At this year’s Sundance Film Festival, the annual event broke some of its own barriers, doling out each of its four directing awards to female filmmakers. For the first time in the festival’s 34-year history, directing prizes went only to women, spanning all four major categories — narrative and documentary, U.S. and world cinema: Sara Colangelo (“The Kindergarten Teacher”), Alexandria Bombach (“On Her Shoulders”), Sandi Tan (“Shirkers”), and Isold Uggadottir (“And Breathe Normally”). The festival’s juries also awarded Desiree Akhavan’s “The Miseducation of Cameron Post” the Grand Jury Prize, the festival’s highest honor; Sundance’s sole dedicated screenplay honor, the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award, went to Christina Choe for “Nancy.”
In short, it was a big festival for women. But what does winning an award at Sundance actually mean for female filmmakers? How does it impact future projects? Does it guarantee further success in the industry?...
In short, it was a big festival for women. But what does winning an award at Sundance actually mean for female filmmakers? How does it impact future projects? Does it guarantee further success in the industry?...
- 1/29/2018
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Though it’s a harder film festival to regulate and therefore tabulate a comprehensively genuine list reflecting the totality of the fest’s offering per any individual’s perspective, the Toronto Film Festival manages to be a healthy platform for new and developing voices for those willing to sift through the multitude of titles. Of course, many new exciting voices were present that debuted at earlier film festivals, like Berlin, Sundance, and Cannes. From Guy Maddin’s co-director Evan Johnson on The Forbidden Room and Josh Mond’s stunning debut James White out of Sundance, to notable Cannes berths like Laszlo Nemes of Son of Saul, Deniz Gamz Erguven of Mustang, and Thomas Bidegain’s Les Cowboys, 2015 brought a wide variety of new filmmakers to light. In deliberating the Top Ten New Voices out of Tiff, we focused on offerings either unique to the festival or near concurrent premieres with Locarno and Venice.
- 10/12/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Alma Matters: Dulude-De Celles Yields Heartrending Results with Docu Debut
Following last year’s Sundance award-winning selected fictional short La Coupe, Geneviève Dulude-De Celles makes her feature debut splash in the non-fiction form with a film that draws on the stylistic virtues of Errol Morris, the woozy observational lyricism found in Rich Hill and the intimacy and eclecticism on display in Tinatin Gurchiani’s The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear. And despite all the subconscious cinema quoting, the Quebec helmer’s portrait of Sorel-Tracy’s middle class high school encapsulated within Welcome to F.L. is of its own unique fibre full of color, meaning, beauty and emotion.
Ten years after graduating, Dulude-De Celles returned to her alma mater with the intention of making a film about bullying, but once she embarked on the project she realized that the topic of the teenage experience is much more rich and heartrending,...
Following last year’s Sundance award-winning selected fictional short La Coupe, Geneviève Dulude-De Celles makes her feature debut splash in the non-fiction form with a film that draws on the stylistic virtues of Errol Morris, the woozy observational lyricism found in Rich Hill and the intimacy and eclecticism on display in Tinatin Gurchiani’s The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear. And despite all the subconscious cinema quoting, the Quebec helmer’s portrait of Sorel-Tracy’s middle class high school encapsulated within Welcome to F.L. is of its own unique fibre full of color, meaning, beauty and emotion.
Ten years after graduating, Dulude-De Celles returned to her alma mater with the intention of making a film about bullying, but once she embarked on the project she realized that the topic of the teenage experience is much more rich and heartrending,...
- 9/14/2015
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
While the U.S. Documentary Competition is generally known for it’s politically charged intensity, the World Cinema Documentary Competition tends to be a little more well rounded. Rather than bluntly educating and strongly suggesting, the imports are often more observational in their approach, asking us to engage and form our own opinions on the subjects, or often the cultures, presented. Think last year’s Best Director Award winner The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear by Tinatin Gurchiani, or Qi Zhao’s Fallen City as prime examples, but let’s not forget there are also films of social urgency, such as Jehane Noujaim’s The Square, which just made the Oscar docu short list this week. This year’s programme looks no less diverse.
Possibly the biggest name on the list, Hubert Sauper returns with his hotly anticipated doc We Come as Friends (see above picture), his first feature since...
Possibly the biggest name on the list, Hubert Sauper returns with his hotly anticipated doc We Come as Friends (see above picture), his first feature since...
- 12/5/2013
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
This is a tough awards season! Lots of great movies to see, so little time! I'm catching up like crazy before we vote for the Critics' Choice Movie Awards for the Broadcast Film Critics Association. So I apologize if I haven't updated you with the latest on the awards season 2013-2014! And there were many award-giving bodies announcing nominations.
We already told you about the Rome Film Festival and the Film Independent Spirit Awards, now let's talk about the 2013 Gotham Awards, the Ida Documentary Awards, the Cinema Eye, and the Producers Guild announcing its best documentary choices.
First stop, we have the 2013 Gotham Awards where Steve McQueen's "12 Years a Slave" topped the nominations with three nods including best feature, best actor for Chiwetel Ejiofor and breakthrough actor for Lupita Nyong'o.
Winners will be announced on Dec. 2nd where Richard Linklater, Forest Whitaker, and Katherine Oliver (head of the NYC...
We already told you about the Rome Film Festival and the Film Independent Spirit Awards, now let's talk about the 2013 Gotham Awards, the Ida Documentary Awards, the Cinema Eye, and the Producers Guild announcing its best documentary choices.
First stop, we have the 2013 Gotham Awards where Steve McQueen's "12 Years a Slave" topped the nominations with three nods including best feature, best actor for Chiwetel Ejiofor and breakthrough actor for Lupita Nyong'o.
Winners will be announced on Dec. 2nd where Richard Linklater, Forest Whitaker, and Katherine Oliver (head of the NYC...
- 12/2/2013
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Other winners include Everyday Rebellion, Dirty Wars and A Spell to Ward Off the Darkness.
Algerian film Bloody Beans has picked up the Dox:Award for best film at Copenhagen documentary festival Cph:dox (Nov 7-17).
The directorial debut of Narimane Mari includes a large group of children who blend role play and trippy re-enactment to portray Algeria’s historical struggle for independence.
The film, which received its international premiere at the festival, was described as “radical, original and playful” by the jury.
The jury comprised Georgian filmmaker Tinatin Gurchiani, Danish filmmaker Janus Metz, Tate Modern flm curator George Clark, artist Angela Melitopoulos and MoMA film curator Lawrence Kardish.
They gave a special mention to Us drama-doc Stop the Pounding Heart, directed by Roberto Minervini. The film, about an illicit romance between two teenagers in a conservative, rural Texan community, debuted at Cannes and recently won a top prize at Dok Leipzig.
The Politiken...
Algerian film Bloody Beans has picked up the Dox:Award for best film at Copenhagen documentary festival Cph:dox (Nov 7-17).
The directorial debut of Narimane Mari includes a large group of children who blend role play and trippy re-enactment to portray Algeria’s historical struggle for independence.
The film, which received its international premiere at the festival, was described as “radical, original and playful” by the jury.
The jury comprised Georgian filmmaker Tinatin Gurchiani, Danish filmmaker Janus Metz, Tate Modern flm curator George Clark, artist Angela Melitopoulos and MoMA film curator Lawrence Kardish.
They gave a special mention to Us drama-doc Stop the Pounding Heart, directed by Roberto Minervini. The film, about an illicit romance between two teenagers in a conservative, rural Texan community, debuted at Cannes and recently won a top prize at Dok Leipzig.
The Politiken...
- 11/17/2013
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Zachary Heinzerling’s "Cutie and the Boxer" led the nominations for the 7th Annual Cinema Eye Honors, taking six nominations including the top prize, Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking. Also nominated in the that category were Joshua Oppenheimer’s The Act of Killing" (which was close behind "Cutie" with five nods), Martha Shane and Lana Wilson’s "After Tiller," Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Véréna Paravel’s "Leviathan" and Sarah Polley’s " Stories We Tell". Nominees for Outstanding Achievement in Direction included Alan Berliner for "First Cousin Once Removed," Tinatin Gurchiani for "The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear," Oppenheimer for "The Act of Killing," Shane and Wilson for "After Tiller," Castaing-Taylor and Paravel for "Leviathan" and Polley for "Stories We Tell." This marks the first time in Cinema Eye history that more women were nominated for the Directing Award than their male counterparts. In addition,...
- 11/6/2013
- by Peter Knegt
- Indiewire
With a solid background in psychology and a foundation in direction via the University of Film and Television Konrad Wolf in Potsdam-Babelsberg, Germany, the Georgian born director Tinatin Gurchiani’s boldly original debut docu embodies a stark depiction of everyday hardship through concise successive portraits of Georgian youth. After putting out an ad seeking young people interested in appearing in a film, Gurchiani performed a series of interview auditions with each respondent. Piercing in it’s austerity and mesmerizingly simplistic execution, this footage makes up the bulk of her penetrating Sundance preemed first feature, The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear.
Rather than following her subjects about their lives or having them sit comfortably under inquisition in standard shoulder cropped close-ups, Gurchiani has chosen to place them largely in thigh-high wide shots standing against vividly colored, yet decaying concrete spaces, clothed but naked none-the-less. Depending on the person, her questions vary...
Rather than following her subjects about their lives or having them sit comfortably under inquisition in standard shoulder cropped close-ups, Gurchiani has chosen to place them largely in thigh-high wide shots standing against vividly colored, yet decaying concrete spaces, clothed but naked none-the-less. Depending on the person, her questions vary...
- 10/15/2013
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
Few lines of work are more demeaning than acting. The job involves regular, demanding submission and rejection, in which one offers oneself only to be told that one's self isn't good enough. We might wonder why so many people want to be actors; in fact, part of role-playing's appeal lies in the seeming ease with which self-elevation can become self-obliteration, and vice versa. To appear onstage or in front of a camera can be to realize a dream of becoming someone better, or at least different.
"If you had a machine which makes everything disappear, what would you disappear?" director Tinatin Gurchiani is heard asking in her debut film. In 2011, Gurchiani returned from abroad to her native country of Georgia intent on making a fictional film, only to discover that the faces s...
"If you had a machine which makes everything disappear, what would you disappear?" director Tinatin Gurchiani is heard asking in her debut film. In 2011, Gurchiani returned from abroad to her native country of Georgia intent on making a fictional film, only to discover that the faces s...
- 8/7/2013
- Village Voice
Gurchiani’s Lens Acts As A Georgian Confessional
With a solid background in psychology and a foundation in direction via the University of Film and Television Konrad Wolf in Potsdam-Babelsberg, Germany, the Georgian born director Tinatin Gurchiani’s boldly original debut docu embodies a stark depiction of everyday hardship through concise successive portraits of Georgian youth. After putting out an ad seeking young people interested in appearing in a film, Gurchiani performed a series of interview auditions with each respondent. Piercing in it’s austerity and mesmerizingly simplistic execution, this footage makes up the bulk of her penetrating first feature, The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear.
Rather than following her subjects about their lives or having them sit comfortably under inquisition in standard shoulder cropped close-ups, Gurchiani has chosen to place them largely in thigh-high wide shots standing against vividly colored, yet decaying concrete spaces, clothed but naked none-the-less. Depending on the person,...
With a solid background in psychology and a foundation in direction via the University of Film and Television Konrad Wolf in Potsdam-Babelsberg, Germany, the Georgian born director Tinatin Gurchiani’s boldly original debut docu embodies a stark depiction of everyday hardship through concise successive portraits of Georgian youth. After putting out an ad seeking young people interested in appearing in a film, Gurchiani performed a series of interview auditions with each respondent. Piercing in it’s austerity and mesmerizingly simplistic execution, this footage makes up the bulk of her penetrating first feature, The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear.
Rather than following her subjects about their lives or having them sit comfortably under inquisition in standard shoulder cropped close-ups, Gurchiani has chosen to place them largely in thigh-high wide shots standing against vividly colored, yet decaying concrete spaces, clothed but naked none-the-less. Depending on the person,...
- 8/5/2013
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
As Moore’s Law has continued to raise the quality and lower the cost of Av equipment, and more fledgling filmmakers have dipped their feet in the fountain of non-fiction, there’s been much talk about us being in the midst of a new golden age of documentary filmmaking. Now, lofty statements like these generally wind up being little more than buzzword attractions meant to set the blogosphere aflame, but this year has undoubtedly been a stellar year for the non-fiction form. From politically shattering investigations to form flexing art films to immensely personal portraits, not only are documentaries making a major impact on the ol’ festival circuit – Sundance, Tribeca, Hot Docs, SXSW, AFI Docs – many fest favorites from last year have had considerable success this year in art house theatres, not just in NYC & La, but in some cases nationwide – not an easy feat.
Of the lengthy list of...
Of the lengthy list of...
- 7/29/2013
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
Far from stripped down, the massive 2013 edition will kick off with the world premiere of The Manor, a documentary by first-time Canadian director Shawney Cohen, about a Jewish family running a Guelph strip club. Growing in popularity and acclaim with each edition, the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival is one of North America’s most anticipated film festivals and a haven for lovers of great documentaries — its sold-out screenings and long line-ups attest to the festival’s ever-growing importance and impressive status. Yesterday, Hot Docs unveiled its full line-up (which runs April 25th to May 5th) of 205 official selections from 43 countries, chosen from over 2,300 submissions, with 44 World premieres.
If the subjects and titles are any indication, it promises to be yet another fascinating year in documentaries. 2012 was highly successful for the festival with 9 of its selections making up the 15 documentaries shortlisted for the Best Feature Documentary at the recent Academy Awards.
If the subjects and titles are any indication, it promises to be yet another fascinating year in documentaries. 2012 was highly successful for the festival with 9 of its selections making up the 15 documentaries shortlisted for the Best Feature Documentary at the recent Academy Awards.
- 3/20/2013
- by Moen Mohamed
- IONCINEMA.com
Yesterday, Jordan M. Smith, Nicholas Bell and I highlighted our Top 10 New Faces (strictly in the acting domain) of 2013′s Sundance Film Festival and while that list was pretty much a consensus, our Top 20 New Voices (fiction/non-fiction/short scribes, directors and full-out filmmakers/producers) was an amicably, yet hard fought deliberation process and then ranking of who we think the future will shine most bright…in other words, if these people were Wall Street stock options — we’d put our money behind them. Enjoy the mini profiles and adjoined praise.
#20. Sophie Goyette
Part of the pair of Canadian-based, female auteurs to make a pit stop in Park City (the other being Sarah Polley) French-Canadian filmmaker Sophie Goyette and her 2012 Tiff showcased short film Le Futur Proche demonstrates that there is plenty more raw talent and a pulse from Quebec. Here we find a pilot dealing with loss, suppressing his...
#20. Sophie Goyette
Part of the pair of Canadian-based, female auteurs to make a pit stop in Park City (the other being Sarah Polley) French-Canadian filmmaker Sophie Goyette and her 2012 Tiff showcased short film Le Futur Proche demonstrates that there is plenty more raw talent and a pulse from Quebec. Here we find a pilot dealing with loss, suppressing his...
- 2/16/2013
- by IONCINEMA.com Contributing Writers
- IONCINEMA.com
The Museum of Modern Art has announced its 12th annual Documentary Fortnight festival, a two-week showcase of nonfiction film and media that kicks off on February 15. This year's festival will open with Chico Pereira's "Pablo's Winter," winner of the Competition for Student Documentary at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (Idfa) and Ilian Metev’s "Sofia's Last Ambulance," which premiered at Cannes. Among other notable films screening at the festival are John Gianvito's examination of the war in Afghanistan, "Far from Afghanistan," which premiered at Tiff and Tinatin Gurchiani's Sundance winning "The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear" which captures lives of Georgian youth in an experimental casting call. Along with the festival's 22 international feature-length films and two shorts this year's special events include New Cuban Shorts, a spotlight of nine emerging Cuban...
- 1/30/2013
- by Erin Whitney
- Indiewire
Here is a complete listing of the films that were shown/covered by the Ioncinema.com team comprised of Nicholas Bell (Nb), Jordan M. Smith (Js) and Eric Lavallee (El). We’ll be populating this page up until March.
U.S. Dramatic Competition
Afternoon Delight – Jill Soloway: Nb (★★ 1/2): Review
Ain’T Them Bodies Saints – David Lowery: El (★★★ 1/2), Nb (★★★ 1/2): Review // Interview
Austenland- Jerusha Hess: Nb (★): Review
C.O.G.- Kyle Patrick Alvarez: Js (★★ 1/2), Nb (★★ 1/2): Review
Concussion – Stacie Passon: El (★★★), Js (★★★ 1/2), Nb (★★★): Review // Interview
Emanuel And The Truth About Fishes – Francesca Gregorini: Js (★★★), Nb (★★★ 1/2): Review
Fruitvale – Ryan Coogler: El (★★★), Js (★★★★★), Nb (★★★★): Review // Interview // Video
In A World… – Lake Bell: El (★★★): Review
Kill Your Darlings – John Krokidas: El (★★★), Nb (★★★): Review
The Lifeguard – Liz W. Garcia: El (★★ 1/2): Review
May In The Summer...
U.S. Dramatic Competition
Afternoon Delight – Jill Soloway: Nb (★★ 1/2): Review
Ain’T Them Bodies Saints – David Lowery: El (★★★ 1/2), Nb (★★★ 1/2): Review // Interview
Austenland- Jerusha Hess: Nb (★): Review
C.O.G.- Kyle Patrick Alvarez: Js (★★ 1/2), Nb (★★ 1/2): Review
Concussion – Stacie Passon: El (★★★), Js (★★★ 1/2), Nb (★★★): Review // Interview
Emanuel And The Truth About Fishes – Francesca Gregorini: Js (★★★), Nb (★★★ 1/2): Review
Fruitvale – Ryan Coogler: El (★★★), Js (★★★★★), Nb (★★★★): Review // Interview // Video
In A World… – Lake Bell: El (★★★): Review
Kill Your Darlings – John Krokidas: El (★★★), Nb (★★★): Review
The Lifeguard – Liz W. Garcia: El (★★ 1/2): Review
May In The Summer...
- 1/29/2013
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale and Steve Hoover’s Blood Brother were the big winners at the 2013 edition of the Sundance Film Festival – both picked up the Audience awards and Grand Jury Prizes in their respective categories. Here’s the complete list of 2013 Sundance Film Festival Award winners:
Grand Jury Prize, Dramatic: “Fruitvale,” directed by Ryan Coogler
Grand Jury Prize, Documentary: “Blood Brother,” directed by Steve Hoover
World Cinema Jury Prize, Dramatic: “Jiseul,” directed by Muel O
World Cinema Jury Prize, Documentary: “A River Changes Course,” directed Kalyanee Mam
Dramatic Audience Award: “Fruitvale,” directed by Ryan Coogler
Documentary Audience Award: “Blood Brother,” directed by Steve Hoover
World Cinema Dramatic Audience Award: “Metro Manila,” directed by Sean Ellis
World Cinema Documentary Audience Award: “The Square,” directed by Jehane Noujaim
The Best of Next Audience Award: “This Is Martin Bonner,” directed by Chad Hartigan
Directing Award, Dramatic: Jill Solloway, “Afternoon Delight”
Directing Award,...
Grand Jury Prize, Dramatic: “Fruitvale,” directed by Ryan Coogler
Grand Jury Prize, Documentary: “Blood Brother,” directed by Steve Hoover
World Cinema Jury Prize, Dramatic: “Jiseul,” directed by Muel O
World Cinema Jury Prize, Documentary: “A River Changes Course,” directed Kalyanee Mam
Dramatic Audience Award: “Fruitvale,” directed by Ryan Coogler
Documentary Audience Award: “Blood Brother,” directed by Steve Hoover
World Cinema Dramatic Audience Award: “Metro Manila,” directed by Sean Ellis
World Cinema Documentary Audience Award: “The Square,” directed by Jehane Noujaim
The Best of Next Audience Award: “This Is Martin Bonner,” directed by Chad Hartigan
Directing Award, Dramatic: Jill Solloway, “Afternoon Delight”
Directing Award,...
- 1/29/2013
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Tinatin Gurchiani's "The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear" begins as an experiement as various youths of the country of Georgia arrive at a casting call only to spill their personal stories to the camera. The myriad of lives shared in the film, which screened as a part of the World Cinema Documentary Competition, provides an intimate and raw glimpse into the challenges faced by the young people of the former Soviet territory. What It's About: An unusual casting call for youths who believe their lives are ready-made for film. Their authentic stories are touching, comedic, and heartbreaking, sometimes all at once. And So It's Really About: This film is about people born into different circumstances. No one can choose what life has prepared for them; we can only try to make the best of it. It’s unclear how much control we really have over the paths of our lives,...
- 1/28/2013
- by Indiewire Staff
- Indiewire
Yesterday at Park City, the awards were handed out with one of the hotly buzzed titles of the festival taking two major prizes.
The intense drama Fruitvale won both the Audience Award and U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, which reminds of when Precious won both in 2009, a year before it went on to become a Best Picture Oscar nominee.
The Ryan Coogler‘s film tells the story of the hours leading up to New Year’s Day in 2009, when the 22-year-old Oscar Grant was pulled off a rowdy Bart train at the Fruitvale station and was shot in the back, dying from his wounds.
The former chairman of 20th Century Fox, Tom Rothman said when presenting the prize:
This will not be the last time you guys walk to a podium.
Well, this statement suggests that history may well be getting ready to repeat itself.
The intense drama Fruitvale won both the Audience Award and U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, which reminds of when Precious won both in 2009, a year before it went on to become a Best Picture Oscar nominee.
The Ryan Coogler‘s film tells the story of the hours leading up to New Year’s Day in 2009, when the 22-year-old Oscar Grant was pulled off a rowdy Bart train at the Fruitvale station and was shot in the back, dying from his wounds.
The former chairman of 20th Century Fox, Tom Rothman said when presenting the prize:
This will not be the last time you guys walk to a podium.
Well, this statement suggests that history may well be getting ready to repeat itself.
- 1/27/2013
- by Nick Martin
- Filmofilia
Korean film Jiseul directed by Muel O won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize in the Dramatic category at the Sundance Film Festival 2013 that concluded yesterday.
World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to A River Changes Course, a Cambodia-u.S.A. production directed by Kalyanee Mam.
Egypt – U.S.A. co-production The Square (Al Midan) won the Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary. The film is directed by Jehane Noujaim. Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented to United Kingdom – Philippines co-production Metro Manila, directed by Sean Ellis.
Audience Award: Best of Next was conferred to U.S.A.’s This is Martin Bonner by Chad Hartigan.
Tinatin Gurchiani won the Directing Award in the World Cinema Documentary section for his Georgia- Germany co-production The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear while Sebastián Silva won the Directing Award in the World Cinema Dramatic category for Chilean film Crystal Fairy.
Screenwriting...
World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to A River Changes Course, a Cambodia-u.S.A. production directed by Kalyanee Mam.
Egypt – U.S.A. co-production The Square (Al Midan) won the Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary. The film is directed by Jehane Noujaim. Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented to United Kingdom – Philippines co-production Metro Manila, directed by Sean Ellis.
Audience Award: Best of Next was conferred to U.S.A.’s This is Martin Bonner by Chad Hartigan.
Tinatin Gurchiani won the Directing Award in the World Cinema Documentary section for his Georgia- Germany co-production The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear while Sebastián Silva won the Directing Award in the World Cinema Dramatic category for Chilean film Crystal Fairy.
Screenwriting...
- 1/27/2013
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Ryan Coolger's "Fruitvale" and Steve Hoover's "Blood Brother" dominated the 2013 Sundance Film Festival awards! "Fruitvale," the true story of Oscar Grant, a 22-year old Bay Area resident shot in the back by Oakland transportation police, won the Grand Jury Prize (dramatic). Meanwhile, "Blood Brother," a documentary by Steve Hoover about Rocky Braat who went to India as a disillusioned American tourist and became an ally of children living with HIV/AIDS, took home the Grand Jury Prize for Documentary.
But what I'm very excited about is "Metro Manila" from BAFTA and Oscar-nominated director Sean Ellis. Shot in my homeland of the Philippines and using our dialect, Tagalog, entirely, "Metro Manila" is about Oscar Ramirez (Jake Macapagal) and his family who flee their impoverished life in the rice fields of the northern Philippines in order to seek a brighter future in Manila.
Here's the full list of winners of 2013 Sundance Film Festival:
Grand Jury Prize,...
But what I'm very excited about is "Metro Manila" from BAFTA and Oscar-nominated director Sean Ellis. Shot in my homeland of the Philippines and using our dialect, Tagalog, entirely, "Metro Manila" is about Oscar Ramirez (Jake Macapagal) and his family who flee their impoverished life in the rice fields of the northern Philippines in order to seek a brighter future in Manila.
Here's the full list of winners of 2013 Sundance Film Festival:
Grand Jury Prize,...
- 1/27/2013
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Chicago – Joseph Gordon-Levitt presented the winners on Saturday evening, January 26, 2013 for the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. Past winners of the Grand Jury Prize for Drama include “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” “Winter’s Bone,” “Precious,” and “American Splendor.” This year’s winners are listed below.
U.S. Dramatic
Grand Jury Prize: “Fruitvale”
Directing: Jill Soloway, “Afternoon Delight”
Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: “In a World…” by Lake Bell
Cinematography: Bradford Young, “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” & “Mother of George”
Special Jury Award For Acting: Miles Teller & Shailene Woodley, “The Spectacular Now”
Special Jury Award For Sound Design: Shane Carruth & Johnny Marshall, “Upstream Color”
Audience Award: “Fruitvale”
U.S. Documentary
Grand Jury Prize: “Blood Brother”
Directing: Zachary Heinzerling, “Cutie and the Boxer”
Editing: “Gideon’s Army”
Cinematography: “Dirty Wars”
Special Jury Award: “American Promise”
Special Jury Award: “Inequality For All”
Audience Award: “Blood Brother”
World Cinema Dramatic
Grand Jury Prize: “Jiseul”
Directing: Sebastian Silva,...
U.S. Dramatic
Grand Jury Prize: “Fruitvale”
Directing: Jill Soloway, “Afternoon Delight”
Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: “In a World…” by Lake Bell
Cinematography: Bradford Young, “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” & “Mother of George”
Special Jury Award For Acting: Miles Teller & Shailene Woodley, “The Spectacular Now”
Special Jury Award For Sound Design: Shane Carruth & Johnny Marshall, “Upstream Color”
Audience Award: “Fruitvale”
U.S. Documentary
Grand Jury Prize: “Blood Brother”
Directing: Zachary Heinzerling, “Cutie and the Boxer”
Editing: “Gideon’s Army”
Cinematography: “Dirty Wars”
Special Jury Award: “American Promise”
Special Jury Award: “Inequality For All”
Audience Award: “Blood Brother”
World Cinema Dramatic
Grand Jury Prize: “Jiseul”
Directing: Sebastian Silva,...
- 1/27/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Time seems to bend at Film Festivals. One minute, 10 days are stretching ahead of you and seemingly a millisecond and movie later, you're half way through the week. Days four and five of Sundance brought with them comedy, creepiness and conundrums, courtesy of The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear, Upstream Color, The Way, Way Back and Blackfish.
Somehow, I also managed to sneak in some interviews with This Is Martin Bonner actor Paul Eenhoorn and the men and woman behind The Moo Man - more on which on another day.
The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear is, unfortunately, one of those films that is nowhere near as interesting as its title implies. Tinatin Gurchiani's documentary essentially offers a snapshot of rural poverty in the former Soviet state of Georgia. The set up of her film was to entice 15-25-year-olds to speak to...
Somehow, I also managed to sneak in some interviews with This Is Martin Bonner actor Paul Eenhoorn and the men and woman behind The Moo Man - more on which on another day.
The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear is, unfortunately, one of those films that is nowhere near as interesting as its title implies. Tinatin Gurchiani's documentary essentially offers a snapshot of rural poverty in the former Soviet state of Georgia. The set up of her film was to entice 15-25-year-olds to speak to...
- 1/26/2013
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Deals Made At Sundance For Films Screened At Sundance
Films by women are markedwith the ♀, African American with the symbol α (9). Latino is marked by the symbol ɤ (7). Jewish by ✡ (13), Asian by ¥ (10), Middle Eastern ᵯ (4), Lgbt (13)
New
I Used To Be Darker / U.S.A. (Director: Matthew Porterfield, Screenwriters: Amy Belk, Matthew Porterfield) — A runaway seeks refuge with her aunt and uncle in Baltimore, only to find their marriage ending and her cousin in crisis. In the days that follow, the family struggles to let go while searching for things to sustain them. Cast: Deragh Campbell, Hannah Gross, Kim Taylor, Ned Oldham, Geoff Grace, Nick Petr. -- Domestic: Paradigm -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance -- Monterey Media acquires rights at Sundance.
Cutie and the Boxer / U.S.A. (Director: Zachary Heinzerling ✡) — This candid New York love story explores the chaotic 40-year marriage of famed boxing painter Ushio Shinohara and his wife, Noriko. Anxious to shed her role as her overbearing husband’s assistant, Noriko finds an identity of her own. Domestic: Submarine -- Radius-twc acquires N.A. and French rights at Sundance -- King Records licensed Japanese rights at Sundance.
Mother of George /α/ U.S.A. (Director: Andrew Dosunmu α, Screenwriter: Darci Picoult) — A story about a woman willing to do anything and risk everything for her marriage. Cast: Isaach De Bankolé, Danai Gurira, Anthony Okungbowa, Yaya Alafia, Bukky Ajayi. Domestic: Paradigm -- Isa: K5 -- Oscilloscope Laboratories acquired N.A. rights at Sundance
Newlyweeds /α/ U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Shaka King α) — A Brooklyn repo man and his globetrotting girlfriend forge an unlikely romance. But what should be a match made in stoner heaven turns into a love triangle gone awry in this dark coming-of-age comedy about dependency. Cast: Amari Cheatom, Trae Harris, Tone Tank, Colman Domingo, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Adrian Martinez. -- Domestic: Circus Road Films -- Phase 4 acquires N.A. rights at Sundance
Before Midnight/ U.S.A. (Director: Richard Linklater, Screenwriters: Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke, Richard Linklater— We meet Jesse and Celine nine years on in Greece. Almost two decades have passed since their first meeting on that train bound for Vienna. Before the clock strikes midnight, we will again become part of their story. Cast: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Xenia Kalogeropoulou, Ariane Labed, Athina Rachel Tsangari, Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick. Domestic: Cinetic -- Isa: Im Global -- Sony Pictures Classics acquires N.A. and UK at Sundance
Ain’t Them Bodies Saints / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: David Lowery) — The tale of an outlaw who escapes from prison and sets out across the Texas hills to reunite with his wife and the daughter he has never met. Cast: Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Nate Parker, Keith Carradine. Domestic: Elevated Film Sales / Wme Isa: TWC-- IFC Films acquires Us rights reportedly for low 7-figures at Sundance
S-vhs / U.S.A., Canada (Directors: Simon Barrett, Adam Wingard, Edúardo Sanchez ɤ, Gregg Hale, Timo Tjahjanto, Gareth Huw Evans, Jason Eisener, Screenwriters: Simon Barrett, Jamie Nash, Timo Tjahjanto ¥ & Gareth Huw Evans, John Davies) — Searching for a missing student, two private investigators break into his abandoned house and find another collection of mysterious VHS tapes. In viewing the horrific contents of each cassette, they realize there may be terrifying motives behind the student’s disappearance. Cast: Adam Wingard, Lawrence Levine, L.C Holt, Kelsy Abbott, Hannah Hughes. Domestic: Wme -- Magnolia acquires Us rights reportedly for over $1m at Sundance
Earlier
Computer Chess / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Andrew Bujalski) — An existential comedy about the brilliant men who taught machines to play chess – back when the machines seemed clumsy and we seemed smart. Cast: Patrick Riester, Myles Paige, James Curry, Robin Schwartz, Gerald Peary, Wiley Wiggins. Domestic: The Film Sales Company -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance
Halley ɤ/ Mexico (Director: Sebastian Hofmann ɤ, Screenwriters: Sebastian Hofmann, Julio Chavezmontes) — Alberto is dead and can no longer hide it. Before surrendering to his living death, he forms an unusual friendship with Luly, the manager of the 24-hour gym where he works as a night guard. Cast: Alberto Trujillo, Lourdes Trueba, Hugo Albores. -- Isa: Visit Films -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance
It Felt Like Love / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Eliza Hittman ♀) — On the outskirts of Brooklyn, a 14-year-old girl’s sexual quest takes a dangerous turn when she pursues an older guy and tests the boundaries between obsession and love. Cast: Gina Piersanti, Giovanna Salimeni, Ronen Rubinstein, Jesse Cordasco, Nick Rosen, Case Prime.- Isa: Visit Films -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance
This Is Martin Bonner / U.S.A.(Director and screenwriter: Chad Hartigan) — Martin Bonner has just moved to Reno for a new job in prison rehabilitation. Starting over at age 58, he struggles to adapt until an unlikely friendship with an ex-con blossoms, helping him confront the problems he left behind. Cast: Paul Eenhoorn, Richmond Arquette, Sam Buchanan, Robert Longstreet, Demetrius Grosse. Domestic: ICM Partners / Traction Media -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance
The Spectacular Now / U.S.A. (Director: James Ponsoldt, Screenwriters: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber) — Sutter is a high school senior who lives for the moment; Aimee is the introvert he attempts to “save.” As their relationship deepens, the lines between right and wrong, friendship and love, and “saving” and corrupting become inextricably blurred. Cast: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kyle Chandler. Domestic: UTA - A24 took domestic distribution at Sundance- Isa: The Exchange
The Look of Love / United Kingdom (Director: Michael Winterbottom Lgbt, Screenwriter: Matt Greenhalgh) — The true story of British adult magazine publisher and entrepreneur Paul Raymond. A modern day King Midas story, Raymond became one of the richest men in Britain at the cost of losing those closest to him. Cast: Steve Coogan, Anna Friel, Imogen Poots, Tamsin Egerton. - UTA is No.American consultant to StudioCanal -- IFC Films has acquired North American rights at Sundance - StudioCanal has UK
The Way, Way Back / U.S.A. (Directors and screenwriters: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash) — Duncan, an introverted 14-year-old, comes into his own over the course of a comedic summer when he forms unlikely friendships with the gregarious manager of a rundown water park and the misfits who work there. Cast: Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, Liam James. Domestic: CAA, Wme Isa: Sierra/ Affinity -- Fox Searchlight acquired N.A. and most major territories reportedly for $9.75m at Sundance.
Don Jon’s Addiction / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Joseph Gordon-Levitt) — In Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s charming directorial debut, a selfish modern-day Don Juan attempts to change his ways. Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Danza, Glenne Headly, Rob Brown. Domestic: CAA, Wme -- Relativity Media reportedly bought for close to $4 million at Sundance Isa: Voltage Pictures has sold to Future Films for Finland, Remstar for Canada, Ascot Elite Entertainment Group for Germany and Switzerland, Midget Entertainment for Denmark, Noori Pictures for So. Korea.
Austenland / U.S.A., United Kingdom (Director: Jerusha Hess ♀, Screenwriters: Jerusha Hess, Shannon Hale) — Thirtysomething, single Jane is obsessed with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice. On a trip to an English resort, her fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman become more real than she ever imagined. Cast: Keri Russell, Jj Feild, Bret McKenzie, Jennifer Coolidge, Georgia King, James Callis. Domestic: UTA -- Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions takes worldwide rights at Sundance - Sony Pictures Classics has Us.
Blackfish / U.S.A. (Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite ♀) — Notorious killer whale Tilikum is responsible for the deaths of three individuals, including a top killer whale trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of keeping such intelligent and sentient creatures in captivity. Domestic: Submarine -- CNN Films (TV) and Magnolia Pictures (theatrical) have jointly acquired domestic rights at Sundance.
Dirty Wars / U.S.A. (Director: Richard Rowley) — Investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill chases down the truth behind America’s covert wars. -- Domestic: Submarine
-- Sundance Selects has acquired North American rights at Sundance
Twenty Feet From Stardom / α / U.S.A. (Director: Morgan Neville) — Backup singers live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but we’ve had no idea who these singers are or what lives they lead – until now. -- Submarine handling U.S/ Canada/ U.K/ Australia/ N.Zealand -- Radius-twc takes N.A. rights at Sundance. Isa: Elle Driver/Wild Bunch took international rights at Sundance
Who is Dayani Cristal? / United Kingdom (Director: Marc Silver) — An anonymous body in the Arizona desert sparks the beginning of a real-life human drama. The search for its identity leads us across a continent to seek out the people left behind and the meaning of a mysterious tattoo. World Premiere. -- Domestic: Submarine -- Isa: Mundial
The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear / Georgia, Germany (Director: Tinatin Gurchiani ♀) — A film director casting a 15-23-year-old protagonist visits villages and cities to meet people who answer her call. She follows those who prove to be interesting enough through various dramatic and funny situations. North American Premiere -- Icarus Films has acquired N.A. distribution rights pre-Sundance.
Sound City / U.S.A. (Director: Dave Grohl) — Through interviews and performances with the legendary musicians and producers who worked at America’s greatest unsung recording studio, Sound City, we explore the human element of music, and the lost art of analog recording in an increasingly digital world. Gravitas Ventures has picked up worldwide VOD rights pre-Sundance
History of the Eagles Part One / U.S.A. (Director: Alison Ellwood ♀) — Using never-before-seen home movies, archival footage and new interviews with all current and former members of the Eagles, this documentary provides an intimate look into the history of the band and the legacy of their music. Domestic: Azoff Music -- Showtime picked up for cable at Sundance.
The Summit / Ireland, United Kingdom (Director: Nick Ryan) — Twenty-four climbers converged at the last stop before summiting the most dangerous mountain on Earth. Forty-eight hours later, 11 had been killed or simply vanished. Had one, Ger McDonnell, stuck to the climbers’ code, he might still be alive. International Premiere -- Domestic: Submarine -- Sundance Selects acquires N.A. rights at Sundance - Madman has Australia, N. Zealand
jOBS / U.S.A. (Director: Joshua Michael Stern ✡, Screenwriter: Matt Whiteley) — The true story of one of the greatest entrepreneurs in American history, jOBS chronicles the defining 30 years of Steve Jobs’ life. jOBS is a candid, inspiring and personal portrait of the one who saw things differently. (Synopses are written by Sundance staff.) Cast: Ashton Kutcher, Dermot Mulroney, Josh Gad, Lukas Haas, J.K. Simmons, Matthew Modine. Closing Night Film -- Domestic: CAA -- Open Road Films acquired U.S. pre-Sundance -- Entertainment One (in collaboration with Remstar) has Canada except theatrical, VOD and French-language TV rights in Quebec which Remstar holds exclusively.
Upstream Color / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Shane Carruth) — A man and woman are drawn together, entangled in the life cycle of an ageless organism. Identity becomes an illusion as they struggle to assemble the loose fragments of wrecked lives. Cast: Amy Seimetz, Shane Carruth, Andrew Sensenig, Thiago Martins. -- Domestic: Mosaic -- Shane Carruth will self-distribute via his Erbp banner.
The Rambler / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Calvin Lee Reeder) — After being released from prison, a man known as “The Rambler” stumbles upon a strange mystery as he attempts the treacherous journey through back roads and small towns en route to reconnecting with his long-lost brother. Cast: Dermot Mulroney, Lindsay Pulsipher, Natasha Lyonne, James Cady, Scott Sharot. Domestic: Xyz Films -- Isa: Celluloid Nightmares -- Anchor Bay Films has picked up North America, the UK and Australia at Sundance
Pussy Riot – A Punk Prayer / Russian Federation, United Kingdom (Directors: Mike Lerner, Maxim Pozdorovkin) — Three young women face seven years in a Russian prison for a satirical performance in a Moscow cathedral. But who is really on trial: the three young artists or the society they live in? World Premiere -- Domestic: Cinetic Isa:Goldcrest Films --HBO Documentary Films has acquired U.S. television rights at Sundance
Fruitvale /α/ U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Ryan Coogler α) — The true story of Oscar, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family and strangers on the last day of 2008. Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer, Melonie Diaz, Ahna O’Reilly, Kevin Durand, Chad Michael Murray. --Domestic: Wme - TWC took N.A. and English Speaking territories reportedly for $2m at Sundance Isa:TWC
Metro Manila / United Kingdom, Philippines (Director: Sean Ellis, Screenwriters: Sean Ellis, Frank E. Flowers) — Seeking a better life, Oscar and his family move from the poverty-stricken rice fields to the big city of Manila, where they fall victim to various inhabitants whose manipulative ways are a daily part of city survival. Cast: Jake Macapagal, John Arcilla, Althea Vega. World Premiere Isa:Independent Film Company --Haut et Court acquires France pre-Sundance
Concussion Lgbt/ U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Stacie Passon ♀,Lgbt) — After a blow to the head, Abby decides she can’t do it anymore. Her life just can’t be only about the house, the kids and the wife. She needs more: she needs to be Eleanor. Cast: Robin Weigert, Maggie Siff, Johnathan Tchaikovsky, Julie Fain Lawrence, Emily Kinney, Laila Robins. Domestic: Paradigm-- TWC takes N.A. at Sundance -- Isa: Content
Inequality for All / U.S.A. (Director: Jacob Kornbluth (✡)) — In this timely and entertaining documentary, noted economic-policy expert Robert Reich distills the topic of widening income inequality, and addresses the question of what effects this increasing gap has on our economy and our democracy. -- Domestic: Wme - Radius-twc acquired at Sundance.
Prince Avalanche / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: David Gordon Green ✡) — Two highway road workers spend the summer of 1988 away from their city lives. The isolated landscape becomes a place of misadventure as the men find themselves at odds with each other and the women they left behind. Cast: Paul Rudd, Emile Hirsch. -- Magnolia took N.A. rights at Sundance
Two Mothers / Australia, France (Director: Anne Fontaine ♀, Screenwriter: Christopher Hampton) — This gripping tale of love, lust and the power of friendship charts the unconventional and passionate affairs of two lifelong friends who fall in love with each other’s sons. Cast: Naomi Watts, Robin Wright, Xavier Samuel, James Frechevile. Domestic:CAA -- Exclusive Releasing took Us, UK and Cis rights at Sundance - Isa:Gaumont sold toRemstar for Canada,Hopscotch Features for Australia/ N.Z.,Gaumont for France
Lovelace / U.S.A. (Directors: Rob Epstein ✡ Lgbt, Jeffrey Friedman ✡ Lgbt, Screenwriter: Andy Bellin) — Deep Throat, the first pornographic feature film to be a mainstream success, was an international sensation in 1972 and made its star, Linda Lovelace, a media darling. Years later the “poster girl for the sexual revolution” revealed a darker side to her story. Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Peter Sarsgaard, Hank Azaria, Adam Brody, James Franco, Sharon Stone. Domestic:Millennium Entertainment -- Radius-twc acquires Us rights at Sundance reportedly for $3m
Kill Your Darlings/ U.S.A. (Director: John Krokidas Lgbt, Screenwriters: Austin Bunn, John Krokidas) — An untold story of murder that brought together a young Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs at Columbia University in 1944, providing the spark that led to the birth of an entire generation – their Beat revolution. Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Dane DeHann, Ben Foster, Michael C. Hall, Jack Huston, Elizabeth Olsen. Domestic:UTA/Elevated Film Sales Isa: Inferno Entertainment -- Sony Pictures Classics acquired Us, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, African TV and Eastern European excluding Cis at Sundance
Toy's House / U.S.A. (Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts, Screenwriter: Chris Galletta) — Three unhappy teenage boys flee to the wilderness where they build a makeshift house and live off the land as masters of their own destiny. Or at least that’s the plan. Cast: Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Alison Brie. Domestic: Cinetic Isa:Qed International -- CBS Films acquires domestic rights at Sundance
We Are What We Are / U.S.A. (Director: Jim Mickle, Screenwriters: Nick Damici, Jim Mickle) — A devastating storm washes up clues that lead authorities closer and closer to the cannibalistic Parker family. Cast: Bill Sage, Ambyr Childers, Julia Garner, Michael Parks, Wyatt Russell, Kelly McGillis. Domestic:Wme -- eOne takes Us rights reportedly for low 7-figures at Sundance -- Isa: Memento Films
Deals Made At Sundance For Films Not Screened At Sundance
Blumhouse Productions picked up Duplass Brothers’ Peachfuzz from Submarine pre-Sundance.
Ketchup Entertainment acquired Mukunda Michael Dewil’s Vehicle 19 at Sundance.
Anchor Bay Films acquired N.A. rights to Leland Orser's Morning at Sundance.
Deals Made Outside Sundance 2013
New
D Films acquires Canadian rights to Paul Haggis’ Third Person from Corsan World Sales.
Earlier
Freestyle Digital Media takes VoD and DVD rights to Jonathan Segal’s Norman.
Variance Films acquired N.A. theatrical rights to Terence Nance’s “An Oversimplification of Her Beauty,” which had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012. DVD and digital rights previously picked up by Cinema Guild.
A24 acquired Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring.
Cohen Media Group to distribute “What is Cinema” by Chuck Workman
Factory 25 has taken world rights to 2012 SXSW film, A Sun Don’t Shine by Amy Seimetz
Inception Media Group (Img) has acquired the Justin Donnelly’s Pressed from Double Dutch International and A Haunting At Silver Falls from Outsider Pictures.
ro*co films educational has the non-theatrical release of How To Survive A Plague and Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush’s A Place At The Table.
Zeitgeist Films has acquired Margarethe Von Trotta’s Hannah Arendt starring Barbara Sukowa from Match Factory.
Factory 25 has taken worldwide rights to Matt Boyd’s A Rubberband Is An Unlikely Instrument.
Ctb Films acquired Wrong and Wrong Cops and is in negotiation to pick up Wrong Cops 2 (in development) and Realite, Praesens has acquired all rights to Wrong Cops and Realite, in Switzerland.
Picturehouse relaunching by distributing Metallica Through The Never by Nimród Antal
CNN Films has acquired 3 docs: Untitled Roger Ebert by Steve James, Untitled Ground Zero by Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein Untitled Higher Education by Andrew Rossi.
Gravitas Ventures has acquired three films from Slamdance: Steven Feinartz's doc The Bitter Buddha, Michael Urie's He's Way More Famous Than You and Peter Baxter's doc Wild In the Streets.
Gaumont acquired worldwide rights except Spain and French distribution rights to Isabel Coixet's Yesterday Never Ends (Ayer No Termina Nunca).
Breaking Glass Pictures has taken Us rights to Amelia’s 25th and N.A. rights to Christian Filippella’s Silver Case.
Paulette by Jerome Enrico -- Isa: Gaumont -- Cohen Media Group has N.A. -- Brazil (Art Films), Switzerland (Monopole-Pathe), Italy (Moviemax), Portugal (Lusomundo), Czech Republic (Hollywood Classic Entertainment) and Canada (A-z Films), among other territories.
Films by women are markedwith the ♀, African American with the symbol α (9). Latino is marked by the symbol ɤ (7). Jewish by ✡ (13), Asian by ¥ (10), Middle Eastern ᵯ (4), Lgbt (13)
New
I Used To Be Darker / U.S.A. (Director: Matthew Porterfield, Screenwriters: Amy Belk, Matthew Porterfield) — A runaway seeks refuge with her aunt and uncle in Baltimore, only to find their marriage ending and her cousin in crisis. In the days that follow, the family struggles to let go while searching for things to sustain them. Cast: Deragh Campbell, Hannah Gross, Kim Taylor, Ned Oldham, Geoff Grace, Nick Petr. -- Domestic: Paradigm -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance -- Monterey Media acquires rights at Sundance.
Cutie and the Boxer / U.S.A. (Director: Zachary Heinzerling ✡) — This candid New York love story explores the chaotic 40-year marriage of famed boxing painter Ushio Shinohara and his wife, Noriko. Anxious to shed her role as her overbearing husband’s assistant, Noriko finds an identity of her own. Domestic: Submarine -- Radius-twc acquires N.A. and French rights at Sundance -- King Records licensed Japanese rights at Sundance.
Mother of George /α/ U.S.A. (Director: Andrew Dosunmu α, Screenwriter: Darci Picoult) — A story about a woman willing to do anything and risk everything for her marriage. Cast: Isaach De Bankolé, Danai Gurira, Anthony Okungbowa, Yaya Alafia, Bukky Ajayi. Domestic: Paradigm -- Isa: K5 -- Oscilloscope Laboratories acquired N.A. rights at Sundance
Newlyweeds /α/ U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Shaka King α) — A Brooklyn repo man and his globetrotting girlfriend forge an unlikely romance. But what should be a match made in stoner heaven turns into a love triangle gone awry in this dark coming-of-age comedy about dependency. Cast: Amari Cheatom, Trae Harris, Tone Tank, Colman Domingo, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Adrian Martinez. -- Domestic: Circus Road Films -- Phase 4 acquires N.A. rights at Sundance
Before Midnight/ U.S.A. (Director: Richard Linklater, Screenwriters: Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke, Richard Linklater— We meet Jesse and Celine nine years on in Greece. Almost two decades have passed since their first meeting on that train bound for Vienna. Before the clock strikes midnight, we will again become part of their story. Cast: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Xenia Kalogeropoulou, Ariane Labed, Athina Rachel Tsangari, Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick. Domestic: Cinetic -- Isa: Im Global -- Sony Pictures Classics acquires N.A. and UK at Sundance
Ain’t Them Bodies Saints / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: David Lowery) — The tale of an outlaw who escapes from prison and sets out across the Texas hills to reunite with his wife and the daughter he has never met. Cast: Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Nate Parker, Keith Carradine. Domestic: Elevated Film Sales / Wme Isa: TWC-- IFC Films acquires Us rights reportedly for low 7-figures at Sundance
S-vhs / U.S.A., Canada (Directors: Simon Barrett, Adam Wingard, Edúardo Sanchez ɤ, Gregg Hale, Timo Tjahjanto, Gareth Huw Evans, Jason Eisener, Screenwriters: Simon Barrett, Jamie Nash, Timo Tjahjanto ¥ & Gareth Huw Evans, John Davies) — Searching for a missing student, two private investigators break into his abandoned house and find another collection of mysterious VHS tapes. In viewing the horrific contents of each cassette, they realize there may be terrifying motives behind the student’s disappearance. Cast: Adam Wingard, Lawrence Levine, L.C Holt, Kelsy Abbott, Hannah Hughes. Domestic: Wme -- Magnolia acquires Us rights reportedly for over $1m at Sundance
Earlier
Computer Chess / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Andrew Bujalski) — An existential comedy about the brilliant men who taught machines to play chess – back when the machines seemed clumsy and we seemed smart. Cast: Patrick Riester, Myles Paige, James Curry, Robin Schwartz, Gerald Peary, Wiley Wiggins. Domestic: The Film Sales Company -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance
Halley ɤ/ Mexico (Director: Sebastian Hofmann ɤ, Screenwriters: Sebastian Hofmann, Julio Chavezmontes) — Alberto is dead and can no longer hide it. Before surrendering to his living death, he forms an unusual friendship with Luly, the manager of the 24-hour gym where he works as a night guard. Cast: Alberto Trujillo, Lourdes Trueba, Hugo Albores. -- Isa: Visit Films -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance
It Felt Like Love / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Eliza Hittman ♀) — On the outskirts of Brooklyn, a 14-year-old girl’s sexual quest takes a dangerous turn when she pursues an older guy and tests the boundaries between obsession and love. Cast: Gina Piersanti, Giovanna Salimeni, Ronen Rubinstein, Jesse Cordasco, Nick Rosen, Case Prime.- Isa: Visit Films -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance
This Is Martin Bonner / U.S.A.(Director and screenwriter: Chad Hartigan) — Martin Bonner has just moved to Reno for a new job in prison rehabilitation. Starting over at age 58, he struggles to adapt until an unlikely friendship with an ex-con blossoms, helping him confront the problems he left behind. Cast: Paul Eenhoorn, Richmond Arquette, Sam Buchanan, Robert Longstreet, Demetrius Grosse. Domestic: ICM Partners / Traction Media -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance
The Spectacular Now / U.S.A. (Director: James Ponsoldt, Screenwriters: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber) — Sutter is a high school senior who lives for the moment; Aimee is the introvert he attempts to “save.” As their relationship deepens, the lines between right and wrong, friendship and love, and “saving” and corrupting become inextricably blurred. Cast: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kyle Chandler. Domestic: UTA - A24 took domestic distribution at Sundance- Isa: The Exchange
The Look of Love / United Kingdom (Director: Michael Winterbottom Lgbt, Screenwriter: Matt Greenhalgh) — The true story of British adult magazine publisher and entrepreneur Paul Raymond. A modern day King Midas story, Raymond became one of the richest men in Britain at the cost of losing those closest to him. Cast: Steve Coogan, Anna Friel, Imogen Poots, Tamsin Egerton. - UTA is No.American consultant to StudioCanal -- IFC Films has acquired North American rights at Sundance - StudioCanal has UK
The Way, Way Back / U.S.A. (Directors and screenwriters: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash) — Duncan, an introverted 14-year-old, comes into his own over the course of a comedic summer when he forms unlikely friendships with the gregarious manager of a rundown water park and the misfits who work there. Cast: Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, Liam James. Domestic: CAA, Wme Isa: Sierra/ Affinity -- Fox Searchlight acquired N.A. and most major territories reportedly for $9.75m at Sundance.
Don Jon’s Addiction / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Joseph Gordon-Levitt) — In Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s charming directorial debut, a selfish modern-day Don Juan attempts to change his ways. Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Danza, Glenne Headly, Rob Brown. Domestic: CAA, Wme -- Relativity Media reportedly bought for close to $4 million at Sundance Isa: Voltage Pictures has sold to Future Films for Finland, Remstar for Canada, Ascot Elite Entertainment Group for Germany and Switzerland, Midget Entertainment for Denmark, Noori Pictures for So. Korea.
Austenland / U.S.A., United Kingdom (Director: Jerusha Hess ♀, Screenwriters: Jerusha Hess, Shannon Hale) — Thirtysomething, single Jane is obsessed with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice. On a trip to an English resort, her fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman become more real than she ever imagined. Cast: Keri Russell, Jj Feild, Bret McKenzie, Jennifer Coolidge, Georgia King, James Callis. Domestic: UTA -- Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions takes worldwide rights at Sundance - Sony Pictures Classics has Us.
Blackfish / U.S.A. (Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite ♀) — Notorious killer whale Tilikum is responsible for the deaths of three individuals, including a top killer whale trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of keeping such intelligent and sentient creatures in captivity. Domestic: Submarine -- CNN Films (TV) and Magnolia Pictures (theatrical) have jointly acquired domestic rights at Sundance.
Dirty Wars / U.S.A. (Director: Richard Rowley) — Investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill chases down the truth behind America’s covert wars. -- Domestic: Submarine
-- Sundance Selects has acquired North American rights at Sundance
Twenty Feet From Stardom / α / U.S.A. (Director: Morgan Neville) — Backup singers live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but we’ve had no idea who these singers are or what lives they lead – until now. -- Submarine handling U.S/ Canada/ U.K/ Australia/ N.Zealand -- Radius-twc takes N.A. rights at Sundance. Isa: Elle Driver/Wild Bunch took international rights at Sundance
Who is Dayani Cristal? / United Kingdom (Director: Marc Silver) — An anonymous body in the Arizona desert sparks the beginning of a real-life human drama. The search for its identity leads us across a continent to seek out the people left behind and the meaning of a mysterious tattoo. World Premiere. -- Domestic: Submarine -- Isa: Mundial
The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear / Georgia, Germany (Director: Tinatin Gurchiani ♀) — A film director casting a 15-23-year-old protagonist visits villages and cities to meet people who answer her call. She follows those who prove to be interesting enough through various dramatic and funny situations. North American Premiere -- Icarus Films has acquired N.A. distribution rights pre-Sundance.
Sound City / U.S.A. (Director: Dave Grohl) — Through interviews and performances with the legendary musicians and producers who worked at America’s greatest unsung recording studio, Sound City, we explore the human element of music, and the lost art of analog recording in an increasingly digital world. Gravitas Ventures has picked up worldwide VOD rights pre-Sundance
History of the Eagles Part One / U.S.A. (Director: Alison Ellwood ♀) — Using never-before-seen home movies, archival footage and new interviews with all current and former members of the Eagles, this documentary provides an intimate look into the history of the band and the legacy of their music. Domestic: Azoff Music -- Showtime picked up for cable at Sundance.
The Summit / Ireland, United Kingdom (Director: Nick Ryan) — Twenty-four climbers converged at the last stop before summiting the most dangerous mountain on Earth. Forty-eight hours later, 11 had been killed or simply vanished. Had one, Ger McDonnell, stuck to the climbers’ code, he might still be alive. International Premiere -- Domestic: Submarine -- Sundance Selects acquires N.A. rights at Sundance - Madman has Australia, N. Zealand
jOBS / U.S.A. (Director: Joshua Michael Stern ✡, Screenwriter: Matt Whiteley) — The true story of one of the greatest entrepreneurs in American history, jOBS chronicles the defining 30 years of Steve Jobs’ life. jOBS is a candid, inspiring and personal portrait of the one who saw things differently. (Synopses are written by Sundance staff.) Cast: Ashton Kutcher, Dermot Mulroney, Josh Gad, Lukas Haas, J.K. Simmons, Matthew Modine. Closing Night Film -- Domestic: CAA -- Open Road Films acquired U.S. pre-Sundance -- Entertainment One (in collaboration with Remstar) has Canada except theatrical, VOD and French-language TV rights in Quebec which Remstar holds exclusively.
Upstream Color / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Shane Carruth) — A man and woman are drawn together, entangled in the life cycle of an ageless organism. Identity becomes an illusion as they struggle to assemble the loose fragments of wrecked lives. Cast: Amy Seimetz, Shane Carruth, Andrew Sensenig, Thiago Martins. -- Domestic: Mosaic -- Shane Carruth will self-distribute via his Erbp banner.
The Rambler / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Calvin Lee Reeder) — After being released from prison, a man known as “The Rambler” stumbles upon a strange mystery as he attempts the treacherous journey through back roads and small towns en route to reconnecting with his long-lost brother. Cast: Dermot Mulroney, Lindsay Pulsipher, Natasha Lyonne, James Cady, Scott Sharot. Domestic: Xyz Films -- Isa: Celluloid Nightmares -- Anchor Bay Films has picked up North America, the UK and Australia at Sundance
Pussy Riot – A Punk Prayer / Russian Federation, United Kingdom (Directors: Mike Lerner, Maxim Pozdorovkin) — Three young women face seven years in a Russian prison for a satirical performance in a Moscow cathedral. But who is really on trial: the three young artists or the society they live in? World Premiere -- Domestic: Cinetic Isa:Goldcrest Films --HBO Documentary Films has acquired U.S. television rights at Sundance
Fruitvale /α/ U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Ryan Coogler α) — The true story of Oscar, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family and strangers on the last day of 2008. Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer, Melonie Diaz, Ahna O’Reilly, Kevin Durand, Chad Michael Murray. --Domestic: Wme - TWC took N.A. and English Speaking territories reportedly for $2m at Sundance Isa:TWC
Metro Manila / United Kingdom, Philippines (Director: Sean Ellis, Screenwriters: Sean Ellis, Frank E. Flowers) — Seeking a better life, Oscar and his family move from the poverty-stricken rice fields to the big city of Manila, where they fall victim to various inhabitants whose manipulative ways are a daily part of city survival. Cast: Jake Macapagal, John Arcilla, Althea Vega. World Premiere Isa:Independent Film Company --Haut et Court acquires France pre-Sundance
Concussion Lgbt/ U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Stacie Passon ♀,Lgbt) — After a blow to the head, Abby decides she can’t do it anymore. Her life just can’t be only about the house, the kids and the wife. She needs more: she needs to be Eleanor. Cast: Robin Weigert, Maggie Siff, Johnathan Tchaikovsky, Julie Fain Lawrence, Emily Kinney, Laila Robins. Domestic: Paradigm-- TWC takes N.A. at Sundance -- Isa: Content
Inequality for All / U.S.A. (Director: Jacob Kornbluth (✡)) — In this timely and entertaining documentary, noted economic-policy expert Robert Reich distills the topic of widening income inequality, and addresses the question of what effects this increasing gap has on our economy and our democracy. -- Domestic: Wme - Radius-twc acquired at Sundance.
Prince Avalanche / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: David Gordon Green ✡) — Two highway road workers spend the summer of 1988 away from their city lives. The isolated landscape becomes a place of misadventure as the men find themselves at odds with each other and the women they left behind. Cast: Paul Rudd, Emile Hirsch. -- Magnolia took N.A. rights at Sundance
Two Mothers / Australia, France (Director: Anne Fontaine ♀, Screenwriter: Christopher Hampton) — This gripping tale of love, lust and the power of friendship charts the unconventional and passionate affairs of two lifelong friends who fall in love with each other’s sons. Cast: Naomi Watts, Robin Wright, Xavier Samuel, James Frechevile. Domestic:CAA -- Exclusive Releasing took Us, UK and Cis rights at Sundance - Isa:Gaumont sold toRemstar for Canada,Hopscotch Features for Australia/ N.Z.,Gaumont for France
Lovelace / U.S.A. (Directors: Rob Epstein ✡ Lgbt, Jeffrey Friedman ✡ Lgbt, Screenwriter: Andy Bellin) — Deep Throat, the first pornographic feature film to be a mainstream success, was an international sensation in 1972 and made its star, Linda Lovelace, a media darling. Years later the “poster girl for the sexual revolution” revealed a darker side to her story. Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Peter Sarsgaard, Hank Azaria, Adam Brody, James Franco, Sharon Stone. Domestic:Millennium Entertainment -- Radius-twc acquires Us rights at Sundance reportedly for $3m
Kill Your Darlings/ U.S.A. (Director: John Krokidas Lgbt, Screenwriters: Austin Bunn, John Krokidas) — An untold story of murder that brought together a young Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs at Columbia University in 1944, providing the spark that led to the birth of an entire generation – their Beat revolution. Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Dane DeHann, Ben Foster, Michael C. Hall, Jack Huston, Elizabeth Olsen. Domestic:UTA/Elevated Film Sales Isa: Inferno Entertainment -- Sony Pictures Classics acquired Us, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, African TV and Eastern European excluding Cis at Sundance
Toy's House / U.S.A. (Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts, Screenwriter: Chris Galletta) — Three unhappy teenage boys flee to the wilderness where they build a makeshift house and live off the land as masters of their own destiny. Or at least that’s the plan. Cast: Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Alison Brie. Domestic: Cinetic Isa:Qed International -- CBS Films acquires domestic rights at Sundance
We Are What We Are / U.S.A. (Director: Jim Mickle, Screenwriters: Nick Damici, Jim Mickle) — A devastating storm washes up clues that lead authorities closer and closer to the cannibalistic Parker family. Cast: Bill Sage, Ambyr Childers, Julia Garner, Michael Parks, Wyatt Russell, Kelly McGillis. Domestic:Wme -- eOne takes Us rights reportedly for low 7-figures at Sundance -- Isa: Memento Films
Deals Made At Sundance For Films Not Screened At Sundance
Blumhouse Productions picked up Duplass Brothers’ Peachfuzz from Submarine pre-Sundance.
Ketchup Entertainment acquired Mukunda Michael Dewil’s Vehicle 19 at Sundance.
Anchor Bay Films acquired N.A. rights to Leland Orser's Morning at Sundance.
Deals Made Outside Sundance 2013
New
D Films acquires Canadian rights to Paul Haggis’ Third Person from Corsan World Sales.
Earlier
Freestyle Digital Media takes VoD and DVD rights to Jonathan Segal’s Norman.
Variance Films acquired N.A. theatrical rights to Terence Nance’s “An Oversimplification of Her Beauty,” which had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012. DVD and digital rights previously picked up by Cinema Guild.
A24 acquired Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring.
Cohen Media Group to distribute “What is Cinema” by Chuck Workman
Factory 25 has taken world rights to 2012 SXSW film, A Sun Don’t Shine by Amy Seimetz
Inception Media Group (Img) has acquired the Justin Donnelly’s Pressed from Double Dutch International and A Haunting At Silver Falls from Outsider Pictures.
ro*co films educational has the non-theatrical release of How To Survive A Plague and Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush’s A Place At The Table.
Zeitgeist Films has acquired Margarethe Von Trotta’s Hannah Arendt starring Barbara Sukowa from Match Factory.
Factory 25 has taken worldwide rights to Matt Boyd’s A Rubberband Is An Unlikely Instrument.
Ctb Films acquired Wrong and Wrong Cops and is in negotiation to pick up Wrong Cops 2 (in development) and Realite, Praesens has acquired all rights to Wrong Cops and Realite, in Switzerland.
Picturehouse relaunching by distributing Metallica Through The Never by Nimród Antal
CNN Films has acquired 3 docs: Untitled Roger Ebert by Steve James, Untitled Ground Zero by Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein Untitled Higher Education by Andrew Rossi.
Gravitas Ventures has acquired three films from Slamdance: Steven Feinartz's doc The Bitter Buddha, Michael Urie's He's Way More Famous Than You and Peter Baxter's doc Wild In the Streets.
Gaumont acquired worldwide rights except Spain and French distribution rights to Isabel Coixet's Yesterday Never Ends (Ayer No Termina Nunca).
Breaking Glass Pictures has taken Us rights to Amelia’s 25th and N.A. rights to Christian Filippella’s Silver Case.
Paulette by Jerome Enrico -- Isa: Gaumont -- Cohen Media Group has N.A. -- Brazil (Art Films), Switzerland (Monopole-Pathe), Italy (Moviemax), Portugal (Lusomundo), Czech Republic (Hollywood Classic Entertainment) and Canada (A-z Films), among other territories.
- 1/25/2013
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Icarus Films has acquired all North American distribution rights to the world documentary competition entry “The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear” at the Sundance Film Festival. The film had its premiere Friday, Jan. 18. Directed by Tinatin Gurchiani, “Machine” springs from a casting call for a movie about former Soviet Georgia that widens as Gurchiani decides to follow a cross-section of the applicants to paint a picture of life there today. "After such a hectic year in 2012, it's wonderful to begin 2013 with a lovely, unexpected film from a new talent, and from a land we know too little about,” said Icarus Films president Jonathan Miller, who negotiated the deal with Deckert Distribution exec Heino Deckert. “I think people will fall in love with the film the way we did. It may be winter, but it didn't feel that way watching Tinatin's film. We can't wait to bring it to American audiences.
- 1/19/2013
- by Jay A. Fernandez
- Indiewire
Icarus Films has acquired North American rights to "The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear." The documentary offers a penetrating look at life in Georgia -- the former member of communist Russia, and not the home of Atlanta. It is making its U.S. premiere at the Sundance Film Festival this week and competing for the world documentary prize. Directed by the young Georgian filmmaker Tinatin Gurchiani, the film tracks her search for young adults in her native land, aged 15-23, in order to make a film about growing up in the Eurasian country.
- 1/18/2013
- by Brent Lang
- The Wrap
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