banter that seems to have little grounding and lacks wit. Sleuth is the kind of film that should leave audiences with a wicked smiling shiver, but that's not the case here.
SLEUTH
Sony Pictures Classics
Produced by Timnick Films, Castle Rock Entertainment, Media Rights Capital, Riff Raff Film Prods.
Credits:
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Screenwriter: Harold Pinter, from the play by Anthony Shaffer
Producers: Kenneth Branagh, Simon Halfon, Jude Law, Simon Moseley, Marion Pilowsky, Tom Sternberg
Director of photography: Haris Zambarloukos
Production designer: Tim Harvey
Music: Patrick Doyle
Co-producer: Ben Jackson
Costume designer: Alexandra Byrne
Editor: Neil Farrell
Cast:
Milo Tindle: Jude Law
Andrew Wyke: Michael Caine
Running time -- 86 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
VENICE, Italy -- Kenneth Branagh's new version of the crime caper Sleuth looks smashing and it features several great lines by screenwriter Harold Pinter. But despite top-flight acting from Michael Caine and Jude Law, it loses its grip in the third act and let's the air out of what might have been a memorably gripping film.
The idea of Caine doing a remake of the 1972 production in which he costarred but playing the Laurence Olivier role, and Jude Law, who has already stepped into Caine's shoes in Alfie, doing Caine's part will no doubt intrigue audiences. The quartet of big names and a tight 86-minute running time also will help, but the film's downbeat tone won't encourage huge boxoffice.
The Joseph L. Manciewicz original was a theatrical romp some 50 minutes longer than the new version and Olivier, having mocked Anthony Quayle for stooping to it onstage, hammed it up mercilessly.
Pinter's screenplay pares the plot to the bone: two men argue and subject each other to humiliating game-playing over the love of a woman. Out-of-work actor and part-time chauffeur Milo Tindle (Law) shows up at the impressive country mansion of wealthy bestselling novelist Andrew Wyke (Caine) to demand that he grant his wife a divorce.
Pinter sets the rules at the front door showing that this is an all-male affair with the two men comparing the size of their ... cars. Wyke never misses a chance to observe that Tindle is what the English call an oik, an ignorant young man of little worth, mocking everything about him including his name, parentage, accent, job, appearance, you name it. The younger man grins and explains what he and Wyke's missus like to do with each other.
Soon the author has an offer to make. He will let Tindle keep his wife if he will do him the favor of breaking into his highly stylized home and stealing some gems worth close to a million pounds. He says he doesn't want his wife back and but wishes to provide for her and needs the insurance money. Of course, there's a catch and this is merely the opening serve in what will become a three-set match.
The setting is Wyke's opulent home filled with modern art and all kinds of doors, windows, mirrors, sky-lights, ladders, stage lights, and even an elevator, that operate by remote control. He also has an elaborate security set-up with cameras that number up to the 800s.
Tim Harvey's production design captures the mood of the piece brilliantly and Branagh and cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos make the most of it. Composer Patrick Doyle's nimble score adds greatly to the film's enjoyment.
Pinter produces some cracking lines of dialogue that Caine and Jude relish to the full. He even has Law ask: What's it all about? The two actors deliver movie star performances of the highest level and their gamesmanship is hugely entertaining. Until, that is, the third set when a grimmer mood takes over along with considerable homoerotic banter that seems to have little grounding and lacks wit. Sleuth is the kind of film that should leave audiences with a wicked smiling shiver, but that's not the case here.
SLEUTH
Sony Pictures Classics
Produced by Timnick Films, Castle Rock Entertainment, Media Rights Capital, Riff Raff Film Prods.
Credits:
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Screenwriter: Harold Pinter, from the play by Anthony Shaffer
Producers: Kenneth Branagh, Simon Halfon, Jude Law, Simon Moseley, Marion Pilowsky, Tom Sternberg
Director of photography: Haris Zambarloukos
Production designer: Tim Harvey
Music: Patrick Doyle
Co-producer: Ben Jackson
Costume designer: Alexandra Byrne
Editor: Neil Farrell
Cast:
Milo Tindle: Jude Law
Andrew Wyke: Michael Caine
Running time -- 86 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 8/31/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- Paramount Pictures International has picked up U.K., Australia, New Zealand and South African distribution rights to Kenneth Branagh's update of Sleuth, starring Jude Law and Michael Caine.
Based on Anthony Shaffer's Tony award-winning play -- which was made into a 1972 film starring Caine and Lawrence Olivier -- the updated version has been scripted by Harold Pinter. It is the Nobel Laureate's first screenplay in a decade.
Sleuth tells the story of an out-of-work actor who becomes embroiled in an affair with the wife of a wealthy writer, who in turn is having an affair with a much younger woman.
The film is produced by Jude Law, Kenneth Branagh, Simon Halfon, Simon Moseley and Marion Pilowsky.
"We are delighted to be distributing 'Sleuth' in the English-language markets," said Andrew Cripps, president of Paramount Pictures International.
Based on Anthony Shaffer's Tony award-winning play -- which was made into a 1972 film starring Caine and Lawrence Olivier -- the updated version has been scripted by Harold Pinter. It is the Nobel Laureate's first screenplay in a decade.
Sleuth tells the story of an out-of-work actor who becomes embroiled in an affair with the wife of a wealthy writer, who in turn is having an affair with a much younger woman.
The film is produced by Jude Law, Kenneth Branagh, Simon Halfon, Simon Moseley and Marion Pilowsky.
"We are delighted to be distributing 'Sleuth' in the English-language markets," said Andrew Cripps, president of Paramount Pictures International.
- 3/27/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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