After making his inordinately stylish and often hilarious slasher film Stagefright, Dario Argento protégé Michele Soavi teamed up with the maestro for 1987’s The Church, a hallucinatory gothic concoction that was originally intended as the third entry in the Demons series before Lamberto Bava passed the directorial torch to Soavi. Although vastly different in tone and atmosphere than the Bava films, The Church still bears distinct traces of their core idea: Ravening demons are inadvertently let loose to run gruesomely amok within a confined space, in this instance a gothic cathedral located somewhere in Germany.
Where the Demons films take visual media as their primary mode of representation, Soavi and co-writers Argento and Franco Ferrini imbue The Church with a literary bent, which is apt for a story that centers around the interpretation of medieval texts. What’s more, the film overtly references works as disparate as M.R. James’s...
Where the Demons films take visual media as their primary mode of representation, Soavi and co-writers Argento and Franco Ferrini imbue The Church with a literary bent, which is apt for a story that centers around the interpretation of medieval texts. What’s more, the film overtly references works as disparate as M.R. James’s...
- 5/16/2024
- by Budd Wilkins
- Slant Magazine
Cannes isn’t Sundance. The movies on offer aren’t generally genre horror box office surprises or heartwarming indie dramedies, and sometimes they’re not even sure-fire Oscar hopefuls.
But as several sales agents and distributors told us, Cannes is slowly shifting back to being a home for discovery. With the audience now unbothered by subtitles, distributors aren’t just looking for the next “May December” but the next “Anatomy of a Fall.” And when it comes to the package titles on the Marché du Film, buyers are demanding more than the latest Nicolas Cage shark movie.
The sources IndieWire spoke to believe there’s more quality than quantity among this year’s official competition sales titles and the packages being shopped to distributors. And that’s a good thing, even though there are still plenty of hot packages trickling in by the day and buyers already scooping up competition...
But as several sales agents and distributors told us, Cannes is slowly shifting back to being a home for discovery. With the audience now unbothered by subtitles, distributors aren’t just looking for the next “May December” but the next “Anatomy of a Fall.” And when it comes to the package titles on the Marché du Film, buyers are demanding more than the latest Nicolas Cage shark movie.
The sources IndieWire spoke to believe there’s more quality than quantity among this year’s official competition sales titles and the packages being shopped to distributors. And that’s a good thing, even though there are still plenty of hot packages trickling in by the day and buyers already scooping up competition...
- 5/13/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Cannes Critics’ Week, now in its 63rd year, is always an opportunity to explore uncharted work from new and emerging filmmakers — and away from the glitter and glitz of the Croisette, where the main competition bows. Recent Critics’ Week Grand Prize winners have included everything from “Tiger Stripes,” a Malaysian coming-of-age debut opening in stateside theaters later this month, to 2019’s honoree “I Lost My Body,” the animated favorite that went on to be nominated for an Oscar.
Coming up in the Special Screenings category of Critics’ Week, Alexis Langlois makes their feature directorial debut with “Queens of Drama,” a French pop/punk musical that brings a mid-aughts camp sensibility to Cannes this year. Below, IndieWire shares an exclusive clip for the film along with a first-look image. “Queens of Drama” premieres at Critics’ Week on Saturday, May 18, with Charades handling sales.
Per the synopsis, in 2005, Mimi Madamour, the young pop idol,...
Coming up in the Special Screenings category of Critics’ Week, Alexis Langlois makes their feature directorial debut with “Queens of Drama,” a French pop/punk musical that brings a mid-aughts camp sensibility to Cannes this year. Below, IndieWire shares an exclusive clip for the film along with a first-look image. “Queens of Drama” premieres at Critics’ Week on Saturday, May 18, with Charades handling sales.
Per the synopsis, in 2005, Mimi Madamour, the young pop idol,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Isabelle Huppert will head up the 2024 Venice Film Festival jury this year. Serving as jury president, Huppert will hand out the Golden Lion and other awards when the festival on the Lido concludes. The dates for this year’s edition are August 28 to September 7.
Huppert has never before served as jury president at Venice, but she did at Cannes in 2009, awarding the Palme d’Or to Michael Haneke’s “The White Ribbon” after deliberations with James Gray, Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Asia Argento, Robin Wright, and Lee Chang-dong. Before that she’d served on the jury headed by Dirk Bogarde at Cannes in 1984, which gave the top prize to “Paris, Texas.”
The 71-year-old actress has been a powerhouse force in global cinema for the past 50 years, making her mark in French cinema before quickly appearing in Hollywood productions such as Michael Cimino’s “Heaven’s Gate.” Over the past decade Huppert’s...
Huppert has never before served as jury president at Venice, but she did at Cannes in 2009, awarding the Palme d’Or to Michael Haneke’s “The White Ribbon” after deliberations with James Gray, Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Asia Argento, Robin Wright, and Lee Chang-dong. Before that she’d served on the jury headed by Dirk Bogarde at Cannes in 1984, which gave the top prize to “Paris, Texas.”
The 71-year-old actress has been a powerhouse force in global cinema for the past 50 years, making her mark in French cinema before quickly appearing in Hollywood productions such as Michael Cimino’s “Heaven’s Gate.” Over the past decade Huppert’s...
- 5/8/2024
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
For his second feature film—and first full collaboration with co-writer/producer/mentor Dario Argento—writer-director Michele Soavi unleashes a “mind-blowing” (Bloody Disgusting), “breathtaking” (Slant), “masterwork” (DVD Drive-In), now in Uhd for the first time ever: In a Gothic cathedral built on the mass grave of a Teutonic purge, an ancient discovery by the new librarian will release an unholy maelstrom of madness, violence, and demonic vengeance. Tomas Arana (The Sect), Feodor Chaliapin (Inferno), Hugh Quarshie (Nightbreed), Barbara Cupisti (Cemetery Man), and Asia Argento co-star in this Italian horror milestone co-written by Franco Ferrini (Phenomena), with a Soavi-approved 4K scan from the original negative and over three hours of special features—including new interviews with Soavi and Argento.
The Church is available on 4K Uhd on April 30.
Enter for your chance to win a 4K Uhd of The Church, courtesy of Severin Films. Three (3) winners will be selected at random.
The Church is available on 4K Uhd on April 30.
Enter for your chance to win a 4K Uhd of The Church, courtesy of Severin Films. Three (3) winners will be selected at random.
- 4/21/2024
- by Slant Staff
- Slant Magazine
The Cannes Film Festival is around the corner next month, so all the satellite sidebar festivals that orbit it are preparing their line-ups. The latest is Cannes Critic Week, organized by France’s Film Critics Union, which will run May 15-23. Today, Cannes Critic Week organizers unveiled their line-up
Eleven titles have been announced so far, including seven films in official competition. Some of the highlights include Belgian filmmaker Alexis Langlois’ debut film, “Queens of Drama,” described as an ‘irresistible lesbian pop and grunge musical,” starring Louiza Aura, Gio Ventura, Bilal Hassani, and featuring appearances by Asia Argento and Alma Jodorowsky.
Continue reading Cannes Critic Week Announces 2024 Line-Up at The Playlist.
Eleven titles have been announced so far, including seven films in official competition. Some of the highlights include Belgian filmmaker Alexis Langlois’ debut film, “Queens of Drama,” described as an ‘irresistible lesbian pop and grunge musical,” starring Louiza Aura, Gio Ventura, Bilal Hassani, and featuring appearances by Asia Argento and Alma Jodorowsky.
Continue reading Cannes Critic Week Announces 2024 Line-Up at The Playlist.
- 4/15/2024
- by The Playlist
- The Playlist
Charades has swooped in on Alexis Langlois’ debut feature Queens Of Drama (Les Reines du Drame), a French queer musical selected for a special screening slot at Cannes’ Critics’ Week.
Set in 2005, the film centres on the cursed and fiery romance between young pop idol Mimi Madamour and queer punk icon Billie Kohler as they navigate their desire for the spotlight with their passion for each other that leads them down a path of self-destruction.
Queens Of Drama is produced by Les Films du Poisson, the prolific Paris-based production house behind Mona Achache’s 2023 Cannes title Little Girl Blue starring Marion Cotillard.
Set in 2005, the film centres on the cursed and fiery romance between young pop idol Mimi Madamour and queer punk icon Billie Kohler as they navigate their desire for the spotlight with their passion for each other that leads them down a path of self-destruction.
Queens Of Drama is produced by Les Films du Poisson, the prolific Paris-based production house behind Mona Achache’s 2023 Cannes title Little Girl Blue starring Marion Cotillard.
- 4/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
Cannes Critics’ Week, spotlighting first and second features, has unveiled the competition and special screenings selection for its 63rd edition running May 15-23.
Scroll down for full list of titles
Artistic director Ava Cahen, now in her third year in the position, announced the selection of 11 features chosen from 1,050 films screened. Seven films will vie for four top prizes in competition, chosen by a jury led by Spanish filmmaker Rodrigo Sorogoyen. Nine are first films that will vie for the Camera d’Or and three are directed or co-directed by women.
The sidebar will open with French director Jonathan Millet...
Scroll down for full list of titles
Artistic director Ava Cahen, now in her third year in the position, announced the selection of 11 features chosen from 1,050 films screened. Seven films will vie for four top prizes in competition, chosen by a jury led by Spanish filmmaker Rodrigo Sorogoyen. Nine are first films that will vie for the Camera d’Or and three are directed or co-directed by women.
The sidebar will open with French director Jonathan Millet...
- 4/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
Cannes Critics’ Week, the sidebar dedicated to first and second films, will open with Jonathan Millet’s psychological thriller “Ghost Trail” and wrap with Emma Benestan’s genre film “Animale.”
“Ghost Trail” and “Animale” are two of the 11 features slated for Critics’ Week, which runs alongside the Cannes Film Festival.
The sole U.S. film of the selection is Constance Tsang’s “Blue Sun Palace,” a bittersweet film about two Chinese immigrants living in Queens who bond following a tragic death and find meaning in each other’s company. “As humble and dignified as its characters, this first, realistic and intimate, film sheds light on a community that is little seen,” said Ava Cahen, Critics’ Week’s artistic director. “Blue Sun Palace” stars Lee Kang-sheng whose recent credits include “Twisted Strings.”
Besides the opening and closing films, the Special Screenings section will comprise of Saïd Hamich Benlarbi’s “Across the...
“Ghost Trail” and “Animale” are two of the 11 features slated for Critics’ Week, which runs alongside the Cannes Film Festival.
The sole U.S. film of the selection is Constance Tsang’s “Blue Sun Palace,” a bittersweet film about two Chinese immigrants living in Queens who bond following a tragic death and find meaning in each other’s company. “As humble and dignified as its characters, this first, realistic and intimate, film sheds light on a community that is little seen,” said Ava Cahen, Critics’ Week’s artistic director. “Blue Sun Palace” stars Lee Kang-sheng whose recent credits include “Twisted Strings.”
Besides the opening and closing films, the Special Screenings section will comprise of Saïd Hamich Benlarbi’s “Across the...
- 4/15/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
One of my all-time favorite movie quotes comes from David Arquette as Dewey Riley in Scream 2 when he says, “How do you know that my dimwitted inexperience isn’t merely a subtle form of manipulation, used to lower people’s expectations, thereby enhancing my ability to effectively maneuver within any given situation?”
There’s something about Land of Dead that just screams this quote at me. Pardon the pun. My point is that George A. Romero’s 2005 zombie return looks on the surface like any B-movie fly-by-night mid-2000s zombie fest. And it’s dressed that way on purpose. Those familiar with the subtle and effective way Romero was able to land haymakers in our faces without ever telegraphing as much as a jab will assume I’m talking about the socio-political nuances of the film. While true that Romero is a master at that, I will leave that to those smarter than myself.
There’s something about Land of Dead that just screams this quote at me. Pardon the pun. My point is that George A. Romero’s 2005 zombie return looks on the surface like any B-movie fly-by-night mid-2000s zombie fest. And it’s dressed that way on purpose. Those familiar with the subtle and effective way Romero was able to land haymakers in our faces without ever telegraphing as much as a jab will assume I’m talking about the socio-political nuances of the film. While true that Romero is a master at that, I will leave that to those smarter than myself.
- 3/11/2024
- by Mike Holtz
- bloody-disgusting.com
If there was ever a filmmaker who embodies a Dgaf attitude, it’s undoubtedly Bronx-born filmmaker Abel Ferrara. Having moved to Italy years ago, the filmmaker seems to have totally abandoned Hollywood but keeps on trucking unbowed nonetheless, doing whatever the F he wants. While no one else would touch Shia Labeouf after the allegations of his violent and emotionally toxic behavior against singer/actress and ex-girlfriend FKA Twigs (who launched a lawsuit against him during the tail end of #MeToo for abusive behavior), Ferrara didn’t really care and was happy to cast the actor in his last film, “Padre Pio.” And for his next movie, Ferrara will reunite with Asia Argento and Willem Dafoe, the stars of his 1998 erotic science fiction drama film, “New Rose Hotel,” co-starring Christopher Walken.
Continue reading ‘American Nails’: Willem Dafoe & Asia Argento To Star In Abel Ferrara’s ‘Gangster Movie at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘American Nails’: Willem Dafoe & Asia Argento To Star In Abel Ferrara’s ‘Gangster Movie at The Playlist.
- 2/19/2024
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Perhaps putting his Shia Labeouf-scripted Auschwitz film on hold––how you feel about that prospect is a fantastic Rorschach test––Abel Ferrara has a New Rose Hotel / Go Go Tales reunion in store. As his documentary Turn in the Wound debuts at the Berlinale, he’s well into development on American Nails, a gangster film that will star Willem Dafoe and Asia Argento and roll cameras this summer. [Variety]
Almost needless to say Ferrara wouldn’t, at this wild stage of his career, simply return to classic territory: as written by him and Rossella De Venuto, it retells Euripides’ Hippolytus “in a tale set in the gangster world of primal violence, power and revenge [that] pits Argento against the male-dominated remnants of power and entitlement, in the shadow of the Roman Empire in contemporary Italy.” Ferrara’s last time in Rome, Zeros and Ones, is among the wildest visions of the...
Almost needless to say Ferrara wouldn’t, at this wild stage of his career, simply return to classic territory: as written by him and Rossella De Venuto, it retells Euripides’ Hippolytus “in a tale set in the gangster world of primal violence, power and revenge [that] pits Argento against the male-dominated remnants of power and entitlement, in the shadow of the Roman Empire in contemporary Italy.” Ferrara’s last time in Rome, Zeros and Ones, is among the wildest visions of the...
- 2/17/2024
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
Abel Ferrara is set to begin production on his latest feature, “American Nails,” a modern gangster story inspired by ancient tragedy that stars Asia Argento and Willem Dafoe, Variety has learned.
According to the producers, “American Nails” charts “the rise and fall of this modern Phaedra, in a tale set in the gangster world of primal violence, power and revenge. This no-holds-barred retelling of Euripides’ masterpiece pits Argento against the male-dominated remnants of power and entitlement in contemporary Italy.”
Written by Ferrara and Rossella De Venuto, pic is produced by Diana Phillips and Philipp Kreuzer for Rimsky Productions and Maze Pictures. Production is set to begin in Italy this summer.
“American Nails” marks Dafoe’s eighth collaboration with Ferrara, including the 2014 Venice biopic “Pasolini,” 2019 Cannes Film Festival selection “Tommaso” and 2020 Berlinale entry “Siberia.” Coming off his acclaimed performance in Yorgos Lanthimos’ Oscar hopeful “Poor Things,” Dafoe will again team up...
According to the producers, “American Nails” charts “the rise and fall of this modern Phaedra, in a tale set in the gangster world of primal violence, power and revenge. This no-holds-barred retelling of Euripides’ masterpiece pits Argento against the male-dominated remnants of power and entitlement in contemporary Italy.”
Written by Ferrara and Rossella De Venuto, pic is produced by Diana Phillips and Philipp Kreuzer for Rimsky Productions and Maze Pictures. Production is set to begin in Italy this summer.
“American Nails” marks Dafoe’s eighth collaboration with Ferrara, including the 2014 Venice biopic “Pasolini,” 2019 Cannes Film Festival selection “Tommaso” and 2020 Berlinale entry “Siberia.” Coming off his acclaimed performance in Yorgos Lanthimos’ Oscar hopeful “Poor Things,” Dafoe will again team up...
- 2/17/2024
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Austria’s refreshingly outré official submission to this year’s Oscars race (it didn’t advance to the shortlist) is a captivating exploration of glamour, schmoozing and the soul-draining superficialities of what Joni Mitchell called the star-making machinery. As with their previous features, directors Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel handle all the top-line production duties themselves on Vera, shooting on 16mm and using mostly nonprofessional actors in a blend of drama and documentary. But their latest outing is also a leap into more structured fiction, and at its center is a woman who’s no stranger to the camera.
Vera Gemma, who won the Orizzonti Award for best female performance upon the film’s Venice premiere, has been a reality star, stripper, lion tamer, writer and director, as well as an actor. She grew up on movie sets, at the feet of her famous dad, Giuliano Gemma, a beloved luminary...
Vera Gemma, who won the Orizzonti Award for best female performance upon the film’s Venice premiere, has been a reality star, stripper, lion tamer, writer and director, as well as an actor. She grew up on movie sets, at the feet of her famous dad, Giuliano Gemma, a beloved luminary...
- 2/9/2024
- by Sheri Linden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Featuring: Dario Argento, Marisa Casale, Fiore Argento, Cristina Marsillach, Michele Soavi, Lamberto Bava, Luigi Cozzi, Asia Argento | Written by Simone Scafidi, Giada Mazzoleni, Davide Pulici | Directed by Simone Scafidi
Dario Argento Panico takes its title from an old interview where he said he didn’t want to create a sense of fear in viewers, he wanted to go beyond it and leave them in a state of panic. Its form is also taken from its subject’s past, following him as he isolates himself in a hotel to finish his latest script, something he frequently did early in his career.
I’m not sure that you really can isolate yourself with a film crew looking over your shoulder, but director Simone Scafidi uses this to frame his questions for the interview portions of the film. We actually only see about three seconds of him writing, and are never told what script he’s finishing,...
Dario Argento Panico takes its title from an old interview where he said he didn’t want to create a sense of fear in viewers, he wanted to go beyond it and leave them in a state of panic. Its form is also taken from its subject’s past, following him as he isolates himself in a hotel to finish his latest script, something he frequently did early in his career.
I’m not sure that you really can isolate yourself with a film crew looking over your shoulder, but director Simone Scafidi uses this to frame his questions for the interview portions of the film. We actually only see about three seconds of him writing, and are never told what script he’s finishing,...
- 2/5/2024
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
No one envies the biographer to a truly great writer. But in “Dario Argento Panico,” director Simone Scafidi takes on a task even more daunting — profiling one of the best filmmakers to ever live in his own medium.
The two artists, forever bonded by an appreciation for the 83-year-old Italian’s otherworldly filmography, take turns illuminating the mystery behind giallo masterworks like “Deep Red” and “Suspiria” (1977) in Shudder’s essential and ethereal portrait. Astounding archival footage and insightful new interviews pay taut homage to Argento’s exacting style and near-impenetrable public persona, allowing the still-working cinematic legend to vivisect his life and legacy as others do the same. The result is an accessible yet effervescent retrospective on the auteur who has become synonymous with chiaroscuro nightmares: a tightly constructed character study that will initiate unfamiliar viewers with a thorough and thought-provoking primer, while simultaneously giving lifelong fans a better understanding...
The two artists, forever bonded by an appreciation for the 83-year-old Italian’s otherworldly filmography, take turns illuminating the mystery behind giallo masterworks like “Deep Red” and “Suspiria” (1977) in Shudder’s essential and ethereal portrait. Astounding archival footage and insightful new interviews pay taut homage to Argento’s exacting style and near-impenetrable public persona, allowing the still-working cinematic legend to vivisect his life and legacy as others do the same. The result is an accessible yet effervescent retrospective on the auteur who has become synonymous with chiaroscuro nightmares: a tightly constructed character study that will initiate unfamiliar viewers with a thorough and thought-provoking primer, while simultaneously giving lifelong fans a better understanding...
- 2/4/2024
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
Plot: An in-depth look at famed Italian Horror director Dario Argento’s life and film career.
Review: There are few filmmakers that can be considered all-time greats, yet Dario Argento is most definitely one of them. From the films he’s made to the filmmakers he’s inspired, it’s evident that the world of horror would be very different without his presence. And Dario Argento Panico does a great job of proving why. A beautifully shot and all-encompassing retrospective provides a unique look at the auteur filmmaker. So if you’ve never experienced his work before then buckle up: you’re in for a ride.
While I was obviously familiar with the works of Argento, I wasn’t aware of his life. So I was consistently blown away by some of the revelations here. Dario having no prior experience before getting behind the camera for the first time is flabbergasting.
Review: There are few filmmakers that can be considered all-time greats, yet Dario Argento is most definitely one of them. From the films he’s made to the filmmakers he’s inspired, it’s evident that the world of horror would be very different without his presence. And Dario Argento Panico does a great job of proving why. A beautifully shot and all-encompassing retrospective provides a unique look at the auteur filmmaker. So if you’ve never experienced his work before then buckle up: you’re in for a ride.
While I was obviously familiar with the works of Argento, I wasn’t aware of his life. So I was consistently blown away by some of the revelations here. Dario having no prior experience before getting behind the camera for the first time is flabbergasting.
- 2/2/2024
- by Tyler Nichols
- JoBlo.com
After the cinematic doldrums of January, February brings surprisingly packed, varied offerings, from Oscar-contending international features to biographical documentaries of legendary film artists to some electrifying genre outings. Check out my picks to see below, and catch up with our Sundance coverage ahead of our Berlinale reviews here.
16. The Monk and the Gun (Pawo Choyning Dorji; Feb. 9)
Returning after his Oscar-nominated directorial debut Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom, Pawo Choyning Dorji’s Ifsn Advocate Award-shortlisted The Monk and the Gun premiered at Telluride and TIFF to much acclaim and will now be released this month. Selected by Bhutan as their Oscar entry, the heartwarming film is about an American in search of a long-lost, vintage gun in Bhutan as the country’s launching a democracy.
15. Ennio (Giuseppe Tornatore; Feb. 9)
The film world lost perhaps its most legendary musician when Ennio Morricone died at the age of 91 in July 2020. Cinema Paradiso director Giuseppe Tornatore,...
16. The Monk and the Gun (Pawo Choyning Dorji; Feb. 9)
Returning after his Oscar-nominated directorial debut Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom, Pawo Choyning Dorji’s Ifsn Advocate Award-shortlisted The Monk and the Gun premiered at Telluride and TIFF to much acclaim and will now be released this month. Selected by Bhutan as their Oscar entry, the heartwarming film is about an American in search of a long-lost, vintage gun in Bhutan as the country’s launching a democracy.
15. Ennio (Giuseppe Tornatore; Feb. 9)
The film world lost perhaps its most legendary musician when Ennio Morricone died at the age of 91 in July 2020. Cinema Paradiso director Giuseppe Tornatore,...
- 2/1/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
The final week of January is also the first week of February, and it’s a slow week for the horror genre in terms of new releases. But that doesn’t mean we’re not getting new horror this week.
Here’s all the new horror releasing January 29 – February 4, 2024!
For daily reminders about new horror releases, be sure to follow @HorrorCalendar.
Real-life serial killer John Wayne Gacy has been the subject of a handful of horror movies over the years, played by Brian Dennehy in To Catch a Killer (1992), Mark Holton in Gacy (2003), and William Forsythe in Dear Mr. Gacy (2010). Quiver Distribution brings their own Gacy movie to the table this week, with Gacy: Serial Killer Next Door now available on VOD.
In director Michael Feifer’s horror movie, “A teenager’s life in a quiet suburb changes drastically when John Wayne Gacy, a famed serial killer, becomes his neighbor.
Here’s all the new horror releasing January 29 – February 4, 2024!
For daily reminders about new horror releases, be sure to follow @HorrorCalendar.
Real-life serial killer John Wayne Gacy has been the subject of a handful of horror movies over the years, played by Brian Dennehy in To Catch a Killer (1992), Mark Holton in Gacy (2003), and William Forsythe in Dear Mr. Gacy (2010). Quiver Distribution brings their own Gacy movie to the table this week, with Gacy: Serial Killer Next Door now available on VOD.
In director Michael Feifer’s horror movie, “A teenager’s life in a quiet suburb changes drastically when John Wayne Gacy, a famed serial killer, becomes his neighbor.
- 1/31/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Shudder documentary restrospective Dario Argento Panico highlights the influential work of Giallo maestro Dario Argento, and it’s assembled a Murderers’ Row of talent discussing the filmmaker’s works. That includes Italian composer and Goblin founder Claudio Simonetti and acclaimed filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn.
In an exclusive clip below, Claudio Simonetti and Nicolas Winding Refn discuss Argento’s bloody Giallo film Tenebrae. Watch for insight on the film’s music and its enduring influence.
The documentary will arrive on Shudder on February 2, 2024.
The official Dario Argento Panico synopsis: “In the secluded ambiance of hotel rooms, Dario Argento crafted his greatest cinematic creations, seeking solace from the outside world to delve into his nightmares. Now, he finds himself in a hotel room to return to the very setting that ignited his creative fervor to conclude his latest script and participate in an intimate interview, all while being followed by a film...
In an exclusive clip below, Claudio Simonetti and Nicolas Winding Refn discuss Argento’s bloody Giallo film Tenebrae. Watch for insight on the film’s music and its enduring influence.
The documentary will arrive on Shudder on February 2, 2024.
The official Dario Argento Panico synopsis: “In the secluded ambiance of hotel rooms, Dario Argento crafted his greatest cinematic creations, seeking solace from the outside world to delve into his nightmares. Now, he finds himself in a hotel room to return to the very setting that ignited his creative fervor to conclude his latest script and participate in an intimate interview, all while being followed by a film...
- 1/30/2024
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Award-winning filmmaker Ishan Shukla’s debut feature ‘Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust’, a dystopian sci-fi animation film which recently had its World Premiere at the 2024 International Film Festival of Rotterdam (IFFR) in the Bright Future section strikes a special chord with the audience.
‘Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust’ tells the story of a dystopian world where people are made to wear paper bags over their heads to dissolve differences, and an anonymous citizen sparks an accidental revolution. Tensions rise when the whispers of a mythical land without the bags start to float and a fresh council member sparks an accidental revolution.
Ishan’s debut feature is based on his award-winning short with the same name, ‘Schirkoa’ (2016) which played at 120 plus international film festivals and won 33 awards, including Best Animated Short award at the LA Shorts Festival and was longlisted for the Academy Awards.
The 103-minute film features principal voices of...
‘Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust’ tells the story of a dystopian world where people are made to wear paper bags over their heads to dissolve differences, and an anonymous citizen sparks an accidental revolution. Tensions rise when the whispers of a mythical land without the bags start to float and a fresh council member sparks an accidental revolution.
Ishan’s debut feature is based on his award-winning short with the same name, ‘Schirkoa’ (2016) which played at 120 plus international film festivals and won 33 awards, including Best Animated Short award at the LA Shorts Festival and was longlisted for the Academy Awards.
The 103-minute film features principal voices of...
- 1/29/2024
- by Editorial Desk
- GlamSham
For a documentary about tension and fear, it’s ironic that Dario Argento Panico is anxious about how to best pay homage to the Italian auteur. Director Simone Scafidi initially presents the film as something of a remixed take on the filmography-appraisal documentary, especially as Argento makes his way to a hotel where he plans to hole up and write his next film. In this moment, it seems as if we’re about to spend the majority of Panico with Argento playing a version of himself in a mockumentary of sorts. But this, alas, is mostly a tease, as Panico eventually settles into a steady collage of talking-head interviews, albeit mostly engaging ones, rattling off recollections and appreciations of Argento’s work.
Panico neither caters to newcomers to Argento’s work nor preaches to the converted. Instead, Scafidi positions Argento as subject, prompting the auteur to reflect on aspects of...
Panico neither caters to newcomers to Argento’s work nor preaches to the converted. Instead, Scafidi positions Argento as subject, prompting the auteur to reflect on aspects of...
- 1/28/2024
- by Clayton Dillard
- Slant Magazine
Paramount’s “Mean Girls” debuted atop the U.K. and Ireland box office with £3.2 million ($4.1 million), according to numbers from Comscore.
After a stellar reign at the top, Warner Bros.’ “Wonka” slid to second place with £1.6 million and after seven weekends, has a total of £58.3 million. In its second weekend, Disney’s “Poor Things” collected £1.09 million in third place for a total of £3.7 million. In fourth position, in its fourth weekend, Sony’s “Anyone But You” took in £1.07 million for a total of £7 million.
Rounding off the top five was Warner Bros.’ “One Life” that collected £858,245 in its third weekend for a total of £7.4 million.
There were two other debuts in the Top 10. Universal’s awards season contender “The Holdovers,” which has won two Golden Globes and scored five Oscar and seven BAFTA nominations, bowed with £689,771 in sixth place. Pathe Live’s “Queen Rock Montreal” concert film placed ninth with £285,110.
In 10th place,...
After a stellar reign at the top, Warner Bros.’ “Wonka” slid to second place with £1.6 million and after seven weekends, has a total of £58.3 million. In its second weekend, Disney’s “Poor Things” collected £1.09 million in third place for a total of £3.7 million. In fourth position, in its fourth weekend, Sony’s “Anyone But You” took in £1.07 million for a total of £7 million.
Rounding off the top five was Warner Bros.’ “One Life” that collected £858,245 in its third weekend for a total of £7.4 million.
There were two other debuts in the Top 10. Universal’s awards season contender “The Holdovers,” which has won two Golden Globes and scored five Oscar and seven BAFTA nominations, bowed with £689,771 in sixth place. Pathe Live’s “Queen Rock Montreal” concert film placed ninth with £285,110.
In 10th place,...
- 1/23/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Dropping out from Bits, reaching Rotterdam with full marks filmmaker Ishan Shukla’s animated journey
He may have cracked the prestigious Bits entrance but during his time there, what interested him more was writing plays and sketching. He soon realised, not Thermodynamics but looking inside people’s minds interested him. And that is when he decided to do an animation course in Singapore next.
Filmmaker Ishan Shukla, whose dystopian sci-fi animation film ‘Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust’, which will have its world premiere at the prestigious 53rd International Film Festival of Rotterdam (IFFR) smiles, “Well, it may sound all cool now, but believe me, I was really worried that time — what if I don’t get a job after the animation course? Of course, I don’t generally admit that,” he tells Ians.
While he did get a job in Singapore, in less than a year it started getting boring for him.
“In this sea of monotony, I started sketching in my diary and I...
Filmmaker Ishan Shukla, whose dystopian sci-fi animation film ‘Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust’, which will have its world premiere at the prestigious 53rd International Film Festival of Rotterdam (IFFR) smiles, “Well, it may sound all cool now, but believe me, I was really worried that time — what if I don’t get a job after the animation course? Of course, I don’t generally admit that,” he tells Ians.
While he did get a job in Singapore, in less than a year it started getting boring for him.
“In this sea of monotony, I started sketching in my diary and I...
- 1/12/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Mario Bava, Lucio Fulci, or even Sergio Martino may pop into cinephile’s heads when thinking of Giallo’s greatest directors. But only one name is truly synonymous with the Italian sub-genre, and that’s Dario Argento. Don’t believe us? Maybe “Dario Argento Panico,” a new doc about the director that premieres on Shudder next month, will convince the uninitiated.
Read More: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2024
Simone Scafidi‘s doc takes a retrospective look at Argento’s life and career, from his early days making classic Giallos like “The Girl Who Knew Too Much” to his aesthetically daring apex of “Suspiria,” “Inferno,” and “Tenebrae.” “Dario Argento Panico” features interview with Argento, his daughter Asia Argento, as well as filmmakers like Guillermo Del Toro, Gaspar Noé, and Nicolas Winding Refn, and screenwriter Franco Ferrini.
Continue reading ‘Dario Argento Panico’ Trailer: Doc About The Giallo Master Premieres On Shudder On February 2 at The Playlist.
Read More: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2024
Simone Scafidi‘s doc takes a retrospective look at Argento’s life and career, from his early days making classic Giallos like “The Girl Who Knew Too Much” to his aesthetically daring apex of “Suspiria,” “Inferno,” and “Tenebrae.” “Dario Argento Panico” features interview with Argento, his daughter Asia Argento, as well as filmmakers like Guillermo Del Toro, Gaspar Noé, and Nicolas Winding Refn, and screenwriter Franco Ferrini.
Continue reading ‘Dario Argento Panico’ Trailer: Doc About The Giallo Master Premieres On Shudder On February 2 at The Playlist.
- 1/5/2024
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
Among the greatest theatrical experiences I’ve had across the last few years is during our Dario Argento retrospective at Film at Lincoln Center, in which the Italian horror maestro visited to present new restorations of his classics. 2024 now brings another opportunity to celebrate his legendary career as Simone Scafidi’s documentary Dario Argento Panico will arrive on Shudder on February 2. Featuring interviews with Dario Argento, Asia Argento, Fiore Argento, Nicolas Winding Refn, Gaspar Noè, Guillermo Del Toro, Michele Soavi, Lamberto Bava, and Franco Ferrini, the first teaser has now arrived providing a little peek at some highlights.
Here’s the synopsis: “In the secluded ambiance of hotel rooms, Dario Argento crafted his greatest cinematic creations, seeking solace from the outside world to delve into his nightmares. Now, he finds himself in a hotel room to return to the very setting that ignited his creative fervor to conclude his latest...
Here’s the synopsis: “In the secluded ambiance of hotel rooms, Dario Argento crafted his greatest cinematic creations, seeking solace from the outside world to delve into his nightmares. Now, he finds himself in a hotel room to return to the very setting that ignited his creative fervor to conclude his latest...
- 1/5/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Giallo Maestro Dario Argento will be featured in Dario Argento Panico, a documentary retrospective acquired by Shudder. A new trailer debuted today that teases the notable talking heads featured in the personal portrait of the acclaimed fimmaker.
The documentary will arrive on Shudder on February 2, 2024, after making its world premiere at the 2023 Venice Film Festival.
Watch the trailer and get a peek at the new poster, a fun nod to the yellow “giallo” translation, below.
The official Dario Argento Panico synopsis: “In the secluded ambiance of hotel rooms, Dario Argento crafted his greatest cinematic creations, seeking solace from the outside world to delve into his nightmares. Now, he finds himself in a hotel room to return to the very setting that ignited his creative fervor to conclude his latest script and participate in an intimate interview, all while being followed by a film crew documenting his life for a movie about his illustrious career.
The documentary will arrive on Shudder on February 2, 2024, after making its world premiere at the 2023 Venice Film Festival.
Watch the trailer and get a peek at the new poster, a fun nod to the yellow “giallo” translation, below.
The official Dario Argento Panico synopsis: “In the secluded ambiance of hotel rooms, Dario Argento crafted his greatest cinematic creations, seeking solace from the outside world to delve into his nightmares. Now, he finds himself in a hotel room to return to the very setting that ignited his creative fervor to conclude his latest script and participate in an intimate interview, all while being followed by a film crew documenting his life for a movie about his illustrious career.
- 1/4/2024
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Genre icon Dario Argento is the focus on the documentary Dario Argento Panico, which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival back in September – the same time we got our hands on the trailer embedded above. Today, Deadline reports that Dario Argento Panico has been acquired by the Shudder streaming service, and they’re planning to start streaming the in film the U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand on February 2nd.
Before we reach that date, the documentary is set to have its U.S. premiere at the IFC Center in New York during their theatrical retrospective Panic Attacks: The Films of Dario Argento, which is set to run from January 31st through February 8th.
Directed by Simone Scafidi and produced by Paguro Film, Dario Argento Panico is said to offer an insightful journey through the life and legacy of the legendary Italian filmmaker,...
Before we reach that date, the documentary is set to have its U.S. premiere at the IFC Center in New York during their theatrical retrospective Panic Attacks: The Films of Dario Argento, which is set to run from January 31st through February 8th.
Directed by Simone Scafidi and produced by Paguro Film, Dario Argento Panico is said to offer an insightful journey through the life and legacy of the legendary Italian filmmaker,...
- 12/19/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Italian multi-hyphenate Vera Gemma, who is the daughter of iconic Spaghetti Western star Giuliano Gemma, grew up in the shadow of her father’s fame. But in “Vera” — Austria’s candidate for the best international feature Oscar, directed by Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel — she’s the one in the spotlight.
The moving but never maudlin portrait of the burden of being born into celebrity launched from the 2022 Venice Film Festival’s cutting-edge Horizons section, where it had the rare distinction of winning awards for both best director and actress before going on to garner more praise on the fest circuit.
Below, Gemma speaks to Variety about how the film mirrors her real life, navigating her father’s legacy and making carbonara for Quentin Tarantino.
How did this film about you originate?
We met while they were making a doc titled “Mister Universo” about an animal tamer and I was...
The moving but never maudlin portrait of the burden of being born into celebrity launched from the 2022 Venice Film Festival’s cutting-edge Horizons section, where it had the rare distinction of winning awards for both best director and actress before going on to garner more praise on the fest circuit.
Below, Gemma speaks to Variety about how the film mirrors her real life, navigating her father’s legacy and making carbonara for Quentin Tarantino.
How did this film about you originate?
We met while they were making a doc titled “Mister Universo” about an animal tamer and I was...
- 12/13/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Animated feature will premiere in January in the Rotterdam Film Festival’s Bright Future section
Warsaw-based sales outfit New Europe Film Sales has taken on international sales for the upcoming English-language dystopian animation Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust by Ishan Shukla, with Anonymous Content will co-repping for North America.
Ishan Shukla’s debut will world premiere in January in the Rotterdam Film Festival’s Bright Future section, aimed at up-and-coming filmmakers with innovative, original and daring work.
The animated feature is based on the short film Schirkoa, which was also repped by New Europe and played at more than 120 international film festivals and won 33 awards,...
Warsaw-based sales outfit New Europe Film Sales has taken on international sales for the upcoming English-language dystopian animation Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust by Ishan Shukla, with Anonymous Content will co-repping for North America.
Ishan Shukla’s debut will world premiere in January in the Rotterdam Film Festival’s Bright Future section, aimed at up-and-coming filmmakers with innovative, original and daring work.
The animated feature is based on the short film Schirkoa, which was also repped by New Europe and played at more than 120 international film festivals and won 33 awards,...
- 11/23/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Jonathan Ogilvie’s post-punk coming-of-age comedy “Head South” will open the 53rd International Film Festival Rotterdam on Jan. 25, with the festival running until Feb. 4.
Ogilvie’s semi-autobiographical film is set in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1979 where a private schoolboy becomes desperately enamored with all things post-punk. The director’s last film, thriller “Lone Wolf,” screened in the festival’s Big Screen competition section in 2021.
Vanja Kaludjercic, IFFR festival director, said: “With ‘Head South,’ Jonathan Ogilvie returns to the festival with an unpredictable coming-of-age story that delights in its shifting tone. Quirkiness and nostalgia become sober and thoughtful, only to turn exuberant and then something else again, in a fitting tribute to post-punk subculture. Ogilvie is the kind of filmmaker we cherish at IFFR: those for whom the art is, above all, an adventure of discovery.”
Other films to have their world premieres at the Dutch festival include Indian filmmaker Ishan Shukla...
Ogilvie’s semi-autobiographical film is set in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1979 where a private schoolboy becomes desperately enamored with all things post-punk. The director’s last film, thriller “Lone Wolf,” screened in the festival’s Big Screen competition section in 2021.
Vanja Kaludjercic, IFFR festival director, said: “With ‘Head South,’ Jonathan Ogilvie returns to the festival with an unpredictable coming-of-age story that delights in its shifting tone. Quirkiness and nostalgia become sober and thoughtful, only to turn exuberant and then something else again, in a fitting tribute to post-punk subculture. Ogilvie is the kind of filmmaker we cherish at IFFR: those for whom the art is, above all, an adventure of discovery.”
Other films to have their world premieres at the Dutch festival include Indian filmmaker Ishan Shukla...
- 11/23/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Asia Argento (“The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things”), Frances Barber (“A Bird Flew In”), Tamer Hassan (“The Football Factory”), Laura Whitmore (“Sadhbh”) and child actor Erin Ainsworth have joined the cast of “A Mother for an Hour.”
The film, which is being directed by Giga Agladze, follows the story of a woman who poses as the lost mother of a dying child and discovers through this act a world of deceit and violence.
Agladze’s most recent movie is surrealistic drama “The Other Me” (2022), starring Jim Sturgess and Andrea Pejic, executive produced by David Lynch.
“A Mother for an Hour” is being produced by Kirsty Bell, Goldfinch CEO and co-founder of The Number 44, and Ben Charles Edwards, also a co-founder of The Number 44. The executive producers are Phil McKenzie and David Kereselidze. It is shooting in the North of England, predominantly in Newcastle, Hartlepool and surrounding areas.
Production...
The film, which is being directed by Giga Agladze, follows the story of a woman who poses as the lost mother of a dying child and discovers through this act a world of deceit and violence.
Agladze’s most recent movie is surrealistic drama “The Other Me” (2022), starring Jim Sturgess and Andrea Pejic, executive produced by David Lynch.
“A Mother for an Hour” is being produced by Kirsty Bell, Goldfinch CEO and co-founder of The Number 44, and Ben Charles Edwards, also a co-founder of The Number 44. The executive producers are Phil McKenzie and David Kereselidze. It is shooting in the North of England, predominantly in Newcastle, Hartlepool and surrounding areas.
Production...
- 11/6/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
It might be too early to call it, but The Hollywood Reporter Roma may have given the best party of the 80th Venice Film Festival.
THR Roma, the first European edition of The Hollywood Reporter, threw a starry and glam but also surprisingly chill bash Sunday night at their festival villa, a stone’s throw from The Excelsior Hotel on the Lido. THR Roma had its official launch, in Rome, in April but the Venice bash marked its international coming out, and the group used the occasion to present its first stand-alone print edition (more on that later).
There were shades of Pablo Sorrentino’s famed party sequence in The Great Beauty as a who’s who of the Italian film and fashion industries — among them the cast of Venice festival opener Comandante, including Italian superstar Pierfrancesco Favino and director Edoardo De Angelis, Adagio filmmaker Stefano Sollima, and Valentino’s...
THR Roma, the first European edition of The Hollywood Reporter, threw a starry and glam but also surprisingly chill bash Sunday night at their festival villa, a stone’s throw from The Excelsior Hotel on the Lido. THR Roma had its official launch, in Rome, in April but the Venice bash marked its international coming out, and the group used the occasion to present its first stand-alone print edition (more on that later).
There were shades of Pablo Sorrentino’s famed party sequence in The Great Beauty as a who’s who of the Italian film and fashion industries — among them the cast of Venice festival opener Comandante, including Italian superstar Pierfrancesco Favino and director Edoardo De Angelis, Adagio filmmaker Stefano Sollima, and Valentino’s...
- 9/4/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Genre icon Dario Argento is the focus on the documentary Dario Argento Panico, which is having its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival – and with that premiere to take place this Saturday, September 2nd, a trailer for the documentary has arrived online! You can check it out in the embed above.
Directed by Simone Scafidi and produced by Paguro Film, Dario Argento Panico is said to be an immersive deep dive into the creative process and life of Argento. It features exclusive interviews with the legendary filmmaker and insight from other acclaimed directors like Gaspar Noé, Guillermo del Toro and Nicolas Winding Refn about his impact on the horror genre and generations of other directors.
Fiore Argento, Asia Argento, Vittorio Cecchi Gori, Lamberto Bava, Luigi Cozzi, Michele Soavi, Claudio Simonetti, Marisa Casale, Cristina Marsillach, Floriana Argento, Franco Ferrini, and of course Dario Argento himself also appear in the documentary.
Directed by Simone Scafidi and produced by Paguro Film, Dario Argento Panico is said to be an immersive deep dive into the creative process and life of Argento. It features exclusive interviews with the legendary filmmaker and insight from other acclaimed directors like Gaspar Noé, Guillermo del Toro and Nicolas Winding Refn about his impact on the horror genre and generations of other directors.
Fiore Argento, Asia Argento, Vittorio Cecchi Gori, Lamberto Bava, Luigi Cozzi, Michele Soavi, Claudio Simonetti, Marisa Casale, Cristina Marsillach, Floriana Argento, Franco Ferrini, and of course Dario Argento himself also appear in the documentary.
- 9/1/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Prime Video has unveiled has unveiled its latest slate of Italian original shows and films at a Presents event in Rome, including a remake of No Activity.
The streamer’s glitzy event revealed three new original scripted shows, two unscripted series and six movies, along with a number of returning shows. Among the scripted series is Antonia, the comedy-drama from Groenlandia and Fidelio we told you about earlier this morning in Europe.
Joining Antonia is another Groenlandia series, Niente da Segnalare, which is based on the Australian drama format No Activity.
The six-episode series follows two criminals waiting for an important shipment, two cops on stakeout ready to trigger a raid and two dispatch operators ready to send reinforcements. When the shipment doesn’t arrive, everyone is forced into an exhausting wait.
Valerio Vestoso is the director and Laura Grimaldi,...
The streamer’s glitzy event revealed three new original scripted shows, two unscripted series and six movies, along with a number of returning shows. Among the scripted series is Antonia, the comedy-drama from Groenlandia and Fidelio we told you about earlier this morning in Europe.
Joining Antonia is another Groenlandia series, Niente da Segnalare, which is based on the Australian drama format No Activity.
The six-episode series follows two criminals waiting for an important shipment, two cops on stakeout ready to trigger a raid and two dispatch operators ready to send reinforcements. When the shipment doesn’t arrive, everyone is forced into an exhausting wait.
Valerio Vestoso is the director and Laura Grimaldi,...
- 7/12/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Abel Ferrara’s Padre Pio is a fusion of two souls, each as rough-hewn and fragmentary as the other. Set in the immediate aftermath of World War I in the Italian village of San Giovanni Rotondo and filmed on location, it’s partly a biopic about the Catholic saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Shia Labeouf), for whom every waking moment seems a dark night of the soul. But it’s also a dramatization of the struggle between the landed gentry and the soldiers who return disillusioned from the war, culminating in violence after a stolen election.
Ferrara and co-writer Maurzio Braucci, instead of treating Catholicism and Marxism as antagonistic, find resonance in their iconography, their shared valorization of the downtrodden, and the zeal of their adherents—as well as their crises of faith. It isn’t heresy to say that Padre Pio is a spiritual successor to Pier Paolo Pasolini’s The Gospel According to St.
Ferrara and co-writer Maurzio Braucci, instead of treating Catholicism and Marxism as antagonistic, find resonance in their iconography, their shared valorization of the downtrodden, and the zeal of their adherents—as well as their crises of faith. It isn’t heresy to say that Padre Pio is a spiritual successor to Pier Paolo Pasolini’s The Gospel According to St.
- 5/30/2023
- by William Repass
- Slant Magazine
Maïwenn’s Jeanne du Barry, the opening film of this year’s Official Selection, is at least the eighth feature-length biopic to center around Louis Xv’s final maîtresse-en-titre, and the first significant film to feature her as a prominent character since Sofia Coppola’s famously booed 2006 Palme d’Or contender, Marie Antoinette (portrayed therein by Asia Argento). As with most Cannes openers, Maïwenn’s film is most notable for its cast: Johnny Depp, stunt-cast as Louis Xv; Melvil Poupaud as the Count du Barry; and Maïwenn herself as the titular titillator. The film screened amidst ongoing national protests over pension reform, which almost certainly […]
The post Cannes 2023: Jeanne du Barry, Monster, Youth (Spring) first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Cannes 2023: Jeanne du Barry, Monster, Youth (Spring) first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 5/19/2023
- by Blake Williams
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Maïwenn’s Jeanne du Barry, the opening film of this year’s Official Selection, is at least the eighth feature-length biopic to center around Louis Xv’s final maîtresse-en-titre, and the first significant film to feature her as a prominent character since Sofia Coppola’s famously booed 2006 Palme d’Or contender, Marie Antoinette (portrayed therein by Asia Argento). As with most Cannes openers, Maïwenn’s film is most notable for its cast: Johnny Depp, stunt-cast as Louis Xv; Melvil Poupaud as the Count du Barry; and Maïwenn herself as the titular titillator. The film screened amidst ongoing national protests over pension reform, which almost certainly […]
The post Cannes 2023: Jeanne du Barry, Monster, Youth (Spring) first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Cannes 2023: Jeanne du Barry, Monster, Youth (Spring) first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 5/19/2023
- by Blake Williams
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
The films of Maïwenn, like Maïwenn herself, tend to be divisive.
When they’re good, such as in the writer-director-actress’ breakthrough second feature, Polisse, they’re filled with hotblooded ensemble performances that channel the kinetic energy of John Cassavetes. When they’re not, such as in her last effort, DNA, they feel like overblown arthouse selfies where Maïwenn is the only star.
Either way, they hardly leave you indifferent, which is why the director’s biggest project yet, a $22.4 million biopic of the legendary 18th century French courtesan Jeanne du Barry, can seem so surprising. Sumptuously made and with enough jaw-dropping costumes — several of them courtesy of Chanel, one of the film’s sponsors — to warrant a separate runway show, Maïwenn’s lavish feature is also, well, kind of bland.
It has a great setting, with many scenes shot in and around the real Palace of Versailles, and a great setup,...
When they’re good, such as in the writer-director-actress’ breakthrough second feature, Polisse, they’re filled with hotblooded ensemble performances that channel the kinetic energy of John Cassavetes. When they’re not, such as in her last effort, DNA, they feel like overblown arthouse selfies where Maïwenn is the only star.
Either way, they hardly leave you indifferent, which is why the director’s biggest project yet, a $22.4 million biopic of the legendary 18th century French courtesan Jeanne du Barry, can seem so surprising. Sumptuously made and with enough jaw-dropping costumes — several of them courtesy of Chanel, one of the film’s sponsors — to warrant a separate runway show, Maïwenn’s lavish feature is also, well, kind of bland.
It has a great setting, with many scenes shot in and around the real Palace of Versailles, and a great setup,...
- 5/16/2023
- by Jordan Mintzer
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"It feels like a sin to question these things, it feels like a sin to be angry with the Lord." Gravitas Ventures has revealed an official trailer for Padre Pio, a new film from American director Abel Ferrara, who now lives and works in Italy. This premiered at the Venice Days sidebar of the Venice Film Festival last year (did anyone even see it?) and opens in the US this June. This biopic from Ferrara follows Roman Catholic Saint Padre Pio in his early years. At the end of World War I, Padre Pio begins his ministry at a remote monastery in southern Italy. Soon, his charisma and storied visions bring him fame. Shia Labeouf stars alongside Cristina Chiriac, Marco Leonardi, Asia Argento, Vincenzo Crea, Luca Lionello, Brando Pacitto, Stella Mastrantonio, and Salvatore Ruocco. Some may remember that this role "saved" Labeouf's life, as he claimed in an interview last...
- 5/9/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Beta at MipTV has unveiled a visually dazzling first trailer for period drama “La Storia” that will be Italian pubcaster Rai’s biggest event show this year.
The sweeping eight-episode saga is based on a globally bestselling novel by the late great Elsa Morante – whom “My Brilliant Friend” author Elena Ferrante often cites as her primary literary reference – set during the final years of World War II and its immediate aftermath in Italy.
Dierected by Francesca Archibugi (“The Hummingbird”), the high-end show stars Italian A-list actor Jasmine Trinca – who last year was a member of the Cannes jury – as Ida, a single mother of two sons, who hides her Jewish heritage and fights against poverty and persecution. The cast also comprises Asia Argento (“xXx – Triple X”), Elio Germano (“Leopardi”) and Valerio Mastandrea (“Perfect Strangers”).
Set mostly in Rome between 1940 and 1948 “La Storia” looks at fascism, World War II and Italy...
The sweeping eight-episode saga is based on a globally bestselling novel by the late great Elsa Morante – whom “My Brilliant Friend” author Elena Ferrante often cites as her primary literary reference – set during the final years of World War II and its immediate aftermath in Italy.
Dierected by Francesca Archibugi (“The Hummingbird”), the high-end show stars Italian A-list actor Jasmine Trinca – who last year was a member of the Cannes jury – as Ida, a single mother of two sons, who hides her Jewish heritage and fights against poverty and persecution. The cast also comprises Asia Argento (“xXx – Triple X”), Elio Germano (“Leopardi”) and Valerio Mastandrea (“Perfect Strangers”).
Set mostly in Rome between 1940 and 1948 “La Storia” looks at fascism, World War II and Italy...
- 4/18/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
You are reading a WrapPRO article that has been made available for free. To access all our member-only stories and virtual events, Click Here to sign up for WrapPRO –> The Essential Source for Entertainment Insiders
For 19 years, Fabrizio Lombardo has stuck in my journalistic throat like a hairball that wouldn’t come up. To those who were on the entertainment circuit in the 2000s, he was well-known as Harvey Weinstein’s fixer in Europe, the sycophant who was at the mogul’s side at Cannes parties and a constant presence at the Venice Film Festival.
But who exactly was he and what did he do?
In 2017, I exposed Lombardo as Weinstein’s procurer of women while on the Disney payroll, making $400,000 in under a year in 2003-2004 as the head of Miramax Italy. He knew next to nothing about the film business.
Four women came forward to corroborate reporting I...
For 19 years, Fabrizio Lombardo has stuck in my journalistic throat like a hairball that wouldn’t come up. To those who were on the entertainment circuit in the 2000s, he was well-known as Harvey Weinstein’s fixer in Europe, the sycophant who was at the mogul’s side at Cannes parties and a constant presence at the Venice Film Festival.
But who exactly was he and what did he do?
In 2017, I exposed Lombardo as Weinstein’s procurer of women while on the Disney payroll, making $400,000 in under a year in 2003-2004 as the head of Miramax Italy. He knew next to nothing about the film business.
Four women came forward to corroborate reporting I...
- 4/9/2023
- by Sharon Waxman
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has nabbed North American rights to the Shia Labeouf-led drama Padre Pio from filmmaker Abel Ferrara, slating it for a day-and-date release on June 2nd.
Related Story Neon Acquires Domestic Rights To Anne Hathaway Sundance Movie ‘Eileen’ Related Story Gravitas Ventures Acquires Sophie Lane Curtis Drama 'On Our Way' Starring Micheál Richardson, Vanessa Redgrave And Jordana Brewster Related Story Jennifer A. Goodman Thriller 'The Unseen' Starring 'Breaking Bad's Rj Mitte Acquired By Gravitas Ventures
In the film penned by Maurizio Braucci and Ferrara, which world premiered at last year’s Venice Film Festival, it’s the end of World War I and the young Italian soldiers are making their way back to San Giovanni Rotondo, a land of poverty, historic violence and the ironclad rule of the church and its wealthy landowners. Families are desperate; the men are broken, but victorious.
Related Story Neon Acquires Domestic Rights To Anne Hathaway Sundance Movie ‘Eileen’ Related Story Gravitas Ventures Acquires Sophie Lane Curtis Drama 'On Our Way' Starring Micheál Richardson, Vanessa Redgrave And Jordana Brewster Related Story Jennifer A. Goodman Thriller 'The Unseen' Starring 'Breaking Bad's Rj Mitte Acquired By Gravitas Ventures
In the film penned by Maurizio Braucci and Ferrara, which world premiered at last year’s Venice Film Festival, it’s the end of World War I and the young Italian soldiers are making their way back to San Giovanni Rotondo, a land of poverty, historic violence and the ironclad rule of the church and its wealthy landowners. Families are desperate; the men are broken, but victorious.
- 3/28/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
On the JoBlo Movies YouTube channel, we will be posting one full movie every other day throughout the week, giving viewers the chance to watch them entirely free of charge. The Free Movie of the Day we have for you today is the 2004 thriller The Keeper, starring Dennis Hopper and Asia Argento. You can watch it over on the YouTube channel linked above, or you can just watch it in the embed at the top of this article.
Directed by Paul Lynch from a screenplay by Gerald Sanford, The Keeper has the following synopsis: When an apparently exemplary cop abducts and secretly imprisons a beautiful dancer, a deadly battle of wills between captor and captive ensues.
Hopper and Argento are joined in the cast by Helen Shaver, Lochlyn Munro, Charles Frederick, Alex Zahara, Alejandro Abellan, Fred Keating, Philip Granger, Joe McCoy, Angela Uyeda, Brad Loree, Robert Saunders, Charlie Gudgeon, Garfield Wilson,...
Directed by Paul Lynch from a screenplay by Gerald Sanford, The Keeper has the following synopsis: When an apparently exemplary cop abducts and secretly imprisons a beautiful dancer, a deadly battle of wills between captor and captive ensues.
Hopper and Argento are joined in the cast by Helen Shaver, Lochlyn Munro, Charles Frederick, Alex Zahara, Alejandro Abellan, Fred Keating, Philip Granger, Joe McCoy, Angela Uyeda, Brad Loree, Robert Saunders, Charlie Gudgeon, Garfield Wilson,...
- 2/27/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
The Mammoth Film Festival is set to open with Shia LeBeouf’s Padre Pio, Abel Ferrara’s historical drama that debuted at Venice.
Ferrara’s latest feature has LeBoeuf playing an Italian friar who rose to prominence at a time when fascist powers began to take over Italy. Padre Pio also stars Asia Argento, Marco Leonardi and Christina Chiriac, and director Ferrara will be at the northern California festival to do a post-film Q&a on March 2.
Mammoth will close with Bonded, which stars Diego Calva and is directed by Mohit Ramchandani. The thriller is inspired by a true story from the producers of Argentina 1985 and is executive produced by Yalitza Aparicio.
Mammoth, which is set to run from March 2 to 6 in Mammoth Lakes, California, has also added the horror thriller Night Shift, which stars Phoebe Tonkin, Lamorne Morris and Patrick Fischler and is directed and written by Benjamin and Paul China.
Ferrara’s latest feature has LeBoeuf playing an Italian friar who rose to prominence at a time when fascist powers began to take over Italy. Padre Pio also stars Asia Argento, Marco Leonardi and Christina Chiriac, and director Ferrara will be at the northern California festival to do a post-film Q&a on March 2.
Mammoth will close with Bonded, which stars Diego Calva and is directed by Mohit Ramchandani. The thriller is inspired by a true story from the producers of Argentina 1985 and is executive produced by Yalitza Aparicio.
Mammoth, which is set to run from March 2 to 6 in Mammoth Lakes, California, has also added the horror thriller Night Shift, which stars Phoebe Tonkin, Lamorne Morris and Patrick Fischler and is directed and written by Benjamin and Paul China.
- 2/24/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to an additional 16 years in prison Thursday after the disgraced producer was found guilty of one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault at his Los Angeles trial in December.
At his sentencing hearing Thursday, LA County Judge Lisa Lench sentenced Weinstein to 16 years in prison, to be served at the conclusion of his 23-year prison term he’s currently serving after being convicted on charges in New York.
Given that Weinstein is 70 years old, the Los Angeles sentence ensures that, unless his lawyers successfully appeal the punishments,...
At his sentencing hearing Thursday, LA County Judge Lisa Lench sentenced Weinstein to 16 years in prison, to be served at the conclusion of his 23-year prison term he’s currently serving after being convicted on charges in New York.
Given that Weinstein is 70 years old, the Los Angeles sentence ensures that, unless his lawyers successfully appeal the punishments,...
- 2/23/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Charades and WTFilms have teamed on “Vermin,” a horror movie set in the French projects with a cast of local up-and-coming actors, who star alongside real spiders.
The movie will mark the feature debut of Sébastien Vaniček, who previously directed critically acclaimed shorts such as “Mayday.” Harry Tordjman at My Box Films is producing.
“Vermin” stars Théo Christine (“Suprêmes”), Finnegan Oldfield (“Final Cut”), Jérôme Niel (“Smoking Causes Coughing”), Sofia Lesaffre (“Les Misérables”) and Lisa Nyarko.
The film is currently in shooting in Paris, with a March 3 end date. It will distributed in France by Tandem. France Télévisions pre-bought the movie and Netflix got the pay TV window in France.
“Vermin” is set in an underprivileged suburb that has been thrown into chaos following an invasion of venomous spiders. Ordered to be placed in quarantine, the project sees inhabitants living on lockdown alongside terrifying spiders that are becoming bigger and bigger.
The movie will mark the feature debut of Sébastien Vaniček, who previously directed critically acclaimed shorts such as “Mayday.” Harry Tordjman at My Box Films is producing.
“Vermin” stars Théo Christine (“Suprêmes”), Finnegan Oldfield (“Final Cut”), Jérôme Niel (“Smoking Causes Coughing”), Sofia Lesaffre (“Les Misérables”) and Lisa Nyarko.
The film is currently in shooting in Paris, with a March 3 end date. It will distributed in France by Tandem. France Télévisions pre-bought the movie and Netflix got the pay TV window in France.
“Vermin” is set in an underprivileged suburb that has been thrown into chaos following an invasion of venomous spiders. Ordered to be placed in quarantine, the project sees inhabitants living on lockdown alongside terrifying spiders that are becoming bigger and bigger.
- 2/16/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products released each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!
Jurassic Park Virtual Pets from Tamagotchi
Ready for a double dose of ’90s nostalgia? Tamagotchi – the beloved virtual pet keychain from our youth – is celebrating Jurassic Park’s 30th anniversary with dinosaur virtual pets. Due out in March, amber and egg versions are available to pre-order for 20.99.
Depending on how you interact with your baby dino, they may evolve into over 20 different dinosaurs, including rarities. If you don’t take proper care of them, they’ll leave you. When your prehistoric pal is in a bad mood, give them a snack (leaves and nuts for herbivores; meat and fish for carnivores) or play one of three mini-games.
Holly by Stephen King
Stephen King will publish Holly on September 5 via Scribner.
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!
Jurassic Park Virtual Pets from Tamagotchi
Ready for a double dose of ’90s nostalgia? Tamagotchi – the beloved virtual pet keychain from our youth – is celebrating Jurassic Park’s 30th anniversary with dinosaur virtual pets. Due out in March, amber and egg versions are available to pre-order for 20.99.
Depending on how you interact with your baby dino, they may evolve into over 20 different dinosaurs, including rarities. If you don’t take proper care of them, they’ll leave you. When your prehistoric pal is in a bad mood, give them a snack (leaves and nuts for herbivores; meat and fish for carnivores) or play one of three mini-games.
Holly by Stephen King
Stephen King will publish Holly on September 5 via Scribner.
- 1/27/2023
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
Last year at the Berlinale we had the pleasure of interview the maestro that is Dario Argento, for the release of his latest feature – which is now available to stream of Shudder. We also spoke to his daughter, and star, Asia Argento, who sat besides Ilenia Pastorelli, as we spoke about the project at hand, from the ensemble, the rigours and demands, what it’s like working with your family. And on Daft Punk, of course. Watch both interviews in their entirety below.
Dario Argento
Ilenia Pastorelli & Asia Argento
Synopsis
Diana, a young woman who lost her sight, finds a guide in a Chinese boy named Chin. Together they will track down a dangerous killer through the darkness of Italy.
Dark Glasses is available to watch on Shudder now
The post Giallo maestro Dario Argento, as well cast-members Asia Argento & Ilenia Pastorelli on new horror flick Dark Glasses appeared first on HeyUGuys.
Dario Argento
Ilenia Pastorelli & Asia Argento
Synopsis
Diana, a young woman who lost her sight, finds a guide in a Chinese boy named Chin. Together they will track down a dangerous killer through the darkness of Italy.
Dark Glasses is available to watch on Shudder now
The post Giallo maestro Dario Argento, as well cast-members Asia Argento & Ilenia Pastorelli on new horror flick Dark Glasses appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 1/25/2023
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
George A. Romero brought the world the first flesh-eating zombies in the 1968 classic Night of the Living Dead, then followed that up with Dawn of the Dead in 1978 and Day of the Dead in 1985. He was hoping to get another Dead movie made in the ’90s, but wasn’t able to get it into production until the next decade – resulting in the 2005 release Land of the Dead (watch it Here). And with the new episode of the Wtf Happened to This Horror Movie?, we’re digging into the story of the making of Romero’s long-awaited fourth Dead movie. Check it out in the embed above!
Written and directed by Romero, Land of the Dead had the following synopsis: In a world where zombies form the majority of the population, the remaining humans build a feudal society away from the undead. Ruthless Paul Kaufman rules and protects this microcosm but enforces painful class distinctions.
Written and directed by Romero, Land of the Dead had the following synopsis: In a world where zombies form the majority of the population, the remaining humans build a feudal society away from the undead. Ruthless Paul Kaufman rules and protects this microcosm but enforces painful class distinctions.
- 1/23/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
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