A trio of international co-productions from South Asia that are participating at the Venice Production Bridge’s gap-financing market are exploring burning topics from the region.
From Nepal, Abinash Bikram Shah, whose short “Lori” (2022) won a special mention at Cannes and who previously co-wrote Venice winner “The Black Hen” (2015), is prepping his feature directorial debut “Elephants in the Fog.” Set in a small Nepalese village nestled in the heart of a forest populated by wild elephants, the film follows Pirati, the matriarch of a community of transgender women. She aspires to a normal life with Master, the man she loves. But when one of her wards disappears, she must choose between love and responsibility to her community.
The film is produced by Anup Poudel for Underground Talkies Nepal. It is co-produced by Justin Pechberty and Damien Megherbi for France’s Les Valseurs (Venice 2023 title “Heartless”) and Michael Henrichs for Germany...
From Nepal, Abinash Bikram Shah, whose short “Lori” (2022) won a special mention at Cannes and who previously co-wrote Venice winner “The Black Hen” (2015), is prepping his feature directorial debut “Elephants in the Fog.” Set in a small Nepalese village nestled in the heart of a forest populated by wild elephants, the film follows Pirati, the matriarch of a community of transgender women. She aspires to a normal life with Master, the man she loves. But when one of her wards disappears, she must choose between love and responsibility to her community.
The film is produced by Anup Poudel for Underground Talkies Nepal. It is co-produced by Justin Pechberty and Damien Megherbi for France’s Les Valseurs (Venice 2023 title “Heartless”) and Michael Henrichs for Germany...
- 8/31/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
While some international film and TV production professionals are simply relieved that they were able to return to filming this year, in spite of the pandemic, many are looking ahead to see what can be improved in the sector.
This positive mindset has been adopted by the folks behind Focus, the international production show that runs Dec. 15-17 online from London. The sixth edition of the conference and exhibition event — which is free to attend and has Variety as its media partner — will look at enhancements that can be made in the production arena, running under the banner Future Proofing the Screen Industries.
Also being presented is Variety Streaming Room: The Big Restart, the latest in its series of online panel discussions. Leading producers from France and Poland will be taking part in the two sessions, which will both air Dec. 9, discussing the opportunities that exist for international filmmakers in their countries.
This positive mindset has been adopted by the folks behind Focus, the international production show that runs Dec. 15-17 online from London. The sixth edition of the conference and exhibition event — which is free to attend and has Variety as its media partner — will look at enhancements that can be made in the production arena, running under the banner Future Proofing the Screen Industries.
Also being presented is Variety Streaming Room: The Big Restart, the latest in its series of online panel discussions. Leading producers from France and Poland will be taking part in the two sessions, which will both air Dec. 9, discussing the opportunities that exist for international filmmakers in their countries.
- 12/7/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Feature debutant Rezwan Shahriar Sumit’s “The Salt in Our Waters,” bows Nov. 29 at the Singapore International Film Festival’s Asian Visions strand after successful festival screenings at London, Busan and Torino.
The project was supported by the Spike Lee Fellowship, which offered the film’s preliminary writing grants, France’s Cnc aide aux cinemas du monde, the Torino Film Lab’s audience design fund, and Bangladesh’s national film grant.
The film follows a city-raised sculptor who visits a remote fishing island on the Bangladeshi Delta, and finds himself centerstage in a primal, elemental conflict between land and sea, man and nature, past and future.
Shot on location on Bangladesh’s Patuakhali shore, 11 hours by road from the capital, Dhaka, the film stems from Sumit’s memories of visiting the region in 2008 during the devastating Cyclone Sidr.
“Those memories stayed with me for a long time,” Sumit told Variety.
The project was supported by the Spike Lee Fellowship, which offered the film’s preliminary writing grants, France’s Cnc aide aux cinemas du monde, the Torino Film Lab’s audience design fund, and Bangladesh’s national film grant.
The film follows a city-raised sculptor who visits a remote fishing island on the Bangladeshi Delta, and finds himself centerstage in a primal, elemental conflict between land and sea, man and nature, past and future.
Shot on location on Bangladesh’s Patuakhali shore, 11 hours by road from the capital, Dhaka, the film stems from Sumit’s memories of visiting the region in 2008 during the devastating Cyclone Sidr.
“Those memories stayed with me for a long time,” Sumit told Variety.
- 11/28/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Film Republic, a London-based specialist sales agent, has acquired the international rights to feature debutant Rezwan Shahriar Sumit’s “The Salt in Our Waters.”
The film had its world premiere at the British Film Institute London Film Festival earlier this month, followed by its Asian premiere at the Busan Film Festival.
“The Salt in Our Waters” tells the story of an artist who leaves the bustling Bangladesh capital Dhaka to relocate to a coastal village on the Bangladeshi delta for inspiration. Welcomed by the local fishermen, the artist’s modern ideas and sculptures enchant the local chairman and the children, but not all welcome his modern approach with such open arms. Against the backdrops of environment change and the rising tide, some villagers accuse him and his works of having provoked disastrous weather patterns.
The cast includes Fazlur Rahman Babu, Shatabdi Wadud, Titas Zia, Tasnova Tamanna and Ashok Bepari. The...
The film had its world premiere at the British Film Institute London Film Festival earlier this month, followed by its Asian premiere at the Busan Film Festival.
“The Salt in Our Waters” tells the story of an artist who leaves the bustling Bangladesh capital Dhaka to relocate to a coastal village on the Bangladeshi delta for inspiration. Welcomed by the local fishermen, the artist’s modern ideas and sculptures enchant the local chairman and the children, but not all welcome his modern approach with such open arms. Against the backdrops of environment change and the rising tide, some villagers accuse him and his works of having provoked disastrous weather patterns.
The cast includes Fazlur Rahman Babu, Shatabdi Wadud, Titas Zia, Tasnova Tamanna and Ashok Bepari. The...
- 10/30/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Magnolia Pictures has acquired the North American rights to Cunningham Alla Kovgan’s documentary about Merce Cunningham, one of the world’s most influential and groundbreaking choreographers. The film immerses viewers in the choreographer’s world and will be released in both 2D and 3D later this year. Dogwoof will release in the UK, Sophie Dulac Distribution in France, and Camino Films in Germany.
Cunningham follows Merce’s artistic evolution over three decades of risk and discovery (1944–1972). It will trace his career from his early years as a struggling dancer in postwar New York to his emergence as one of the world’s most visionary choreographers. The 3D technology weaves together Merce’s philosophies and stories, creating a journey into his innovative work. The film will be a tribute to one of the world’s greatest modern dance artists with never-before-seen material and promises a breathtaking experience of dance.
“3D...
Cunningham follows Merce’s artistic evolution over three decades of risk and discovery (1944–1972). It will trace his career from his early years as a struggling dancer in postwar New York to his emergence as one of the world’s most visionary choreographers. The 3D technology weaves together Merce’s philosophies and stories, creating a journey into his innovative work. The film will be a tribute to one of the world’s greatest modern dance artists with never-before-seen material and promises a breathtaking experience of dance.
“3D...
- 4/16/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
The 3D immersive film is set for release later this year, the centenary of Merce Cunningham’s birth.
Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to Cunningham, the 3D documentary about choreographer Merce Cunningham.
Magnolia plans to release the film, directed by Alla Kovgan, in both 2D and 3D formats in the Us later this year, the centenary of Cunningham’s birth.
Dogwoof, which took on worldwide sales of the immersive dance documentary last autumn, is set to release in the UK and the film has been pre-sold to Sophie Dulac Distribution for France and Camino Films for Germany.
Cunningham...
Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to Cunningham, the 3D documentary about choreographer Merce Cunningham.
Magnolia plans to release the film, directed by Alla Kovgan, in both 2D and 3D formats in the Us later this year, the centenary of Cunningham’s birth.
Dogwoof, which took on worldwide sales of the immersive dance documentary last autumn, is set to release in the UK and the film has been pre-sold to Sophie Dulac Distribution for France and Camino Films for Germany.
Cunningham...
- 4/16/2019
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Dogwoof has acquired world sales rights to 3D documentary “Cunningham,” the U.K.-based documentary specialist has revealed to Variety. Dogwoof, which is also set to distribute the feature in the U.K. and Ireland, will present a first-look teaser from the film to international buyers at the upcoming American Film Market.
“Cunningham,” which is currently in production, tells the story of legendary American choreographer Merce Cunningham. It is set to see its U.K. release through Dogwoof, as well as releases in pre-sold markets France and Germany via Sophie Dulac and Camino Films respectively, in Spring 2019 to coincide with the centenary of the choreographer’s birth.
Filming in 3D, the documentary, which is described as a “breath-taking explosion of dance and music,” is directed by Alla Kovgan and edited by Andrew Bird. It traces Cunningham’s artistic evolution over three decades of risk and discovery from his early years...
“Cunningham,” which is currently in production, tells the story of legendary American choreographer Merce Cunningham. It is set to see its U.K. release through Dogwoof, as well as releases in pre-sold markets France and Germany via Sophie Dulac and Camino Films respectively, in Spring 2019 to coincide with the centenary of the choreographer’s birth.
Filming in 3D, the documentary, which is described as a “breath-taking explosion of dance and music,” is directed by Alla Kovgan and edited by Andrew Bird. It traces Cunningham’s artistic evolution over three decades of risk and discovery from his early years...
- 10/15/2018
- by Robert Mitchell
- Variety Film + TV
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all rights in North America to Stanley Tucci’s latest directorial outing, “Final Portrait,” from Riverstone Pictures. The film had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival earlier this year in an out of competition gala screening.
Written and directed by Tucci, the film stars Geoffrey Rush, Armie Hammer, Clémence Poésy, Tony Shalhoub and Sylvie Testud and is produced by Gail Egan, Nik Bower and Ilann Girard and executive produced by Deepak Nayar, Fred Hogge and Ted Blumberg.
Read More: ‘Final Portrait’ Review: Armie Hammer and Geoffrey Rush Star in Stanley Tucci’s Engaging Biopic — Berlinale 2017
The historical feature is billed as “the story of the touching and offbeat friendship between American writer and art-lover James Lord and Alberto Giacometti, as seen through Lord’s eyes and revealing unique insight into the beauty, frustration, profundity and sometimes the chaos of the artistic process.
Written and directed by Tucci, the film stars Geoffrey Rush, Armie Hammer, Clémence Poésy, Tony Shalhoub and Sylvie Testud and is produced by Gail Egan, Nik Bower and Ilann Girard and executive produced by Deepak Nayar, Fred Hogge and Ted Blumberg.
Read More: ‘Final Portrait’ Review: Armie Hammer and Geoffrey Rush Star in Stanley Tucci’s Engaging Biopic — Berlinale 2017
The historical feature is billed as “the story of the touching and offbeat friendship between American writer and art-lover James Lord and Alberto Giacometti, as seen through Lord’s eyes and revealing unique insight into the beauty, frustration, profundity and sometimes the chaos of the artistic process.
- 5/17/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Film premiered out of competition in Berlin. HanWay handles international sales.
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North American rights to Stanley Tucci’s Final Portrait
The Riverstone Pictures film premiered out of competition in Berlin and tells the story of an offbeat friendship between American writer and art-lover James Lord and Alberto Giacometti.
The story takes place in 1964 as Lord is asked by Giacometti to sit for a portrait while on a short trip to Paris.
Tucci wrote and directed Final Portrait, which stars Geoffrey Rush, Armie Hammer, Clémence Poésy, Tony Shalhoub and Sylvie Testud.
Gail Egan, Nik Bower and Ilann Girard produced and executive producers are Deepak Nayar, Fred Hogge and Ted Blumberg.
“Giacometti’s work and life and Lord’s poignant memoir have fascinated me for years,” Tucci said. “To finally bring my adaptation to the screen with this extraordinary cast and crew has been indeed a pleasure and to have Sony Classics distributing is a great...
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North American rights to Stanley Tucci’s Final Portrait
The Riverstone Pictures film premiered out of competition in Berlin and tells the story of an offbeat friendship between American writer and art-lover James Lord and Alberto Giacometti.
The story takes place in 1964 as Lord is asked by Giacometti to sit for a portrait while on a short trip to Paris.
Tucci wrote and directed Final Portrait, which stars Geoffrey Rush, Armie Hammer, Clémence Poésy, Tony Shalhoub and Sylvie Testud.
Gail Egan, Nik Bower and Ilann Girard produced and executive producers are Deepak Nayar, Fred Hogge and Ted Blumberg.
“Giacometti’s work and life and Lord’s poignant memoir have fascinated me for years,” Tucci said. “To finally bring my adaptation to the screen with this extraordinary cast and crew has been indeed a pleasure and to have Sony Classics distributing is a great...
- 5/17/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Vertigo acquires project starring Geoffrey Rush, Armie Hammer and Clémence Poésy.
Vertigo Releasing has acquired Final Portrait, a biopic of Alberto Giacometti directed by Stanley Tucci, for the UK and Ireland.
Geoffrey Rush plays the Swiss painter and sculptor with Armie Hammer and Clémence Poésy co-starring.
Adapted from U.S. writer James Lord’s memoir A Giacometti Portrait, the film offers a window into the chaotic life of the artist in 1960s Paris.
Ed Caffrey from Vertigo Releasing and Nicole Mackey of Hanway Films struck the deal.
The film, a labour of love for Beauty And The Beast and Hunger Games star Tucci, premiered at this year’s Berlin Film Festival.
Vertigo are planning a summer 2017 release to coincide with Tate Modern’s Giacometti retrospective and are exploring opportunities to cross promote.
Gail Egan produces for Potboiler alongside Nik Bower for Riverstone Pictures and Ilann Girard for Arsam International. Riverstone Pictures fully financed...
Vertigo Releasing has acquired Final Portrait, a biopic of Alberto Giacometti directed by Stanley Tucci, for the UK and Ireland.
Geoffrey Rush plays the Swiss painter and sculptor with Armie Hammer and Clémence Poésy co-starring.
Adapted from U.S. writer James Lord’s memoir A Giacometti Portrait, the film offers a window into the chaotic life of the artist in 1960s Paris.
Ed Caffrey from Vertigo Releasing and Nicole Mackey of Hanway Films struck the deal.
The film, a labour of love for Beauty And The Beast and Hunger Games star Tucci, premiered at this year’s Berlin Film Festival.
Vertigo are planning a summer 2017 release to coincide with Tate Modern’s Giacometti retrospective and are exploring opportunities to cross promote.
Gail Egan produces for Potboiler alongside Nik Bower for Riverstone Pictures and Ilann Girard for Arsam International. Riverstone Pictures fully financed...
- 4/28/2017
- by orlando.parfitt@screendaily.com (Orlando Parfitt)
- ScreenDaily
Speaking at the European Film Awards, UK director calls for “collective voice” among European industry.
Veteran UK filmmaker Ken Loach delivered an impassioned keynote on the subject of European solidarity and Brexit after the European Film Academy’s general assembly on Saturday morning (10 Dec) in Wroclaw.
Voicing similar sentiments to those expressed during a speech given before the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education in October, Loach asked: ¨Is it true that the European Union doesn’t stand for the interests of the people, but for the interests of big corporations, that it has been a central contributing factor to the British leaving and to the problems we see around us…or is [the EU] a benign organisation which will work for the benefit of the people - or is it working against the interests of the people?¨
The two-time Palme d’Or winner argued that it was “not enough” for European filmmakers to make ¨humane, thoughtful...
Veteran UK filmmaker Ken Loach delivered an impassioned keynote on the subject of European solidarity and Brexit after the European Film Academy’s general assembly on Saturday morning (10 Dec) in Wroclaw.
Voicing similar sentiments to those expressed during a speech given before the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education in October, Loach asked: ¨Is it true that the European Union doesn’t stand for the interests of the people, but for the interests of big corporations, that it has been a central contributing factor to the British leaving and to the problems we see around us…or is [the EU] a benign organisation which will work for the benefit of the people - or is it working against the interests of the people?¨
The two-time Palme d’Or winner argued that it was “not enough” for European filmmakers to make ¨humane, thoughtful...
- 12/10/2016
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Eurimages’s Roberto Olla revealed the news during a Tiff panel.
Canada is expected to become the first country outside of the European continent to join the Eurimages Fund (the Council of Europe’s Cinema Support Fund).
The announcement was made by Eurimages executive director Roberto Olla during the Toronto International Film Festival industry panel Evolving Borders: Co-Productions & Europe at the Toronto Film Festival.
Following a lengthy discussion process, the application was made in Berlin earlier this year, and is now in its final phase. Member states of the fund must next unanimously accept the decision by the end of this year.
Canada would be the 38th country to join the European Cinema Support Fund, which would allow them to act as lead producer as opposed to third party producers.
As lead producer, the country would have more reciprocal opportunities, including European productions shooting in Canada and Canadian stories extending outward to Europe.
“27 years ago [before...
Canada is expected to become the first country outside of the European continent to join the Eurimages Fund (the Council of Europe’s Cinema Support Fund).
The announcement was made by Eurimages executive director Roberto Olla during the Toronto International Film Festival industry panel Evolving Borders: Co-Productions & Europe at the Toronto Film Festival.
Following a lengthy discussion process, the application was made in Berlin earlier this year, and is now in its final phase. Member states of the fund must next unanimously accept the decision by the end of this year.
Canada would be the 38th country to join the European Cinema Support Fund, which would allow them to act as lead producer as opposed to third party producers.
As lead producer, the country would have more reciprocal opportunities, including European productions shooting in Canada and Canadian stories extending outward to Europe.
“27 years ago [before...
- 9/10/2016
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
Alumni on film and TV programme include producers of The Lunchbox, Bullhead and The Book Of Negroes.
Film and TV drama co-production training programme Trans Atlantic Partners (Tap) has revelaed its 2016 line-up of 25 producers from across Europe, Canada, and the USA as well as India and South Africa.
Experts taking part in the scheme include producer René Bastian (Cold In July), Matthias Nitschke, senior vice president of business & legal affairs, Studiocanal, Germany, and producer Ilann Girard (Lebanon).
Tap provides case studies of successful trans-Atlantic projects, market intelligence, legal framework and information on sales and distribution. The programme is directed at producers at career mid-level who have produced at least one feature film or TV series.
The two training modules take place in Munich (June 24 – 29) and Halifax, Canada (September 12– 18) where Tap producers will also participate in the Atlantic Film Festival’s Strategic Partners international co-production market.
Previous alumni of the scheme include Guneet Monga (The Lunchbox), [link...
Film and TV drama co-production training programme Trans Atlantic Partners (Tap) has revelaed its 2016 line-up of 25 producers from across Europe, Canada, and the USA as well as India and South Africa.
Experts taking part in the scheme include producer René Bastian (Cold In July), Matthias Nitschke, senior vice president of business & legal affairs, Studiocanal, Germany, and producer Ilann Girard (Lebanon).
Tap provides case studies of successful trans-Atlantic projects, market intelligence, legal framework and information on sales and distribution. The programme is directed at producers at career mid-level who have produced at least one feature film or TV series.
The two training modules take place in Munich (June 24 – 29) and Halifax, Canada (September 12– 18) where Tap producers will also participate in the Atlantic Film Festival’s Strategic Partners international co-production market.
Previous alumni of the scheme include Guneet Monga (The Lunchbox), [link...
- 6/22/2016
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Armie Hammer and Geoffrey Rush are set to star in Stanley Tucci's nee drama "Final Portrait" for Riverstone Pictures. Shooting begins later this month.
The story focuses on the end of Swiss painter and surreal sculpturist Alberto Giacometti's life. At the time Lord, a young American writer, was studying him as the artist painted Lord's picture in 1964.
Giacometti died two years later in Switzerland. Tucci directs from his own script, based on James Lord's book "A Giacometti Portrait". Gail Egan, Nik Bower and Ilann Girard will produce.
Source: Variety...
The story focuses on the end of Swiss painter and surreal sculpturist Alberto Giacometti's life. At the time Lord, a young American writer, was studying him as the artist painted Lord's picture in 1964.
Giacometti died two years later in Switzerland. Tucci directs from his own script, based on James Lord's book "A Giacometti Portrait". Gail Egan, Nik Bower and Ilann Girard will produce.
Source: Variety...
- 2/2/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Geoffrey Rush and Armie Hammer star in the true story of Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti.
London-based Riverstone Pictures has closed financing on Stanley Tucci’s Final Portratit, with principal photography set to commence this month in London.
Telling the story of real-life Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti, the film is an adaptation of Us critic James Lord’s biography and will star Geoffrey Rush (Shine) in the lead role alongside Armie Hammer.
The project was originally launched during last year’s European Film Market.
Gail Egan produces for Potboiler alongside Ilann Girard for Arsam International and Nik Bower for Riverstone Pictures; the latter fully-financed the project.
Riverstone Pictures co-founder Deepak Nayar is executive producer and the film is produced in association with Olive Productions and Lowsun Productions.
Founded in 2014, Riverstone Pictures, which is backed by Reliance Entertainment and Ingenious Media, also has the Jamie Foxx and Michelle Monaghan-starring Sleepless Night and the Nicole Kidman and Jude Law-starring...
London-based Riverstone Pictures has closed financing on Stanley Tucci’s Final Portratit, with principal photography set to commence this month in London.
Telling the story of real-life Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti, the film is an adaptation of Us critic James Lord’s biography and will star Geoffrey Rush (Shine) in the lead role alongside Armie Hammer.
The project was originally launched during last year’s European Film Market.
Gail Egan produces for Potboiler alongside Ilann Girard for Arsam International and Nik Bower for Riverstone Pictures; the latter fully-financed the project.
Riverstone Pictures co-founder Deepak Nayar is executive producer and the film is produced in association with Olive Productions and Lowsun Productions.
Founded in 2014, Riverstone Pictures, which is backed by Reliance Entertainment and Ingenious Media, also has the Jamie Foxx and Michelle Monaghan-starring Sleepless Night and the Nicole Kidman and Jude Law-starring...
- 2/1/2016
- ScreenDaily
Riverstone Pictures has closed financing on Stanley Tucci’s Final Portrait. Written and directed by Tucci, the film stars Geoffrey Rush and Armie Hammer and focuses on a period towards the end of the life of artist Giacometti. The film is set to begin principal photography this month. Gail Egan, Nik Bower and Ilann Girard will produce the film, with Riverstone Pictures' Deepak Nayar set to executive produce. International Sales are through HanWay Films, with CAA handling the U.S. Riverstone Pictures founder Nik Bower said: “We are incredibly proud to be embarking on this exceptional feature and look forward to helping Stanley
read more...
read more...
- 2/1/2016
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Bureau producer/founder to discuss 45 Years and more.
Bertrand Faivre, producer and founder of The Bureau and Le Bureau, is to deliver this year’s keynote address at the Film London Production Finance Market (Pfm) on Oct 13.
Opening the ninth Pfm, Faivre will offer more than 200 delegates and industry guests an insight into working as a producer and heading up a London-Paris production company, which has also diversified into international sales.
Faivre will discuss highlights from a career which has involved discovering emerging talent, producing acclaimed auteur films and building cross-territory financing as well as library assets.
He will also discuss how The Bureau empowers the creative talent of its producers, as successfully demonstrated by Tristan Goligher’s latest production, 45 Years, directed by Andrew Haigh.
Taking place over two days (oct 13-14) in association with the 59th BFI London Film Festival, this year’s Pfm will see 58 producers and 58 financiers from 25 different countries conduct more than...
Bertrand Faivre, producer and founder of The Bureau and Le Bureau, is to deliver this year’s keynote address at the Film London Production Finance Market (Pfm) on Oct 13.
Opening the ninth Pfm, Faivre will offer more than 200 delegates and industry guests an insight into working as a producer and heading up a London-Paris production company, which has also diversified into international sales.
Faivre will discuss highlights from a career which has involved discovering emerging talent, producing acclaimed auteur films and building cross-territory financing as well as library assets.
He will also discuss how The Bureau empowers the creative talent of its producers, as successfully demonstrated by Tristan Goligher’s latest production, 45 Years, directed by Andrew Haigh.
Taking place over two days (oct 13-14) in association with the 59th BFI London Film Festival, this year’s Pfm will see 58 producers and 58 financiers from 25 different countries conduct more than...
- 10/8/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Armie Hammer is the latest cast member to be added to Final Portrait, the upcoming biopic from Stanley Tucci in his first major feature as director since 2007’s Blind Date. The Lone Ranger star with join Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush, who will take the lead as Swiss painter and sculptor Alberto Giacometti. Tucci is working from his own script based on the novel A Giacometti Portrait by the artist’s friend, the American critic James Lord, who in 1960s Paris sat down for 18 days, studying Giacometti as he painted his picture using oils. Gail Egan, Potboiler Productions, Ilann Girard, Fred
read more...
read more...
- 5/14/2015
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Double Dutch International president Jason Morning announced on Wednesday (February 4) the company will kick off pre-sales in Berlin on the heist film.
Michael Wenning will commence shooting in spring in Berlin on the tale of a mysterious person who hires a team of glamourous thieves to steal the most valuable stamp in the world. Amr Waked, Sönke Möhring and Anika Noni Rose star.
Ilann Girard produces and Nick Cannon from America’s Got Talent will serve as executive producer with D Street Picture’s Dexter Davis.
“The Blue Mauritius has all the making of a classic heist film with a modern edge,” said Moring. “We’re excited to introduce this truly international film to buyer’s in Berlin, a city with its own rich history that will set the tone and act as the backdrop for this sexy thriller.”...
Michael Wenning will commence shooting in spring in Berlin on the tale of a mysterious person who hires a team of glamourous thieves to steal the most valuable stamp in the world. Amr Waked, Sönke Möhring and Anika Noni Rose star.
Ilann Girard produces and Nick Cannon from America’s Got Talent will serve as executive producer with D Street Picture’s Dexter Davis.
“The Blue Mauritius has all the making of a classic heist film with a modern edge,” said Moring. “We’re excited to introduce this truly international film to buyer’s in Berlin, a city with its own rich history that will set the tone and act as the backdrop for this sexy thriller.”...
- 2/4/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
HanWay to launch project in Berlin.
Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush (Shine) is to star as artist Alberto Giacometti in Stanley Tucci-directed drama Final Portrait, which HanWay will launch this week at Berlin’s European Film Market (Efm) (Feb 5-13).
CAA represents Us rights.
The film will recount Giacometti’s life as told by his old friend and Us art critic, James Lord as he sits to have his portrait painted. The film is based on Lord’s book about Giacometti.
Gail Egan’s Potboiler will produce with Ilann Girard, Fred Hogg and Olive Productions. Additional casting is underway.
The Hunger Games star Tucci has written and will direct.
Tucci said: “I am thrilled to bring this story of Giacometti and his dear friend James Lord to the screen based on one of the great books of our time.
“I cannot imagine anyone better to play the extraordinary artist than the extraordinary Geoffrey Rush.”
Mr. Turner exec Egan...
Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush (Shine) is to star as artist Alberto Giacometti in Stanley Tucci-directed drama Final Portrait, which HanWay will launch this week at Berlin’s European Film Market (Efm) (Feb 5-13).
CAA represents Us rights.
The film will recount Giacometti’s life as told by his old friend and Us art critic, James Lord as he sits to have his portrait painted. The film is based on Lord’s book about Giacometti.
Gail Egan’s Potboiler will produce with Ilann Girard, Fred Hogg and Olive Productions. Additional casting is underway.
The Hunger Games star Tucci has written and will direct.
Tucci said: “I am thrilled to bring this story of Giacometti and his dear friend James Lord to the screen based on one of the great books of our time.
“I cannot imagine anyone better to play the extraordinary artist than the extraordinary Geoffrey Rush.”
Mr. Turner exec Egan...
- 2/2/2015
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
French producer Ilann Girard, boss of Arsam International and exec producer on March of the Penguins, has revealed further details of his new CineMart project Cunningham.
The 3D documentary, inspired by the life and work of legendary Us dancer and choreographer Merce Cunningham, has been scripted and is being directed by Alla Kovgan.
The film will follow Cunningham from his early days as a struggling dancer in New York to his eventual emergence as one of the most influential choreographers of the Twentieth Century.
“It is one of those very ambitious projects about modern artists that has a lot of technology,” Girard said of a film that, inevitably, has been compared to Wim Wenders’ 3D Pina Bausch film, Pina (2011).
The project has already secured support from the Cnc in France and from the Rockefeller Foundation. Around a third of the €3.4m budget will come from the Us but Girard is in Rotterdam looking for European partners as well...
The 3D documentary, inspired by the life and work of legendary Us dancer and choreographer Merce Cunningham, has been scripted and is being directed by Alla Kovgan.
The film will follow Cunningham from his early days as a struggling dancer in New York to his eventual emergence as one of the most influential choreographers of the Twentieth Century.
“It is one of those very ambitious projects about modern artists that has a lot of technology,” Girard said of a film that, inevitably, has been compared to Wim Wenders’ 3D Pina Bausch film, Pina (2011).
The project has already secured support from the Cnc in France and from the Rockefeller Foundation. Around a third of the €3.4m budget will come from the Us but Girard is in Rotterdam looking for European partners as well...
- 1/25/2015
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
Six women have been elected onto the board of the European Film Academy (Efa).
Each board member is elected for a two-year term, with eight of the board up for re-election this time. Re-elected were two female members, Dagmar Jacobsen and Rebecca O’Brien. The six new board members are:
Tilde Corsi, Italy, producerIra von Gienanth, Germany, producer/distributorAngeles Gonzáles-Sinde, Spain, screenwriterVanessa Henneman, Netherlands, talent agentAgnès Jaoui, France, director/screenwriter/actressEwa Puszczynska, Poland, producer
They replace Adriana Chiesa di Palma (Italy), Stephan Hutter (Germany), Cedomir Kolar (France), Goran Paskaljevic (Serbia), Antonio Perez Perez (Spain) and Jani Thiltges (Luxembourg).
Efa Board
Chairwoman:
Agnieszka Holland, Poland, director
Deputy Chairmen:
Mike Downey, UK, producer
Antonio Saura, Spain, producer
Board Members:
Roberto Cicutto, Italy, producer
Tilde Corsi, Italy, producer
Helena Danielsson, Sweden, producer
Ira von Gienanth, Germany, producer/distributor
Ilann Girard, France, producer
Angeles Gonzáles-Sinde, Spain, screenwriter
Vanessa Henneman, Netherlands, talent agent
Dagmar Jacobsen, Germany, producer...
Each board member is elected for a two-year term, with eight of the board up for re-election this time. Re-elected were two female members, Dagmar Jacobsen and Rebecca O’Brien. The six new board members are:
Tilde Corsi, Italy, producerIra von Gienanth, Germany, producer/distributorAngeles Gonzáles-Sinde, Spain, screenwriterVanessa Henneman, Netherlands, talent agentAgnès Jaoui, France, director/screenwriter/actressEwa Puszczynska, Poland, producer
They replace Adriana Chiesa di Palma (Italy), Stephan Hutter (Germany), Cedomir Kolar (France), Goran Paskaljevic (Serbia), Antonio Perez Perez (Spain) and Jani Thiltges (Luxembourg).
Efa Board
Chairwoman:
Agnieszka Holland, Poland, director
Deputy Chairmen:
Mike Downey, UK, producer
Antonio Saura, Spain, producer
Board Members:
Roberto Cicutto, Italy, producer
Tilde Corsi, Italy, producer
Helena Danielsson, Sweden, producer
Ira von Gienanth, Germany, producer/distributor
Ilann Girard, France, producer
Angeles Gonzáles-Sinde, Spain, screenwriter
Vanessa Henneman, Netherlands, talent agent
Dagmar Jacobsen, Germany, producer...
- 1/12/2015
- ScreenDaily
Yann Demange’s thriller among five debut films nominated for European Discovery 2014.
The European Film Academy has revealed the nominees for the European Discovery 2014 - Prix Fipresci, an award presented annually as part of the European Film Awards to a young and upcoming director for a first full-length feature film.
This year’s nominations were determined by a committee comprised of Efa Board Members Ilann Girard (France) and Dagmar Jacobsen (Germany), Efa Members Paul Negoescu (Romania) and José Luis Cienfuegos (Spain), as well as Krzysztof Kwiatkowski (Poland), Marco Spagnoli (Italy) and Neil Young (UK) as representatives of Fipresci, the International Federation of Film Critics.
The nominated films are are:
10,000 Km
Spain
Directed By: Carlos Marques-Marcet
Written By: Carlos Marques-Marcet & Clara Roquet
Produced By: Tono Folguera, Sergi Moreno, Jana Díaz Juhl, Danielle Schleif & Pau Brunet
‘71
UK
Directed By: Yann Demange
Written By: Gregory Burke
Produced By: Angus Lamont, Robin Gutch
Party Girl
France
Written & Directed By: Marie Amachoukeli, [link...
The European Film Academy has revealed the nominees for the European Discovery 2014 - Prix Fipresci, an award presented annually as part of the European Film Awards to a young and upcoming director for a first full-length feature film.
This year’s nominations were determined by a committee comprised of Efa Board Members Ilann Girard (France) and Dagmar Jacobsen (Germany), Efa Members Paul Negoescu (Romania) and José Luis Cienfuegos (Spain), as well as Krzysztof Kwiatkowski (Poland), Marco Spagnoli (Italy) and Neil Young (UK) as representatives of Fipresci, the International Federation of Film Critics.
The nominated films are are:
10,000 Km
Spain
Directed By: Carlos Marques-Marcet
Written By: Carlos Marques-Marcet & Clara Roquet
Produced By: Tono Folguera, Sergi Moreno, Jana Díaz Juhl, Danielle Schleif & Pau Brunet
‘71
UK
Directed By: Yann Demange
Written By: Gregory Burke
Produced By: Angus Lamont, Robin Gutch
Party Girl
France
Written & Directed By: Marie Amachoukeli, [link...
- 10/13/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Winning film-makers are Ram Nehari, Nir Bergman and Elad Keidan.
Ram Nehari’s [pictured] “eccentric” romantic comedy Nils, a youthful tale about a gifted, mentally ill classical musician, Nir Bergman’s drama Saving Neta and Elad Keidan’s Our Economic Situation have won the top prizes at the Jerusalem Film Festival’s Pitch Point event.
The event aimed at connecting Israeli feature projects with international producers unfolded on the fringes of the festival on Monday and Tuesday.
Nehari’s Nils clinched the €7,000 Cnc Award sponsored by France’s National Cinema Centre (Cnc). Produced by Yifat Prestelnik, the film revolves around romance between two young patients of a mental hospital who escape together.
Director Nehari, who has made several successful romantic comedy series for Israeli television, said the work was inspired by his work mentoring and directing short films by mentally ill people. He said the key characters would be “chemically and emotionally unbalanced.”
“They don’t undergo...
Ram Nehari’s [pictured] “eccentric” romantic comedy Nils, a youthful tale about a gifted, mentally ill classical musician, Nir Bergman’s drama Saving Neta and Elad Keidan’s Our Economic Situation have won the top prizes at the Jerusalem Film Festival’s Pitch Point event.
The event aimed at connecting Israeli feature projects with international producers unfolded on the fringes of the festival on Monday and Tuesday.
Nehari’s Nils clinched the €7,000 Cnc Award sponsored by France’s National Cinema Centre (Cnc). Produced by Yifat Prestelnik, the film revolves around romance between two young patients of a mental hospital who escape together.
Director Nehari, who has made several successful romantic comedy series for Israeli television, said the work was inspired by his work mentoring and directing short films by mentally ill people. He said the key characters would be “chemically and emotionally unbalanced.”
“They don’t undergo...
- 7/16/2014
- ScreenDaily
Online Film Financing
Going to Cannes? As registrants of the market, every year we receive many booklets that are useful throughout the year. For many years we have been receiving the Funds Book which lists useful figures and statistics as compiled by the European Audiovisual Observatory, an arm of the Council of Europe ( www.obs.coe.int) . Now the information is available in an online interactive format most useful to producers. The Online Film Financing Project (Olffi Project http://www.olffi.com/) is…
A Unique web-based tool that …
§ Assesses the level of eligibility of a project for specific support programs from complex international film funding opportunities
§ Simulates the number of points in various cultural tests
§ Combines different elements of a production set-up in order to match targeted eligibility criteria
§ Compares the level of eligibility for different financing programs
Launched…
It is extremely useful and helpful to have a quick view of the world’s financing mechanisms and to know they will be updated. Not only are its country overviews, but interactive comparisons between countries is unique.
Here is an example, in this case, a comparison between the national funds of Argentina and Brazil:
Funding Body
Incaa
Audiovisual Sector Fund (Fsa)
Country
Argentina
Brazil
Level
National
National
Support Programme
Ar - Fund for Cinematographic Production
Br - Prodecine (Fsa)
Activity
Production
Production
Annual Budget
Value
45 500 000 €
99 999 999.99 €
Info
annual budget Brl 400 000 000,00
Project Types
Feature Films
Feature Films, TV series, TV single work
Nature Of Project
Fiction, Animation, Documentary
Fiction, Animation, Documentary
Maximum Amount
General
500 000 €, Majority Coproduction : 324 000 €, Minority Coproduction : 300 000 €, Maximum Amount 500 000€ / Majority Coproduction 324 000€ / On average 75% of maximum amount, depending on Argentinian quote share and considering only Argentinian film costs.
Fiction
530 000 €
1 500 000 €
Animation
530 000 €
3.300 euros/minute
Documentary
530 000 €
333 000 €
Average Amount
General Fiction
350 000 €
Animation
415 000 €
Documentary
165 000 €
250 000 €
Cap Per Project
of total production budget
33%
80%
of Coproduction share Info
From 20% to 80% depending on % of Brazilian share
Nature Of Funding
Selective
Selective
Info
Type Of Funding
Not Recoupable
Recoupable, Profit Share
Recoupement Position
Not Applicable
Recoupment in first position / Proportional to the investment in production budget/ Limited to 80% of Brazilian producer profits, until minimum return of the investment (between 10% and 30%)
Info
Who Can Apply
National Production Company, Service Company
National Production Company
Info
The Producer must be registered in the Incaa National Register of Producers
Brazilian independent companies only.
Main Eligibility Requirements
Has Cultural Test
No
No
Other Requirements
At least 80% of the financing must be confirmed / Financial coproduction only with Spain / For non official coproductions, min. of 20% of national share
Brazilian share at least 20% of the budget / For coproductions, application made by the Brazilian coproducer / Min. 2 actors per country / 2/3 of the artistic team from Brazil / If foreign director, must be Brazilian resident for at least 3 years (except for countries with coproduction treaties with Brazil).
Info
Spending Obligations
In the country
No
No
In the region
No
No
How much ? Info Others Obligations
Main Selection Criteria
Script, budget, financing plan, cast and crew, distribution
Quality of the project, financial aspects, artistic and technical team from Brazil
Payment Schedule
Beginning of Pp
No
No
During production
No
No
After Completion
No
No
End of Fiscal year
No
No
Comments
When To Apply
Number of sessions per year Application Dates
2014/02/17
All year round
Yes
Info
Certification Process
Certification Process
Inscription, evaluation, pitching and investment decision
Prior Shooting
No
No
At any time
No
No
After completion
No
No
Number Of Project Financed Per Year
National/Majority Coproductions
110
80
Minority Coproductions / Year
20
5
Founded by
Joëlle Levie served as General Director of the Bureau du Québec de Téléfilm (Canada) and later held the same position for the Société de Développement des Entreprises Culturelles (Sodec). After returning to Europe, she took over the Tax Shelter division of the Ing bank in Belgium. Today, she works as an audiovisual consultant for various organizations (Ace, Eave, ScriptEast, Fémis, Esra Focal…) and is President of the film selection committee of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in Belgium.
François Farrugia is the founder and CEO of Moviesoft, a leading European software reseller for film production that provides scriptwriting, production scheduling and film budgeting software. MovieSoft.com serves nearly 10,000 clients in Europe.
Ilann Girard , General Counsel of Pandora Cinema for 12 years, created Arsam in 2002 to advise audiovisual producers on the development and financing of their projects. He is also an active film producer, serving as executive producer on The March of the Penguins and Plastic Planet and as producer on Goodbye Bafana, Lebanon, and Ombline. He has won two Oscars, Berlinale Cinema for Peace prize, the Golden Lion in Venice and two European Film Awards.
They have this to say:
About Us
It’s hard to get funding for your film. You’ve checked out your local film commission, raised a few bucks through crowdfunding, schmoozed with your uncle’s rich friend, and promised Pepsi you’ll include their drink in every shot. But you still don’t have enough. What do you do?
Olffi.com is our answer to the ever-growing difficulty of finding public funding for film and audiovisual projects. Discover new fundsyou never knew existed. Find out which countries give you the best cash rebates. Get in touch with local producers to partner with. Verify if you’re eligible for a grant. And make a real difference to your film budget.
Our goal in creating Olffi was to make finding public funding easy for you. We bring you information that’s complete and reliable, updated every day and validated by the funds themselves before it goes on the site.
New grants, increased budgets, new coproduction treaties: we keep up to date on all the changes in the world of public film funding, so that you don’t have to.
Questions? Write to us at contact [At] olffi.com or go online for a week’s free trial! Definitely endorsed by SydneysBuzz!
Going to Cannes? As registrants of the market, every year we receive many booklets that are useful throughout the year. For many years we have been receiving the Funds Book which lists useful figures and statistics as compiled by the European Audiovisual Observatory, an arm of the Council of Europe ( www.obs.coe.int) . Now the information is available in an online interactive format most useful to producers. The Online Film Financing Project (Olffi Project http://www.olffi.com/) is…
A Unique web-based tool that …
§ Assesses the level of eligibility of a project for specific support programs from complex international film funding opportunities
§ Simulates the number of points in various cultural tests
§ Combines different elements of a production set-up in order to match targeted eligibility criteria
§ Compares the level of eligibility for different financing programs
Launched…
It is extremely useful and helpful to have a quick view of the world’s financing mechanisms and to know they will be updated. Not only are its country overviews, but interactive comparisons between countries is unique.
Here is an example, in this case, a comparison between the national funds of Argentina and Brazil:
Funding Body
Incaa
Audiovisual Sector Fund (Fsa)
Country
Argentina
Brazil
Level
National
National
Support Programme
Ar - Fund for Cinematographic Production
Br - Prodecine (Fsa)
Activity
Production
Production
Annual Budget
Value
45 500 000 €
99 999 999.99 €
Info
annual budget Brl 400 000 000,00
Project Types
Feature Films
Feature Films, TV series, TV single work
Nature Of Project
Fiction, Animation, Documentary
Fiction, Animation, Documentary
Maximum Amount
General
500 000 €, Majority Coproduction : 324 000 €, Minority Coproduction : 300 000 €, Maximum Amount 500 000€ / Majority Coproduction 324 000€ / On average 75% of maximum amount, depending on Argentinian quote share and considering only Argentinian film costs.
Fiction
530 000 €
1 500 000 €
Animation
530 000 €
3.300 euros/minute
Documentary
530 000 €
333 000 €
Average Amount
General Fiction
350 000 €
Animation
415 000 €
Documentary
165 000 €
250 000 €
Cap Per Project
of total production budget
33%
80%
of Coproduction share Info
From 20% to 80% depending on % of Brazilian share
Nature Of Funding
Selective
Selective
Info
Type Of Funding
Not Recoupable
Recoupable, Profit Share
Recoupement Position
Not Applicable
Recoupment in first position / Proportional to the investment in production budget/ Limited to 80% of Brazilian producer profits, until minimum return of the investment (between 10% and 30%)
Info
Who Can Apply
National Production Company, Service Company
National Production Company
Info
The Producer must be registered in the Incaa National Register of Producers
Brazilian independent companies only.
Main Eligibility Requirements
Has Cultural Test
No
No
Other Requirements
At least 80% of the financing must be confirmed / Financial coproduction only with Spain / For non official coproductions, min. of 20% of national share
Brazilian share at least 20% of the budget / For coproductions, application made by the Brazilian coproducer / Min. 2 actors per country / 2/3 of the artistic team from Brazil / If foreign director, must be Brazilian resident for at least 3 years (except for countries with coproduction treaties with Brazil).
Info
Spending Obligations
In the country
No
No
In the region
No
No
How much ? Info Others Obligations
Main Selection Criteria
Script, budget, financing plan, cast and crew, distribution
Quality of the project, financial aspects, artistic and technical team from Brazil
Payment Schedule
Beginning of Pp
No
No
During production
No
No
After Completion
No
No
End of Fiscal year
No
No
Comments
When To Apply
Number of sessions per year Application Dates
2014/02/17
All year round
Yes
Info
Certification Process
Certification Process
Inscription, evaluation, pitching and investment decision
Prior Shooting
No
No
At any time
No
No
After completion
No
No
Number Of Project Financed Per Year
National/Majority Coproductions
110
80
Minority Coproductions / Year
20
5
Founded by
Joëlle Levie served as General Director of the Bureau du Québec de Téléfilm (Canada) and later held the same position for the Société de Développement des Entreprises Culturelles (Sodec). After returning to Europe, she took over the Tax Shelter division of the Ing bank in Belgium. Today, she works as an audiovisual consultant for various organizations (Ace, Eave, ScriptEast, Fémis, Esra Focal…) and is President of the film selection committee of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in Belgium.
François Farrugia is the founder and CEO of Moviesoft, a leading European software reseller for film production that provides scriptwriting, production scheduling and film budgeting software. MovieSoft.com serves nearly 10,000 clients in Europe.
Ilann Girard , General Counsel of Pandora Cinema for 12 years, created Arsam in 2002 to advise audiovisual producers on the development and financing of their projects. He is also an active film producer, serving as executive producer on The March of the Penguins and Plastic Planet and as producer on Goodbye Bafana, Lebanon, and Ombline. He has won two Oscars, Berlinale Cinema for Peace prize, the Golden Lion in Venice and two European Film Awards.
They have this to say:
About Us
It’s hard to get funding for your film. You’ve checked out your local film commission, raised a few bucks through crowdfunding, schmoozed with your uncle’s rich friend, and promised Pepsi you’ll include their drink in every shot. But you still don’t have enough. What do you do?
Olffi.com is our answer to the ever-growing difficulty of finding public funding for film and audiovisual projects. Discover new fundsyou never knew existed. Find out which countries give you the best cash rebates. Get in touch with local producers to partner with. Verify if you’re eligible for a grant. And make a real difference to your film budget.
Our goal in creating Olffi was to make finding public funding easy for you. We bring you information that’s complete and reliable, updated every day and validated by the funds themselves before it goes on the site.
New grants, increased budgets, new coproduction treaties: we keep up to date on all the changes in the world of public film funding, so that you don’t have to.
Questions? Write to us at contact [At] olffi.com or go online for a week’s free trial! Definitely endorsed by SydneysBuzz!
- 5/18/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
A “mental Iron Curtain” has formed between Western and Eastern Europe, according to Polish film director Agnieszka Holland.
In a keynote speech delivered at the From Media to Creative Europe summit in Warsaw, Holland said: “Paradoxically, when Europe was divided, the mutual curiosity and the knowledge of our cultures was much bigger.
“It was then when we could talk genuinely about a European cinema and its wide distribution both in cinemas and on television.
“Today, more than in the times of the Cold War, we are dealing now with a mental - and not a political - Iron Curtain.
“During the last 20 years, one could very distinctly observe the paradox: the more Europe has been working economically and politically, the more its cultural bonds, mutual curiosity and the knowledge that comes from this, mutual concerns about problems, lives and preferences has dissipated.”
Holland expressed concern that more energy was being expended by European film-makers on budgetary issues...
In a keynote speech delivered at the From Media to Creative Europe summit in Warsaw, Holland said: “Paradoxically, when Europe was divided, the mutual curiosity and the knowledge of our cultures was much bigger.
“It was then when we could talk genuinely about a European cinema and its wide distribution both in cinemas and on television.
“Today, more than in the times of the Cold War, we are dealing now with a mental - and not a political - Iron Curtain.
“During the last 20 years, one could very distinctly observe the paradox: the more Europe has been working economically and politically, the more its cultural bonds, mutual curiosity and the knowledge that comes from this, mutual concerns about problems, lives and preferences has dissipated.”
Holland expressed concern that more energy was being expended by European film-makers on budgetary issues...
- 12/13/2013
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
A “mental Iron Curtain” has formed between Western and Eastern Europe, according to Polish film director Agnieszka Holland.
In a keynote speech delivered at the From Media to Creative Europe summit in Warsaw, Holland said: “Paradoxically, when Europe was divided, the mutual curiosity and the knowledge of our cultures was much bigger.
“It was then when we could talk genuinely about a European cinema and its wide distribution both in cinemas and on television.
“Today, more than in the times of the Cold War, we are dealing now with a mental - and not a political - Iron Curtain.
“During the last 20 years, one could very distinctly observe the paradox: the more Europe has been working economically and politically, the more its cultural bonds, mutual curiosity and the knowledge that comes from this, mutual concerns about problems, lives and preferences has dissipated.”
Holland expressed concern that more energy was being expended by European film-makers on budgetary issues...
In a keynote speech delivered at the From Media to Creative Europe summit in Warsaw, Holland said: “Paradoxically, when Europe was divided, the mutual curiosity and the knowledge of our cultures was much bigger.
“It was then when we could talk genuinely about a European cinema and its wide distribution both in cinemas and on television.
“Today, more than in the times of the Cold War, we are dealing now with a mental - and not a political - Iron Curtain.
“During the last 20 years, one could very distinctly observe the paradox: the more Europe has been working economically and politically, the more its cultural bonds, mutual curiosity and the knowledge that comes from this, mutual concerns about problems, lives and preferences has dissipated.”
Holland expressed concern that more energy was being expended by European film-makers on budgetary issues...
- 12/13/2013
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Other winners included Love Is All You Need, The Act of Killing, The Congress and The Broken Circle Breakdown.
Paolo Sorrentino’s The Great Beauty was the big winner at the 26th European Film Awards in Berlin, picking up four of the silver statuettes for European Film, European Director, European Actor for Toni Servillo, and European Editor for Cristiano Travaglioli.
The Great Beauty is Italy’s Oscar entry this year and had won the EurAsia Grand Prix at Tallinn’s Black Nights Film Festival a matter of days before the awards ceremony in Berlin.
Sorrentino could not personally accept the two awards as he is serving on the jury at the Marrakech Film festival, but producer Nicola Giuliano brought members of the cast and crew on stage to receive the audience’s applause.
Veteran Italian composer Ennio Morricone received the European Composer statuette for his score of Giuseppe Tornatore’s The Best Offer and was given a standing...
Paolo Sorrentino’s The Great Beauty was the big winner at the 26th European Film Awards in Berlin, picking up four of the silver statuettes for European Film, European Director, European Actor for Toni Servillo, and European Editor for Cristiano Travaglioli.
The Great Beauty is Italy’s Oscar entry this year and had won the EurAsia Grand Prix at Tallinn’s Black Nights Film Festival a matter of days before the awards ceremony in Berlin.
Sorrentino could not personally accept the two awards as he is serving on the jury at the Marrakech Film festival, but producer Nicola Giuliano brought members of the cast and crew on stage to receive the audience’s applause.
Veteran Italian composer Ennio Morricone received the European Composer statuette for his score of Giuseppe Tornatore’s The Best Offer and was given a standing...
- 12/8/2013
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Ccfl also unveils development scheme for low Budget VFX and 3D films.
The Cross Channel Film Lab (Ccfl) has revealed its selection of four low to medium budget feature film projects, all utilising visual effects and/or Stereo 3D in “brave, original and imaginative ways”, to participate in the Lab’s year-long workshop programme in 2014.
The Lab offers filmmakers an opportunity to develop their screenplays and production strategies within an applied research platform dedicated to Stereo 3D, visual effects and CGI.
The four projects selected to participate in 2014 are:
Dome (France - VFX), writer-director Luis Briceno, producer Jérémy Rochigneux;
La Fille de l’Estuaire (UK - Stereo 3D), writer-director Gaëlle Denis, producer Ohna Falby;
The Incredible Voyage of Dullwich-on-Sea (UK - VFX), director Jamie Stone, writer Joe Barton, producer Sophie Vickers;
Tro Fanch (France - Stereo 3D), writer-director Gill Taws.
Writer-director-producer teams will work with experts from the UK and France, combining story and...
The Cross Channel Film Lab (Ccfl) has revealed its selection of four low to medium budget feature film projects, all utilising visual effects and/or Stereo 3D in “brave, original and imaginative ways”, to participate in the Lab’s year-long workshop programme in 2014.
The Lab offers filmmakers an opportunity to develop their screenplays and production strategies within an applied research platform dedicated to Stereo 3D, visual effects and CGI.
The four projects selected to participate in 2014 are:
Dome (France - VFX), writer-director Luis Briceno, producer Jérémy Rochigneux;
La Fille de l’Estuaire (UK - Stereo 3D), writer-director Gaëlle Denis, producer Ohna Falby;
The Incredible Voyage of Dullwich-on-Sea (UK - VFX), director Jamie Stone, writer Joe Barton, producer Sophie Vickers;
Tro Fanch (France - Stereo 3D), writer-director Gill Taws.
Writer-director-producer teams will work with experts from the UK and France, combining story and...
- 12/3/2013
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Roskino’s second Doors International Travelling Film Market (Sept 25-29) welcomed a slew of new international buyers.
Doors was held as part of the St Petersburg-based Message To Man International Film Festival.
Of deals in play, the UK’s Stealth Media Group is in talks for a package of Doors titles including Betrayal (Izmena), Break Loose (Vosmerka), Kicking Off (Okolofutbola), The Major (Mayor) [pictured], Metro and Thirst (Zhazhda). Mitch Mallon of Us VOD distributor Rlj is in talks for a Us VOD deal for Metro and a Russian catalogue of films, and Brazil’s Habanero is considering several titles for Latin American distribution, including The Major for Mexican distribution. Also, Digital Media Rights is launching its second year of partnerships with Roskino, Hulu and Amazon to promote Russian films digitially. Deals are expected to be confirmed by Afm.
The 27 executives and companies who attended included Jiten Hemdev from India’s Star Entertainment, Michael Cowan of the...
Doors was held as part of the St Petersburg-based Message To Man International Film Festival.
Of deals in play, the UK’s Stealth Media Group is in talks for a package of Doors titles including Betrayal (Izmena), Break Loose (Vosmerka), Kicking Off (Okolofutbola), The Major (Mayor) [pictured], Metro and Thirst (Zhazhda). Mitch Mallon of Us VOD distributor Rlj is in talks for a Us VOD deal for Metro and a Russian catalogue of films, and Brazil’s Habanero is considering several titles for Latin American distribution, including The Major for Mexican distribution. Also, Digital Media Rights is launching its second year of partnerships with Roskino, Hulu and Amazon to promote Russian films digitially. Deals are expected to be confirmed by Afm.
The 27 executives and companies who attended included Jiten Hemdev from India’s Star Entertainment, Michael Cowan of the...
- 10/7/2013
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
More casting news for today! Lovely Hayley Atwell, (the upcoming Captain America: The First Avenger star) has joined the cast of I, Anna, which is a debut feature from writer/director Barnaby Southcombe.
And while we’re still here, at the beginning, let’s mention the rest of the cast – Charlotte Rampling, Gabriel Byrne, Eddie Marsan, Jodhi May, Bill Milner and Honor Blackman.
I, Anna is project based on Elsa Lewin‘s novel of the same name. At this moment we do know that Rampling stars as the titular Anna and according to the latest reports, Hayley Atwell will play Emmy, the daughter of Rampling’s eponymous character Anna.
Here’s the official I, Anna synopsis: “A man is found bludgeoned to death in a London apartment block. Dci Bernie Kominski, an insomniac dazed by the prospect of divorce, is first on the scene, but distracted from his duties by...
And while we’re still here, at the beginning, let’s mention the rest of the cast – Charlotte Rampling, Gabriel Byrne, Eddie Marsan, Jodhi May, Bill Milner and Honor Blackman.
I, Anna is project based on Elsa Lewin‘s novel of the same name. At this moment we do know that Rampling stars as the titular Anna and according to the latest reports, Hayley Atwell will play Emmy, the daughter of Rampling’s eponymous character Anna.
Here’s the official I, Anna synopsis: “A man is found bludgeoned to death in a London apartment block. Dci Bernie Kominski, an insomniac dazed by the prospect of divorce, is first on the scene, but distracted from his duties by...
- 3/23/2011
- by Fiona
- Filmofilia
"The Duchess" co-stars Hayley Atwell and Charlotte Rampling are set to re-team on Barnaby Southcombe's debut feature "I, Anna" reports the trades.
An adaptation of Elsa Lewin's novel, the London-set suspense thriller follows a woman’s life being turned upside down after a date gone wrong, and the impossible love of the policeman tracking her down.
Rampling plays the titular Anna with Atwell as her daughter. Gabriel Byrne, Eddie Marsan, Jodhi May, Bill Milner and Honor Blackman also star.
The film shot on locations in and around London, with one week of filming in Hamburg. Felix Vossen, Christopher Simon, Michael Eckelt and Ilann Girard are producing.
An adaptation of Elsa Lewin's novel, the London-set suspense thriller follows a woman’s life being turned upside down after a date gone wrong, and the impossible love of the policeman tracking her down.
Rampling plays the titular Anna with Atwell as her daughter. Gabriel Byrne, Eddie Marsan, Jodhi May, Bill Milner and Honor Blackman also star.
The film shot on locations in and around London, with one week of filming in Hamburg. Felix Vossen, Christopher Simon, Michael Eckelt and Ilann Girard are producing.
- 3/14/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
- Film Independent checks in with producer and Find Fellow René Bastian -
Over the years, Spirit Award-winning producer René Bastian has worked to make a name for himself in the independent film world. Named one of Variety's 10 Producers to Watch in 2005, René, under his banner Belladonna Productions, which he runs alongside producer Linda Moran, has produced films including L.I.E., Transamerica, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, as well as Michael Haneke's American remake of Funny Games. Linda and René are two-time Spirit Award nominees for L.I.E. and Transamerica, and René was 2001 Spirit Award recipient of the Motorola Producers Award. He is currently in pre-production on Neither the Veil Nor the Four Walls, by writer/director Afia Nathaniel, which was selected for Film Independent's 2009 Fast Track financing market.
By Josh Welsh
Let's start with Neither the Veil Nor the Four Walls. This is a remarkable project, set in post 9/11 Pakistan,...
- 12/2/2010
- by maint
- Film Independent
It's a wrap! The Martin Gropius Bau is empty and the final pickups follow. This is a work in progress and readers are invited and welcome to contribute. Presales have returned in reaction to the reduced number of finished films on offer over the past two markets. Presales applies across the board from Us to French and even Italian films. English language films are increasingly coming out of the major non English language territories but local product is impacting sales on Us films internationally. Business was quickly wrapped up but it was done with a healthy number of buys reported. Lower prices have become accepted but the market must have product as this event proved.
Adriana Chiesa has licensed Federico Moccia’s teen trilogy to Savor to Spain. The first title, Sorry If I Love You (Scusa Ma Ti Chiamo Amore) grossed $27m when released by Medusa on 600 prints in Italy.
Adriana Chiesa has licensed Federico Moccia’s teen trilogy to Savor to Spain. The first title, Sorry If I Love You (Scusa Ma Ti Chiamo Amore) grossed $27m when released by Medusa on 600 prints in Italy.
- 3/9/2010
- by Sydney
- Sydney's Buzz
BERLIN -- "Goodbye Banfana" is yet another movie about the revolution against South Africa's brutal apartheid regime told from a white man's point of view. This time it is Nelson Mandela's warden, during much of the activist's 27 years in prison, who receives the star treatment in Bille August's film. At the very least, one would expect this white protagonist to bear witness to a change in thinking among many whites about a new South Africa. Even here, though, those key scenes are missing in a script August wrote with Greg Latter.
This French/German/Belgian/Italian/South African co-production will benefit from a continuing worldwide fascination with Mandela's story, even if he is only a supporting player here. Since the sincere but dramatically flaccid story doesn't pack much punch, theatrical engagements will be short.
Dennis Haysbert does manage to capture the dignity and steadfastness Mandela exhibited during his long ordeal. But he can only hint at the charisma and savvy that would change a white man's closed mind. Meanwhile, Joseph Fiennes as warden James Gregory is perhaps too smart for the fairly uneducated man he plays: He seems too sharp to be saying and doing many of the things he does.
Gregory's only ambition is to be an excellent prison warden, move up in the system and support a wife, Gloria (Diane Kruger), whose need for material goods and status knows no bounds.
He arrives with his wife and two children at the notorious Robben Island prison in 1968, where one quirk stands him in good stead. Growing up on a lonely farm where his only playmate was a black boy, Gregory became fluent in the Xhosa language. So a security czar assigns him to guard Mandela and his comrades so Gregory can be "a window into their soul -- if they have a soul."
The movie is pretty heavy-handed in the early going with all the whites spouting racist doggerel. Mrs. Gregory even gets to affirm that the separation of whites from blacks is "God's way."
But in the first half of the movie Mandela himself is little more than a rumor. From Gregory's brief encounters with him, remarkably, he starts to change his mind about apartheid. How does this happen? What does he see, or what Nelson tell him, that he doesn't already know about the racist white regime? That blacks are mistreated everywhere but especially in prison? That the government's labeling of all black activists as "communist" is pure cynical spin?
Mandela does tell him to go read the African National Congress' Freedom Charter, a document few whites have read since it is banned literature. But would that document really be such an eye-opener, especially since the ANC had by then abandoned its non-violent ways?
The film never gets to the heart of what it should be about -- the turning of a man's heart and mind. Instead, much time is taken up with petty jealousies and feuds within the white colony of penal authorities and their wives. And Mrs. Gregory is always good for a harangue to her husband about not jeopardizing the family's security by doing anything "foolish."
When a small kindness toward Mrs. Mandela (Faith Ndukwana) by Gregory gets blown out of proportion and his family's life becomes untenable on the island, he demands a transfer. Soon enough, Mandela also is transferred away from the island for fear he may be assassinated. Gregory is ordered to again act as his warden, a job that increasingly looks like that of a valet.
The second half of the movie brings the two men into more contact, yet nothing significant ever happens between them. Perhaps nothing ever did. Gregory, a man with some compassion after all, simply came to his senses when he saw that Nelson Mandela was no mad terrorist. Whatever the case, there is little here to justify a two-hour movie, even with some forced intrigue about threats to Gregory's children and a family tragedy that mirrors one of Mandela's own.
Production values are sharp as August crew makes good use of Robben Island and other actual locations where the story took place. But sentimentality and even sometimes triviality undermine this bizarre buddy film.
Goodbye Bafana
An X Filme Creative Pool in association with Arsam International/Banana Films with Future Films/Marmont Film Production/Film Afrika
Credits:
Director: Bille August
Writers: Greg Latter, Bille August
Producers: Jean-Luc van Damme, Ilann Girard, Andro Steinborn
Executive producers: Kami Naghdi, Michael Dounaev, Jimmy de Brabant, Kwesi Dickson
Director of photography: Robert Fraisse
Production designer: Tom Hannam
Music: Dario Marianelli, Johnny Clegg
Costume designer: Diana Cilliers
Editor: Herve Schneid
Cast:
James Gregory: Joseph Fiennes
Nelson Mandela: Dennis Haysbert
Gloria Gregory: Diane Kruger
Brent: Shiloh Henderson, Tyron Keogh
Natasha: Megan Smith, Jessica Manuel
Winnie Mandela: Faith Ndukwana
Zindzi Mandela: Terry Pheto
No MPAA rating, running time 119 minutes.
This French/German/Belgian/Italian/South African co-production will benefit from a continuing worldwide fascination with Mandela's story, even if he is only a supporting player here. Since the sincere but dramatically flaccid story doesn't pack much punch, theatrical engagements will be short.
Dennis Haysbert does manage to capture the dignity and steadfastness Mandela exhibited during his long ordeal. But he can only hint at the charisma and savvy that would change a white man's closed mind. Meanwhile, Joseph Fiennes as warden James Gregory is perhaps too smart for the fairly uneducated man he plays: He seems too sharp to be saying and doing many of the things he does.
Gregory's only ambition is to be an excellent prison warden, move up in the system and support a wife, Gloria (Diane Kruger), whose need for material goods and status knows no bounds.
He arrives with his wife and two children at the notorious Robben Island prison in 1968, where one quirk stands him in good stead. Growing up on a lonely farm where his only playmate was a black boy, Gregory became fluent in the Xhosa language. So a security czar assigns him to guard Mandela and his comrades so Gregory can be "a window into their soul -- if they have a soul."
The movie is pretty heavy-handed in the early going with all the whites spouting racist doggerel. Mrs. Gregory even gets to affirm that the separation of whites from blacks is "God's way."
But in the first half of the movie Mandela himself is little more than a rumor. From Gregory's brief encounters with him, remarkably, he starts to change his mind about apartheid. How does this happen? What does he see, or what Nelson tell him, that he doesn't already know about the racist white regime? That blacks are mistreated everywhere but especially in prison? That the government's labeling of all black activists as "communist" is pure cynical spin?
Mandela does tell him to go read the African National Congress' Freedom Charter, a document few whites have read since it is banned literature. But would that document really be such an eye-opener, especially since the ANC had by then abandoned its non-violent ways?
The film never gets to the heart of what it should be about -- the turning of a man's heart and mind. Instead, much time is taken up with petty jealousies and feuds within the white colony of penal authorities and their wives. And Mrs. Gregory is always good for a harangue to her husband about not jeopardizing the family's security by doing anything "foolish."
When a small kindness toward Mrs. Mandela (Faith Ndukwana) by Gregory gets blown out of proportion and his family's life becomes untenable on the island, he demands a transfer. Soon enough, Mandela also is transferred away from the island for fear he may be assassinated. Gregory is ordered to again act as his warden, a job that increasingly looks like that of a valet.
The second half of the movie brings the two men into more contact, yet nothing significant ever happens between them. Perhaps nothing ever did. Gregory, a man with some compassion after all, simply came to his senses when he saw that Nelson Mandela was no mad terrorist. Whatever the case, there is little here to justify a two-hour movie, even with some forced intrigue about threats to Gregory's children and a family tragedy that mirrors one of Mandela's own.
Production values are sharp as August crew makes good use of Robben Island and other actual locations where the story took place. But sentimentality and even sometimes triviality undermine this bizarre buddy film.
Goodbye Bafana
An X Filme Creative Pool in association with Arsam International/Banana Films with Future Films/Marmont Film Production/Film Afrika
Credits:
Director: Bille August
Writers: Greg Latter, Bille August
Producers: Jean-Luc van Damme, Ilann Girard, Andro Steinborn
Executive producers: Kami Naghdi, Michael Dounaev, Jimmy de Brabant, Kwesi Dickson
Director of photography: Robert Fraisse
Production designer: Tom Hannam
Music: Dario Marianelli, Johnny Clegg
Costume designer: Diana Cilliers
Editor: Herve Schneid
Cast:
James Gregory: Joseph Fiennes
Nelson Mandela: Dennis Haysbert
Gloria Gregory: Diane Kruger
Brent: Shiloh Henderson, Tyron Keogh
Natasha: Megan Smith, Jessica Manuel
Winnie Mandela: Faith Ndukwana
Zindzi Mandela: Terry Pheto
No MPAA rating, running time 119 minutes.
- 2/11/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
PARIS -- The Mona Lisa is back in the spotlight in a $35 million film starring Dustin Hoffman and Antonio Banderas that highlights a slate of projects from producer Ilan Girard.
"Lovers, Liars and Thieves", directed by "The Legend of Bagger Vance" and "The Notebook" writer and "Don Juan de Marco" helmer Jeremy Leven, tells the story of two crooks who convince an Italian cabinet maker to steal the Mona Lisa.
Set in the belle epoque era of Paris, the mega-budget European co-production is produced by Ilann Girard of Arsam Prods. Arsam is the film finance-turned-production company behind Christian Volckman's animated feature "Renaissance", last year's international breakout hit Luc Jacquet's award-winning documentary "March of the Penguins" and Bille August's "Goodbye Bafana", currently in competition in Berlin.
"Bafana", a $15 million biopic about Nelson Mandela's warder, James Gregory, starring Joseph Fiennes, Diane Kruger and Dennis Haysbert, will be released by Paramount in France, the U.K. and Spain and X Film/Warner in Germany.
Arsam's President Ilann Girard has a number of international co-productions in the works.
"Lovers, Liars and Thieves", directed by "The Legend of Bagger Vance" and "The Notebook" writer and "Don Juan de Marco" helmer Jeremy Leven, tells the story of two crooks who convince an Italian cabinet maker to steal the Mona Lisa.
Set in the belle epoque era of Paris, the mega-budget European co-production is produced by Ilann Girard of Arsam Prods. Arsam is the film finance-turned-production company behind Christian Volckman's animated feature "Renaissance", last year's international breakout hit Luc Jacquet's award-winning documentary "March of the Penguins" and Bille August's "Goodbye Bafana", currently in competition in Berlin.
"Bafana", a $15 million biopic about Nelson Mandela's warder, James Gregory, starring Joseph Fiennes, Diane Kruger and Dennis Haysbert, will be released by Paramount in France, the U.K. and Spain and X Film/Warner in Germany.
Arsam's President Ilann Girard has a number of international co-productions in the works.
- 2/11/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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