Exclusive: Hollywood management and production company The Gotham Group has launched a new international division and appointed long-time manager and producer Justin Littman as its head.
The appointment see Littman join The Gotham Group partners roster alongside Peter McHugh, Julie Kane-Ritsch, Lindsay Williams, Jeremy Bell, Eric Robinson, Lee Stollman, Rich Green, and Matt Shichtman.
“We’re thrilled to have Justin leading The Gotham’s Group’s surging international client roster,” said The Gotham Group Founder and CEO Ellen Goldsmith-Vein.
“This initiative underscores our ability and intention to expand the boundaries of our business, to tap into the creative minds of artists around the globe to create entertainment for audiences everywhere,” said Goldsmith-Vein.
Littman said the time was ripe for such a move.
“International voices are driving a huge part of the conversation in film and TV,” he said. “The Gotham Group is excited to launch a dedicated department to focus on these artists,...
The appointment see Littman join The Gotham Group partners roster alongside Peter McHugh, Julie Kane-Ritsch, Lindsay Williams, Jeremy Bell, Eric Robinson, Lee Stollman, Rich Green, and Matt Shichtman.
“We’re thrilled to have Justin leading The Gotham’s Group’s surging international client roster,” said The Gotham Group Founder and CEO Ellen Goldsmith-Vein.
“This initiative underscores our ability and intention to expand the boundaries of our business, to tap into the creative minds of artists around the globe to create entertainment for audiences everywhere,” said Goldsmith-Vein.
Littman said the time was ripe for such a move.
“International voices are driving a huge part of the conversation in film and TV,” he said. “The Gotham Group is excited to launch a dedicated department to focus on these artists,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Film Factory Entertainment has swooped on international sales rights to “Marco,” the next film from Basque filmmaking trio Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga.
Their latest follows a high caliber run consisting of 2014 San Sebastian competition player “Flowers,” 2017’s San Sebastian Special Jury Prize winner “Giant,” and lockdown hit “The Endless Trench” which secured their second Oscar entry for Spain. Shooting is scheduled to begin in October.
“‘Marco’ will be a beautiful film and it perfectly suits our slate of quality films with commercial potential,” Film Factory’s Vicente Canales told Variety.
The film, based on real events, turns on imposter Enric Marco. Marco gained sympathy, fame, and respect for being an eloquent concentration camp survivor. He was a distinguished voice for the Spanish deportees as head of the Amical de Mauthausen. Marco was charismatic. In giving speeches, he packed them with tragic details of life at the camp.
Their latest follows a high caliber run consisting of 2014 San Sebastian competition player “Flowers,” 2017’s San Sebastian Special Jury Prize winner “Giant,” and lockdown hit “The Endless Trench” which secured their second Oscar entry for Spain. Shooting is scheduled to begin in October.
“‘Marco’ will be a beautiful film and it perfectly suits our slate of quality films with commercial potential,” Film Factory’s Vicente Canales told Variety.
The film, based on real events, turns on imposter Enric Marco. Marco gained sympathy, fame, and respect for being an eloquent concentration camp survivor. He was a distinguished voice for the Spanish deportees as head of the Amical de Mauthausen. Marco was charismatic. In giving speeches, he packed them with tragic details of life at the camp.
- 9/26/2023
- by Callum McLennan
- Variety Film + TV
The festival is set to open with Miyazaki’s ‘The Boy And The Heron’ on September 22.
French filmmaker Claire Denis will chair the official selection jury for the 71st San Sebastian International Film Festival.
The director of Beau Travail and Stars At Noon will be joined by Chinese actress Fan Bingbing; Colombian producer, moviemaker and writer Cristina Gallego; French photographer Brigitte Lacombe; Hungarian producer Robert Lantos; Spanish actress Vicky Luengo; and German director Christian Petzold.
They will decide the winners of the Golden Shell for best film and Silver Shell for best director, leading performance and supporting performance, and will...
French filmmaker Claire Denis will chair the official selection jury for the 71st San Sebastian International Film Festival.
The director of Beau Travail and Stars At Noon will be joined by Chinese actress Fan Bingbing; Colombian producer, moviemaker and writer Cristina Gallego; French photographer Brigitte Lacombe; Hungarian producer Robert Lantos; Spanish actress Vicky Luengo; and German director Christian Petzold.
They will decide the winners of the Golden Shell for best film and Silver Shell for best director, leading performance and supporting performance, and will...
- 9/8/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Patricia Ortega’s feature world premieres in World Cinema Dramatic Competition.
Screen can exclusively reveal the first trailer for Venezuelan director Patricia Ortega’s Mamacruz, which receives its world premiere today (January 20) in Sundance’s World Cinema Dramatic Competition programme.
Spanish sales, distribution and production outfit Filmax handles the worldwide rights of the Spanish feature from Olmo Figueredo’s Pecado Films and José Alba’s Pecado Films in co-production with Venezuela’s Mandrágora Films, Ortega’s production label.
Mamacruz is a comedic, coming of age – but for the elderly – film. It centres on a grandma, Cruz, in her seventies who...
Screen can exclusively reveal the first trailer for Venezuelan director Patricia Ortega’s Mamacruz, which receives its world premiere today (January 20) in Sundance’s World Cinema Dramatic Competition programme.
Spanish sales, distribution and production outfit Filmax handles the worldwide rights of the Spanish feature from Olmo Figueredo’s Pecado Films and José Alba’s Pecado Films in co-production with Venezuela’s Mandrágora Films, Ortega’s production label.
Mamacruz is a comedic, coming of age – but for the elderly – film. It centres on a grandma, Cruz, in her seventies who...
- 1/20/2023
- by Emilio Mayorga
- ScreenDaily
Belén Cuesta and Gemma Whelan will join Albert San Juan in Disney+’s first Spanish period drama Balenciaga (working title).
The pair are two of several actors unveiled today for Lourdes Iglesias, Jose Mari Goenaga, Jon Garaño and Aitor Arregi’s six-part drama about Cristóbal Balenciaga (San Juan), the son of a seamstress and a fisherman who uses his natural talent, constant work and sharp nose for business to become one of the most prominent fashion designers of all time.
It began filming in June and will continue until autumn in several locations in Spain and France with a team of 100 professionals and 2,000 extras.
Cuesta, who won the Goya Award for Best Actress for La Trinchera Infinita — a previous series from Iglesias, Garaño and Arregi. She will play Fabiola de Mora y Aragón before she became Queen of Belgium. Balenciaga...
The pair are two of several actors unveiled today for Lourdes Iglesias, Jose Mari Goenaga, Jon Garaño and Aitor Arregi’s six-part drama about Cristóbal Balenciaga (San Juan), the son of a seamstress and a fisherman who uses his natural talent, constant work and sharp nose for business to become one of the most prominent fashion designers of all time.
It began filming in June and will continue until autumn in several locations in Spain and France with a team of 100 professionals and 2,000 extras.
Cuesta, who won the Goya Award for Best Actress for La Trinchera Infinita — a previous series from Iglesias, Garaño and Arregi. She will play Fabiola de Mora y Aragón before she became Queen of Belgium. Balenciaga...
- 7/12/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Shazad Latif will play Captain Nemo in UK original series ’Nautilus’.
Disney+ has confirmed Balenciaga (working title) as its first scripted original title from Spain.
The six-part drama is created by Lourdes Iglesias with Jose Mari Goenaga, Jon Garaño and Aitor Arregi. The trio most recently directed The Endless Trench, which was nominated for 15 Goyas in 2019.
The new series will tell the true story of the son of a seamstress and fisherman who became one of the world’s most prominent fashion designers. The producers are Moriarti Produkzioak and Irusoin, which both also produced The Endless Trench and Arregi and Garaño’s Giant,...
Disney+ has confirmed Balenciaga (working title) as its first scripted original title from Spain.
The six-part drama is created by Lourdes Iglesias with Jose Mari Goenaga, Jon Garaño and Aitor Arregi. The trio most recently directed The Endless Trench, which was nominated for 15 Goyas in 2019.
The new series will tell the true story of the son of a seamstress and fisherman who became one of the world’s most prominent fashion designers. The producers are Moriarti Produkzioak and Irusoin, which both also produced The Endless Trench and Arregi and Garaño’s Giant,...
- 11/12/2021
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
Disney+ has unveiled its debut Spanish original series, set casts for upcoming romantic thriller Wedding Season / live action adventure Nautilus and acquired Fremantle dystopian drama Anna.
Created by Lourdes Iglesias and 12-time Goya Award-winners Jose Mari Goenaga, Jon Garaño and Aitor Arregi, Balenciaga (working title) will tell the story of a man who dares to defy his social status as the son of a seamstress and a fisherman. Using his natural talent, constant work and sharp nose for business, he goes on to become one of the most prominent fashion designers of all time.
The six-part show from Moriarti Produkzioak and Irusoin marks the start of Spain’s original content pipeline for Disney+ and is the 21st outside of the US, as the streamer looks to meet its target of 60 by 2024. Of the 21, 16 have been scripted and five non-scripted.
Meanwhile, Dancing Ledge Productions’ drama Wedding Season has boarded Valhalla’s...
Created by Lourdes Iglesias and 12-time Goya Award-winners Jose Mari Goenaga, Jon Garaño and Aitor Arregi, Balenciaga (working title) will tell the story of a man who dares to defy his social status as the son of a seamstress and a fisherman. Using his natural talent, constant work and sharp nose for business, he goes on to become one of the most prominent fashion designers of all time.
The six-part show from Moriarti Produkzioak and Irusoin marks the start of Spain’s original content pipeline for Disney+ and is the 21st outside of the US, as the streamer looks to meet its target of 60 by 2024. Of the 21, 16 have been scripted and five non-scripted.
Meanwhile, Dancing Ledge Productions’ drama Wedding Season has boarded Valhalla’s...
- 11/12/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The Hollywood Reporter’s Alex Ritman spoke to Jon Garaño, Aitor Arregi and Jose Mari Goenaga, directors of Spanish drama The Endless Trench (La Trinchera Infinita) in a THR Presents Q&a powered by Vision Media.
During the conversation, the three filmmakers discussed how key themes in their historical drama had — entirely coincidentally — strong parallels with the experiences of many in lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Starting in the mid-1930s amid the rise of dictator Francisco Franco, The Endless Trench follows Higinio (Antonio de la Torre), a Republican who, to avoid reprisals from the brutal Nationalist regime that overthrew the Second Republic ...
During the conversation, the three filmmakers discussed how key themes in their historical drama had — entirely coincidentally — strong parallels with the experiences of many in lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Starting in the mid-1930s amid the rise of dictator Francisco Franco, The Endless Trench follows Higinio (Antonio de la Torre), a Republican who, to avoid reprisals from the brutal Nationalist regime that overthrew the Second Republic ...
- 1/29/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The Hollywood Reporter’s Alex Ritman spoke to Jon Garaño, Aitor Arregi and Jose Mari Goenaga, directors of Spanish drama The Endless Trench (La Trinchera Infinita) in a THR Presents Q&a powered by Vision Media.
During the conversation, the three filmmakers discussed how key themes in their historical drama had — entirely coincidentally — strong parallels with the experiences of many in lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Starting in the mid-1930s amid the rise of dictator Francisco Franco, The Endless Trench follows Higinio (Antonio de la Torre), a Republican who, to avoid reprisals from the brutal Nationalist regime that overthrew the Second Republic ...
During the conversation, the three filmmakers discussed how key themes in their historical drama had — entirely coincidentally — strong parallels with the experiences of many in lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Starting in the mid-1930s amid the rise of dictator Francisco Franco, The Endless Trench follows Higinio (Antonio de la Torre), a Republican who, to avoid reprisals from the brutal Nationalist regime that overthrew the Second Republic ...
- 1/29/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“The Endless Trench,” Spain’s entry for the international feature at this year’s Oscars, unspools entirely in a small Andalusian village across the 1930s-60s, yet has struck a chord with audiences and critics alike from around the world since its November arrival on Netflix.
It’s the second film selected for the honor from the Basque trio of Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga, and kicks off during the Spanish Civil War when newlyweds Higinio and Rosa are forced to make a temporary subterranean living space beneath the floor of their living room where Higinio, an outspoken opponent of Francisco Franco’s right-wing army and Republican village councillor, can hide from the general’s soldiers.
Fear of execution forces Higinio to hide for what ends up being 33 years, supported all the while by Rosa. The story is fiction, but after amnesty was granted in the late ‘60s,...
It’s the second film selected for the honor from the Basque trio of Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga, and kicks off during the Spanish Civil War when newlyweds Higinio and Rosa are forced to make a temporary subterranean living space beneath the floor of their living room where Higinio, an outspoken opponent of Francisco Franco’s right-wing army and Republican village councillor, can hide from the general’s soldiers.
Fear of execution forces Higinio to hide for what ends up being 33 years, supported all the while by Rosa. The story is fiction, but after amnesty was granted in the late ‘60s,...
- 1/26/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño, and Jose Mari Goenaga are the three filmmakers behind the Spanish historical drama “The Endless Trench,” and the film marks the first time all three have a co-directed a film together. So how exactly did all three filmmakers manage the workflow?
“We’ve been working together almost for 20 years now which is quite some time and actually we’ve been directing until now like co-directing with two directors and this is the first time that we are directing, the three of us,” Garaño told TheWrap’s Steve Pond as part of the International Film Screening Series. “This is possible because we share the same vision, and this is important for us to have obviously the same vision, and if we don’t have this vision we construct it.”
“So it is very important for us to to work in preproduction before the shooting, make everything clear that each of us,...
“We’ve been working together almost for 20 years now which is quite some time and actually we’ve been directing until now like co-directing with two directors and this is the first time that we are directing, the three of us,” Garaño told TheWrap’s Steve Pond as part of the International Film Screening Series. “This is possible because we share the same vision, and this is important for us to have obviously the same vision, and if we don’t have this vision we construct it.”
“So it is very important for us to to work in preproduction before the shooting, make everything clear that each of us,...
- 1/20/2021
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Andalusia’s La Claqueta and the Basque Country’s Irusoin, producers of Spanish Oscar entry “The Endless Trench,” have re-teamed to buy big screen adaptation rights to Txani Rodríguez’s novel “Los últimos románticos.”
The deal builds on one of the most fruitful regional production alliances in Spain, whose co-productions to date take in not only “The Endless Trench,” a big winner at the 2019 San Sebastian Film Festival, but also true-crime series “The Miramar Murders: The State vs. Pablo Ibar.” The latter was acquired by HBO Europe for HBO España and HBO Portugal in one of the banner deals at 2020’s San Sebastian.
Struck with Planeta Foreign & Audiovisual Rights, the feature film project also underscores the ever greater interest in established IPs. Recent Planeta book rights sales take in Benito Zambrano’s “Pan de limón con semillas de amapola,” one of the most-awaited of Spanish art films; gambling business-set ”Ana.
The deal builds on one of the most fruitful regional production alliances in Spain, whose co-productions to date take in not only “The Endless Trench,” a big winner at the 2019 San Sebastian Film Festival, but also true-crime series “The Miramar Murders: The State vs. Pablo Ibar.” The latter was acquired by HBO Europe for HBO España and HBO Portugal in one of the banner deals at 2020’s San Sebastian.
Struck with Planeta Foreign & Audiovisual Rights, the feature film project also underscores the ever greater interest in established IPs. Recent Planeta book rights sales take in Benito Zambrano’s “Pan de limón con semillas de amapola,” one of the most-awaited of Spanish art films; gambling business-set ”Ana.
- 12/21/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Polish director Agnieszka Holland also named new European Film Academy president.
Italian drama Hidden Away has won two of the first European Film Awards of 2020, which are being staggered across four nights of virtual ceremonies due to the virus crisis.
Further winners in the first ceremony, which focussed on the technical categories, included The Personal History Of David Copperfield, Berlin Alexanderplatz and The Platform.
Hidden Away, Giorgio Diritti’s portrait of Italian painter Antonio Ligabue, won best cinematography for the work of Matteo Cocco and best costume design, for Ursula Patzak. The film premiered at the Berlinale where Elio Germano...
Italian drama Hidden Away has won two of the first European Film Awards of 2020, which are being staggered across four nights of virtual ceremonies due to the virus crisis.
Further winners in the first ceremony, which focussed on the technical categories, included The Personal History Of David Copperfield, Berlin Alexanderplatz and The Platform.
Hidden Away, Giorgio Diritti’s portrait of Italian painter Antonio Ligabue, won best cinematography for the work of Matteo Cocco and best costume design, for Ursula Patzak. The film premiered at the Berlinale where Elio Germano...
- 12/10/2020
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Spanish directing trio Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga, whose The Endless Trench is representing Spain in this year’s Oscar race, have signed with The Gotham Group.
Set at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, the film chronicles three decades of a country engulfed by fascism.
The pic premiered at San Sebastian last year and Netflix swooped on its global rights shortly after; the streamer debuted the film in the U.S. on November 6. It received 15 Goya nominations, winning Best Director and the Jury Prize for Best Screenplay.
Arregi, Garaño and Goenaga have been working together for 15 years through their company Moriarti; this is the first time they have co-directed as a trio. Their previous credits include Handia, which won 10 Goyas, and Loreak (Flowers), which was Spain’s entry for the 2016 Oscars.
They are now developing their English-language debut which Gotham will launch to buyers in the New Year.
Set at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, the film chronicles three decades of a country engulfed by fascism.
The pic premiered at San Sebastian last year and Netflix swooped on its global rights shortly after; the streamer debuted the film in the U.S. on November 6. It received 15 Goya nominations, winning Best Director and the Jury Prize for Best Screenplay.
Arregi, Garaño and Goenaga have been working together for 15 years through their company Moriarti; this is the first time they have co-directed as a trio. Their previous credits include Handia, which won 10 Goyas, and Loreak (Flowers), which was Spain’s entry for the 2016 Oscars.
They are now developing their English-language debut which Gotham will launch to buyers in the New Year.
- 12/2/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Spain’s Oscar entry, “The Endless Trench,” a multi-award-winning feature from the Basque trio of Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga, has also become a flagship production for the Andalusian film sector.
The film was set and shot in Andalusia, with Andalusian actors and co-produced by Seville-based La Claqueta. Released last year in Spain by eOne, the film was acquired by Netflix, and bowed in the U.S. on Nov. 6.
Inspired by real-life events after the Spanish Civil War, “Trench” mainly filmed in Huelva’s Higuera de la Sierra, Carboneras and Paymogo for its Andalusian leg. Olmo Figueredo and Manuel H. Martín’s outfit La Claqueta was key for “Trench’s” financing, documentation and narrative support.
“Trench” exemplifies the possibilities of inter-regional partnerships in the Spanish film industry, this time between Andalusia and the Basque Country. Co-produced by La Claqueta with Basque companies Irusoin and Moriarti Produkzioak, alongside France’s Manny Films,...
The film was set and shot in Andalusia, with Andalusian actors and co-produced by Seville-based La Claqueta. Released last year in Spain by eOne, the film was acquired by Netflix, and bowed in the U.S. on Nov. 6.
Inspired by real-life events after the Spanish Civil War, “Trench” mainly filmed in Huelva’s Higuera de la Sierra, Carboneras and Paymogo for its Andalusian leg. Olmo Figueredo and Manuel H. Martín’s outfit La Claqueta was key for “Trench’s” financing, documentation and narrative support.
“Trench” exemplifies the possibilities of inter-regional partnerships in the Spanish film industry, this time between Andalusia and the Basque Country. Co-produced by La Claqueta with Basque companies Irusoin and Moriarti Produkzioak, alongside France’s Manny Films,...
- 12/2/2020
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
As titles go, “The Endless Trench” augurs a hard sell. Its very combination of words is arduous: Nobody will read them, glance further down at the 148-minute running time, and go in expecting a good time, if indeed they go in at all. That’s somewhat apt for a film that chronicles a long period of confinement and emotional labor, following as it does a political outlaw forced into hiding in his own home following the Spanish Civil War — a fictional story, but one rooted in the experiences of many such alleged war criminals during the long, hostile Franco regime, who lived almost literally underground as “moles” for over 30 years. Yet the imposing dourness of the title doesn’t quite reflect the accessible, involving and emotionally full-blooded domestic melodrama behind it, made with the same hearty sensitivity that directors Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga brought to their previous collaboration on 2014’s “Flowers.
- 11/13/2020
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Bookmark this page for all the latest international feature submissions.
Submissions for the best international feature film award at the 2021 Academy Awards have started to come in, and Screen is keeping a running list of each film below.
Scroll down for the full list
The 93rd Academy Awards is set to take place on April 25, 2021. It was originally set to be held on February 28, before both the ceremony and eligibility period were postponed for two months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Submitted films must have been released in their respective countries between the expanded dates of October 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020. (Last year it was October-September.
Submissions for the best international feature film award at the 2021 Academy Awards have started to come in, and Screen is keeping a running list of each film below.
Scroll down for the full list
The 93rd Academy Awards is set to take place on April 25, 2021. It was originally set to be held on February 28, before both the ceremony and eligibility period were postponed for two months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Submitted films must have been released in their respective countries between the expanded dates of October 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020. (Last year it was October-September.
- 11/4/2020
- by Ben Dalton¬Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Spain has submitted period epic The Endless Trench as its contender for the 2021 International Oscar prize.
The film premiered at San Sebastian last year and Netflix swooped on its global rights shortly after; the streamer will debut the film in the U.S. on November 6.
Directed by the trio of Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga, the film spans three decades beginning at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, chronicling a country taken by fascism.
It was nominated for 15 Goyas, Spain’s national cinema awards, winning two: best actress for Belén Cuesta and Best Sound.
The deadline for International Oscar submissions is December 1. The shortlist for the International Oscar will be unveiled on February 9 and nominations will be announced March 15, before the 2021 Academy Awards on April 25.
The film premiered at San Sebastian last year and Netflix swooped on its global rights shortly after; the streamer will debut the film in the U.S. on November 6.
Directed by the trio of Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga, the film spans three decades beginning at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, chronicling a country taken by fascism.
It was nominated for 15 Goyas, Spain’s national cinema awards, winning two: best actress for Belén Cuesta and Best Sound.
The deadline for International Oscar submissions is December 1. The shortlist for the International Oscar will be unveiled on February 9 and nominations will be announced March 15, before the 2021 Academy Awards on April 25.
- 11/3/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
The Spanish Cinema Academy has selected Basque feature “The Endless Trench” to represent Spain in the race for best international feature film at the 2021 Oscars.
A multi-award-winning feature from the trio of Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga, “The Endless Trench,” if nominated, would follow Spain’s 2020 submission, Pedro Almodóvar’s “Pain and Glory.” Antonio Banderas also scored his first best actor nod for his portrayal of fading film director Salvador Mallo.
Global rights to “The Endless Trench” were picked up shortly after its premiere by Netflix, who held off on releasing the film in the U.S. in hopes that today’s announcement was forthcoming. Now, the film will be available to American audiences for the first time on Nov. 6. An Oct. 28 French theatrical premiere was also planned, but forced to cancel as Covid-19 shut down cinemas in the country once again. Distributor Epicentre Films still plans...
A multi-award-winning feature from the trio of Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga, “The Endless Trench,” if nominated, would follow Spain’s 2020 submission, Pedro Almodóvar’s “Pain and Glory.” Antonio Banderas also scored his first best actor nod for his portrayal of fading film director Salvador Mallo.
Global rights to “The Endless Trench” were picked up shortly after its premiere by Netflix, who held off on releasing the film in the U.S. in hopes that today’s announcement was forthcoming. Now, the film will be available to American audiences for the first time on Nov. 6. An Oct. 28 French theatrical premiere was also planned, but forced to cancel as Covid-19 shut down cinemas in the country once again. Distributor Epicentre Films still plans...
- 11/3/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Spain has picked La tinchera infinita (The Endless Trench) as its submission for the 2021 Oscar race in the international feature category.
The film by Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga was chosen by the country’s Film Academy as the Spanish representative at the 93rd edition of the Oscars, set to take place on April 25.
The Basque team responsible for Flowers and Giant tells the story of “moles,” who at the end of the Spanish Civil War tried to escape repression from General Franco’s nationalists by going underground, by focusing on the life of a man ...
The film by Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga was chosen by the country’s Film Academy as the Spanish representative at the 93rd edition of the Oscars, set to take place on April 25.
The Basque team responsible for Flowers and Giant tells the story of “moles,” who at the end of the Spanish Civil War tried to escape repression from General Franco’s nationalists by going underground, by focusing on the life of a man ...
- 11/3/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Spain has picked La tinchera infinita (The Endless Trench) as its submission for the 2021 Oscar race in the international feature category.
The film by Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga was chosen by the country’s Film Academy as the Spanish representative at the 93rd edition of the Oscars, set to take place on April 25.
The Basque team responsible for Flowers and Giant tells the story of “moles,” who at the end of the Spanish Civil War tried to escape repression from General Franco’s nationalists by going underground, by focusing on the life of a man ...
The film by Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga was chosen by the country’s Film Academy as the Spanish representative at the 93rd edition of the Oscars, set to take place on April 25.
The Basque team responsible for Flowers and Giant tells the story of “moles,” who at the end of the Spanish Civil War tried to escape repression from General Franco’s nationalists by going underground, by focusing on the life of a man ...
- 11/3/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
An emerging generation of new Basque filmmakers is making its mark in the San Sebastian Festival, building on the foundations of now consolidated creative and industrial infrastructures.
Only time will tell if the Basque Country can follow in the footsteps of Catalonia, another richer region of Spain, and launch a modern day new wave. Expectations however, remain high.
The new generation is widely represented at this year’s San Sebastian.
A prominent member of the group is David Pérez Sañudo, whose highly anticipated feature debut, mother-daughter social drama “Ane,” plays at the festival’s New Directors sidebar. Handled by Latido Films, “Ane” was developed at the Madrid Film School Ecam Incubator, then won three prizes at Málaga’s Wip in April.
Imanol Rayo, winner of the Zinemira Award with “Bi anai” in 2011, presents in New Directors his rural tale “Hil Kanpaiak” (“Death Knell”), produced by Bilbao-based Abra Prod.
Six of the 11 features at Zinemira,...
Only time will tell if the Basque Country can follow in the footsteps of Catalonia, another richer region of Spain, and launch a modern day new wave. Expectations however, remain high.
The new generation is widely represented at this year’s San Sebastian.
A prominent member of the group is David Pérez Sañudo, whose highly anticipated feature debut, mother-daughter social drama “Ane,” plays at the festival’s New Directors sidebar. Handled by Latido Films, “Ane” was developed at the Madrid Film School Ecam Incubator, then won three prizes at Málaga’s Wip in April.
Imanol Rayo, winner of the Zinemira Award with “Bi anai” in 2011, presents in New Directors his rural tale “Hil Kanpaiak” (“Death Knell”), produced by Bilbao-based Abra Prod.
Six of the 11 features at Zinemira,...
- 9/22/2020
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
This year’s selection will be announced over two waves to account for pandemic conditions.
The first 32 features up for the 2020 European Films Awards has been announced with a second wave of “pandemic year” titles due to be revealed in September.
Scroll down for first selection of films
The titles include Armando Iannucci’s The Personal History Of David Copperfield and Viggo Mortensen’s Falling as well as Berlinale award-winners Undine, by Christian Petzold; Hidden Away, by Giorgio Diritti; Bad Tales, by the D’Innocenzo Brothers; Dau. Natasha, by Ilya Khrzhanovskiy and Jekaterina Oertel; and Delete History, by Benoît Delépine and Gustave Kervern.
The first 32 features up for the 2020 European Films Awards has been announced with a second wave of “pandemic year” titles due to be revealed in September.
Scroll down for first selection of films
The titles include Armando Iannucci’s The Personal History Of David Copperfield and Viggo Mortensen’s Falling as well as Berlinale award-winners Undine, by Christian Petzold; Hidden Away, by Giorgio Diritti; Bad Tales, by the D’Innocenzo Brothers; Dau. Natasha, by Ilya Khrzhanovskiy and Jekaterina Oertel; and Delete History, by Benoît Delépine and Gustave Kervern.
- 8/18/2020
- by 1100453¦Michael Rosser¦9¦
- ScreenDaily
Pedro Almodóvar calls for “protection” of independent cinema in Spain.
Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain & Glory was the big winner at the Spanish Film Academy Awards in Málaga on Saturday night (25) with seven Goyas including best film, best director and best actor for Antonio Banderas.
With 17 and 16 nominations respectively, Alejandro Amenábar’s While At War and Almodóvar’s Pain & Glory started the night as the two favourites and the race looked close until almost the end, when Antonio Banderas went onstage to collect the Goya for best actor.
A moved Banderas – who had already seen his work recognised with...
Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain & Glory was the big winner at the Spanish Film Academy Awards in Málaga on Saturday night (25) with seven Goyas including best film, best director and best actor for Antonio Banderas.
With 17 and 16 nominations respectively, Alejandro Amenábar’s While At War and Almodóvar’s Pain & Glory started the night as the two favourites and the race looked close until almost the end, when Antonio Banderas went onstage to collect the Goya for best actor.
A moved Banderas – who had already seen his work recognised with...
- 1/26/2020
- by 1100969¦Elisabet Cabeza¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Pedro Almodóvar calls for “protection” of independent cinema in Spain.
Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain & Glory was the big winner at the Spanish Film Academy Awards in Málaga on Saturday night (25) with seven Goyas including best film, best director and best actor for Antonio Banderas.
With 17 and 16 nominations respectively, Alejandro Amenábar’s While At War and Almodóvar’s Pain & Glory started the night as the two favourites and the race looked close until almost the end, when Antonio Banderas went onstage to collect the Goya for best actor.
A moved Banderas – who had already seen his work recognised with...
Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain & Glory was the big winner at the Spanish Film Academy Awards in Málaga on Saturday night (25) with seven Goyas including best film, best director and best actor for Antonio Banderas.
With 17 and 16 nominations respectively, Alejandro Amenábar’s While At War and Almodóvar’s Pain & Glory started the night as the two favourites and the race looked close until almost the end, when Antonio Banderas went onstage to collect the Goya for best actor.
A moved Banderas – who had already seen his work recognised with...
- 1/26/2020
- by 1100969¦Elisabet Cabeza¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
by Nathaniel R
We remain nervous about the American awards prospects of Almodovar’s wonderfully moving 'i’m not dead yet but I kinda feel like it some times' autobiography, but at least in Spain, Pain & Glory is having a love-fest. This year the latest Almodóvar movie received 16 nominations, that's two more than even Volver got in its year. The Goya nominators did not spread the wealth. We're not sure if it was a weak year for Spanish cinema or if they just didn't look around much but the other two biggies, While at War and The Endless Trench, received 17 and 15 nominations respectively.
Best Film
“Pain and Glory” (Pedro Almodóvar) “Out in the Open” (Benito Zambrano) “The Endless Trench” “Fire Will Come” (Oliver Laxe) “While at War” (Alejandro Amenábar)
You may recall that While at War was a finalist for Spain's Oscar submission this year...
We remain nervous about the American awards prospects of Almodovar’s wonderfully moving 'i’m not dead yet but I kinda feel like it some times' autobiography, but at least in Spain, Pain & Glory is having a love-fest. This year the latest Almodóvar movie received 16 nominations, that's two more than even Volver got in its year. The Goya nominators did not spread the wealth. We're not sure if it was a weak year for Spanish cinema or if they just didn't look around much but the other two biggies, While at War and The Endless Trench, received 17 and 15 nominations respectively.
Best Film
“Pain and Glory” (Pedro Almodóvar) “Out in the Open” (Benito Zambrano) “The Endless Trench” “Fire Will Come” (Oliver Laxe) “While at War” (Alejandro Amenábar)
You may recall that While at War was a finalist for Spain's Oscar submission this year...
- 12/3/2019
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Other nominees include ‘Intemperie’, ’The Endless Trench’ and ’Fire Will Come’.
Alejandro Amenábar’s While At War leads the nominations for Spain’s 34th Goya Academy Awards but will face-off against Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain And Glory at the ceremony on January 25 in Malaga.
Scroll down for full list of nominations
Amenábar’s Spanish Civil War drama has secured 17 nominations while Almodóvar’s semi-autobiographical film has 16 nods.
While At War has proved a box office hit following its debut at Toronto, ranking as Spain’s third highest-grossing domestic film of 2019 and taking more than $11.3m to date.
Pain and Glory...
Alejandro Amenábar’s While At War leads the nominations for Spain’s 34th Goya Academy Awards but will face-off against Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain And Glory at the ceremony on January 25 in Malaga.
Scroll down for full list of nominations
Amenábar’s Spanish Civil War drama has secured 17 nominations while Almodóvar’s semi-autobiographical film has 16 nods.
While At War has proved a box office hit following its debut at Toronto, ranking as Spain’s third highest-grossing domestic film of 2019 and taking more than $11.3m to date.
Pain and Glory...
- 12/2/2019
- by 1101324¦Elisabet Cabeza¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Nominations were unveiled this morning for the 2020 Goya Awards, Spain’s primary awards show for film.
Leading the way is Alejandro Amenábar’s historical drama While At War, which follows revered author Miguel de Unamuno as he decides to publicly support the Spanish coup of July 1936, eventually heading to Franco’s palace to ask for clemency. The pic premiered at Toronto and also played San Sebastian.
While At War scored 17 nominations, including best film, director, screenplay and five acting nominations.
Following closely behind was Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain And Glory with 16 nominations including best film, director and acting noms for its leads Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz. The pic played in competition at Cannes this year and has since grossed $35m globally.
Alongside those two frontrunners, drama The Endless Touch, which premiered at San Sebastian film festival this year, picked up 15 nominations, including a nod for best film and best...
Leading the way is Alejandro Amenábar’s historical drama While At War, which follows revered author Miguel de Unamuno as he decides to publicly support the Spanish coup of July 1936, eventually heading to Franco’s palace to ask for clemency. The pic premiered at Toronto and also played San Sebastian.
While At War scored 17 nominations, including best film, director, screenplay and five acting nominations.
Following closely behind was Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain And Glory with 16 nominations including best film, director and acting noms for its leads Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz. The pic played in competition at Cannes this year and has since grossed $35m globally.
Alongside those two frontrunners, drama The Endless Touch, which premiered at San Sebastian film festival this year, picked up 15 nominations, including a nod for best film and best...
- 12/2/2019
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Pedro Almodóvar’s “Pain and Glory” will go head-to-head with two other big Spanish films – Alejandro Amenábar’s “While at War” and “The Endless Trench,” from Aitor Aguirre, Jon Garaño and José Mari Goenaga – at Spain’s 34th Goya Academy Awards, to be held Jan. 25 in Malaga.
“Pain and Glory” garnered 16 nominations,” “While at War” 17 and “The Endless Trench” 15.
Though most pundits would put “Pain and Glory” as the frontrunner, the outcome is difficult to predict. World-premiering in Spain before competing in Cannes, where Antonio Banderas won the best actor prize, “Pain and Glory” was reckoned by Spanish critics to be Almodóvar’s best film in a decade.
But ever since the screenplay for Luis Buñuel’s “Viridiana,” which went on to win the Palme d’Or, was written off in Spain as nonsense, the Spanish industry has steadfastly refused to kowtow to internationally acclaimed directors or indeed talent.
Screening at Ventana Sur,...
“Pain and Glory” garnered 16 nominations,” “While at War” 17 and “The Endless Trench” 15.
Though most pundits would put “Pain and Glory” as the frontrunner, the outcome is difficult to predict. World-premiering in Spain before competing in Cannes, where Antonio Banderas won the best actor prize, “Pain and Glory” was reckoned by Spanish critics to be Almodóvar’s best film in a decade.
But ever since the screenplay for Luis Buñuel’s “Viridiana,” which went on to win the Palme d’Or, was written off in Spain as nonsense, the Spanish industry has steadfastly refused to kowtow to internationally acclaimed directors or indeed talent.
Screening at Ventana Sur,...
- 12/2/2019
- by Jamie Lang and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
‘The Endless Trench’ picked up four prizes.
Brazilian production Pacified (Pacificado) by Us director Paxton Winters won the top award at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, at the ceremony held on Saturday, September 28.
With Darren Aronofsky as a producer, the film is set in a favela in Rio de Janeiro.
The jury, led by Irish filmmaker Neil Jordan, also awarded Pacified the Silver Shell for best actor to Bukassa Kabengele and the Jury prize for best cinematography to Laura Merians.
Paxton Winters, a reporter and filmmaker, got to know life in the favelas he portrays living there before he tackled Pacified.
Brazilian production Pacified (Pacificado) by Us director Paxton Winters won the top award at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, at the ceremony held on Saturday, September 28.
With Darren Aronofsky as a producer, the film is set in a favela in Rio de Janeiro.
The jury, led by Irish filmmaker Neil Jordan, also awarded Pacified the Silver Shell for best actor to Bukassa Kabengele and the Jury prize for best cinematography to Laura Merians.
Paxton Winters, a reporter and filmmaker, got to know life in the favelas he portrays living there before he tackled Pacified.
- 9/30/2019
- by Elisabet Cabeza
- ScreenDaily
Pacified took the Golden Shell Photo: Courtesy of San Sebastian Film Festival Brazilian film Pacified (Pacificado), directed by an American and produced by, among others, Darren Aronofsky, won the Gold Shell at San Sebastian Film Festival. Texan director Paxton Winters' film, which tells the story of a teenager who begins to found a relationship with her long-incarcerated and freshly released father, also won the Silver Shell for best acting for Bukassa Kabengele.
Spanish film The Endless Trench - directed by Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga - also won a clutch of awards. The story of tells a man who hides from Franco for decades behind a false wall in his father's home, stars Antonio de La Torre and Belén Cuesta and took home the Silver Shells for best script and direction, having already snagged the Fipresci critics' prize and Basque film award earlier in the week.
Spanish film The Endless Trench - directed by Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga - also won a clutch of awards. The story of tells a man who hides from Franco for decades behind a false wall in his father's home, stars Antonio de La Torre and Belén Cuesta and took home the Silver Shells for best script and direction, having already snagged the Fipresci critics' prize and Basque film award earlier in the week.
- 9/29/2019
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
San Sebastian — In a surprise – it had hardly figured in Spanish critics’ prize predictions – “Pacified,” directed by Texan Paxton Winters, won San Sebastian’s Golden Shell, the festival’s top award, on Saturday night.
A Brazilian produced movie turning on a troubled favela-set father-daughter relationship, it snagged best actor (Bukassa Kabengele) and cinematography (Laura Merians). It is co-produced by Darren Aronofsky’s Protozoa Pictures and distributed by Twentieth Century Fox ,
The other big victor of the night at the 67th edition of San Sebastian, the highest profile movie event in the Spanish-speaking world, was “The Endless Trench,” from the Basque filmmaking trio of Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga, behind 2017’s Special Jury Prize winner “Handia.”
Well reviewed in San Sebastian, the film swept director, screenplay and the Fipresci Intl. Federation of Film Critics Prize for a tightly composed and allegorical thriller about a man who hides in...
A Brazilian produced movie turning on a troubled favela-set father-daughter relationship, it snagged best actor (Bukassa Kabengele) and cinematography (Laura Merians). It is co-produced by Darren Aronofsky’s Protozoa Pictures and distributed by Twentieth Century Fox ,
The other big victor of the night at the 67th edition of San Sebastian, the highest profile movie event in the Spanish-speaking world, was “The Endless Trench,” from the Basque filmmaking trio of Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga, behind 2017’s Special Jury Prize winner “Handia.”
Well reviewed in San Sebastian, the film swept director, screenplay and the Fipresci Intl. Federation of Film Critics Prize for a tightly composed and allegorical thriller about a man who hides in...
- 9/28/2019
- by John Hopewell and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Darren Aronofsky-produced Brazilian drama Pacified (Pacificado) has won the Golden Shell top prize at the San Sebastian Film Festival. The movie also won best actor for Bukassa Kabengele and best DoP for Laura Merians.
Crowned this evening at the Spanish festival, Portuguese-language pic Pacified charts the relationship between a street-smart 13-year-old girl and an ex-trafficker who live in a Rio favela. U.S. filmmaker Paxton Winters was inspired to direct the film after himself moving to live in a favela. Kabengele stars with newcomer Cassia Nascimento and José Loreto.
Fox will release the film in Brazil. Also producing are Paula Linhares, Lisa Muskat and Marcos Tellechea.
The festival’s best director prize went jointly to Aitor Arregi, Jon Garano and Jose Mari Goenaga for The Endless Trench. Special jury prize went to Alice Winocour for Proxima.
The festival’s best actress prize was shared between Nina Hoss for The Audition...
Crowned this evening at the Spanish festival, Portuguese-language pic Pacified charts the relationship between a street-smart 13-year-old girl and an ex-trafficker who live in a Rio favela. U.S. filmmaker Paxton Winters was inspired to direct the film after himself moving to live in a favela. Kabengele stars with newcomer Cassia Nascimento and José Loreto.
Fox will release the film in Brazil. Also producing are Paula Linhares, Lisa Muskat and Marcos Tellechea.
The festival’s best director prize went jointly to Aitor Arregi, Jon Garano and Jose Mari Goenaga for The Endless Trench. Special jury prize went to Alice Winocour for Proxima.
The festival’s best actress prize was shared between Nina Hoss for The Audition...
- 9/28/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
San Sebastian — From the Basque filmmaking trio of Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga – 2014 San Sebastian competition player “Flowers” and 2017’s Special Jury Prize winner “Handia” – “The Endless Trench” is the region’s, and among Spain’s most buzzed-up title at this year’s San Sebastian Film Festival.
It doesn’t take a linguistics degree to guess the English translation of the Spanish word ironía, nor does one need to have studied drama to understand the irony that in the same week Spanish parliament voted to exhume and remove the remains of the country’s former fascist dictator Francisco Franco, one of the highest-profile films in San Sebastian tells the story of the people who, under the vicious ruler, were forced to entomb themselves within their homes for more than three decades.
“The Endless Trench” kicks off with the start of the Spanish Civil War. Newlyweds Higinio and...
It doesn’t take a linguistics degree to guess the English translation of the Spanish word ironía, nor does one need to have studied drama to understand the irony that in the same week Spanish parliament voted to exhume and remove the remains of the country’s former fascist dictator Francisco Franco, one of the highest-profile films in San Sebastian tells the story of the people who, under the vicious ruler, were forced to entomb themselves within their homes for more than three decades.
“The Endless Trench” kicks off with the start of the Spanish Civil War. Newlyweds Higinio and...
- 9/25/2019
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
‘+90dB’
A Basque rock band travels the globe playing to diehard fans from Japan, the U.S., Germany and France. Marina Lameiro’s second film, produced by Arena Comunicación and Txalap.art.
‘918 Nights’
Arantza Santesteban writes and directs her first feature documentary in which she explores the experience of being incarcerated for what seemed to be 918 nights. Txintxua Films and Hiruki Filmak currently produce.
‘Bromo: Agent Gernika’
Directed by Gerard Escuer the documentary follows the tumultuous life of José Laradogoitia a Basque double spy that worked against the Nazis during the World War Two. Produced by Area Audiovisual the documentary that plays with fictionalized scenes was selected in the Co production Forum of Documentaries Lau Haizetara on the 67th edition of San Sebastian. Is currently in preproduction.
‘Bye, Bye, Mr. Etxebeste’
Asier Altuna and Telmo Esnal’s follow-up to their 2005 social satire “Hello, Mr. Etxebeste,” the first Basque-language feature in years,...
A Basque rock band travels the globe playing to diehard fans from Japan, the U.S., Germany and France. Marina Lameiro’s second film, produced by Arena Comunicación and Txalap.art.
‘918 Nights’
Arantza Santesteban writes and directs her first feature documentary in which she explores the experience of being incarcerated for what seemed to be 918 nights. Txintxua Films and Hiruki Filmak currently produce.
‘Bromo: Agent Gernika’
Directed by Gerard Escuer the documentary follows the tumultuous life of José Laradogoitia a Basque double spy that worked against the Nazis during the World War Two. Produced by Area Audiovisual the documentary that plays with fictionalized scenes was selected in the Co production Forum of Documentaries Lau Haizetara on the 67th edition of San Sebastian. Is currently in preproduction.
‘Bye, Bye, Mr. Etxebeste’
Asier Altuna and Telmo Esnal’s follow-up to their 2005 social satire “Hello, Mr. Etxebeste,” the first Basque-language feature in years,...
- 9/24/2019
- by Emiliano Granada
- Variety Film + TV
San Sebastian – Barcelona-based Lastor Media and Malmo Pictures have teamed with San Sebastian’s Irusoin to produce “Suro” (The Cork), the feature debut of Mikel Gurrea and a product of San Sebastian’s Ikusmira Berriak program.
The film stars Laia Costa, who broke through with Sebastian Schipper’s “Victoria” and also serves as executive producer, and Pol López (Josep M. Fontana’s “Boi”). “Suro” is scheduled to start shooting next year.
Set in the Empordà region of Catalonia, close to the French border, “Suro” is a Catalan-language dramatic thriller with an auteurist voice but aimed at wider audiences, according to its producers.
The news comes as Irusoin, producers of “Loreak,” Spain’s international Oscar entry in 2015, world premieres in main competition section “The Endless Trench,” directed by Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga. Another Irusoin production, Asier Altuna and Telmo Esnal’s “Agur Etxebeste,” a sequel of “Aupa Etxebeste!
The film stars Laia Costa, who broke through with Sebastian Schipper’s “Victoria” and also serves as executive producer, and Pol López (Josep M. Fontana’s “Boi”). “Suro” is scheduled to start shooting next year.
Set in the Empordà region of Catalonia, close to the French border, “Suro” is a Catalan-language dramatic thriller with an auteurist voice but aimed at wider audiences, according to its producers.
The news comes as Irusoin, producers of “Loreak,” Spain’s international Oscar entry in 2015, world premieres in main competition section “The Endless Trench,” directed by Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga. Another Irusoin production, Asier Altuna and Telmo Esnal’s “Agur Etxebeste,” a sequel of “Aupa Etxebeste!
- 9/22/2019
- by Emilio Mayorga
- Variety Film + TV
Line-up also includes films by Louise Archambault, Guillaume Nicloux, José Luis Torres Leiva, Ina Weisse, Adilkhan Yerzhanov and David Zonana.
The San Sebastian film festival (September 20-28) has announced seven more titles that will compete for the 2019 Golden Shell award.
They include the long-delayed Zeroville directed by James Franco, who won the Golden Shell in 2017 for The Disaster Artist, and films by Louise Archambault, Guillaume Nicloux, José Luis Torres Leiva, Ina Weisse, Adilkhan Yerzhanov and David Zonana.
Zeroville is based on Steve Erickson’s novel about the changing Hollywood of the late 60s and stars Franco, Megan Fox, Seth Rogen,...
The San Sebastian film festival (September 20-28) has announced seven more titles that will compete for the 2019 Golden Shell award.
They include the long-delayed Zeroville directed by James Franco, who won the Golden Shell in 2017 for The Disaster Artist, and films by Louise Archambault, Guillaume Nicloux, José Luis Torres Leiva, Ina Weisse, Adilkhan Yerzhanov and David Zonana.
Zeroville is based on Steve Erickson’s novel about the changing Hollywood of the late 60s and stars Franco, Megan Fox, Seth Rogen,...
- 8/2/2019
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
Madrid — James Franco’s “Zeroville,” Louise Archambault’s “And The Birds Rained Down” and José Luis Torres Leiva’s “Death Will Come And Shall Have Your Eyes” will compete for San Sebastian’s Golden Shell, the Spanish festival announced Friday.
Further new main competition titles unveiled take in Guillaume Nicloux’s “Thalasso,” Ina Weisse’s “The Audition,” Adilkhan Yerzhanov’s “A Dark-Dark Man,” and Mexican debutant director David Zonana’s “Workforce.”
The seven titles join three already-announced Spanish competition contenders: Alejandro Amenábar’s “While At War,” Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga’s “The Endless Trench” and Belén Funes’ “A Thief’s Daughter.”
Playing out-of-competition will be “Heroic Losers,” , starring and co-produced by Ricardo Darín, which receives a Special Screening, and Daniel Sánchez-Arévalo’s “Diecisiete,” marking the first time a Netflix Original Film makes San Sebastian’s Official Selection cut.
After winning the Golden Shell in 2017 with “The Disaster Artist,...
Further new main competition titles unveiled take in Guillaume Nicloux’s “Thalasso,” Ina Weisse’s “The Audition,” Adilkhan Yerzhanov’s “A Dark-Dark Man,” and Mexican debutant director David Zonana’s “Workforce.”
The seven titles join three already-announced Spanish competition contenders: Alejandro Amenábar’s “While At War,” Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga’s “The Endless Trench” and Belén Funes’ “A Thief’s Daughter.”
Playing out-of-competition will be “Heroic Losers,” , starring and co-produced by Ricardo Darín, which receives a Special Screening, and Daniel Sánchez-Arévalo’s “Diecisiete,” marking the first time a Netflix Original Film makes San Sebastian’s Official Selection cut.
After winning the Golden Shell in 2017 with “The Disaster Artist,...
- 8/2/2019
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Further titles include Belén Funes’ debut ’A Thief’s Daughter’.
Alejandro Amenábar’s While At War is one of 15 Spanish films selected for the various strands of the 2019 San Sebastian International Film Festival (Ssiff) which will run from September 20 -28 this year.
The historical drama is about writer Miguel de Unamuno’s involvement in the Spanish Civil War and stars Karra Elejalde. Amenabar was last at San Sebastian with Regression which opened the festival out of competition in 2015.
It has not been announced if the film is having its world premiere at Ssiff, suggesting an earlier debut at either Venice...
Alejandro Amenábar’s While At War is one of 15 Spanish films selected for the various strands of the 2019 San Sebastian International Film Festival (Ssiff) which will run from September 20 -28 this year.
The historical drama is about writer Miguel de Unamuno’s involvement in the Spanish Civil War and stars Karra Elejalde. Amenabar was last at San Sebastian with Regression which opened the festival out of competition in 2015.
It has not been announced if the film is having its world premiere at Ssiff, suggesting an earlier debut at either Venice...
- 7/19/2019
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
While At War will screen in competition Photo: Courtesy of San Sebastian Film Festival Alejandro Amenábar returns to San Sebastian Film Festival's Official Selection with While At War (Mientras Dure La Guerra) as the Spanish titles for the 67th edition are announced.
The film, about the author Miguel de Unamuno (Karra Elejalde) and his stance towards the fascist coup d’état is the first time the director has been at the festival since Regression opened proceedings in 2015.
Also joining the competition line-up are filmmaking trio Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño, Jose Mari Goenaga, whose Flowers (Loreak) and Giant (Handia) previously screened in competition. Their latest film, The Endless Trench (La Trinchera Infinita), stars Antonio de la Torre as a man who, fearing retaliation after the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, goes into hiding with his wife - only to remain there for 33 years.
Rounding out the in competition titles is the debut by Belén Funes,...
The film, about the author Miguel de Unamuno (Karra Elejalde) and his stance towards the fascist coup d’état is the first time the director has been at the festival since Regression opened proceedings in 2015.
Also joining the competition line-up are filmmaking trio Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño, Jose Mari Goenaga, whose Flowers (Loreak) and Giant (Handia) previously screened in competition. Their latest film, The Endless Trench (La Trinchera Infinita), stars Antonio de la Torre as a man who, fearing retaliation after the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, goes into hiding with his wife - only to remain there for 33 years.
Rounding out the in competition titles is the debut by Belén Funes,...
- 7/19/2019
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Madrid – Alejandro Amenábar, Ricardo Darín and Paco Cabezas, director of episodes from “Peaky Blinders” and “American Gods,” look set to join Penelope Cruz, already confirmed as a Donostia Award winner, at this year’s 67th San Sebastian Intl. Film Festival.
The biggest movie event in the Spanish-speaking world, this year’s San Sebastian runs Sept.20-28.
Amenábar’s awaited “While at War” will compete in main competition, where it will face off, among Spanish titles announced Friday by the San Sebastian Festival, with banner Basque title “The Endless Trench” and“The Thief’s Daughter,” the already buzzy feature debut of Catalan Belén Funes.
Darín stars in and co-produces “Heroic Losers” which receives a Special Screening. Daniel Sánchez-Arevalo’s “Seventeen” will play out of competition – the first time a Netflix Original Film makes San Sebastian’s Official Selection cut.
New Directors, San Sebastian’s main sidebar, frames among Spanish world premieres...
The biggest movie event in the Spanish-speaking world, this year’s San Sebastian runs Sept.20-28.
Amenábar’s awaited “While at War” will compete in main competition, where it will face off, among Spanish titles announced Friday by the San Sebastian Festival, with banner Basque title “The Endless Trench” and“The Thief’s Daughter,” the already buzzy feature debut of Catalan Belén Funes.
Darín stars in and co-produces “Heroic Losers” which receives a Special Screening. Daniel Sánchez-Arevalo’s “Seventeen” will play out of competition – the first time a Netflix Original Film makes San Sebastian’s Official Selection cut.
New Directors, San Sebastian’s main sidebar, frames among Spanish world premieres...
- 7/19/2019
- by John Hopewell and Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Spain’s Seville-based shingle La Claqueta and Portugal’s SPi have clinched a co-development agreement for three fiction projects a year. Companies first made contact at last year’s Conecta Fiction, the annual co-production meet in Spain.
The companies have also pacted to co-produce the animated feature-length docu “El viaje más largo” in collaboration with Portuguese pubcaster Rtp and Spain’s Tve and Etb networks.
The agreements dovetail with both companies’ ambitions to further expand their international reach and in La Claqueta’s case, its bid to venture into fiction TV series.
“After many years producing documentary series, we believe the time has come to make the leap into creating serialized fiction,” said La Claqueta CEO Olmo Figueredo in a statement, adding: “But we wanted to do it hand in hand with an international partner of SPi’s stature, a company with years of experience in that market.”
“2019 has been...
The companies have also pacted to co-produce the animated feature-length docu “El viaje más largo” in collaboration with Portuguese pubcaster Rtp and Spain’s Tve and Etb networks.
The agreements dovetail with both companies’ ambitions to further expand their international reach and in La Claqueta’s case, its bid to venture into fiction TV series.
“After many years producing documentary series, we believe the time has come to make the leap into creating serialized fiction,” said La Claqueta CEO Olmo Figueredo in a statement, adding: “But we wanted to do it hand in hand with an international partner of SPi’s stature, a company with years of experience in that market.”
“2019 has been...
- 6/18/2019
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Jose Mari Goenaga and Jon Garano’s last film, Flowers, was one of the gems of 2014, a beautifully crafted meditation on love and mortality that became the first Basque film to be nominated as Spain’s candidate for the Academy Awards. Anyone hoping for more of the same will be surprised by Giant, a stately historical drama based on a true Basque story that plays out like an elegant but simple fable.
Technically superb, Giant is hobbled by a script that plods earnestly along like the giant at its center, and like him it starts to limp soon after mid-point. Though it represents...
Technically superb, Giant is hobbled by a script that plods earnestly along like the giant at its center, and like him it starts to limp soon after mid-point. Though it represents...
- 2/8/2018
- by Jonathan Holland
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chicago – The After Hours Film Society is a treasure of a cinema gathering that offers a comprehensive line-up of foreign, classic and specialty films for screening and discussion. Patrick McDonald, Editorial Coordinator and Film Critic for HollywoodChicago.com, will lead the discussion for the film “Flowers,” the 2015 Spanish film that was on the short list for the Academy Awards Best Foreign Language Film, on Monday evening, March 21st, 2016, at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove, Ill.
’Flowers,’ Directed by Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga
Photo credit: Music Box Films
Ane (Nagore Aranburu) receives some harsh news. The late thirtysomething woman is going through an early menopause, and this information puts the already reticent construction clerk into a bit of funk. Her mood shifts when she begins to receive flowers on a weekly basis, with no note or source. This causes a rift between her and her fiancé, because they...
’Flowers,’ Directed by Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga
Photo credit: Music Box Films
Ane (Nagore Aranburu) receives some harsh news. The late thirtysomething woman is going through an early menopause, and this information puts the already reticent construction clerk into a bit of funk. Her mood shifts when she begins to receive flowers on a weekly basis, with no note or source. This causes a rift between her and her fiancé, because they...
- 3/21/2016
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The meaning of our lives is elusive, and the time we spend here too short. The Spanish foreign language film “Flowers” seeks to define the meaning, through three women trying to memorialize one man. “Flowers” opens at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre on Dec. 18th, 2015.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
What is remarkable about the story is the ordinariness of the characters. They were all working class – a toll collector, a crane operator and a construction clerk – and they’re all occupying themselves with day-to-day drudgery. When a mystery begins, and a accident occurs, their obsessions regarding the shifts in their lives, due to those two situations, lead them on a path to change and redemption. In the European film atmosphere, none of the actors are glamorous, but simply know how to deliver the emotions to make this story inspirational. Beyond stopping and smelling the flowers, it opined that the beauty of the...
Rating: 4.5/5.0
What is remarkable about the story is the ordinariness of the characters. They were all working class – a toll collector, a crane operator and a construction clerk – and they’re all occupying themselves with day-to-day drudgery. When a mystery begins, and a accident occurs, their obsessions regarding the shifts in their lives, due to those two situations, lead them on a path to change and redemption. In the European film atmosphere, none of the actors are glamorous, but simply know how to deliver the emotions to make this story inspirational. Beyond stopping and smelling the flowers, it opined that the beauty of the...
- 12/19/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Fascinating is the best way to describe the process by which the final five nominated for the Academy Award in the Best Foreign Language Film are selected. Each year dozens of countries send their Oscar hopeful to Hollywood for AMPAS to consider. This work should, at least in theory, be the best representation of the national cinematic achievements of that year. This usually makes for a crowded field of storytelling marvels.
Since each country, via its national film academy or a special cultural committee, can only submit one candidate, there are always “snubs” even at the selections stage. These often happens because a film doesn’t meet the requirements or simply because the selecting body didn’t regard them as highly. While there are numerous detractors regarding AMPAS rule of only one entry per country, in a sense this helps level the playfield given that smaller territories might have very choices in comparison to European powerhouses. The other perspective argues that because of this process sometimes the real standouts don’t get a chance to compete.
Once a film becomes the official entry the next, and most arduous step, is to get into the 9-film shortlist. Six of them are chosen by popular within the AMPAS’ Foreign Language Film committee and the other three by an executed committee. These nine finalists are then watched by 30 randomly selected members from different Academy branches over one weekend. This is where the five nominees are chosen. This year 80 accepted submissions (noting that Afghanistan’s entry was disqualified) are vying for the trophy, and that means that 75 of the world’s best films will have to cherish the exposure given by process.
Nevertheless, making the shortlist is more than a commendable feat itself. This list will be revealed next week, and though there are always unexpected surprises, there are of course a few favorites and films that have garnered lots of positive attention throughout the season. After watching over three quarters out of the colossal list of entries in contention I’d like to share my observations on the 25 films that seem like the strongest bets to make the coveted shortlist and eventually become Academy Award nominees. Granted, other films could easily sneak in if they manage to impress the right people, but I feel confident that most of those that will advance will come from the least below.
Argentina
"The Clan" (El Clan)
Dir. Pablo Trapero
Isa: Film Factory Entertainment
U.S. Distribution: Fox International
Trapero’s sordid crime drama based on the real life story of the Puccio family, which became national news when authorities discovered they were behind a series of kidnapping and murders, is a compelling work that uses Argentina’s historical context as backdrop. . Almodovar’s El Deseo, the company behind the Oscar-nominated “Wild Tales”, produced the film.
Read More: 'The Clan Wins' Audience Award At Miami Dade College’s Miami International Film Festival’s Gems
Austria
"Goodnight Mommy" (Ich seh, ich seh)
Dirs. Severin Fiala & Veronika Franz
Isa: Films Distribution
U.S. Distribution: Radius-twc
One of the most daring selections is also one the most acclaimed horror films of the year. This art house chiller confronts a pair of mischievous twin boys with their convalescent mother who recently underwent a facial surgery. The thematic and aesthetic elegance that co-directors Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz employed elevates “Goodnight Mommy” beyond the usual gruesome fare.
Belgium
"The Brand New Testament" (Le tout nouveau testament)
Dir. Jaco Van Dormael
Isa: Le Pacte
U.S. Distribution: None Yet
This fantastical take on religion is yet another unique vision from director Jaco Van Dormael, the filmmaker behind such films as “Mr. Nobody.” With a humorous tone, “The Brand New Testament” explores what would happen if God himself lived in a regular apartment in Brussels pretending to be a mortal and finding pleasure in the little things that annoy human life - all of which are orchestrated by him.
Brazil
"The Second Mother" (Que Horas Ela Volta?)
Dir. Anna Muylaert
Isa: The Match Factory
U.S. Distribution: Oscilloscope Pictures
Anna Muylaert’s crowd-pleasing, yet thematically complex gem delves into the intricacies of class in Brazilian society through the eyes of an endearing live-in maid. Regina Casé, in an Oscar-worthy performance, becomes Val, a diligent and humble housekeeper that has worked with the same wealthy family in Sao Paulo for many years and who only questions her role within this environment when her strange daughter comes to visit.
Read More: Anna Muylaert on Why the Protagonist of 'The Second Mother' is a Super Hero
Canada
"Felix & Meira"
Dir. Maxime Giroux
Isa: Urban Distribution International
U.S. Distribution: Oscilloscope Laboratories
A clandestine romance and the yoke of religion are at the center of Maxime Giroux’s delicate debut feature. Meira (Hadas Yaron is a Hasidic woman who feels trapped by the expectations and limitations imposed her, but when she meets Felix (Martin Dubreuil), a secular man who is equally lost, her vision of the world widens.
Rea More: 'Felix and Meira' Director Maxime Giroux on Understanding Hasidim and Quebecois Isolation
Chile
"The Club" (El Club)
Dir. Pablo Larraín
Isa: Funny Balloons
U.S. Distribution: Music Box Films
Larrain's latest work follows a group of priests and nuns who live in an isolated beachside town after committing a score of heinous crimes. Though they have the church's protection, there are people out there who are not willing to let impunity prevail. Magnificently written and acted, this dark and piercing drama ranks up there with the director’s best work
Colombia
"Embrace of the Serpent" (El Abrazo de la Serpiente)
Dir. Ciro Guerra
Isa: Films Boutique
U.S. Distribution: Oscilloscope Laboratories
Strikingly beautiful and laced with poetic mysticism, Ciro Guerra’s most accomplished work to date follows the journey of two European explores at particular times in history as they are guided through the Amazon by Karamakate, an imposing local shaman man who is wary of their intentions.
Czech Republic
"Home Care" (Domácí péce)
Dir. Slávek Horák
Isa: M-Appeal
U.S. Distribution: None Yet
This very low-key dramedy from first-time director Slávek Horák about a a middle-aged home care nurse, who not only has to look after her patients but also her own family, hasn’t had as much exposure as other films on this list; however, the quality of the performances and the nuanced screenplay have resonated with those who have seen it.
Denmark
"A War" (Krigen)
Dir. Tobias Lindholm
Isa: Studiocanal
U.S. Distribution: Magnolia Pictures
Director Tobias Lindholm follow up to “A Hijacking,” blends gritty action with a courtroom drama in a searing study on guilt and the collateral damage of armed conflicts from the point of view of conflicted family man and company commander Claus M. Pedersen (Pilou Asbæk). Subtle observations and intricate moral complexity are once again Lindholm's greatest strengths.
Estonia
"1944"
Dir. Elmo Nüganen
Isa: Eyewell Ab
U.S. Distribution: None Yet
After earning its first-ever Academy Award nomination earlier this year, the Eastern European country returns to the race with an impressive historical epic about Estonian soldiers fighting on different sides against their own. The film was directed, who starred in the Oscar-nominated “Tangerines.”
Finland
"The Fencer" (Miekkailija)
Dir. Klaus Härö
Isa: The Little Film Company
U.S. Distribution: None Yet
Finnish filmmaker Klaus Härö takes on an Estonian story about a professional fencer who becomes a physical education teacher in his homeland after leaving Russia to escape the Kgb. This classically executed and elegant period drama offers uplifting moments, romance, and exquisite cinematography.
France
"Mustang"
Dir. Deniz Gamze Ergüven
Isa: Kinology
U.S. Distribution: Cohen Media Group
Through traditional gender roles and expectations in Turkish society, adults attempt to tame the blossoming womanhood in Deniz Gamze Ergüven's five teenage protagonists. Delicately shot and cast to perfection, this peculiar coming-of-ager is an empowering breath of fresh air that honors freedom and femininity in equal measures.
Read More: 'Mustang' Director Deniz Gamze Ergüven on Femininity in Cinema and French Multiculturalism
Germany
"Labyrinth of Lies" (Im Labyrinth des Schweigens)
Dir. Giulio Ricciarelli
Isa: Beta Cinema
U.S. Distribution: Sony Pictures Classics
In the aftermath of WWII German authorities and the majority of the population refused to acknowledge the magnitude of their involvement in the Holocaust until a driven young prosecutor begins uncovering the truth. Ricciarelli film is a compelling historical drama with a fantastic lead performance by Alexander Fehling at its core.
Read More: Dir. Giulio Ricciarelli and Star Alexander Fehling on the Historical Relevance of 'Labyrinth of Lies' and Germany's Open Wound
Guatemala
"Ixcanul"
Dir. Jayro Bustamante
Isa: Film Factory Entertainment
U.S. Distribution: Kino Lorber
Bustamante’s Silver Bear-winning ethereal masterpiece in indigenous language is an intimate look at the lives of the country’s Mayan population. Told through the eyes of a teenage girl destined to an arranged marriage, this marvelously photographed film speaks of tradition, modernity, mysticism, male chauvinism, and cultural isolation.
Read More: 'Ixcanul' Director Jayro Bustamante on the Strength of Mayan Women and Guatemala's Indigenous Majority
Hungary
"Son of Saul" (Saul fia)
Dir. László Nemes
Isa: Films Distribution
U.S. Distribution: Sony Pictures Classics
By far the most incredible debut of the year and one of the best films about the Holocaust ever made, this year’s Grand Prix winner takes the viewer inside the Nazi killing machine from the perspective of the Sonderkommando, a group of Jewish men chosen to carry out all horrific manual labor within the gas chambers. Immersive and devastating, Nemes' stunner is a powerful cinematic statement.
Iceland
"Rams" (Hrútar)
Dir. Grímur Hákonarson
Isa: New Europe Film Sales
U.S. Distribution: Cohen Media Group
A humorous look at brotherhood and pastoral life, this Un Certain Regard-winning dark comedy pays homage to the importance of sheep in the Icelandic cultural identity. When a disease wipes out the entire town’s flock, two estrange siblings, who haven’t spoken to each other in decades, are forced to collaborate in order to save their livelihood.
Ireland
"Viva"
Dir. Paddy Breathnach
Isa: Mongrel International
U.S. Distribution: Magnolia Pictures
Jesus, a young gay man in Havana, only finds relief from his daily struggles when he transforms into a drag performer in front of an eager audience, but when his macho father returns after decades away his dreams are jeopardized. This Irish production set in Cuba is a delightful work that thrives on authenticity and emotionally layered performances.
Read More:'Viva' Director Paddy Breathnach on Making an Irish Film in Cuba and Visceral Transformation
Jordan
"Theeb" (ذيب)
Dir. Naji Abu Nowar
Isa: Fortissimo Films
U.S. Distribution: Film Movement
Adapting the sensibilities of classic Westerns into a uniquely Middle Eastern setting, this period piece touches on the complicated relationship between the region and the colonial powers via the experiences of a young Bedouin boy who embarks on a mission across the desert. Top-notch filmmaking that twists conventions to depict a singular worldview.
Mexico
"600 Miles" (600 Millas)
Dir. Gabriel Ripstein
Isa: Ndm
U.S. Distribution: Pantelion Films
By focusing on two characters from opposite sides of the border, Gabriel Ripstein’s debut Starring Tim Roth delves into the U.S/Mexico conflictive, yet unavoidable codependency and share responsibility in the fight against organized crime. Guns are at the center of this realist tale in which everyone’s morality is tinged with shades of grey.
The Netherlands
"The Paradise Suite"
Dir. Joost van Ginkel
Isa: Media Luna New Films
U.S. Distribution: None Yet
In this profound multi-narrative film the tumultuous stories of characters from diverse latitudes collide in Amsterdam in unexpected and heartbreaking ways. An Eastern European girl dragged into prostitution, an African man desperate to stay afloat, a war criminal in disguise, a woman seeking revenge, and famous musician and his son struggling to connect, all, in their own way, looking fro redemption.
Norway
"The Wave" (Bølgen)
Dir. Roar Uthaug
Isa: TrustNordisk
U.S. Distribution: Magnolia Pictures
Besides its spectacular, Hollywood-worthy visual effects, what sets this Scandinavian disaster movie apart from less sophisticated American efforts is its interesting character development. While the chaos and destruction on screen is an exhilarating feast, the human aspect is never forgotten and it’s crucial to the Norwegian specificity of the plot.
Romania
"Aferim!"
Dir. Radu Jude
Isa: Beta Cinema
U.S. Distribution: Big World Pictures
Thematically fascinating and visually impeccable, this black-and-white historical adventure set in the early 19th century solidifies Romanian cinema as one of the most exciting and innovative currents in Europe. Radu Jude’s film centers on the mostly unknown history of Gypsy slavery and how this shaped Romanian society by using a tragicomic tone and timeless aesthetics.
Spain
"Flowers" (Loreak)
Dirs. Jon Garaño & Jose Mari Goenaga
Isa: Film Factory Entertainment
U.S. Distribution: Music Box Films
The country’s firs Basque-language entry is a soft-spoken drama that juxtaposes the grieving processes of three women after the tragic death of man that touched their lives directly and indirectly. Unpretentious in its concept, yet unexpectedly philosophical, the power of the narrative lies on the actresses that flourish and decay in varying degrees throughout the film.
Sweden
"A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence" (En duva satt på en gren och funderade på tillvaron)
Dir. Roy Andersson
Isa: Coproduction Office (Paris)
U.S. Distribution: Magnolia Pictures
As brilliant as anything Andersson has ever created, the final chapter in his trilogy about the absurdity of what it means to be human is one of the most unconventional cinematic experiences in recent memory. Without the constraints of la traditional plot, this nonlinear treasure uses clever vignettes to talk about death, humor, and the mundane things that define our existence.
Read More: 7 Reasons Why Roy Andersson's Latest Film is a Must-See Philosophical Wonder
Taiwan
"The Assassin" (聶隱娘)
Dir. Hsiao-hsien Hou
Isa: Wild Bunch
U.S. Distribution: Well Go USA Entertainment
Armed with breathtaking cinematography, lavish costumes and production design, and an ancient legend about betrayal and retribution, master Hsiao-hsien Hou obliterates our expectations and delivers a one-of-a-kind martial arts epic that’s more concerned with sensory transcendence than narrative clarity, but is no less of an enthralling experience because of it.
Since each country, via its national film academy or a special cultural committee, can only submit one candidate, there are always “snubs” even at the selections stage. These often happens because a film doesn’t meet the requirements or simply because the selecting body didn’t regard them as highly. While there are numerous detractors regarding AMPAS rule of only one entry per country, in a sense this helps level the playfield given that smaller territories might have very choices in comparison to European powerhouses. The other perspective argues that because of this process sometimes the real standouts don’t get a chance to compete.
Once a film becomes the official entry the next, and most arduous step, is to get into the 9-film shortlist. Six of them are chosen by popular within the AMPAS’ Foreign Language Film committee and the other three by an executed committee. These nine finalists are then watched by 30 randomly selected members from different Academy branches over one weekend. This is where the five nominees are chosen. This year 80 accepted submissions (noting that Afghanistan’s entry was disqualified) are vying for the trophy, and that means that 75 of the world’s best films will have to cherish the exposure given by process.
Nevertheless, making the shortlist is more than a commendable feat itself. This list will be revealed next week, and though there are always unexpected surprises, there are of course a few favorites and films that have garnered lots of positive attention throughout the season. After watching over three quarters out of the colossal list of entries in contention I’d like to share my observations on the 25 films that seem like the strongest bets to make the coveted shortlist and eventually become Academy Award nominees. Granted, other films could easily sneak in if they manage to impress the right people, but I feel confident that most of those that will advance will come from the least below.
Argentina
"The Clan" (El Clan)
Dir. Pablo Trapero
Isa: Film Factory Entertainment
U.S. Distribution: Fox International
Trapero’s sordid crime drama based on the real life story of the Puccio family, which became national news when authorities discovered they were behind a series of kidnapping and murders, is a compelling work that uses Argentina’s historical context as backdrop. . Almodovar’s El Deseo, the company behind the Oscar-nominated “Wild Tales”, produced the film.
Read More: 'The Clan Wins' Audience Award At Miami Dade College’s Miami International Film Festival’s Gems
Austria
"Goodnight Mommy" (Ich seh, ich seh)
Dirs. Severin Fiala & Veronika Franz
Isa: Films Distribution
U.S. Distribution: Radius-twc
One of the most daring selections is also one the most acclaimed horror films of the year. This art house chiller confronts a pair of mischievous twin boys with their convalescent mother who recently underwent a facial surgery. The thematic and aesthetic elegance that co-directors Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz employed elevates “Goodnight Mommy” beyond the usual gruesome fare.
Belgium
"The Brand New Testament" (Le tout nouveau testament)
Dir. Jaco Van Dormael
Isa: Le Pacte
U.S. Distribution: None Yet
This fantastical take on religion is yet another unique vision from director Jaco Van Dormael, the filmmaker behind such films as “Mr. Nobody.” With a humorous tone, “The Brand New Testament” explores what would happen if God himself lived in a regular apartment in Brussels pretending to be a mortal and finding pleasure in the little things that annoy human life - all of which are orchestrated by him.
Brazil
"The Second Mother" (Que Horas Ela Volta?)
Dir. Anna Muylaert
Isa: The Match Factory
U.S. Distribution: Oscilloscope Pictures
Anna Muylaert’s crowd-pleasing, yet thematically complex gem delves into the intricacies of class in Brazilian society through the eyes of an endearing live-in maid. Regina Casé, in an Oscar-worthy performance, becomes Val, a diligent and humble housekeeper that has worked with the same wealthy family in Sao Paulo for many years and who only questions her role within this environment when her strange daughter comes to visit.
Read More: Anna Muylaert on Why the Protagonist of 'The Second Mother' is a Super Hero
Canada
"Felix & Meira"
Dir. Maxime Giroux
Isa: Urban Distribution International
U.S. Distribution: Oscilloscope Laboratories
A clandestine romance and the yoke of religion are at the center of Maxime Giroux’s delicate debut feature. Meira (Hadas Yaron is a Hasidic woman who feels trapped by the expectations and limitations imposed her, but when she meets Felix (Martin Dubreuil), a secular man who is equally lost, her vision of the world widens.
Rea More: 'Felix and Meira' Director Maxime Giroux on Understanding Hasidim and Quebecois Isolation
Chile
"The Club" (El Club)
Dir. Pablo Larraín
Isa: Funny Balloons
U.S. Distribution: Music Box Films
Larrain's latest work follows a group of priests and nuns who live in an isolated beachside town after committing a score of heinous crimes. Though they have the church's protection, there are people out there who are not willing to let impunity prevail. Magnificently written and acted, this dark and piercing drama ranks up there with the director’s best work
Colombia
"Embrace of the Serpent" (El Abrazo de la Serpiente)
Dir. Ciro Guerra
Isa: Films Boutique
U.S. Distribution: Oscilloscope Laboratories
Strikingly beautiful and laced with poetic mysticism, Ciro Guerra’s most accomplished work to date follows the journey of two European explores at particular times in history as they are guided through the Amazon by Karamakate, an imposing local shaman man who is wary of their intentions.
Czech Republic
"Home Care" (Domácí péce)
Dir. Slávek Horák
Isa: M-Appeal
U.S. Distribution: None Yet
This very low-key dramedy from first-time director Slávek Horák about a a middle-aged home care nurse, who not only has to look after her patients but also her own family, hasn’t had as much exposure as other films on this list; however, the quality of the performances and the nuanced screenplay have resonated with those who have seen it.
Denmark
"A War" (Krigen)
Dir. Tobias Lindholm
Isa: Studiocanal
U.S. Distribution: Magnolia Pictures
Director Tobias Lindholm follow up to “A Hijacking,” blends gritty action with a courtroom drama in a searing study on guilt and the collateral damage of armed conflicts from the point of view of conflicted family man and company commander Claus M. Pedersen (Pilou Asbæk). Subtle observations and intricate moral complexity are once again Lindholm's greatest strengths.
Estonia
"1944"
Dir. Elmo Nüganen
Isa: Eyewell Ab
U.S. Distribution: None Yet
After earning its first-ever Academy Award nomination earlier this year, the Eastern European country returns to the race with an impressive historical epic about Estonian soldiers fighting on different sides against their own. The film was directed, who starred in the Oscar-nominated “Tangerines.”
Finland
"The Fencer" (Miekkailija)
Dir. Klaus Härö
Isa: The Little Film Company
U.S. Distribution: None Yet
Finnish filmmaker Klaus Härö takes on an Estonian story about a professional fencer who becomes a physical education teacher in his homeland after leaving Russia to escape the Kgb. This classically executed and elegant period drama offers uplifting moments, romance, and exquisite cinematography.
France
"Mustang"
Dir. Deniz Gamze Ergüven
Isa: Kinology
U.S. Distribution: Cohen Media Group
Through traditional gender roles and expectations in Turkish society, adults attempt to tame the blossoming womanhood in Deniz Gamze Ergüven's five teenage protagonists. Delicately shot and cast to perfection, this peculiar coming-of-ager is an empowering breath of fresh air that honors freedom and femininity in equal measures.
Read More: 'Mustang' Director Deniz Gamze Ergüven on Femininity in Cinema and French Multiculturalism
Germany
"Labyrinth of Lies" (Im Labyrinth des Schweigens)
Dir. Giulio Ricciarelli
Isa: Beta Cinema
U.S. Distribution: Sony Pictures Classics
In the aftermath of WWII German authorities and the majority of the population refused to acknowledge the magnitude of their involvement in the Holocaust until a driven young prosecutor begins uncovering the truth. Ricciarelli film is a compelling historical drama with a fantastic lead performance by Alexander Fehling at its core.
Read More: Dir. Giulio Ricciarelli and Star Alexander Fehling on the Historical Relevance of 'Labyrinth of Lies' and Germany's Open Wound
Guatemala
"Ixcanul"
Dir. Jayro Bustamante
Isa: Film Factory Entertainment
U.S. Distribution: Kino Lorber
Bustamante’s Silver Bear-winning ethereal masterpiece in indigenous language is an intimate look at the lives of the country’s Mayan population. Told through the eyes of a teenage girl destined to an arranged marriage, this marvelously photographed film speaks of tradition, modernity, mysticism, male chauvinism, and cultural isolation.
Read More: 'Ixcanul' Director Jayro Bustamante on the Strength of Mayan Women and Guatemala's Indigenous Majority
Hungary
"Son of Saul" (Saul fia)
Dir. László Nemes
Isa: Films Distribution
U.S. Distribution: Sony Pictures Classics
By far the most incredible debut of the year and one of the best films about the Holocaust ever made, this year’s Grand Prix winner takes the viewer inside the Nazi killing machine from the perspective of the Sonderkommando, a group of Jewish men chosen to carry out all horrific manual labor within the gas chambers. Immersive and devastating, Nemes' stunner is a powerful cinematic statement.
Iceland
"Rams" (Hrútar)
Dir. Grímur Hákonarson
Isa: New Europe Film Sales
U.S. Distribution: Cohen Media Group
A humorous look at brotherhood and pastoral life, this Un Certain Regard-winning dark comedy pays homage to the importance of sheep in the Icelandic cultural identity. When a disease wipes out the entire town’s flock, two estrange siblings, who haven’t spoken to each other in decades, are forced to collaborate in order to save their livelihood.
Ireland
"Viva"
Dir. Paddy Breathnach
Isa: Mongrel International
U.S. Distribution: Magnolia Pictures
Jesus, a young gay man in Havana, only finds relief from his daily struggles when he transforms into a drag performer in front of an eager audience, but when his macho father returns after decades away his dreams are jeopardized. This Irish production set in Cuba is a delightful work that thrives on authenticity and emotionally layered performances.
Read More:'Viva' Director Paddy Breathnach on Making an Irish Film in Cuba and Visceral Transformation
Jordan
"Theeb" (ذيب)
Dir. Naji Abu Nowar
Isa: Fortissimo Films
U.S. Distribution: Film Movement
Adapting the sensibilities of classic Westerns into a uniquely Middle Eastern setting, this period piece touches on the complicated relationship between the region and the colonial powers via the experiences of a young Bedouin boy who embarks on a mission across the desert. Top-notch filmmaking that twists conventions to depict a singular worldview.
Mexico
"600 Miles" (600 Millas)
Dir. Gabriel Ripstein
Isa: Ndm
U.S. Distribution: Pantelion Films
By focusing on two characters from opposite sides of the border, Gabriel Ripstein’s debut Starring Tim Roth delves into the U.S/Mexico conflictive, yet unavoidable codependency and share responsibility in the fight against organized crime. Guns are at the center of this realist tale in which everyone’s morality is tinged with shades of grey.
The Netherlands
"The Paradise Suite"
Dir. Joost van Ginkel
Isa: Media Luna New Films
U.S. Distribution: None Yet
In this profound multi-narrative film the tumultuous stories of characters from diverse latitudes collide in Amsterdam in unexpected and heartbreaking ways. An Eastern European girl dragged into prostitution, an African man desperate to stay afloat, a war criminal in disguise, a woman seeking revenge, and famous musician and his son struggling to connect, all, in their own way, looking fro redemption.
Norway
"The Wave" (Bølgen)
Dir. Roar Uthaug
Isa: TrustNordisk
U.S. Distribution: Magnolia Pictures
Besides its spectacular, Hollywood-worthy visual effects, what sets this Scandinavian disaster movie apart from less sophisticated American efforts is its interesting character development. While the chaos and destruction on screen is an exhilarating feast, the human aspect is never forgotten and it’s crucial to the Norwegian specificity of the plot.
Romania
"Aferim!"
Dir. Radu Jude
Isa: Beta Cinema
U.S. Distribution: Big World Pictures
Thematically fascinating and visually impeccable, this black-and-white historical adventure set in the early 19th century solidifies Romanian cinema as one of the most exciting and innovative currents in Europe. Radu Jude’s film centers on the mostly unknown history of Gypsy slavery and how this shaped Romanian society by using a tragicomic tone and timeless aesthetics.
Spain
"Flowers" (Loreak)
Dirs. Jon Garaño & Jose Mari Goenaga
Isa: Film Factory Entertainment
U.S. Distribution: Music Box Films
The country’s firs Basque-language entry is a soft-spoken drama that juxtaposes the grieving processes of three women after the tragic death of man that touched their lives directly and indirectly. Unpretentious in its concept, yet unexpectedly philosophical, the power of the narrative lies on the actresses that flourish and decay in varying degrees throughout the film.
Sweden
"A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence" (En duva satt på en gren och funderade på tillvaron)
Dir. Roy Andersson
Isa: Coproduction Office (Paris)
U.S. Distribution: Magnolia Pictures
As brilliant as anything Andersson has ever created, the final chapter in his trilogy about the absurdity of what it means to be human is one of the most unconventional cinematic experiences in recent memory. Without the constraints of la traditional plot, this nonlinear treasure uses clever vignettes to talk about death, humor, and the mundane things that define our existence.
Read More: 7 Reasons Why Roy Andersson's Latest Film is a Must-See Philosophical Wonder
Taiwan
"The Assassin" (聶隱娘)
Dir. Hsiao-hsien Hou
Isa: Wild Bunch
U.S. Distribution: Well Go USA Entertainment
Armed with breathtaking cinematography, lavish costumes and production design, and an ancient legend about betrayal and retribution, master Hsiao-hsien Hou obliterates our expectations and delivers a one-of-a-kind martial arts epic that’s more concerned with sensory transcendence than narrative clarity, but is no less of an enthralling experience because of it.
- 12/14/2015
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Flowers is the first ever Basque language film to represent Spain in consideration for the Best Foreign Language Film category. Directors Jon Gargaño and Jose Mari Goenaga were in La...
- 12/1/2015
- by Jazz Tangcay
- AwardsDaily.com
Flowers fill an interesting space in life. They are offerings of romance, well-wishes for the sick, tokens of loss for the departed. But more than anything, they are gifts, given, no matter the circumstance, to express thought and care and love. Even those pinned to highway signs and stacked beside crosses planted in remembrance along busy roads. There, like at a cemetery, they are a message, a reminder that those departed have not been forgotten. It is from this complex array of meaning that Spain’s Basque-language “Loreak” (which has been translated to “Flowers” for it’s English title) builds from. A quiet, elegant study of those at their most stagnant, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga’s second feature is an exploration of grief, who owns it, who has a right to it, and how to handle it. Ane (Nagore Aranburu) is lost. By no means old enough, she...
- 11/19/2015
- by Gary Garrison
- The Playlist
"Flowers," Spain's official selection for the 2016 Oscars, follows three women whose lives become unexpectedly linked when Ane (Nagore Aranburu) begins receiving mysterious—and, if the trailer is any indication, gorgeous—bouquets. The film, co-directed by Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga, is the first ever film is Euskara, the Basque language, to compete for the prize. Still, slightly chilling, and occasionally darkly comic, the trailer calls to mind the films of Pedro Almodóvar, though much more restrained in terms of color and tone. "Dead people are dead," one character avers. "End of story." In "Flowers," as Ane tries to figure out who's sending these anonymous gifts, the aging Tere (Itziar Aizpuru) hopes her only son, Beñat (Josean Bengoetxea), and his wife, Lourdes (Itziar Ituño), will give her a grandchild—only to be disappointed. When tragedy strikes suddenly, flowers start to appear again, only this...
- 10/13/2015
- by Matt Brennan
- Thompson on Hollywood
The distributor has picked up North American rights from Film Factory Entertainment to Spain’s foreign-language Oscar contender. Separately, Cohen Media Group has acquired 30 films from the Merchant Ivory Productions library .
Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga directed Flowers (Loreak), Spain’s first Oscar selection in the Basque language of Euskara.
The film follows three women whose lives collide through a tragic event.
Music Box Films opens the film at New York’s Paris Theater on October 30 followed by Los Angeles November 27.
Cohen Media Group chairman and CEO Charles S Cohen has acquired 30 films from the Merchant Ivory Productions library including Howards End, Maurice, Shakespeare Wallah and Heat And Dust. Cohen Media Group will restore and re-release the titles under the Cohen Film Collection in association with James Ivory.
Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga directed Flowers (Loreak), Spain’s first Oscar selection in the Basque language of Euskara.
The film follows three women whose lives collide through a tragic event.
Music Box Films opens the film at New York’s Paris Theater on October 30 followed by Los Angeles November 27.
Cohen Media Group chairman and CEO Charles S Cohen has acquired 30 films from the Merchant Ivory Productions library including Howards End, Maurice, Shakespeare Wallah and Heat And Dust. Cohen Media Group will restore and re-release the titles under the Cohen Film Collection in association with James Ivory.
- 10/12/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
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