Mubi has swooped on its third 2024 Cannes competition title, Variety has learned.
Having acquired worldwide rights to Coralie Fargeat’s buzzy body horror “The Substance” and U.K. rights to Andrea Arnold’s Barry Keoghan and Franz Rogowski-starring ‘Bird’ before the festival began, the arthouse distributor, production banner and streamer has now picked up Magnus von Horn’s chilling black and white drama “The Girl With the Needle.” Mubi bought the title for North America, U.K./Ireland, Latin America, Germany/Austria, Italy, Turkey and India.
Directed by von Horn (“Sweat”) from a screenplay he wrote with Line Langebek, “The Girl With the Needle” is loosely based on the true story of Danish serial killer Dagmar Overbye, who helped impoverished women kill their unwanted children and was first sentenced to death in 1921, but it was later changed into a lifetime in prison.
In von Horn’s pic, set in post WW1 Copenhagen,...
Having acquired worldwide rights to Coralie Fargeat’s buzzy body horror “The Substance” and U.K. rights to Andrea Arnold’s Barry Keoghan and Franz Rogowski-starring ‘Bird’ before the festival began, the arthouse distributor, production banner and streamer has now picked up Magnus von Horn’s chilling black and white drama “The Girl With the Needle.” Mubi bought the title for North America, U.K./Ireland, Latin America, Germany/Austria, Italy, Turkey and India.
Directed by von Horn (“Sweat”) from a screenplay he wrote with Line Langebek, “The Girl With the Needle” is loosely based on the true story of Danish serial killer Dagmar Overbye, who helped impoverished women kill their unwanted children and was first sentenced to death in 1921, but it was later changed into a lifetime in prison.
In von Horn’s pic, set in post WW1 Copenhagen,...
- 5/19/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy and Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
MTV Documentary Films has acquired U.S. rights to Shiori Ito’s “Black Box Diaries.”
The docu, about the investigation of the director’s own alleged sexual assault, debuted in the World Cinema Documentary Competition at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and has been an audience favorite at this year’s Cph:dox, South by Southwest and Hot Docs film festivals.
MTV will theatrically release “Black Box Diaries” this fall, beginning in October at New York’s Film Forum. The film will be qualified for awards consideration before streaming on Paramount+ for subscribers with the Showtime plan later this year. Last year, the division released two Oscar nominated docs — Maite Alberdi’s feature length “The Eternal Memory” and Sheila Nevin’s short titled “The ABCs of Book Banning.”
Ito’s 103-minute film tracks her arduous, five-year struggle to bring to justice renowned TV reporter Noriyuki Yamaguchi for allegedly sexually assaulting her in...
The docu, about the investigation of the director’s own alleged sexual assault, debuted in the World Cinema Documentary Competition at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and has been an audience favorite at this year’s Cph:dox, South by Southwest and Hot Docs film festivals.
MTV will theatrically release “Black Box Diaries” this fall, beginning in October at New York’s Film Forum. The film will be qualified for awards consideration before streaming on Paramount+ for subscribers with the Showtime plan later this year. Last year, the division released two Oscar nominated docs — Maite Alberdi’s feature length “The Eternal Memory” and Sheila Nevin’s short titled “The ABCs of Book Banning.”
Ito’s 103-minute film tracks her arduous, five-year struggle to bring to justice renowned TV reporter Noriyuki Yamaguchi for allegedly sexually assaulting her in...
- 5/9/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
As Luca Guadagnino’s acclaimed tennis film Challengers makes its case for sporting immortality, critic Guy Lodge chooses 20 of the genre’s undisputed heavyweights
Challengers reviewed by Wendy Ide
Analogies of life as sport have been exhausted by every Pe teacher in existence. In the movies, however, they’re eternally renewable. Take Challengers, Luca Guadagnino’s sleek, sexy, sweat-drenched new film, which hits every metaphor you might expect in its story of three tennis pros locked in a tense love triangle: games are won and lost, points scored, doubles partners swapped, and so on. Shot and paced with the ricocheting energy of a great tennis match, it’s a sports movie that, like many a classic of the genre, understands the parallels between sport and cinema as two great crowd-pleasing pastimes.
The sports movie is pretty much as old as movies themselves: for early silent-cinema pioneers at the turn of the 20th century,...
Challengers reviewed by Wendy Ide
Analogies of life as sport have been exhausted by every Pe teacher in existence. In the movies, however, they’re eternally renewable. Take Challengers, Luca Guadagnino’s sleek, sexy, sweat-drenched new film, which hits every metaphor you might expect in its story of three tennis pros locked in a tense love triangle: games are won and lost, points scored, doubles partners swapped, and so on. Shot and paced with the ricocheting energy of a great tennis match, it’s a sports movie that, like many a classic of the genre, understands the parallels between sport and cinema as two great crowd-pleasing pastimes.
The sports movie is pretty much as old as movies themselves: for early silent-cinema pioneers at the turn of the 20th century,...
- 4/28/2024
- by Guy Lodge
- The Guardian - Film News
Paris-based sales house Charades has acquired international sales rights to Argentinian Western-Inspired documentary “Gaucho Gaucho” which earned a Sundance Jury Prize in January and recently played at Cph:dox.
Directed by Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw, the duo behind the box office hit ‘The Truffle Hunters,’ “Gaucho Gaucho” explores the story of a community of cowboys and cowgirls in Northern Argentina living outside of the modern world.
Produced by Dweck and Kershaw for Beautiful Stories Productions, the film is shot in black-and-white and celebrates the beauty and passion of a group of skilled Argentine cowboys and cowgirls, known as gauchos.
“Gaucho Gaucho” has been praised international critics, including Variety’ Guy Lodge who described the film as a “perfectly framed,” “loving, visually resplendent documentary” that “gives the Argentine cowboy community ample space to bond and merge.”
Charades’ co-founder Carole Baraton said the company was “very proud to bring this special masterpiece from...
Directed by Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw, the duo behind the box office hit ‘The Truffle Hunters,’ “Gaucho Gaucho” explores the story of a community of cowboys and cowgirls in Northern Argentina living outside of the modern world.
Produced by Dweck and Kershaw for Beautiful Stories Productions, the film is shot in black-and-white and celebrates the beauty and passion of a group of skilled Argentine cowboys and cowgirls, known as gauchos.
“Gaucho Gaucho” has been praised international critics, including Variety’ Guy Lodge who described the film as a “perfectly framed,” “loving, visually resplendent documentary” that “gives the Argentine cowboy community ample space to bond and merge.”
Charades’ co-founder Carole Baraton said the company was “very proud to bring this special masterpiece from...
- 4/10/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
As brings to London a 90-minute monologue about Mary, Queen of Scots, the celebrated French actor talks about her extraordinary career, and why she’d love to make a film in the UK – or play a Marvel villain. Below, Guy Lodge chooses her finest screen appearances
Isabelle Huppert is a force of nature. Two days before we meet, she has arrived in Stockholm from New York via Paris. Two hours after she touched down, she was on stage rehearsing. The next evening, she opened in Mary Said What She Said, an extraordinary one-woman portrait of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. Then she walked back to her hotel in high heels, through five inches of snow.
Now, she is sitting opposite me in an empty rooftop bar, especially reserved for our conversation. Drinking citron pressé, as the Scandinavian light seeps away through the early afternoon, she looks tired when she arrives...
Isabelle Huppert is a force of nature. Two days before we meet, she has arrived in Stockholm from New York via Paris. Two hours after she touched down, she was on stage rehearsing. The next evening, she opened in Mary Said What She Said, an extraordinary one-woman portrait of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. Then she walked back to her hotel in high heels, through five inches of snow.
Now, she is sitting opposite me in an empty rooftop bar, especially reserved for our conversation. Drinking citron pressé, as the Scandinavian light seeps away through the early afternoon, she looks tired when she arrives...
- 3/24/2024
- by Sarah Crompton
- The Guardian - Film News
Jonathan Glazer’s Oscar acceptance speech after Zone of Interest won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film has drawn condemnation from more than a thousand Hollywood actors, creatives and executives over the past few days, but there are also some in the entertainment industry who have spoken in support of Glazer and his speech.
For context, here is the entirety of Glazer’s speech:
Thank you so much. I’m going to read, I’m afraid.
Thank you to the Academy for this honor and to our partners A24 Films for access and Polish Film Institute, to the Stead Museum for their trust and guidance, to my producers, actors, collaborators.
All our choices were made to reflect and confront us in the present, not to say look what they did then, but rather look what we do now.
For context, here is the entirety of Glazer’s speech:
Thank you so much. I’m going to read, I’m afraid.
Thank you to the Academy for this honor and to our partners A24 Films for access and Polish Film Institute, to the Stead Museum for their trust and guidance, to my producers, actors, collaborators.
All our choices were made to reflect and confront us in the present, not to say look what they did then, but rather look what we do now.
- 3/20/2024
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
On February 23, 2024, Cohen Media Group released “Io Capitano” in the United States, Italy’s Oscar-nominated Best International Feature film directed by Matteo Garrone. The movie is a Homeric fairy tale that tells the adventurous journey of two young boys, Seydou (Seydou Sarr) and Moussa (Moustapha Fall), who leave Dakar to reach Europe. The 2024 Oscars contender has received widespread acclaim from critics, scoring a perfect 100% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The critics consensus reads, “A journey toward hope, ‘Io Capitano’ perambulates through the ravishing Saharan landscape encountering the most sublime and debased corners of humanity.” The castings, under the direction of Henri-Didier Njikam, took place on the African continent and features mostly newcomers. Read our full review round-up below.
See Watch our exciting interviews with 12 of the 20 Oscars 2024 acting nominees
Damon Wise of Deadline says, “Despite its technical elegance — and the film is near flawless in that respect — the...
The critics consensus reads, “A journey toward hope, ‘Io Capitano’ perambulates through the ravishing Saharan landscape encountering the most sublime and debased corners of humanity.” The castings, under the direction of Henri-Didier Njikam, took place on the African continent and features mostly newcomers. Read our full review round-up below.
See Watch our exciting interviews with 12 of the 20 Oscars 2024 acting nominees
Damon Wise of Deadline says, “Despite its technical elegance — and the film is near flawless in that respect — the...
- 2/24/2024
- by Vincent Mandile
- Gold Derby
Jane Campion is championing Matteo Garrone’s “Io Capitano,” which is Italy’s Oscar-nominated contender for best international feature film.
The movie narrates the Homeric journey of two two Senegalese teenagers, Seydou and Moussa, who decide to leave Dakar to reach Europe in pursuit of a better life. It realistically depicts their plight through the pitfalls of the desert, the horrors of detention centers in Libya and the dangers of the sea.
In Variety‘s review, critic Guy Lodge called “Io Capitano” the director’s “most robust, purely satisfying filmmaking since [his] international breakthrough with ‘Gomorrah’ 15 years ago.” The drama, which at the Venice Film Festival won best director and best emerging actor for its co-star Seydou Sarr is the strongest Italian Oscar contender in recent memory. The film, which also won best European film at San Sebastian, will be released in the U.S. on Feb. 23 by Cohen Media Group.
The movie narrates the Homeric journey of two two Senegalese teenagers, Seydou and Moussa, who decide to leave Dakar to reach Europe in pursuit of a better life. It realistically depicts their plight through the pitfalls of the desert, the horrors of detention centers in Libya and the dangers of the sea.
In Variety‘s review, critic Guy Lodge called “Io Capitano” the director’s “most robust, purely satisfying filmmaking since [his] international breakthrough with ‘Gomorrah’ 15 years ago.” The drama, which at the Venice Film Festival won best director and best emerging actor for its co-star Seydou Sarr is the strongest Italian Oscar contender in recent memory. The film, which also won best European film at San Sebastian, will be released in the U.S. on Feb. 23 by Cohen Media Group.
- 2/22/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
As the nominees for the animated feature Oscar were unveiled this year, one thing was clear: 2D and 2D-influenced animated films are dominating awards season.
Among this year’s nominees, “The Boy and the Heron,” “Nimona,” “Robot Dreams” and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” all used traditional 2D techniques or other methods to create a 2D look. Even the CG “Elemental” shows 2D influences across the many environments of Element City. And as the Academy nominates what might be helmer Hayao Miyazaki’s final film, it seems as though the impact of 2D is being recognized once again after CG having dominated the animation space for so long.
The 2D animation of today isn’t quite like cartoons of the past. With new techniques at their disposal, filmmakers are expanding the visuals they can create to tell rich, compelling stories. It’s very often a 2D look that’s intended for...
Among this year’s nominees, “The Boy and the Heron,” “Nimona,” “Robot Dreams” and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” all used traditional 2D techniques or other methods to create a 2D look. Even the CG “Elemental” shows 2D influences across the many environments of Element City. And as the Academy nominates what might be helmer Hayao Miyazaki’s final film, it seems as though the impact of 2D is being recognized once again after CG having dominated the animation space for so long.
The 2D animation of today isn’t quite like cartoons of the past. With new techniques at their disposal, filmmakers are expanding the visuals they can create to tell rich, compelling stories. It’s very often a 2D look that’s intended for...
- 2/1/2024
- by Karen Idelson
- Variety Film + TV
“It’s What’s Inside,” a horror movie that premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, has sold to Netflix for $17 million.
The film isn’t playing in theaters and will land directly on the streamer at a yet-to-be-determined date.
First-time filmmaker Greg Jardin directed “It’s What’s Inside,” which is set at a pre-wedding party that descends into an existential nightmare when an estranged friend shows up with a mysterious suitcase. The cast includes Brittany O’Grady, James Morosini, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Devon Terrell, Gavin Leatherwood, Reina Hardesty, Nina Bloomgarden and David Thompson.
“On behalf of the cast, crew, and entire production team, we are absolutely thrilled that ‘It’s What’s Inside’ landed at Netflix,” said producer William Rosenfeld of Such, which financed and oversaw production. “Their commitment to championing bold and groundbreaking filmmakers like Greg Jardin remains unparalleled.”
Variety’s Guy Lodge teased that the film “doesn’t unfold exactly as you’d expect.” He wrote in his review,...
The film isn’t playing in theaters and will land directly on the streamer at a yet-to-be-determined date.
First-time filmmaker Greg Jardin directed “It’s What’s Inside,” which is set at a pre-wedding party that descends into an existential nightmare when an estranged friend shows up with a mysterious suitcase. The cast includes Brittany O’Grady, James Morosini, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Devon Terrell, Gavin Leatherwood, Reina Hardesty, Nina Bloomgarden and David Thompson.
“On behalf of the cast, crew, and entire production team, we are absolutely thrilled that ‘It’s What’s Inside’ landed at Netflix,” said producer William Rosenfeld of Such, which financed and oversaw production. “Their commitment to championing bold and groundbreaking filmmakers like Greg Jardin remains unparalleled.”
Variety’s Guy Lodge teased that the film “doesn’t unfold exactly as you’d expect.” He wrote in his review,...
- 1/22/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Can “Mean Girls” make fetch happen at the box office?
Paramount’s new take on the teen classic is aiming to generate $30 million from 3,800 North American theaters over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. The studio is projecting a debut in the high $20 million range, while independent tracking services estimate a start closer to $35 million. Those ticket sales would, indeed, be fetch because “Mean Girls” cost just $36 million to produce. It was originally commissioned to stream on Paramount+, but executives opted to release the film theatrically after audiences responded enthusiastically during test screenings.
The Plastics 2.0 won’t be the only newcomers to keep movie theaters bustling over the holiday frame. Amazon MGM’s “The Beekeeper,” an action thriller directed by David Ayer and starring Jason Statham, is expected to score a solid $17 million to $19 million over the four days. Another new release, Sony’s biblical comedic drama “The Book of Clarence,...
Paramount’s new take on the teen classic is aiming to generate $30 million from 3,800 North American theaters over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. The studio is projecting a debut in the high $20 million range, while independent tracking services estimate a start closer to $35 million. Those ticket sales would, indeed, be fetch because “Mean Girls” cost just $36 million to produce. It was originally commissioned to stream on Paramount+, but executives opted to release the film theatrically after audiences responded enthusiastically during test screenings.
The Plastics 2.0 won’t be the only newcomers to keep movie theaters bustling over the holiday frame. Amazon MGM’s “The Beekeeper,” an action thriller directed by David Ayer and starring Jason Statham, is expected to score a solid $17 million to $19 million over the four days. Another new release, Sony’s biblical comedic drama “The Book of Clarence,...
- 1/10/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Sting, Isabella Rossellini, and U.S. director Roger Ross Williams came out to support the recent New York launch of Matteo Garrone’s Venice prizewinning immigration epic “Io Capitano” at the Museum of Modern Art.
The movie – which is Italy’s now shortlisted Oscar candidate for best international feature film – narrates the Homeric journey of two two Senegalese teenagers, Seydou and Moussa, who decide to leave Dakar to reach Europe in pursuit of a better life. It realistically depicts their plight through the pitfalls of the desert, the horrors of detention centers in Libya and the dangers of the sea.
Variety critic Guy Lodge in his review called “Io Capitano” the director’s “most robust, purely satisfying filmmaking since Garrone’s international breakthrough with ‘Gomorrah’ 15 years ago.” The drama, which at Venice won best director and best emerging actor for its co-star Seydou Sarr is Italy’s strongest Oscar contender in recent memory.
The movie – which is Italy’s now shortlisted Oscar candidate for best international feature film – narrates the Homeric journey of two two Senegalese teenagers, Seydou and Moussa, who decide to leave Dakar to reach Europe in pursuit of a better life. It realistically depicts their plight through the pitfalls of the desert, the horrors of detention centers in Libya and the dangers of the sea.
Variety critic Guy Lodge in his review called “Io Capitano” the director’s “most robust, purely satisfying filmmaking since Garrone’s international breakthrough with ‘Gomorrah’ 15 years ago.” The drama, which at Venice won best director and best emerging actor for its co-star Seydou Sarr is Italy’s strongest Oscar contender in recent memory.
- 1/8/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Roberto Benigni, whose film “Life Is Beautiful” won three Oscars in 1999, has come out of the woodwork to support Matteo Garrone’s Golden Globe-nominated “Io Capitano,” which is Italy’s current Oscar candidate for best international feature film.
The revered yet reclusive Italian actor/director, whose most recent big screen role is playing Geppetto in Matteo Garrone’s hit 2019 live-action adaptation of “Pinocchio,” is clearly a big fan of “Io Capitano” (the title translates to “Me Captain”). The movie narrates the Homeric journey of two young African men, Seydou and Moussa, who decide to leave Dakar to reach Europe.
Garrone’s immigration drama realistically depicts their plight through the pitfalls of the desert, the horrors of detention centers in Libya and the dangers of the sea. Variety critic Guy Lodge in his review called “Io Capitano” the director’s “most robust, purely satisfying filmmaking since Garrone’s international breakthrough with ‘Gomorrah’ 15 years ago.
The revered yet reclusive Italian actor/director, whose most recent big screen role is playing Geppetto in Matteo Garrone’s hit 2019 live-action adaptation of “Pinocchio,” is clearly a big fan of “Io Capitano” (the title translates to “Me Captain”). The movie narrates the Homeric journey of two young African men, Seydou and Moussa, who decide to leave Dakar to reach Europe.
Garrone’s immigration drama realistically depicts their plight through the pitfalls of the desert, the horrors of detention centers in Libya and the dangers of the sea. Variety critic Guy Lodge in his review called “Io Capitano” the director’s “most robust, purely satisfying filmmaking since Garrone’s international breakthrough with ‘Gomorrah’ 15 years ago.
- 12/21/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Cohen Media Group has bought all North American rights to “Io Capitano,” a lushly-lensed, stirring immigration drama by “Gomorrah” director Matteo Garrone. Sold worldwide by Pathé Films, the critically acclaimed movie is Italy’s official Oscar entry and is slated to be released theatrically in early 2024.
With Cohen Media Group as its North American distributor, “Io Capitano” has strengthened its position in the awards season. The movie world premiered to stellar reviews in September at Venice Film Festival, where it was greeted with a 13-minute standing ovation and won the Silver Lion for Garrone and best emerging actor for Seydou Sarr.
“Io Capitano” went on to win the best European film award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival. The movie is also vying for best film and director at the European Film Awards this weekend.
Reminiscent of “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Io Capitano” tells the epic story of a teenage boy who,...
With Cohen Media Group as its North American distributor, “Io Capitano” has strengthened its position in the awards season. The movie world premiered to stellar reviews in September at Venice Film Festival, where it was greeted with a 13-minute standing ovation and won the Silver Lion for Garrone and best emerging actor for Seydou Sarr.
“Io Capitano” went on to win the best European film award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival. The movie is also vying for best film and director at the European Film Awards this weekend.
Reminiscent of “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Io Capitano” tells the epic story of a teenage boy who,...
- 12/8/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy and Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Focus Features’ upcoming title “Housekeeping for Beginners” is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on Jan. 26 and will expand to more theaters in subsequent weeks.
Per the film’s synopsis, Goran Stolevski’s latest feature “revolves around Dita, who, despite never aspiring to be a mother, finds herself compelled to raise her girlfriend’s two daughters — Mia, a tiny troublemaker, and Vanesa, a rebellious teenager. As their individual wills clash, a heartwarming story unfolds about an unlikely family’s struggle to stay together.”
“Housekeeping for Beginners” had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in the official “Orrizonti” (Horizons) section, taking home the Queer Lion Award. It has also been selected as North Macedonia’s international Oscar submission.
In Guy Lodge’s review for Variety, he wrote, “This study of domestic, romantic and generational conflicts in a crowded queer household (instead) embraces a spirit of antic chaos, both in subject matter and jagged,...
Per the film’s synopsis, Goran Stolevski’s latest feature “revolves around Dita, who, despite never aspiring to be a mother, finds herself compelled to raise her girlfriend’s two daughters — Mia, a tiny troublemaker, and Vanesa, a rebellious teenager. As their individual wills clash, a heartwarming story unfolds about an unlikely family’s struggle to stay together.”
“Housekeeping for Beginners” had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in the official “Orrizonti” (Horizons) section, taking home the Queer Lion Award. It has also been selected as North Macedonia’s international Oscar submission.
In Guy Lodge’s review for Variety, he wrote, “This study of domestic, romantic and generational conflicts in a crowded queer household (instead) embraces a spirit of antic chaos, both in subject matter and jagged,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Jaden Thompson
- Variety Film + TV
Molly Manning Walker, the English cinematographer-turned-filmmaker whose debut feature “How to Have Sex” won a prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, has signed with CAA for representation.
Penned and directed by Manning Walker, “How to Have Sex” world premiered at Cannes in Un Certain Regard, where it won the top prize and earned unanimous praise. The film follows three British teenage girls who go on a holiday in sun-drenched Crete and find themselves navigating the complexities of sex, consent and self-discovery.
Variety‘s Guy Lodge described the film as “fresh, head-turning debut” that “lays out the minefield of sexual education and consent for a post-#MeToo generation, with a precision to its ambiguities that will draw gasps from its characters’ contemporaries and elders alike.” The movie was acquired by Mubi in multiple territories before debuting in Cannes. It will be released theatrically by Mubi on Nov. 3 in the U.
Penned and directed by Manning Walker, “How to Have Sex” world premiered at Cannes in Un Certain Regard, where it won the top prize and earned unanimous praise. The film follows three British teenage girls who go on a holiday in sun-drenched Crete and find themselves navigating the complexities of sex, consent and self-discovery.
Variety‘s Guy Lodge described the film as “fresh, head-turning debut” that “lays out the minefield of sexual education and consent for a post-#MeToo generation, with a precision to its ambiguities that will draw gasps from its characters’ contemporaries and elders alike.” The movie was acquired by Mubi in multiple territories before debuting in Cannes. It will be released theatrically by Mubi on Nov. 3 in the U.
- 11/3/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
On October 13, 2023, Neon released “Anatomy of a Fall” in the United States following its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May. With a score of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, critics have raved about the Palme d’Or winner, with the consensus stating, “A smart, solidly crafted procedural that’s anchored in family drama, ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ finds star Sandra Hüller and director/co-writer Justine Triet operating at peak power.”
For the past year, Sandra (Hüller), her husband Samuel (Samuel Theis), and their 11-year-old son Daniel (Milo Machado-Graner) have lived a secluded life in a remote town in the French Alps. When Samuel is found dead in the snow below their chalet, the police question whether he was murdered or committed suicide. Samuel’s suspicious death is presumed murder, and Sandra becomes the main suspect. What follows is not just an investigation into the circumstances of Samuel’s death...
For the past year, Sandra (Hüller), her husband Samuel (Samuel Theis), and their 11-year-old son Daniel (Milo Machado-Graner) have lived a secluded life in a remote town in the French Alps. When Samuel is found dead in the snow below their chalet, the police question whether he was murdered or committed suicide. Samuel’s suspicious death is presumed murder, and Sandra becomes the main suspect. What follows is not just an investigation into the circumstances of Samuel’s death...
- 10/17/2023
- by Vincent Mandile
- Gold Derby
Signature Entertainment has acquired U.K. and Ireland rights to writer-director Warwick Thornton’s Australian drama “The New Boy” from The Veterans.
The film follows a nine-year-old Aboriginal orphan boy who arrives in the dead of night at a remote monastery run by a renegade nun, disturbing the delicately balanced world.
Debutant Aswan Reid leads the film in the titular role, alongside Cate Blanchett, Deborah Mailman (“Sapphires”) and Wayne Blair (“Rams”).
“Inspired by Thornton’s own experience of growing up as an Aboriginal boy in a Christian boarding school, this is ambitious, tonally tricky filmmaking, bringing an unexpected dose of whimsy to social interests more austerely explored in Thornton’s excellent previous features “Samson and Delilah” and “Sweet Country,” Variety critic Guy Lodge said in his review of the film.
“The New Boy”
The film is produced by Kath Shelper (“Samson & Delilah”) for Scarlett Pictures, Blanchett and Andrew Upton (“Stateless...
The film follows a nine-year-old Aboriginal orphan boy who arrives in the dead of night at a remote monastery run by a renegade nun, disturbing the delicately balanced world.
Debutant Aswan Reid leads the film in the titular role, alongside Cate Blanchett, Deborah Mailman (“Sapphires”) and Wayne Blair (“Rams”).
“Inspired by Thornton’s own experience of growing up as an Aboriginal boy in a Christian boarding school, this is ambitious, tonally tricky filmmaking, bringing an unexpected dose of whimsy to social interests more austerely explored in Thornton’s excellent previous features “Samson and Delilah” and “Sweet Country,” Variety critic Guy Lodge said in his review of the film.
“The New Boy”
The film is produced by Kath Shelper (“Samson & Delilah”) for Scarlett Pictures, Blanchett and Andrew Upton (“Stateless...
- 9/26/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Remarking on the sterling success of Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” in Venice and of Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest” in Cannes, “All Quiet on the Western Front” director Edward Berger has noticed a trend – and he hopes to apply that recognition back to the German industry.
“Film4 came and took [filmmakers like Jonathan Glazer,] Yorgos Lanthimos and Steve McQueen and gave them the opportunity, fostering them and sheltering them and [helping] them make their movies — and look where they are now,” said Berger at a Venice Film Festival panel. (See the interview with Variety critic Guy Lodge here). “And I think there’s an opportunity for us in Germany to build something like that with limited public funds, to learn from the English model and to support young filmmakers.”
Backed by the U.K.’s Channel Four Television Company, Film4 does indeed play in a major role in the British industry, supporting 10 – 12 films...
“Film4 came and took [filmmakers like Jonathan Glazer,] Yorgos Lanthimos and Steve McQueen and gave them the opportunity, fostering them and sheltering them and [helping] them make their movies — and look where they are now,” said Berger at a Venice Film Festival panel. (See the interview with Variety critic Guy Lodge here). “And I think there’s an opportunity for us in Germany to build something like that with limited public funds, to learn from the English model and to support young filmmakers.”
Backed by the U.K.’s Channel Four Television Company, Film4 does indeed play in a major role in the British industry, supporting 10 – 12 films...
- 9/9/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Memento Distribution has picked up French distribution rights to Gabor Reisz’s ‘Explanation for Everything’ following its world premiere in Horizons competition at the Venice Film Festival. The deal was closed by Films Boutique.
Anthony Bobeau, head of acquisitions at Memento Distribution, said: “Gabor Reisz’s work reminded us of Asghar Faradi’s first films. They both have the same accuracy of vision and intelligence of writing when it comes to telling the story of their country and their times.”
The film is set in Budapest, where high school student Abel is struggling to focus on his final exams, whilst coming to the realization that he is hopelessly in love with his best friend Janka. The studious Janka has her own unrequited love with married history teacher Jakab – who had a previous confrontation with Abel’s conservative father. The tensions of a polarized society come unexpectedly to the surface when...
Anthony Bobeau, head of acquisitions at Memento Distribution, said: “Gabor Reisz’s work reminded us of Asghar Faradi’s first films. They both have the same accuracy of vision and intelligence of writing when it comes to telling the story of their country and their times.”
The film is set in Budapest, where high school student Abel is struggling to focus on his final exams, whilst coming to the realization that he is hopelessly in love with his best friend Janka. The studious Janka has her own unrequited love with married history teacher Jakab – who had a previous confrontation with Abel’s conservative father. The tensions of a polarized society come unexpectedly to the surface when...
- 9/8/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
“Poor Things,” the oddest movie to premiere at this year’s Venice Film Festival, landed the biggest standing ovation so far. On Friday night, Yorgos Lanthimos’ drama, starring Emma Stone as a woman who finds her way in European society after a series of tragic events (and a scientific intervention), received an eight-minute standing ovation at its world premiere.
“Genius! We love you! Yorgos!” the crowd chanted at the auteur director behind “The Favourite” and “The Lobster.”
Lanthimos lapped up the love and attention, as he walked down the balcony of the Sala Grande Theatre, shaking hands with his fans and signing autographs.
One can imagine the applause would have gone even longer if Stone, the star of the film, had been able to attend. None of the actors in “Poor Things” made it to Venice due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Lathimos walked the carpet on his own at the beginning of the night,...
“Genius! We love you! Yorgos!” the crowd chanted at the auteur director behind “The Favourite” and “The Lobster.”
Lanthimos lapped up the love and attention, as he walked down the balcony of the Sala Grande Theatre, shaking hands with his fans and signing autographs.
One can imagine the applause would have gone even longer if Stone, the star of the film, had been able to attend. None of the actors in “Poor Things” made it to Venice due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Lathimos walked the carpet on his own at the beginning of the night,...
- 9/1/2023
- by Ramin Setoodeh and Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Director Ira Sachs and lead Franz Rogowski discussed their film “Passages” at an exclusive screening in London on Friday.
The screening was the first of a series of exclusive Q&a events curated by Variety in partnership with brand and culture consultancy Bsbp targeted at BAFTA and AMPAS voters as well as key players in the showbiz community in the U.K., taking place at London’s The Cinema at Selfridges. Variety and Bsbp teamed with film distributor, global streaming service and production company Mubi for the first screening in the series, “Passages,” written and directed by Sachs.
The screening was accompanied by a Q&a conducted by Variety critic Guy Lodge with Sachs and Rogowski. The sexually frank relationship drama, about a polysexual Parisian love triangle, also stars Ben Whishaw and Adele Exarchopoulos, and premiered to great acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival, also playing at the Berlinale. It...
The screening was the first of a series of exclusive Q&a events curated by Variety in partnership with brand and culture consultancy Bsbp targeted at BAFTA and AMPAS voters as well as key players in the showbiz community in the U.K., taking place at London’s The Cinema at Selfridges. Variety and Bsbp teamed with film distributor, global streaming service and production company Mubi for the first screening in the series, “Passages,” written and directed by Sachs.
The screening was accompanied by a Q&a conducted by Variety critic Guy Lodge with Sachs and Rogowski. The sexually frank relationship drama, about a polysexual Parisian love triangle, also stars Ben Whishaw and Adele Exarchopoulos, and premiered to great acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival, also playing at the Berlinale. It...
- 8/28/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The French drama “The Pot-au-Feu,” one of the breakout hits at the Cannes Film Festival and one of the movies that could represent France at the Academy Awards, has received a new title, Variety has learned exclusively.
Now under its new title — “The Taste of Things” – the movie will also have a qualifying run to be considered in all general categories, including best picture.
Starring Oscar winner Juliette Binoche (“The English Patient”) and Cesar winner Benoît Magime (“Pacification”), the movie received critical acclaim after its premiere, winning the best director prize for French-Vietnamese filmmaker Trần Anh Hùng, best known for helming the “The Scent of Green Papaya” (1993), the first and only Vietnamese nominee for best international feature.
Written by Hùng and loosely based on Marcel Rouffe’s 1924 novel “The Passionate Epicure,” it follows the life of Dodin Bouffant (Magimel), a preeminent chef who has been living with his personal cook...
Now under its new title — “The Taste of Things” – the movie will also have a qualifying run to be considered in all general categories, including best picture.
Starring Oscar winner Juliette Binoche (“The English Patient”) and Cesar winner Benoît Magime (“Pacification”), the movie received critical acclaim after its premiere, winning the best director prize for French-Vietnamese filmmaker Trần Anh Hùng, best known for helming the “The Scent of Green Papaya” (1993), the first and only Vietnamese nominee for best international feature.
Written by Hùng and loosely based on Marcel Rouffe’s 1924 novel “The Passionate Epicure,” it follows the life of Dodin Bouffant (Magimel), a preeminent chef who has been living with his personal cook...
- 8/16/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Signature Entertainment has acquired U.K. and Ireland rights to revenge thriller “Femme.”
The film centers on Jules, whose life and career as a drag queen is destroyed by a homophobic attack. But when he re-encounters his attacker, the deeply-closeted Preston, in a gay sauna, he is presented with a chance to exact revenge. Unrecognizable out of his wig and make-up, Jules infiltrates Preston’s life, and in doing so, discovers power in a different kind of drag.
The film is the debut feature from Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping, based on their 2021 BIFA-winning and BAFTA-nominated short film of the same name.
The London-set neo-noir stars Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (“Candyman”), George MacKay (“1917”) and John McCrea (“Cabaret”). It is produced by Myles Payne and Sam Ritzenberg of Agile Films and co-produced by Hayley Williams for Agile. Marnie Podos of Under New Mgmt executive produced alongside Eva Yates, director of...
The film centers on Jules, whose life and career as a drag queen is destroyed by a homophobic attack. But when he re-encounters his attacker, the deeply-closeted Preston, in a gay sauna, he is presented with a chance to exact revenge. Unrecognizable out of his wig and make-up, Jules infiltrates Preston’s life, and in doing so, discovers power in a different kind of drag.
The film is the debut feature from Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping, based on their 2021 BIFA-winning and BAFTA-nominated short film of the same name.
The London-set neo-noir stars Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (“Candyman”), George MacKay (“1917”) and John McCrea (“Cabaret”). It is produced by Myles Payne and Sam Ritzenberg of Agile Films and co-produced by Hayley Williams for Agile. Marnie Podos of Under New Mgmt executive produced alongside Eva Yates, director of...
- 8/16/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
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As the summer movie season heated up with splashy red carpets, film critics set Twitter abuzz with complaints about the arrival of social media influencers at the premieres of “Barbie” and Disney’s “Haunted Mansion.”
The actors’ strike has amped up the controversy, with studios looking to find ways to bring excitement to events without stars. But the smartphone-wielding video creators also play into worries about the movie audience’s shifting media habits, as traditional reviews make way for short TikTok clips that play off film soundtracks and outfits.
It’s “weird” to see “influencers do red carpet interviews instead of journalists who have been on their grind for years and years and aren’t allowed the same opportunity,” tweeted independent film critic Shannon McGrew.
But the line...
As the summer movie season heated up with splashy red carpets, film critics set Twitter abuzz with complaints about the arrival of social media influencers at the premieres of “Barbie” and Disney’s “Haunted Mansion.”
The actors’ strike has amped up the controversy, with studios looking to find ways to bring excitement to events without stars. But the smartphone-wielding video creators also play into worries about the movie audience’s shifting media habits, as traditional reviews make way for short TikTok clips that play off film soundtracks and outfits.
It’s “weird” to see “influencers do red carpet interviews instead of journalists who have been on their grind for years and years and aren’t allowed the same opportunity,” tweeted independent film critic Shannon McGrew.
But the line...
- 7/28/2023
- by Kristen Lopez
- The Wrap
MTV Documentary Films has released a first look teaser for “The Eternal Memory,” a look at love and Alzheimer’s disease that won the grand jury prize for world documentary at this year’s Sundance.
A U.S. theatrical release kicks off on Aug. 11 in New York. It will be followed by engagements in Los Angeles and San Francisco on Aug. 18, with a limited national roll out to follow. Chilean filmmaker Maite Alberdi directed the movie, which could be a contender for the documentary Oscar. Alberdi is the Academy Award-nominated filmmaker behind “The Mole Agent.”
To that end, “The Eternal Memory” played at the Berlin Film Festival, where it was the runner up for the audience award. A robust international festival campaign is already in the works, including stops at Cph:Dox, Hot Docs, and DocAviv, Hamptons Summer Docs and DC Dox.
“The Eternal Memory” centers around Augusto Góngora and Paulina Urrutia,...
A U.S. theatrical release kicks off on Aug. 11 in New York. It will be followed by engagements in Los Angeles and San Francisco on Aug. 18, with a limited national roll out to follow. Chilean filmmaker Maite Alberdi directed the movie, which could be a contender for the documentary Oscar. Alberdi is the Academy Award-nominated filmmaker behind “The Mole Agent.”
To that end, “The Eternal Memory” played at the Berlin Film Festival, where it was the runner up for the audience award. A robust international festival campaign is already in the works, including stops at Cph:Dox, Hot Docs, and DocAviv, Hamptons Summer Docs and DC Dox.
“The Eternal Memory” centers around Augusto Góngora and Paulina Urrutia,...
- 6/28/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix released the first trailer for the upcoming documentary “The Deepest Breath” on Tuesday. The new film, out next month on the streaming service, tells the heartbreaking true story of champion freediver Alessia Zecchini and her coach and safety expert Stephen Keenan, two people “destined for one another despite the different paths they took to meet at the pinnacle of the freediving world.” Told through archival footage and interviews, “The Deepest Breath” unfolds in almost real-time.
“I wanted the film to feel like going through life, not knowing anything until it happened,” director Laura McGann told Vanity Fair in an interview published Tuesday. “That way I could let viewers grow with Alessia and Steve, getting to know them organically.”
“The Deepest Breath” debuted earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival to strong reviews.
“The world can probably be divided into two camps of people: those who will watch ‘The Deepest Breath,...
“I wanted the film to feel like going through life, not knowing anything until it happened,” director Laura McGann told Vanity Fair in an interview published Tuesday. “That way I could let viewers grow with Alessia and Steve, getting to know them organically.”
“The Deepest Breath” debuted earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival to strong reviews.
“The world can probably be divided into two camps of people: those who will watch ‘The Deepest Breath,...
- 6/20/2023
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Christian Petzold’s Silver Bear winner “Afire” has received a new trailer.
The drama follows writer Leon (Thomas Schubert) and photographer Felix (Langston Uibel) who are surprised by a mysterious young woman named Nadja (Paula Beer) staying as a guest at Felix’s family’s holiday home by the Baltic Sea.
Nadja distracts Leon from finishing his latest novel and, with brutal honesty, forces him to confront his caustic temperament and self-absorption. As Nadja and Leon grow closer, an encroaching forest fire threatens the group. Meanwhile, tensions escalate when a handsome lifeguard and Leon’s tight-lipped book editor also arrive.
The movie stars Thomas Schubet, Paula Beer, Enno Trebs, Langston Uibel and Matthias Brandt.
“Afire” won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin Film Festival in February, where it also garnered solid reviews. The film is being released Stateside by Sideshow and Janus Films — which also released “Drive My Car...
The drama follows writer Leon (Thomas Schubert) and photographer Felix (Langston Uibel) who are surprised by a mysterious young woman named Nadja (Paula Beer) staying as a guest at Felix’s family’s holiday home by the Baltic Sea.
Nadja distracts Leon from finishing his latest novel and, with brutal honesty, forces him to confront his caustic temperament and self-absorption. As Nadja and Leon grow closer, an encroaching forest fire threatens the group. Meanwhile, tensions escalate when a handsome lifeguard and Leon’s tight-lipped book editor also arrive.
The movie stars Thomas Schubet, Paula Beer, Enno Trebs, Langston Uibel and Matthias Brandt.
“Afire” won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin Film Festival in February, where it also garnered solid reviews. The film is being released Stateside by Sideshow and Janus Films — which also released “Drive My Car...
- 6/20/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
“The Pot Au Feu” from French-Vietnamese director Trần Anh Hùng may be one of the most radical films competing for a Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes. The sensorial movie, set in late-19th century France, opens with a mouthwatering cooking sequence that runs nearly 40 minutes and portrays a slow-burning romance with a minimalist plot. Yet, Hùng, best known for his Cannes’ Golden Camera-winning “The Scent of Green Papaya” and Venice Golden Lion-winning “Cyclo,” tells Variety he’s always been confident “The Pot Au Feu” would strike a chord beyond the foodie niche, and it has. The movie earned some of the competition’s strongest reviews on the heels of its world premiere and a U.S. deal is currently being negotiated by Gaumont. Variety‘s Guy Lodge praised the film for holding its audience “entirely on the pleasures of beauty, vicarious indulgence and, eventually, the human care inherent in haute cuisine.
- 5/27/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Film Movement has acquired North American rights to Spanish writer-director Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren’s “20,000 Species of Bees,” a tender drama about growing up trans that recently won a Berlin Film Festival Silver Bear.
The New York-based distributor is planning to roll out this topical title — in which the child protagonist explores her gender identity — in U.S. theaters in late 2023, followed by a wide release on all leading home entertainment and digital platforms.
The announcement was made by Film Movement president Michael Rosenberg and Jennyfer Gautier, the head of international sales of Paris-based distributor Luxbox.
In the Spanish-language drama, 8-year-old Aitor, who is nicknamed Cocó, travels with her mother Ane and two older siblings to visit their grandmother in a sleepy village in the Basque Country. It’s here, amongst beehives, that Aitor explores her identity alongside the women of her family who, at her request, start to refer to her with male pronouns.
The New York-based distributor is planning to roll out this topical title — in which the child protagonist explores her gender identity — in U.S. theaters in late 2023, followed by a wide release on all leading home entertainment and digital platforms.
The announcement was made by Film Movement president Michael Rosenberg and Jennyfer Gautier, the head of international sales of Paris-based distributor Luxbox.
In the Spanish-language drama, 8-year-old Aitor, who is nicknamed Cocó, travels with her mother Ane and two older siblings to visit their grandmother in a sleepy village in the Basque Country. It’s here, amongst beehives, that Aitor explores her identity alongside the women of her family who, at her request, start to refer to her with male pronouns.
- 5/4/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
A new documentary about Judy Blume sheds light on the profound impact that the beloved children’s book writer had on a whole generation of young girls. For many of those who grew up throughout the ’70s and ’80s, books like “Are You There, God? It’s Me Margaret,” whose film adaptation hits theaters Apr. 28, to “Superfudge” and “Forever,” marked the first time they were able to read about often-censored topics like sexuality and puberty.
Rather than centering on the wildly popular author’s rise to fame, the film smartly focuses on Blume’s uniquely close relationship with her fans. The documentary, directed by filmmakers Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchak, features a mixture of interviews with Blume past and present, tributes from younger YA authors and celebrity admireres like Lena Dunham...
A new documentary about Judy Blume sheds light on the profound impact that the beloved children’s book writer had on a whole generation of young girls. For many of those who grew up throughout the ’70s and ’80s, books like “Are You There, God? It’s Me Margaret,” whose film adaptation hits theaters Apr. 28, to “Superfudge” and “Forever,” marked the first time they were able to read about often-censored topics like sexuality and puberty.
Rather than centering on the wildly popular author’s rise to fame, the film smartly focuses on Blume’s uniquely close relationship with her fans. The documentary, directed by filmmakers Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchak, features a mixture of interviews with Blume past and present, tributes from younger YA authors and celebrity admireres like Lena Dunham...
- 4/20/2023
- by Anna Tingley
- Variety Film + TV
Xavier Henry-Rashid’s London-based sales agency Film Republic has closed deals for multiple territories on “F*cking Bornholm,” a tart comedy of social discomfort. The film had its international premiere in the main competition section of Karlovy Vary Film Festival, where it won the Europa Cinemas Label award.
In his review, Variety’s Guy Lodge commented that Polish writer-director Anna Kazejak‘s “precise, piquant film deserves wider festival exposure and discerning distributor interest.” It has now been acquired by Iceland’s Bio Paradis, Arsenal for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Lithuania’s Garsas, Slovenia’s Rtv, Israel’s Yes and Sweden’s Lucky Dogs. The international trailer has its debut below.
In the film, two couples with kids go away for a short holiday on the Danish island of Bornholm. Each person has different goals and expectations, and each one of them and their relationships will be tested.
It was described by Lodge as a “dark,...
In his review, Variety’s Guy Lodge commented that Polish writer-director Anna Kazejak‘s “precise, piquant film deserves wider festival exposure and discerning distributor interest.” It has now been acquired by Iceland’s Bio Paradis, Arsenal for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Lithuania’s Garsas, Slovenia’s Rtv, Israel’s Yes and Sweden’s Lucky Dogs. The international trailer has its debut below.
In the film, two couples with kids go away for a short holiday on the Danish island of Bornholm. Each person has different goals and expectations, and each one of them and their relationships will be tested.
It was described by Lodge as a “dark,...
- 3/17/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Chilean filmmaker Maite Alberdi’s documentary about love, memory and Alzheimer’s disease “The Eternal Memory” has scored a slew of international sales after making a splash at Sundance and Berlin.
Dogwoof, the British sales company specialized in high-profile docs, has announced multiple deals on “Eternal Memory,” which won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize for World Documentary in January and was a recent standout at the Berlinale where it had its European bow. The hot doc is screening later this week at the Cph:dox documentary film festival in Copenhagen.
Dogwoof partnered with MTV Documentary Films to represent “The Eternal Memory” for international sales soon after its Sundance premiere. They have now scored sales on the doc to: Edge Entertainment (Nordics); Madman (Australia and New Zealand); Sherry Media (Canada); I Wonder Pictures (Italy); BTeam Pictures (Spain); Periscoop (Benelux); Atnine Film (South Korea); Synca (Japan); Lev (Israel), and Restart (Former Yugoslavia).
“The Eternal Memory...
Dogwoof, the British sales company specialized in high-profile docs, has announced multiple deals on “Eternal Memory,” which won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize for World Documentary in January and was a recent standout at the Berlinale where it had its European bow. The hot doc is screening later this week at the Cph:dox documentary film festival in Copenhagen.
Dogwoof partnered with MTV Documentary Films to represent “The Eternal Memory” for international sales soon after its Sundance premiere. They have now scored sales on the doc to: Edge Entertainment (Nordics); Madman (Australia and New Zealand); Sherry Media (Canada); I Wonder Pictures (Italy); BTeam Pictures (Spain); Periscoop (Benelux); Atnine Film (South Korea); Synca (Japan); Lev (Israel), and Restart (Former Yugoslavia).
“The Eternal Memory...
- 3/15/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The 73rd Berlin International Film Festival came to a close this past weekend, and despite speculation that Sundance import “Past Lives” or Lila Avilés’ “Tótem” would take the Golden Bear, the jury, led this year by Kristen Stewart, awarded it to the French documentary “On the Adamant.” Directed by Nicolas Philibert, the movie follows operations at the Parisian Centre de jour l’Adamant, a floating medical facility on the Seine that offers its patients innovative forms of art therapy.
Jordan Mintzer (The Hollywood Reporter) writes, “While documenting the daily routine of a small clinic that most Parisians walk by without ever noticing, ‘On the Adamant’ ultimately becomes a moving testament to what people are capable of, if they could just find the right place to do it.” Guy Lodge (Variety) compares the film to Philibert’s “To Be and To Have,” which is set inside a single-room schoolhouse in rural France,...
Jordan Mintzer (The Hollywood Reporter) writes, “While documenting the daily routine of a small clinic that most Parisians walk by without ever noticing, ‘On the Adamant’ ultimately becomes a moving testament to what people are capable of, if they could just find the right place to do it.” Guy Lodge (Variety) compares the film to Philibert’s “To Be and To Have,” which is set inside a single-room schoolhouse in rural France,...
- 2/28/2023
- by Ronald Meyer
- Gold Derby
Charades has secured a flurry of deals on Charlotte Regan’s British dramedy “Scrapper,” which won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.
Starring Harris Dickinson (“Triangle of Sadness”) as a downbeat dad, “Scrapper” has been sold to Spain (Caramel), Australia (Madman), Poland (Against Gravity), Baltics and Cis (Arthouse), Greece (Cinobo) and Airlines (Aardwolf). “Scrapper” has already sold to the U.K. (Pictures House). Charades is currently negotiating deals for Japan, Israel, USA, Scandinavia and South Korea.
The film follows Georgie, a dreamy 12-year-old girl who lives happily alone in her London flat, filling it with magic. Suddenly, her estranged father turns up and forces her to confront reality.
“Scrapper” bowed in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at Sundance and earned unanimous critical praise with Variety’s Guy Lodge describing it as a “sweet, pastel-colored spin on British Realism. The movie is produced by Theo Barrowclough, and executive produced by Eva Yates,...
Starring Harris Dickinson (“Triangle of Sadness”) as a downbeat dad, “Scrapper” has been sold to Spain (Caramel), Australia (Madman), Poland (Against Gravity), Baltics and Cis (Arthouse), Greece (Cinobo) and Airlines (Aardwolf). “Scrapper” has already sold to the U.K. (Pictures House). Charades is currently negotiating deals for Japan, Israel, USA, Scandinavia and South Korea.
The film follows Georgie, a dreamy 12-year-old girl who lives happily alone in her London flat, filling it with magic. Suddenly, her estranged father turns up and forces her to confront reality.
“Scrapper” bowed in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at Sundance and earned unanimous critical praise with Variety’s Guy Lodge describing it as a “sweet, pastel-colored spin on British Realism. The movie is produced by Theo Barrowclough, and executive produced by Eva Yates,...
- 2/16/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
CAA has signed director Saim Sadiq, who helmed “Joyland,” Pakistan’s official entry for the 95th Academy Awards, for representation.
Sadiq was named one of Variety’s “10 Directors to Watch” for 2023 in recognition of the film, which marks his debut feature. “Joyland” made its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival — becoming the first Pakistani film to debut at the fest — where it was awarded the Un Certain Regard jury prize and the Queer Palm. The film has also been nominated for best international film at the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards and made history as Pakistan’s first film to be shortlisted for best international feature film at the Academy Awards.
Written and directed by Sadiq, the film tells the story of Haider (Ali Junejo), who lives with his wife Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq), his father and his elder brother’s family in Lahore, Pakistan. After a long spell of unemployment, Haider...
Sadiq was named one of Variety’s “10 Directors to Watch” for 2023 in recognition of the film, which marks his debut feature. “Joyland” made its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival — becoming the first Pakistani film to debut at the fest — where it was awarded the Un Certain Regard jury prize and the Queer Palm. The film has also been nominated for best international film at the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards and made history as Pakistan’s first film to be shortlisted for best international feature film at the Academy Awards.
Written and directed by Sadiq, the film tells the story of Haider (Ali Junejo), who lives with his wife Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq), his father and his elder brother’s family in Lahore, Pakistan. After a long spell of unemployment, Haider...
- 2/15/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Georgia Oakley, director of the BAFTA-nominated British film “Blue Jean,” says she “wrestles” with awards season and those it chooses to celebrate, when filmmaking is such a collaborative effort.
“I wrestled with this idea in my head,” says Oakley while speaking to Variety about her feature debut “Blue Jean” scoring a BAFTA nomination for outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer.
“I’ve become very conscious in the last few months that the film industry seems to run on lists and awards and things that are pitting creatives against each other in a way that does in some ways feel quite unnatural when you’re making something that is so collaborative. So there’s definitely a conflict in my mind around this stuff.”
She continues by highlighting recent positive steps within the industry: “But on the other side of my brain, I think that in the same six months,...
“I wrestled with this idea in my head,” says Oakley while speaking to Variety about her feature debut “Blue Jean” scoring a BAFTA nomination for outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer.
“I’ve become very conscious in the last few months that the film industry seems to run on lists and awards and things that are pitting creatives against each other in a way that does in some ways feel quite unnatural when you’re making something that is so collaborative. So there’s definitely a conflict in my mind around this stuff.”
She continues by highlighting recent positive steps within the industry: “But on the other side of my brain, I think that in the same six months,...
- 2/13/2023
- by Rafa Sales Ross
- Variety Film + TV
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
A seven-inch wooden marionette is the star of Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-nominated “Pinocchio,” whose masterful stop-motion techniques bring the beloved Disney character to life in the latest adaptation. Starting Thursday, Gdt and “Pinocchio” fans alike have the chance to buy an exact replica of the model they used in in the film, thanks to a new collectors set from Insight Editions.
The release is limited to 550 pieces worldwide and is available to pre-order exclusively on InsightEditions.com.
The set comes with a 1:1 replica of the wooden Pinocchio maquette, constructed with supervision from del Toro and the original sculptors at ShadowMachine who worked on the film. Also included in the set is a limited edition of the book “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio: A Timeless Tale Told Anew...
A seven-inch wooden marionette is the star of Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-nominated “Pinocchio,” whose masterful stop-motion techniques bring the beloved Disney character to life in the latest adaptation. Starting Thursday, Gdt and “Pinocchio” fans alike have the chance to buy an exact replica of the model they used in in the film, thanks to a new collectors set from Insight Editions.
The release is limited to 550 pieces worldwide and is available to pre-order exclusively on InsightEditions.com.
The set comes with a 1:1 replica of the wooden Pinocchio maquette, constructed with supervision from del Toro and the original sculptors at ShadowMachine who worked on the film. Also included in the set is a limited edition of the book “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio: A Timeless Tale Told Anew...
- 2/2/2023
- by Anna Tingley
- Variety Film + TV
Saim Sadiq’s “Joyland,” a tale of sexual revolution which marked the first Pakistani film to be selected in Cannes and shortlisted by the Oscars, is set to travel around the world following its U.S. premiere at Sundance.
The film is currently playing in theaters in France, where it’s being distributed by Condor and has already grossed over 1 million, a record-breaking box office score for a Pakistani movie.
Championed internationally by Film Constellation, a London- and Paris-based finance, production and sales company, “Joyland” will next come out theatrically in the U.K. and Ireland (Studio Soho), New Zealand (Madman), Spain (Surtsey/Filmin), India (PVR), BeNeLux (September), Scandinavia (Njuta), Germany and Austria (Filmperlen/Filmladen), Switzerland (Trigon), Greece (Cinobo), Portugal (Nos Audiovisuais), Former Yugoslavia (McF), Turkey (Mars), Indonesia (Falcon), South Korea (Choix) and Taiwan (Filmware).
The film has been acquired by HBO in Eastern Europe, with Latin America, Israel and Italy currently in negotiation.
The film is currently playing in theaters in France, where it’s being distributed by Condor and has already grossed over 1 million, a record-breaking box office score for a Pakistani movie.
Championed internationally by Film Constellation, a London- and Paris-based finance, production and sales company, “Joyland” will next come out theatrically in the U.K. and Ireland (Studio Soho), New Zealand (Madman), Spain (Surtsey/Filmin), India (PVR), BeNeLux (September), Scandinavia (Njuta), Germany and Austria (Filmperlen/Filmladen), Switzerland (Trigon), Greece (Cinobo), Portugal (Nos Audiovisuais), Former Yugoslavia (McF), Turkey (Mars), Indonesia (Falcon), South Korea (Choix) and Taiwan (Filmware).
The film has been acquired by HBO in Eastern Europe, with Latin America, Israel and Italy currently in negotiation.
- 1/20/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Directors Mario Martone and Paolo Sorrentino both hail from Naples, the bustling port city that Martone vividly depicts in his drama “Nostalgia,” which is Italy’s contender in the international Oscars race.
The well-received pic, which has been praised by Variety critic Guy Lodge as the prolific Italian auteur’s “most rewarding film in years,” stars Pierfrancesco Favino as the middle-aged Felice Lasco, a Neapolitan native who returns to his hometown after having lived in Egypt for 40 years. As Felice gets caught up in memories of his distant Neapolitan life, his criminal youth slowly and fatally catches up with him.
Besides Favino, the “Nostalgia” cast also includes Francesco Di Leva, who played the lead in Martone’s “The Mayor of Rione Sanità” and in this drama plays a priest, Father Loffredo, who tries to help the protagonist navigate the Naples of today.
Martone and Sorrentino, who have long been living in Rome,...
The well-received pic, which has been praised by Variety critic Guy Lodge as the prolific Italian auteur’s “most rewarding film in years,” stars Pierfrancesco Favino as the middle-aged Felice Lasco, a Neapolitan native who returns to his hometown after having lived in Egypt for 40 years. As Felice gets caught up in memories of his distant Neapolitan life, his criminal youth slowly and fatally catches up with him.
Besides Favino, the “Nostalgia” cast also includes Francesco Di Leva, who played the lead in Martone’s “The Mayor of Rione Sanità” and in this drama plays a priest, Father Loffredo, who tries to help the protagonist navigate the Naples of today.
Martone and Sorrentino, who have long been living in Rome,...
- 12/13/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The “Everything Everywhere All at Once” fandom has gone too far.
Daniel Kwan, half of writing-directing duo Daniels with Daniel Scheinert, responded to critic Guy Lodge’s screenshots of die-hard “Eeaao” fans reacting to year-end lists for the best films of 2022. Some fans on Film Twitter appear to be complaining about the film’s low placement — or exclusion altogether — on top 10 lists.
“This film’s fanbase is beginning to rival the Marvel cult,” Lodge wrote.
Kwan retweeted with the caption, “The algorithm pushed this onto my timeline, and as one of the people who made the film, this aggression will not stand, man. I know the end of year discourse on film Twitter can be toxic af with all of the ‘Best of’ lists that come out, but this really needs to stop. The act of ranking any piece of art is so absurd and should only be seen as...
Daniel Kwan, half of writing-directing duo Daniels with Daniel Scheinert, responded to critic Guy Lodge’s screenshots of die-hard “Eeaao” fans reacting to year-end lists for the best films of 2022. Some fans on Film Twitter appear to be complaining about the film’s low placement — or exclusion altogether — on top 10 lists.
“This film’s fanbase is beginning to rival the Marvel cult,” Lodge wrote.
Kwan retweeted with the caption, “The algorithm pushed this onto my timeline, and as one of the people who made the film, this aggression will not stand, man. I know the end of year discourse on film Twitter can be toxic af with all of the ‘Best of’ lists that come out, but this really needs to stop. The act of ranking any piece of art is so absurd and should only be seen as...
- 12/8/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Magnolia Pictures has nabbed U.S. rights to “Master Gardener,” a crime thriller from director Paul Schrader.
The movie, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival and later screened at New York Film Festival, is based on an original screenplay by Schrader. Magnolia will release “Master Gardener” next year.
“Magnolia has been a class act for over 20 years, and I eagerly anticipate and appreciate their distribution of ‘Master Gardener,’” said Schrader.
Joel Edgerton stars in the film as Narvel Roth, the meticulous horticulturist of an American estate who is forced to confront his dark past. Per the official logline, “He is as much devoted to tending the grounds of this beautiful and historic estate, to pandering to his employer, the wealthy dowager Mrs. Haverhill (Sigourney Weaver). When Mrs. Haverhill demands that he take on her wayward and troubled great-niece Maya (Quintessa Swindell) as a new apprentice, chaos enters Narvel’s spartan existence,...
The movie, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival and later screened at New York Film Festival, is based on an original screenplay by Schrader. Magnolia will release “Master Gardener” next year.
“Magnolia has been a class act for over 20 years, and I eagerly anticipate and appreciate their distribution of ‘Master Gardener,’” said Schrader.
Joel Edgerton stars in the film as Narvel Roth, the meticulous horticulturist of an American estate who is forced to confront his dark past. Per the official logline, “He is as much devoted to tending the grounds of this beautiful and historic estate, to pandering to his employer, the wealthy dowager Mrs. Haverhill (Sigourney Weaver). When Mrs. Haverhill demands that he take on her wayward and troubled great-niece Maya (Quintessa Swindell) as a new apprentice, chaos enters Narvel’s spartan existence,...
- 11/2/2022
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Jalmari Helander’s WWII action thriller “Sisu” has made good on its upbeat reception at Toronto Midnight Madness – Variety called it “outrageously entertaining” – winning the top award at this year’s Sitges – International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia which is showing, like genre itself, clear signs of expansion.
The over 70,000 tickets sold at 2022’s Sitges were 10 up on 2019, and an all-time record. Sitges guests stood at 610, also the biggest figure ever, announced Mònica García Massagué, director of the Sitges Foundation.
One of the other big winners at Sitges was “The House of the Devil’s” Ti West, with “Pearl,” a prequel to porn shoot slasher “X” which plays like a cross between “Psycho” and “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?,” Variety announced in its review.
In further awards, Michele Garza’s body horror thriller “Huesera,” a probing motherhood drama and arresting mix of Lgtbq passion and genre innovation, added to...
The over 70,000 tickets sold at 2022’s Sitges were 10 up on 2019, and an all-time record. Sitges guests stood at 610, also the biggest figure ever, announced Mònica García Massagué, director of the Sitges Foundation.
One of the other big winners at Sitges was “The House of the Devil’s” Ti West, with “Pearl,” a prequel to porn shoot slasher “X” which plays like a cross between “Psycho” and “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?,” Variety announced in its review.
In further awards, Michele Garza’s body horror thriller “Huesera,” a probing motherhood drama and arresting mix of Lgtbq passion and genre innovation, added to...
- 10/16/2022
- by Pablo Sandoval
- Variety Film + TV
Award-winning German actor Nina Hoss has signed with CAA for representation.
Hoss stars opposite Cate Blanchett in Todd Field’s “Tár,” which will open theatrically on Oct. 7 via Focus Features. The film debuted to rave reviews at the Venice and Telluride film festivals, with Variety Senior Awards Editor Clayton Davis suggesting that Hoss could land her first Oscar nomination for her supporting performance as wife to Blanchett’s trailblazing composer, who becomes the first woman to conduct a major German orchestra. In his awards analysis, Davis described Hoss as the “heart and soul of the film.”
Best known for her acclaimed performances in Christian Petzold’s films “Phoenix” and “Barbara,” as well as Anton Corbijn’s “A Most Wanted Man,” Hoss made her debut in 1996 with “A Girl Called Rosemary.” Additional credits include “Yella” and Petzold’s “Something to Remind Me” and “Wolfsburg.”
In 2019, Hoss starred as violin teacher Anna...
Hoss stars opposite Cate Blanchett in Todd Field’s “Tár,” which will open theatrically on Oct. 7 via Focus Features. The film debuted to rave reviews at the Venice and Telluride film festivals, with Variety Senior Awards Editor Clayton Davis suggesting that Hoss could land her first Oscar nomination for her supporting performance as wife to Blanchett’s trailblazing composer, who becomes the first woman to conduct a major German orchestra. In his awards analysis, Davis described Hoss as the “heart and soul of the film.”
Best known for her acclaimed performances in Christian Petzold’s films “Phoenix” and “Barbara,” as well as Anton Corbijn’s “A Most Wanted Man,” Hoss made her debut in 1996 with “A Girl Called Rosemary.” Additional credits include “Yella” and Petzold’s “Something to Remind Me” and “Wolfsburg.”
In 2019, Hoss starred as violin teacher Anna...
- 9/28/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Music Box Films has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Alice Winocour’s heartfelt drama “Paris Memories” which world premiered at Cannes’ Directors Fortnight and had a gala screening at Toronto. It’s one of the five finalists for France’s official submission to the 95th Academy Awards.
The critically acclaimed film stars Virginie Efira as Mia, a survivor of a terrorist attack similar to the one that hit Paris venues, including the Bataclan concert hall and several bistros, in November 2015. Three months after the tragedy, Mia still feels unable to pick her life back up so she sets off to investigate her memories, hoping to find a way back to happiness.
The film has a personal resonance for Winocour whose own brother was at Bataclan on that fateful night of Nov. 13 and survived the assault. Winocour wrote the script in collaboration with Marcia Romano and Jean-Stéphane Bron. Isabelle Madelaine...
The critically acclaimed film stars Virginie Efira as Mia, a survivor of a terrorist attack similar to the one that hit Paris venues, including the Bataclan concert hall and several bistros, in November 2015. Three months after the tragedy, Mia still feels unable to pick her life back up so she sets off to investigate her memories, hoping to find a way back to happiness.
The film has a personal resonance for Winocour whose own brother was at Bataclan on that fateful night of Nov. 13 and survived the assault. Winocour wrote the script in collaboration with Marcia Romano and Jean-Stéphane Bron. Isabelle Madelaine...
- 9/22/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
A24 has landed the rights to “Instinct,” an erotic psychological thriller from “Bodies Bodies Bodies” director Halina Reijn.
A24 is planning a one-night-only event to release the film on the company’s screening room on Thursday, Sept. 22. Tickets will go on sale Sept. 19 at 1 p.m. Et.
“Instinct” had its world premiere at the 2019 Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland and later played at the Toronto International Film Festival. Next Thursday’s screening will be the first time “Instinct” has been available in North America since its pre-pandemic festival debut.
Additionally, the evening will mark the first time that A24 uses its screening room to show a film that the indie company has acquired, as opposed to one of its own productions.
“Instinct” will be available as a double feature with Reijn’s latest feature film “Bodies Bodies Bodies,” a satirical slasher about rich 20-somethings who plan a hurricane party that turns deadly.
A24 is planning a one-night-only event to release the film on the company’s screening room on Thursday, Sept. 22. Tickets will go on sale Sept. 19 at 1 p.m. Et.
“Instinct” had its world premiere at the 2019 Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland and later played at the Toronto International Film Festival. Next Thursday’s screening will be the first time “Instinct” has been available in North America since its pre-pandemic festival debut.
Additionally, the evening will mark the first time that A24 uses its screening room to show a film that the indie company has acquired, as opposed to one of its own productions.
“Instinct” will be available as a double feature with Reijn’s latest feature film “Bodies Bodies Bodies,” a satirical slasher about rich 20-somethings who plan a hurricane party that turns deadly.
- 9/19/2022
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Magnolia Pictures has acquired the North American rights to Venice Film Festival sensation “Blue Jean.”
The directorial debut of Georgia Oakley, which just world-premiered in the Venice Days section of the Italian festival, is set in England in 1988, where Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government is about to pass a law stigmatizing gays and lesbians.
The new legislation forces Jean (Rosy McEwen), a gym teacher, to live a double life. But as pressure mounts from all sides, the arrival of a new student catalyzes a crisis that will challenge Jean to her core.
The movie features a powerhouse performance by McEwen, and won Venice’s Giornate degli Autori (GdA) People’s Choice award. Magnolia plans to release the film next year.
“Blue Jean” was an early standout at the Venice Film Festival, which wrapped on Saturday, selling into powerhouse distributor Altitude for the U.K. and Ireland in the first week itself.
The directorial debut of Georgia Oakley, which just world-premiered in the Venice Days section of the Italian festival, is set in England in 1988, where Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government is about to pass a law stigmatizing gays and lesbians.
The new legislation forces Jean (Rosy McEwen), a gym teacher, to live a double life. But as pressure mounts from all sides, the arrival of a new student catalyzes a crisis that will challenge Jean to her core.
The movie features a powerhouse performance by McEwen, and won Venice’s Giornate degli Autori (GdA) People’s Choice award. Magnolia plans to release the film next year.
“Blue Jean” was an early standout at the Venice Film Festival, which wrapped on Saturday, selling into powerhouse distributor Altitude for the U.K. and Ireland in the first week itself.
- 9/11/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Myriad Pictures has acquired the international rights to “Zátopek,” Czech Republic’s 94th Academy Award Best International Feature Film submission. Gravitas Ventures has North American rights to the feature.
The deal was negotiated between John McGrath of UTA, on behalf of the producers, and Scott Bedno, senior vice president of sales and acquisitions at Myriad Pictures.
“Zátopek” is about the greatest Czech athlete of all time, four-time Olympic champion Emil Zátopek. It is the seventh film by prolific Czech director David Ondříček. His film “In the Shadow” was the Czech Oscar submission in 2012.
“Zátopek” stars Václav Neužil (“Dabing Street”), Martha Issová (“Dukla 61”), and Australian James Frecheville.
The film dominated the most prestigious Czech film awards, Czech Lions, with eight wins including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Cinematography and Best Editing. It was nominated for 13 Czech Lions.
Ondříček said: “When we premiered ‘Zátopek’ at Karlovy Vary Festival in 2021, the...
The deal was negotiated between John McGrath of UTA, on behalf of the producers, and Scott Bedno, senior vice president of sales and acquisitions at Myriad Pictures.
“Zátopek” is about the greatest Czech athlete of all time, four-time Olympic champion Emil Zátopek. It is the seventh film by prolific Czech director David Ondříček. His film “In the Shadow” was the Czech Oscar submission in 2012.
“Zátopek” stars Václav Neužil (“Dabing Street”), Martha Issová (“Dukla 61”), and Australian James Frecheville.
The film dominated the most prestigious Czech film awards, Czech Lions, with eight wins including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Cinematography and Best Editing. It was nominated for 13 Czech Lions.
Ondříček said: “When we premiered ‘Zátopek’ at Karlovy Vary Festival in 2021, the...
- 9/9/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Beta Cinema has revealed that Menemsha Films has taken all rights to Ofir Raul Graizer’s critically acclaimed drama “America” for North America amidst strong interest for the territory.
The sensual, visually impressive melodrama about a tragic incident turning upside down the life of a Tel Aviv-based couple and their childhood friend was rewarded with an enthusiastic standing ovation at its world premiere at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, where it played in the Crystal Globe Competition, and radiant reviews in the trade and consumer press.
In “America,” Chicago-based swimming coach Eli returns to his homeland, Israel, after 10 years of absence. A visit to his childhood friend Yotam and his newly engaged fiancée Iris will set a series of events in motion that will affect everyone’s lives.
The film is directed by Graizer, whose feature film debut “The Cakemaker” was a worldwide festival and sales hit, collecting numerous awards,...
The sensual, visually impressive melodrama about a tragic incident turning upside down the life of a Tel Aviv-based couple and their childhood friend was rewarded with an enthusiastic standing ovation at its world premiere at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, where it played in the Crystal Globe Competition, and radiant reviews in the trade and consumer press.
In “America,” Chicago-based swimming coach Eli returns to his homeland, Israel, after 10 years of absence. A visit to his childhood friend Yotam and his newly engaged fiancée Iris will set a series of events in motion that will affect everyone’s lives.
The film is directed by Graizer, whose feature film debut “The Cakemaker” was a worldwide festival and sales hit, collecting numerous awards,...
- 9/9/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ from Martin McDonagh had a sensational debut at the Venice Film Festival, earning a 13-minute standing ovation.
That is the longest and loudest reception for any film to debut on the Lido this season, at least based on the ever so slightly unscientific applause meter, reports ‘Variety’.
At the debut on Monday, McDonagh and stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Kerry Condon hugged each other throughout the ovation and walked down from the mezzanine to the orchestra. To be fair, the clapping may have been unfairly supersised.
That’s because Farrell broke with tradition by wading into the crowd to take selfies with fans and sign autographs, which only made the cheering grow louder and more sustained.
At one point, actress and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge, McDonagh’s partner, leaned over her chair and kissed her boyfriend as he basked in the adulation.
The love for ‘The Banshees of Inisherin...
That is the longest and loudest reception for any film to debut on the Lido this season, at least based on the ever so slightly unscientific applause meter, reports ‘Variety’.
At the debut on Monday, McDonagh and stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Kerry Condon hugged each other throughout the ovation and walked down from the mezzanine to the orchestra. To be fair, the clapping may have been unfairly supersised.
That’s because Farrell broke with tradition by wading into the crowd to take selfies with fans and sign autographs, which only made the cheering grow louder and more sustained.
At one point, actress and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge, McDonagh’s partner, leaned over her chair and kissed her boyfriend as he basked in the adulation.
The love for ‘The Banshees of Inisherin...
- 9/6/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
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