Exclusive: Last month, Michael Sheen’s appearance on new BBC interview series The Assembly popped on social media, and now Australia’s biggest and brightest names will get the chance of a similar experience.
We can reveal public broadcaster the ABC has ordered an Australian version of The Assembly (aka The A Talks), with Mark Fennessy’s Helium Pictures attached to produce a six-part series. The production was announced at the ABC’s upfront today in Sydney.
The Assembly is being adapted from French hit Les Rencontres du Papotin, which launched two years ago on France 2. Helium began production yesterday, and will continue for six weeks with a potential network premiere date in Q3.
The Australian show will follow a group of autistic student journalists, as they prepare to interview six of the nation’s biggest names, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The other stars are under wraps, but...
We can reveal public broadcaster the ABC has ordered an Australian version of The Assembly (aka The A Talks), with Mark Fennessy’s Helium Pictures attached to produce a six-part series. The production was announced at the ABC’s upfront today in Sydney.
The Assembly is being adapted from French hit Les Rencontres du Papotin, which launched two years ago on France 2. Helium began production yesterday, and will continue for six weeks with a potential network premiere date in Q3.
The Australian show will follow a group of autistic student journalists, as they prepare to interview six of the nation’s biggest names, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The other stars are under wraps, but...
- 5/9/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Newly-launched Carrousel Studios has appointed French film industry veteran Cécile Gaget as its CEO, with effect from May 1.
Billed as an artists-first European independent studio and media company, Carrousel Studios was launched in March by actor-producer Omar Sy, producer-director Louis Leterrier and entrepreneur/producer Thomas Benski.
Their aim is to develop and produce multi-generational, high quality and high-concept entertainment for the global audience.
In her new role, Gaget will utilize her sales and film finance expertise to help expand and grow upon the Carrousel’s founders’ capabilities.
Based out of Paris, her mission will be to ramp up a local and global production slate, forge strategic partnerships and more specifically oversee development, production, financing and distribution strategies.
“I am very grateful to Omar, Louis, and Thomas for their trust in my abilities to help build and lead this studio to its fullest potential. I’m thrilled to embark on this journey with Carrousel Studios,...
Billed as an artists-first European independent studio and media company, Carrousel Studios was launched in March by actor-producer Omar Sy, producer-director Louis Leterrier and entrepreneur/producer Thomas Benski.
Their aim is to develop and produce multi-generational, high quality and high-concept entertainment for the global audience.
In her new role, Gaget will utilize her sales and film finance expertise to help expand and grow upon the Carrousel’s founders’ capabilities.
Based out of Paris, her mission will be to ramp up a local and global production slate, forge strategic partnerships and more specifically oversee development, production, financing and distribution strategies.
“I am very grateful to Omar, Louis, and Thomas for their trust in my abilities to help build and lead this studio to its fullest potential. I’m thrilled to embark on this journey with Carrousel Studios,...
- 4/26/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Actor Omar Sy has teamed with Lupin and Fast X director Louis Leterrier and former Pulse Films CEO Thomas Benski to launch Carrousel Studios.
Carrousel Studios is billed as an artists-first European independent studio and media company with a focus on producing commercial films and high-end TV series for global audiences. Carrousel will lean into genres such as elevated action, thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy and comedy.
A statement announcing the launch of Carrousel said the founding trio “plan to modernise the process of developing, financing and producing films and series, and take advantage of myriad tax credits, subsidies, cost of production,...
Carrousel Studios is billed as an artists-first European independent studio and media company with a focus on producing commercial films and high-end TV series for global audiences. Carrousel will lean into genres such as elevated action, thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy and comedy.
A statement announcing the launch of Carrousel said the founding trio “plan to modernise the process of developing, financing and producing films and series, and take advantage of myriad tax credits, subsidies, cost of production,...
- 3/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
French star Omar Sy (Lupin, The Intouchables) is joining forces with Fast X and Transporter director Louis Leterrier and producer Thomas Benski (American Honey, Gangs of London) to launch Carrousel Studios, a new European independent studio.
Billed as an “artists-first” studio, Carrousel aims to focus on elevated genre, in the film and TV, to “lean into elevated action, thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy and comedy projects,” according to a statement, by taking advantage of “myriad tax credits, subsidies, cost of production, incredible talent (in front and behind the camera) as well as other European incentives.”
All three men are represented by CAA and CAA Media Finance set up the financing for the venture. Carrousel Studios will have offices in Paris, London, Los Angeles and Senegal.
The company name is meant to evoke a spirit of entertainment. “By definition, a carrousel’s sole purpose is to entertain, no matter where the riders come from,...
Billed as an “artists-first” studio, Carrousel aims to focus on elevated genre, in the film and TV, to “lean into elevated action, thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy and comedy projects,” according to a statement, by taking advantage of “myriad tax credits, subsidies, cost of production, incredible talent (in front and behind the camera) as well as other European incentives.”
All three men are represented by CAA and CAA Media Finance set up the financing for the venture. Carrousel Studios will have offices in Paris, London, Los Angeles and Senegal.
The company name is meant to evoke a spirit of entertainment. “By definition, a carrousel’s sole purpose is to entertain, no matter where the riders come from,...
- 3/15/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Actor Omar Sy has teamed with Lupin and Fast X director Louis Leterrier and former Pulse Films CEO Thomas Benski to launch Carousel Studios.
Carousel Studios is billed as an artists-first European independent studio and media company with a focus on producing commercial films and high-end TV series for global audiences. Carousel will lean into genres such as elevated action, thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy and comedy.
A statement announcing the launch of Carousel said the founding trio “plan to modernise the process of developing, financing and producing films and series, and take advantage of myriad tax credits, subsidies, cost of production,...
Carousel Studios is billed as an artists-first European independent studio and media company with a focus on producing commercial films and high-end TV series for global audiences. Carousel will lean into genres such as elevated action, thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy and comedy.
A statement announcing the launch of Carousel said the founding trio “plan to modernise the process of developing, financing and producing films and series, and take advantage of myriad tax credits, subsidies, cost of production,...
- 3/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
Melvil Poupaud began his 40-year career, at the age of 10 Photo: Thomas Brunot/UniFrance Following in the illustrious wake of talents including Juliette Binoche, Virginie Efira, Olivier Assayas and Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano, it is the turn of actor Melvil Poupaud to be honoured during the UniFrance Rendezvous with French Cinema in Paris later this month.
He will be given the French Cinema Award during a glittering ceremony at the French Ministry of Culture at a ceremony on 18 January.
Poupaud’s career has stretched across almost four decades, having begun his acting debut at the age of ten in City Of Pirates, directed by Raoul Ruiz, with whom he went on to make a further five critically acclaimed films.
Melvil Poupaud and Amanda Langlet in Eric Rohmer’s A Summer’s Tale Photo: Les Films du Losange During his career Poupaud has worked with many of France's most respected directors,...
He will be given the French Cinema Award during a glittering ceremony at the French Ministry of Culture at a ceremony on 18 January.
Poupaud’s career has stretched across almost four decades, having begun his acting debut at the age of ten in City Of Pirates, directed by Raoul Ruiz, with whom he went on to make a further five critically acclaimed films.
Melvil Poupaud and Amanda Langlet in Eric Rohmer’s A Summer’s Tale Photo: Les Films du Losange During his career Poupaud has worked with many of France's most respected directors,...
- 1/6/2024
- by Richard Mowe
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
L.A. French cinema lovers were deprived of their annual fall fix of Gallic film culture this year with the cancellation of the American French Film Festival due to the Hollywood strikes.
A handful of the titles originally slated to play at that event will now screen at the third edition of the French Comedy Club, running this weekend at the Lumière Cinema in Beverly Hills.
The two-day showcase opens with The Midwife (Sage-homme) which grossed $4.6 million at the box office in France for Warner Bros. France earlier this year.
Newcomer Melvin Boomer stars opposite Karin Viard as a young man who decides to try out midwifery after he fails his medicine exams.
The program also features A Difficult Year, the latest film from Untouchable directorial duo Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache. Pio Marmaï, and Jonathan Cohen co-star as two swindlers opposite Noémie Merlant as an eco-activist.
The film, which...
A handful of the titles originally slated to play at that event will now screen at the third edition of the French Comedy Club, running this weekend at the Lumière Cinema in Beverly Hills.
The two-day showcase opens with The Midwife (Sage-homme) which grossed $4.6 million at the box office in France for Warner Bros. France earlier this year.
Newcomer Melvin Boomer stars opposite Karin Viard as a young man who decides to try out midwifery after he fails his medicine exams.
The program also features A Difficult Year, the latest film from Untouchable directorial duo Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache. Pio Marmaï, and Jonathan Cohen co-star as two swindlers opposite Noémie Merlant as an eco-activist.
The film, which...
- 11/28/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
2023 box office takings are still on track to surpass last year’s figures.
The French box office continued its autumn dip in October with 13.86 million tickets sold, down 3.9% from October 2022.
However, an impressive final week of admissions in the month and a strong line-up of films set for release in November and December mean that France’s total 2023 box office should surpass last year’s takings.
The October box office came in at €99.8m, based on an average ticket price of €7.20. This is 26.1% below the pre-pandemic 2017-2019 average.
The October figure is above September’s traditionally low box office which...
The French box office continued its autumn dip in October with 13.86 million tickets sold, down 3.9% from October 2022.
However, an impressive final week of admissions in the month and a strong line-up of films set for release in November and December mean that France’s total 2023 box office should surpass last year’s takings.
The October box office came in at €99.8m, based on an average ticket price of €7.20. This is 26.1% below the pre-pandemic 2017-2019 average.
The October figure is above September’s traditionally low box office which...
- 11/3/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
The world’s most famous gentleman thief is back in Paris and is now France’s most-wanted man. Part 3 of “Lupin” bowed a week ago and took the top spot on the streamer’s Global Top 10.
“Lupin,” which garnered 11.6 million views globally within its first week, stars Omar Sy as Assane Diop, a character inspired by Arsène Lupin, a stylish thief and master of disguise portrayed in Maurice Leblanc’s original 1907 novel.
The escapist Paris-set heist comedy show has been hugely popular since it debuted in January 2021, turning Sy into a global star and bolstering sales of Leblanc’s novel nearly 100 years after the original book was published. Following the premiere of “Lupin,” as many as 140,000 copies of the book sold in France and French-speaking countries and also picked up steam in Italy, Spain, the U.S., the U.K. and Korea. Produced by Gaumont in France, “Lupin” ranks as...
“Lupin,” which garnered 11.6 million views globally within its first week, stars Omar Sy as Assane Diop, a character inspired by Arsène Lupin, a stylish thief and master of disguise portrayed in Maurice Leblanc’s original 1907 novel.
The escapist Paris-set heist comedy show has been hugely popular since it debuted in January 2021, turning Sy into a global star and bolstering sales of Leblanc’s novel nearly 100 years after the original book was published. Following the premiere of “Lupin,” as many as 140,000 copies of the book sold in France and French-speaking countries and also picked up steam in Italy, Spain, the U.S., the U.K. and Korea. Produced by Gaumont in France, “Lupin” ranks as...
- 10/13/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
”“September is always low,” said Fncf’s Marc-Olivier Sebbag, “People have other things to do.”
Despite a promising summer blockbuster boost and August upswing, France’s September box office struggled with just 8.8m ticket sales and a total gross of approximately €63.2m, based on an average ticket price of €7.
The September slump was down 21.1% compared to the pre-pandemic 2017-2019 average and the lowest since 2005 (8.4m).
However it was up 16.1% from last year’s abysmal 7.6m admissions. Last September’s record low marked the worst month at the French box office since 1980, excluding the pandemic-ridden 2020 when cinemas were closed for most of the year.
Despite a promising summer blockbuster boost and August upswing, France’s September box office struggled with just 8.8m ticket sales and a total gross of approximately €63.2m, based on an average ticket price of €7.
The September slump was down 21.1% compared to the pre-pandemic 2017-2019 average and the lowest since 2005 (8.4m).
However it was up 16.1% from last year’s abysmal 7.6m admissions. Last September’s record low marked the worst month at the French box office since 1980, excluding the pandemic-ridden 2020 when cinemas were closed for most of the year.
- 10/4/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Next Goal Wins (Taika Waititi, 2023).The lineup is being unveiled for the 2023 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, starting with 60 selections from the Gala and Special Presentations programs. The festival takes place from September 7–17, 2023.Gala PRESENTATIONSConcrete Utopia (Um Tae-Hwa)Dumb Money (Craig Gillespie)Fair Play (Chloe Domont)Flora and Son (John Carney)Hate to Love: Nickelback (Leigh Brooks)Lee (Ellen Kuras)Next Goal Wins (Taika Waititi)Nyad (Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin)Punjab ’95 (Honey Trehan)Solo (Sophie Dupuis)The End We Start From (Mahalia Belo)The Movie Emperor (Ning Hao)The New Boy (Warwick Thornton) The Royal Hotel (Kitty Green)The Holdovers.Special Presentationsa Difficult Year (Éric Toledano, Olivier Nakache)A Normal Family (Hur Jin-ho)American Fiction (Cord Jefferson)Anatomy of a Fall (Justine Triet)Close to You (Dominic Savage)Days of Happiness (Chloé Robichaud)The Rescue (Daniela Goggi)Ezra (Tony Goldwyn)Fingernails (Christos Nikou)Four Daughters (Kaouther Ben Hania...
- 8/14/2023
- MUBI
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) unveiled its first wave of 60 selections on Monday, July 24. The slate includes 37 world premieres, seven international openings and 12 North American debuts and will be held September 7 – 17, 2023. See the full lineup of films (so far) below.
Among the standouts is “The Holdovers,” a caustic Christmas comedy from “About Schmidt” and “Sideways” writer-director Alexander Payne. Pundits expect the film could emerge from the festival as a major Oscar player in several races, including Best Picture. Craig Gillespie’s “Dumb Money,” a retelling of the GameStop short squeeze starring Paul Dano, and David Yates’ “Pain Hustlers,” a pharma satire with Emily Blunt, could land two previously overlooked actors their first Oscar spotlight.
See 14 most anticipated movies for July include ‘Oppenheimer,’ ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,’ ‘Barbie’ … [Photos]
George C. Wolfe’s “Rustin” is a highly anticipated Civil Rights drama that Gold Derby users currently predict will...
Among the standouts is “The Holdovers,” a caustic Christmas comedy from “About Schmidt” and “Sideways” writer-director Alexander Payne. Pundits expect the film could emerge from the festival as a major Oscar player in several races, including Best Picture. Craig Gillespie’s “Dumb Money,” a retelling of the GameStop short squeeze starring Paul Dano, and David Yates’ “Pain Hustlers,” a pharma satire with Emily Blunt, could land two previously overlooked actors their first Oscar spotlight.
See 14 most anticipated movies for July include ‘Oppenheimer,’ ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,’ ‘Barbie’ … [Photos]
George C. Wolfe’s “Rustin” is a highly anticipated Civil Rights drama that Gold Derby users currently predict will...
- 7/25/2023
- by Ronald Meyer
- Gold Derby
Given the chaos wrought by the SAG-AFTRA strike, Toronto has just announced a surprisingly strong first-wave lineup.
In recent days, festival regulars have been apprehensive about the prospects of starry English-language movies making it to Venice, Toronto and Telluride, especially after the blow Venice was dealt last week when Zendaya starrer Challengers pulled out of its opening slot and moved to a spring 2024 release.
Despite the challenges, TIFF’s Cameron Bailey has managed to pull in an impressive lineup of potential awards contenders and acquisition titles. Among the lineup are Emily Blunt starrer Pain Hustlers, Sony’s Dumb Money, Chris Pine’s directorial debut Poolman, Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers, Anthony Hopkins starrer One Life, Kate Winslet drama Lee, and plenty others. This is in addition to some strong arthouse debuts such as Ladj Ly’s new movie and a handful of Cannes holdovers including Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone Of Interest...
In recent days, festival regulars have been apprehensive about the prospects of starry English-language movies making it to Venice, Toronto and Telluride, especially after the blow Venice was dealt last week when Zendaya starrer Challengers pulled out of its opening slot and moved to a spring 2024 release.
Despite the challenges, TIFF’s Cameron Bailey has managed to pull in an impressive lineup of potential awards contenders and acquisition titles. Among the lineup are Emily Blunt starrer Pain Hustlers, Sony’s Dumb Money, Chris Pine’s directorial debut Poolman, Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers, Anthony Hopkins starrer One Life, Kate Winslet drama Lee, and plenty others. This is in addition to some strong arthouse debuts such as Ladj Ly’s new movie and a handful of Cannes holdovers including Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone Of Interest...
- 7/24/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
After unveiling a few titles, the Toronto International Film Festival has now dropped the initial 60 films taking part in their Galas and Special Presentations line-up when the festival takes place from September 7-17.
Highlights include Bertrand Bonello’s The Beast, Richard Linklater’s Hit Man, Lukas Moodysson’s Together 99, Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers, Michel Franco’s Memory, Kitty Green’s The Royal Hotel, Christos Nikou’s Fingernails, and Ethan Hawke’s Wildcat.
The festival will also feature a number of acclaimed films from earlier this year, including Justine Triet’s Palme d’Or winner Anatomy of a Fall, Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest, Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Monster, Alice Rohrwacher’s La Chimera, Catherine Breillat’s Last Summer, Chloe Dumont’s Fair Play, John Carney’s Flora and Son, and Marco Bellocchio’s Kidnapped, and more.
See the lineup below.
Gala Presentations 2023
*Previously announced
Concrete Utopia Um...
Highlights include Bertrand Bonello’s The Beast, Richard Linklater’s Hit Man, Lukas Moodysson’s Together 99, Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers, Michel Franco’s Memory, Kitty Green’s The Royal Hotel, Christos Nikou’s Fingernails, and Ethan Hawke’s Wildcat.
The festival will also feature a number of acclaimed films from earlier this year, including Justine Triet’s Palme d’Or winner Anatomy of a Fall, Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest, Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Monster, Alice Rohrwacher’s La Chimera, Catherine Breillat’s Last Summer, Chloe Dumont’s Fair Play, John Carney’s Flora and Son, and Marco Bellocchio’s Kidnapped, and more.
See the lineup below.
Gala Presentations 2023
*Previously announced
Concrete Utopia Um...
- 7/24/2023
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
The Toronto International Film Festival is back for another big year.
On Monday, TIFF announced a whopping 60 films in its first wave of titles for the 2023 edition of the festival.
Read More: Toronto International Film Festival 2023: Taika Waititi’s ‘Next Goal Wins’ Is The First Confirmed Title
Spanning both the Gala and Special Presentations sections of the fest, the lineup includes a number of big titles, including 37 world premieres.
“This year’s Galas & Special Presentations showcase a rich tapestry of talent, vision, and storytelling,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF. “From thought-provoking narratives to breathtaking visuals and stories so unreal they have to be real, each work embodies the power of cinema to inspire, challenge, and move audiences. Get ready to experience an unforgettable celebration of film and a memorable and star-studded festival, showcasing the best of global cinema for film lovers in September.”
Several of the films at this...
On Monday, TIFF announced a whopping 60 films in its first wave of titles for the 2023 edition of the festival.
Read More: Toronto International Film Festival 2023: Taika Waititi’s ‘Next Goal Wins’ Is The First Confirmed Title
Spanning both the Gala and Special Presentations sections of the fest, the lineup includes a number of big titles, including 37 world premieres.
“This year’s Galas & Special Presentations showcase a rich tapestry of talent, vision, and storytelling,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF. “From thought-provoking narratives to breathtaking visuals and stories so unreal they have to be real, each work embodies the power of cinema to inspire, challenge, and move audiences. Get ready to experience an unforgettable celebration of film and a memorable and star-studded festival, showcasing the best of global cinema for film lovers in September.”
Several of the films at this...
- 7/24/2023
- by Corey Atad
- ET Canada
Films directed by actors Michael Keaton, Chris Pine, Viggo Mortensen, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ethan Hawke, Tony Goldwyn and Anna Kendrick will screen at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF organizers announced on Monday as they unveiled the first group of films in the festival’s Gala and Special Presentations sections.
Keaton, Goldwyn, Kendrick, Mortensen, Pine and Thomas will present the world premieres of their films – Keaton with “Knox Goes Away,” Goldwyn with “Ezra,” Kendrick with “Woman of the Hour,” Mortensen with “The Dead Don’t Hurt,” Pine with “Poolman” and Thomas with “North Star.” Hawke’s film, “Wildcat,” will make its international premiere in Toronto, meaning it will likely screen at the Telluride Film Festival just before TIFF.
Films that will receive their world premieres in Toronto include Craig Gillespie’s “Dumb Money,” with Paul Dano and Pete Davidson; Ellen Kuras’ “Lee,” with Kate Winslet; David Yates’ “Pain Hustlers,” with Emily Blunt...
Keaton, Goldwyn, Kendrick, Mortensen, Pine and Thomas will present the world premieres of their films – Keaton with “Knox Goes Away,” Goldwyn with “Ezra,” Kendrick with “Woman of the Hour,” Mortensen with “The Dead Don’t Hurt,” Pine with “Poolman” and Thomas with “North Star.” Hawke’s film, “Wildcat,” will make its international premiere in Toronto, meaning it will likely screen at the Telluride Film Festival just before TIFF.
Films that will receive their world premieres in Toronto include Craig Gillespie’s “Dumb Money,” with Paul Dano and Pete Davidson; Ellen Kuras’ “Lee,” with Kate Winslet; David Yates’ “Pain Hustlers,” with Emily Blunt...
- 7/24/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Two labor strikes may be upending Hollywood’s awards season and the film festivals that serve as launching pads for many Oscar contenders, but the Toronto International Film Festival signaled Monday that it still plans to showcase the best in cinema, unveiling its 2023 slate of movies.
Alexander Payne, Richard Linklater, Kore-eda Hirokazu and Justine Triet are among the auteurs who will be screening their latest works at the festival. Payne will be on hand with “The Holdovers,” a comedy set in a boarding school that reunites him with “Sideways” star Paul Giamatti, while Linklater is showing “Hit Man,” an action-comedy with Glen Powell and Adria Arjona. Kore-eda and Triet will screen “Monster” and “Anatomy of a Fall,” both of which premiered at Cannes, where the latter won the Palme d’Or.
All told, the festival’s first wave of selections includes 60 films, representing 70 countries around the world. But the lineup...
Alexander Payne, Richard Linklater, Kore-eda Hirokazu and Justine Triet are among the auteurs who will be screening their latest works at the festival. Payne will be on hand with “The Holdovers,” a comedy set in a boarding school that reunites him with “Sideways” star Paul Giamatti, while Linklater is showing “Hit Man,” an action-comedy with Glen Powell and Adria Arjona. Kore-eda and Triet will screen “Monster” and “Anatomy of a Fall,” both of which premiered at Cannes, where the latter won the Palme d’Or.
All told, the festival’s first wave of selections includes 60 films, representing 70 countries around the world. But the lineup...
- 7/24/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
All film festivals face a challenged season ahead as most onscreen talent will be forced to sit this one out due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Just last week, MGM and Luca Guadagnino yanked “Challengers” from the Venice opening night slot and shifted the movie entirely to April of next year.
But the Toronto International Film Festival forges ahead with a nevertheless starry lineup this year of 60 films across the Galas and Special Presentations sections, as announced Monday morning. The festival has not made an opening night selection but has so far also programmed Taika Waititi’s “Next Goal Wins” and Ladj Ly’s “Les Indésirables.”
Among the world premieres are Ellen Kuras’ “Lee,” starring Kate Winslet as war photographer Lee Miller and Andy Samberg as Life Magazine photographer David E. Scherman; Viggo Mortensen’s directorial effort “The Dead Don’t Hurt,” a Western starring himself and Vicky Krieps; Craig Gillespie...
But the Toronto International Film Festival forges ahead with a nevertheless starry lineup this year of 60 films across the Galas and Special Presentations sections, as announced Monday morning. The festival has not made an opening night selection but has so far also programmed Taika Waititi’s “Next Goal Wins” and Ladj Ly’s “Les Indésirables.”
Among the world premieres are Ellen Kuras’ “Lee,” starring Kate Winslet as war photographer Lee Miller and Andy Samberg as Life Magazine photographer David E. Scherman; Viggo Mortensen’s directorial effort “The Dead Don’t Hurt,” a Western starring himself and Vicky Krieps; Craig Gillespie...
- 7/24/2023
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
French cinema guilds L’Arp and La Srf have put out a joint statement declaring solidarity with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Many of the demands around value sharing and A.I. regulation of the Hollywood writers and actors, who went on strike on May 2 and July 14 respectively, chime with long-running battles of the two organizations in France.
“This double social movement, a first since 1960 in Hollywood, is the sign of a major turning point, where the issues of value sharing, the integration of new models and artificial intelligence are central,” the bodies in a joint statement, issued on Thursday.
“At the heart of these demands, is the future of our sector. To guarantee that authors and artists continue to emerge and renew creation, we must on the one hand adapt value-sharing to new distribution models, so that the transition from linear does not lead to a weakening of creators,” it continued.
Many of the demands around value sharing and A.I. regulation of the Hollywood writers and actors, who went on strike on May 2 and July 14 respectively, chime with long-running battles of the two organizations in France.
“This double social movement, a first since 1960 in Hollywood, is the sign of a major turning point, where the issues of value sharing, the integration of new models and artificial intelligence are central,” the bodies in a joint statement, issued on Thursday.
“At the heart of these demands, is the future of our sector. To guarantee that authors and artists continue to emerge and renew creation, we must on the one hand adapt value-sharing to new distribution models, so that the transition from linear does not lead to a weakening of creators,” it continued.
- 7/20/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Lucas Bernard’s romantic comedy ’In The Sub For Love’ is another new acquisition for French studio.
French studio Gaumont has unveiled a hefty genre-hopping Cannes slate complete with all new acquisitions Gilles de Maistre’s family adventure Moon The Panda, Stéphane Brizé’s romance drama Out Of Season and Lucas Bernard’s romantic comedy In The Sub For Love in addition to a slew of market premieres and official selection festival titles.
New acquisitions
Moon The Panda is the latest film from the master of the human-animal adventure tale Gilles de Maistre following Mia And The White Lion and The Wolf And The Lion.
French studio Gaumont has unveiled a hefty genre-hopping Cannes slate complete with all new acquisitions Gilles de Maistre’s family adventure Moon The Panda, Stéphane Brizé’s romance drama Out Of Season and Lucas Bernard’s romantic comedy In The Sub For Love in addition to a slew of market premieres and official selection festival titles.
New acquisitions
Moon The Panda is the latest film from the master of the human-animal adventure tale Gilles de Maistre following Mia And The White Lion and The Wolf And The Lion.
- 5/10/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
In keeping with tradition, the 2023 edition of Cannes Classics promises to be a feast for cineastes with tributes to global masters and restored versions of all-time classics.
Cannes Classics’ Memories of Jean-Luc Godard strand pays homage to the master who died in 2022 by screening a restored version of “Contempt” (1963); “Godard by Godard,” a self-portrait of the auteur; and the world premiere of “Phony Wars,” a trailer for a film that will never get made, described by the festival as a venture where the filmmaker “transformed his synopses into aesthetic programs.”
Liv Ullman will be present at the strand with “Liv Ullmann – A Road Less Travelled,” a documentary directed by Dheeraj Akolkar.
Japanese master Ozu Yasujiro will be paid tribute to with screenings of “Record of a Tenement Gentleman” (1947) and “The Munekata Sisters” (1950) off restored prints. “Return to Reason” – where four films of painter, photographer and director Man Ray have been...
Cannes Classics’ Memories of Jean-Luc Godard strand pays homage to the master who died in 2022 by screening a restored version of “Contempt” (1963); “Godard by Godard,” a self-portrait of the auteur; and the world premiere of “Phony Wars,” a trailer for a film that will never get made, described by the festival as a venture where the filmmaker “transformed his synopses into aesthetic programs.”
Liv Ullman will be present at the strand with “Liv Ullmann – A Road Less Travelled,” a documentary directed by Dheeraj Akolkar.
Japanese master Ozu Yasujiro will be paid tribute to with screenings of “Record of a Tenement Gentleman” (1947) and “The Munekata Sisters” (1950) off restored prints. “Return to Reason” – where four films of painter, photographer and director Man Ray have been...
- 5/5/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Series is adaptation of diaries of Dutch author Etty Hillesum, who was murdered in Auschwitz.
Hagai Levi, showrunner of The Affair and Scenes From A Marriage, is writing and will direct the series The Girl Who Learned How to Kneel, which is being produced by Arte France with France’s Les Films du Poisson and the Netherlands’ Topkapi Films.
The loose adaptation of the diaries of Dutch author Etty Hillesum is set in Amsterdam in the late 1930s and early 1940s during the German occupation before she was deported and murdered in Auschwitz. Hillesum was 27 when she wrote the diaries,...
Hagai Levi, showrunner of The Affair and Scenes From A Marriage, is writing and will direct the series The Girl Who Learned How to Kneel, which is being produced by Arte France with France’s Les Films du Poisson and the Netherlands’ Topkapi Films.
The loose adaptation of the diaries of Dutch author Etty Hillesum is set in Amsterdam in the late 1930s and early 1940s during the German occupation before she was deported and murdered in Auschwitz. Hillesum was 27 when she wrote the diaries,...
- 3/24/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Series is adaptation of diaries of Dutch author Etty Hillesum, who was murdered in Auschwitz.
Hagai Levi, showrunner ofThe Affair and Scenes From A Marriage, is writing and will direct the series The Girl Who Learned How to Kneel, which is being produced by Arte France with France’s Les Films du Poisson and the Netherlands’ Topkapi Films.
The loose adaptation of the diaries of Dutch author Etty Hillesum is set in Amsterdam in the late 1930s and early 1940s during the German occupation before she was deported and murdered in Auschwitz. Hillesum was just over age 40 when she wrote the diaries,...
Hagai Levi, showrunner ofThe Affair and Scenes From A Marriage, is writing and will direct the series The Girl Who Learned How to Kneel, which is being produced by Arte France with France’s Les Films du Poisson and the Netherlands’ Topkapi Films.
The loose adaptation of the diaries of Dutch author Etty Hillesum is set in Amsterdam in the late 1930s and early 1940s during the German occupation before she was deported and murdered in Auschwitz. Hillesum was just over age 40 when she wrote the diaries,...
- 3/24/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Woody Allen’s ’Wasp 2022,’ ’Murder Mystery 2’ and Apple TV+’s Benjamin Franklin biopic among the prestige projects to shoot.
Paris enjoyed record levels of production in 2022, with 102 features and 68 series filmed in the city throughout the year.
The French capital saw 7,500 shooting days, up from 2021’s then-record 7,000 shooting days. In 2019, before the pandemic, Paris registered 5,000 days of shooting.
Feature film production dipped slightly from 110 films in 2021, but series were up from 64 the previous year.
Among the major international titles filming in Paris were Woody Allen’s Coup De Chance, rumoured to be the prolific director’s 50th and last film.
Paris enjoyed record levels of production in 2022, with 102 features and 68 series filmed in the city throughout the year.
The French capital saw 7,500 shooting days, up from 2021’s then-record 7,000 shooting days. In 2019, before the pandemic, Paris registered 5,000 days of shooting.
Feature film production dipped slightly from 110 films in 2021, but series were up from 64 the previous year.
Among the major international titles filming in Paris were Woody Allen’s Coup De Chance, rumoured to be the prolific director’s 50th and last film.
- 2/10/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Gaumont has enlisted distributors in major European markets and beyond for “A Difficult Year,” a topical comedy directed by Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, the French filmmaking duo behind the smash hit “Intouchables.”
Deals were scored on the heels at the Unifrance Rendez-Vous showcase in Paris, where Gaumont unveiled the film’s promo to buyers with Toledano and Nakache on hand.
“A Difficult Year” has now been sold to Spain (A Contracorriente), Belgium and Netherlands (Cineart), Italy (iWonder), Germany and Austria (Weltkino), Poland (Gutek), Switzerland (Ascot Elite), Greece (Feelgood), Hungary (Mozinet), Czech Republic, Slovakia (Aerofilms), Portugal (Nos), Scandinavia (Scanbox), Romania (Independenta) and Israel (Lev).
Gaumont will next present the promo at the Berlinale’s European Film Market where it will be closing further sales.
Toledano and Nakache’s eighth feature, “A Difficult Year” is bolstered by an ensemble cast including Jonathan Cohen, Pio Marmaï, Noémie Merlant and Mathieu Amalric. The...
Deals were scored on the heels at the Unifrance Rendez-Vous showcase in Paris, where Gaumont unveiled the film’s promo to buyers with Toledano and Nakache on hand.
“A Difficult Year” has now been sold to Spain (A Contracorriente), Belgium and Netherlands (Cineart), Italy (iWonder), Germany and Austria (Weltkino), Poland (Gutek), Switzerland (Ascot Elite), Greece (Feelgood), Hungary (Mozinet), Czech Republic, Slovakia (Aerofilms), Portugal (Nos), Scandinavia (Scanbox), Romania (Independenta) and Israel (Lev).
Gaumont will next present the promo at the Berlinale’s European Film Market where it will be closing further sales.
Toledano and Nakache’s eighth feature, “A Difficult Year” is bolstered by an ensemble cast including Jonathan Cohen, Pio Marmaï, Noémie Merlant and Mathieu Amalric. The...
- 1/25/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, the French filmmaking duo best known for their smash hit comedy “Intouchables,” are wrapping up their eighth feature, “A Difficult Year,” which Gaumont teased to buyers at the Unifrance Rendez-Vous last week. The topical comedy is bolstered by an ensemble cast including Jonathan Cohen, Pio Marmaï, Noémie Merlant and Mathieu Amalric. “A Difficult Year” reteams Toledano and Nakache with their longtime producers at Quad Films. The pair also co-produced through their banner Ten Cinema, alongside Gaumont.
Highlighting growing contradictions within our society, “A Difficult Year” follows two compulsive spenders, Albert and Bruno, who are in debt up to their necks. While seeking help from community workers to get their lives back on track, Albert and Bruno run into a group of young green activists. Lured by the free beer and snacks rather than by the ideals of these eco-activists, Albert and Bruno find themselves joining the movement without much conviction.
Highlighting growing contradictions within our society, “A Difficult Year” follows two compulsive spenders, Albert and Bruno, who are in debt up to their necks. While seeking help from community workers to get their lives back on track, Albert and Bruno run into a group of young green activists. Lured by the free beer and snacks rather than by the ideals of these eco-activists, Albert and Bruno find themselves joining the movement without much conviction.
- 1/16/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Studio executives, renowned directors, and a crop of rising young talent huddled below crystal chandeliers in Paris’ Palais Royal on Thursday, turning out to fête “Benedetta” star Virginie Efira as she received the Unifrance French Cinema Award – a prize honoring those who carry the banner for Gallic cinema across the globe – in the presence of Unifrance president Serge Toubiana and the country’s Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul Malak.
Organized as part of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris, the ceremony drew a fittingly international crowd, with filmmakers Emily Atef, Juho Kuosmanen, Sergei Loznitsa and Albert Serra joining “Athena” star Dali Benssalah, “Forever Young” lead Nadia Tereszkiewicz, “Mother and Son” breakout Annabelle Lengronne and “Everybody Loves Jeanne” director Céline Devaux for an intimate reception held in opulent surroundings.
Abdul Malak kicked off the Efira tribute with a victory lap of sorts, boasting about local theatrical attendance rates – which, with only 29 lost...
Organized as part of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris, the ceremony drew a fittingly international crowd, with filmmakers Emily Atef, Juho Kuosmanen, Sergei Loznitsa and Albert Serra joining “Athena” star Dali Benssalah, “Forever Young” lead Nadia Tereszkiewicz, “Mother and Son” breakout Annabelle Lengronne and “Everybody Loves Jeanne” director Céline Devaux for an intimate reception held in opulent surroundings.
Abdul Malak kicked off the Efira tribute with a victory lap of sorts, boasting about local theatrical attendance rates – which, with only 29 lost...
- 1/14/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Virginie Efira, the prolific actor of “Benedetta” who emceed last year’s Cannes Film Festival, will receive the French Cinema Award during the Unifrance Rendez-Vous, a week-long showcase of French movies.
The honorary award will pay tribute to the local and international success of Efira, who was born in Belgium but has become one of France’s most popular and bankable actors. Her recent credits include Alice Winocour’s “Revoir Paris” which played at Cannes, and Rebecca Zlotowski’s “Les enfants des autres” which competed Venice. Both movies were successful at the French box office and sold around the world. Efira has seen her career take off since working with Justine Triet for “Victoria” and “Sybil,” and Paul Verhoeven for “Elle” and “Benedetta.” She has been delivering consistently strong performances in films by some of the most exciting directors in France, from Zlotowski to Winocour, Triet, Regis Roinsard and Serge Bozon.
The honorary award will pay tribute to the local and international success of Efira, who was born in Belgium but has become one of France’s most popular and bankable actors. Her recent credits include Alice Winocour’s “Revoir Paris” which played at Cannes, and Rebecca Zlotowski’s “Les enfants des autres” which competed Venice. Both movies were successful at the French box office and sold around the world. Efira has seen her career take off since working with Justine Triet for “Victoria” and “Sybil,” and Paul Verhoeven for “Elle” and “Benedetta.” She has been delivering consistently strong performances in films by some of the most exciting directors in France, from Zlotowski to Winocour, Triet, Regis Roinsard and Serge Bozon.
- 1/5/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Ziad Doueiri, the French-Lebanese filmmaker of the Oscar-nominated movie “The Insult” who made his TV debut with the hit series “Baron Noir,” will next direct “Fièvre” (“Fever”).
“Fièvre” was penned by “Baron Noir” screenwriter Eric Benzekri and has been co-developed by French pay TV group Canal+’s Creation Originale label.
The show is being produced by Quad, the Paris-based company behind Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache’s “Intouchables” and the series “The Bonfire of Destiny.”
“Fievre” is headlined by two female characters played by Nina Meurisse, who notably starred in Celine Sciamma’s Berlinale competition film “Petite Maman,” and Julia Piaton, from Emmanuel Mouret’s “Love Affair(s)” which was part of Cannes 2020’s official selection.
Doueiri told Variety that the series will follow a woman who leads a crisis management firm and comes across a massive scandal involving a Black soccer player who beat the team’s coach, who is white.
“Fièvre” was penned by “Baron Noir” screenwriter Eric Benzekri and has been co-developed by French pay TV group Canal+’s Creation Originale label.
The show is being produced by Quad, the Paris-based company behind Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache’s “Intouchables” and the series “The Bonfire of Destiny.”
“Fievre” is headlined by two female characters played by Nina Meurisse, who notably starred in Celine Sciamma’s Berlinale competition film “Petite Maman,” and Julia Piaton, from Emmanuel Mouret’s “Love Affair(s)” which was part of Cannes 2020’s official selection.
Doueiri told Variety that the series will follow a woman who leads a crisis management firm and comes across a massive scandal involving a Black soccer player who beat the team’s coach, who is white.
- 10/17/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Cécile Gaget, a former senior executive at Anton Capital and Gaumont, is set to join Wild Bunch as head of film.
It’s a new era for Wild Bunch, which was previously co-headed by Vincent Maraval, Vincent Grimond and Brahim Chioua. It’s now led by Ron Meyer, a veteran studio chief and CAA co-founder, and Sophie Jordan, a former beIN Media Group executive.
Gaget will lead the film group reporting to Meyer and Jordan. Gaget, who is well-regarded in the industry and enjoys close relationships with talent, will be overseeing French acquisitions, distribution and local production. She’ll also be ramping up an international production slate, including English-speaking projects for Wild Bunch Ag, who will act as producer and financier.
Gaget is joining from Anton, where she began working in 2020 as president of international production and distribution, helping the banner ramp up the slate production and sales team. She...
It’s a new era for Wild Bunch, which was previously co-headed by Vincent Maraval, Vincent Grimond and Brahim Chioua. It’s now led by Ron Meyer, a veteran studio chief and CAA co-founder, and Sophie Jordan, a former beIN Media Group executive.
Gaget will lead the film group reporting to Meyer and Jordan. Gaget, who is well-regarded in the industry and enjoys close relationships with talent, will be overseeing French acquisitions, distribution and local production. She’ll also be ramping up an international production slate, including English-speaking projects for Wild Bunch Ag, who will act as producer and financier.
Gaget is joining from Anton, where she began working in 2020 as president of international production and distribution, helping the banner ramp up the slate production and sales team. She...
- 9/1/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
International sales and production veteran Cécile Gaget has been appointed as Head of Film at leading European indie studio Wild Bunch, as it expands under the leadership of CEO Ron Meyer and co-ceo Sophie Jordan.
Gaget, who takes up her role today (September 1), will lead the studio’s film group and report to Meyer and Jordan.
Her focus will be overseeing French acquisitions, distribution and local production as well as building an international production slate including English-speaking projects for Wild Bunch, which will act as producer and financier.
The appointment comes amid a period of great change for the company following the surprise arrival of veteran studio chief and CAA co-founder Meyer and former beIN Media Group executive Jordan as CEO and co-ceo last November.
“I am very excited to join Wild Bunch and work along with Sophie and Ron to be part of the company’s dynamic next chapter.
Gaget, who takes up her role today (September 1), will lead the studio’s film group and report to Meyer and Jordan.
Her focus will be overseeing French acquisitions, distribution and local production as well as building an international production slate including English-speaking projects for Wild Bunch, which will act as producer and financier.
The appointment comes amid a period of great change for the company following the surprise arrival of veteran studio chief and CAA co-founder Meyer and former beIN Media Group executive Jordan as CEO and co-ceo last November.
“I am very excited to join Wild Bunch and work along with Sophie and Ron to be part of the company’s dynamic next chapter.
- 9/1/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Gaumont has locked major territory deals on “Father & Soldier,” Mathieu Vadepied’s WWI action-drama about headlined by “Lupin” star Omar Sy. The movie world premiered on opening night of Cannes’ Un Certain Regard.
“Father & Soldier” has sold to Latin America (Synapse Distribution/Leda Films), Germany and Austria (Weltkino), Switzerland (Ascot Elite), Spain (A Contracorriente), Italy (Minerva), Benelux (Athena), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Former Yugoslavia (Cinemania Group), Indonesia (Falcon) and French-speaking Africa (Pathe BC Africa).
Exploring Africa’s forgotten war heroes, the film opens during in 1917, in the French colony of Senegal. Sy stars as Bakary, a father who enlists in the army to stick by Thierno, his 17-year-old son, who was recruited against his will. Together, father and son must fight in the trenches in France.
Vadepied made his directorial debut with 2015’s “Learn by Heart,” which world premiered at Cannes’ Critics’ Week. Vadepied also worked as the artistic...
“Father & Soldier” has sold to Latin America (Synapse Distribution/Leda Films), Germany and Austria (Weltkino), Switzerland (Ascot Elite), Spain (A Contracorriente), Italy (Minerva), Benelux (Athena), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Former Yugoslavia (Cinemania Group), Indonesia (Falcon) and French-speaking Africa (Pathe BC Africa).
Exploring Africa’s forgotten war heroes, the film opens during in 1917, in the French colony of Senegal. Sy stars as Bakary, a father who enlists in the army to stick by Thierno, his 17-year-old son, who was recruited against his will. Together, father and son must fight in the trenches in France.
Vadepied made his directorial debut with 2015’s “Learn by Heart,” which world premiered at Cannes’ Critics’ Week. Vadepied also worked as the artistic...
- 5/21/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
A new documentary about “The Power of the Dog” director Jane Campion has been picked up for sales by WestEnd Films and Cinephil.
Directed by César Award-winning “Since Otar Left…” helmer Julie Bertuccelli, “Jane Campion, The Cinema Woman” is screening as part of the Cannes Classics line-up.
The New Zealand director was the first woman to win the Palme d’Or at Cannes, for “The Piano,” and this year won the best director Oscar for her Netflix western “The Power of the Dog.” Bertuccelli’s documentary on the 68-year-old filmmaker, which spans 40 years, is described as “the portrait [Campion] deserves, in a film that is unapologetically subjective and offbeat, very much mirroring [Campion’s] own trailblazing journey in cinema and life.”
The film is produced by Academy Award nominee Estelle Fialon, and crew members include editors Laure Gardette and Svetlana Vaynblat (“Flickering Ghosts of Loves Gone By”), as well as César Award-winning sound editor and mixer Olivier Goinard.
Directed by César Award-winning “Since Otar Left…” helmer Julie Bertuccelli, “Jane Campion, The Cinema Woman” is screening as part of the Cannes Classics line-up.
The New Zealand director was the first woman to win the Palme d’Or at Cannes, for “The Piano,” and this year won the best director Oscar for her Netflix western “The Power of the Dog.” Bertuccelli’s documentary on the 68-year-old filmmaker, which spans 40 years, is described as “the portrait [Campion] deserves, in a film that is unapologetically subjective and offbeat, very much mirroring [Campion’s] own trailblazing journey in cinema and life.”
The film is produced by Academy Award nominee Estelle Fialon, and crew members include editors Laure Gardette and Svetlana Vaynblat (“Flickering Ghosts of Loves Gone By”), as well as César Award-winning sound editor and mixer Olivier Goinard.
- 5/6/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Cedric Jimenez’s action thriller “The Stronghold” won the Cesar Award which was voted on by nearly 2,000 students from French high schools in France, the U.K., Mayotte and Japan.
The Studiocanal film, which was produced by Hugo Sélignac at Chi-Fou-Mi Productions, a Mediawan company, was nominated for seven Cesar Awards, including best film and two actor nods. Both Jimenez and Selignac were honored at the ceremony which was attended by the Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer and Veronique Cayla, the president of the Cesar Academy.
Headlined by a French cast comprising Gilles Lellouche, Francois Civil, Karim Leklou, Adele Exarchopoulos (“Blue Is the Warmest Color”) and Kenza Fortas, “The Stronghold” is inspired by a true story and follows a police brigade in a crime-ridden neighborhood of Marseille.
After world premiering at the Cannes Film Festival, the film was released in French theaters by Studiocanal and became one of 2021’s rare local box office hits,...
The Studiocanal film, which was produced by Hugo Sélignac at Chi-Fou-Mi Productions, a Mediawan company, was nominated for seven Cesar Awards, including best film and two actor nods. Both Jimenez and Selignac were honored at the ceremony which was attended by the Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer and Veronique Cayla, the president of the Cesar Academy.
Headlined by a French cast comprising Gilles Lellouche, Francois Civil, Karim Leklou, Adele Exarchopoulos (“Blue Is the Warmest Color”) and Kenza Fortas, “The Stronghold” is inspired by a true story and follows a police brigade in a crime-ridden neighborhood of Marseille.
After world premiering at the Cannes Film Festival, the film was released in French theaters by Studiocanal and became one of 2021’s rare local box office hits,...
- 3/10/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The 14th annual ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York kicks off April 7 and runs through April 13 as a hybrid with both in-person and virtual events. ReelAbilities is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expression of people with disabilities.
The 2022 edition boasts a dozen features and more than 25 shorts, plus post-screening discussion, presented by Pfizer, and other events aimed at opening dialogue and discussion.
“The Specials” (pictured above), starring Vincent Cassel, Reda Kateb, Helene Vincent and Brian Mialoudama opens the festival. The drama, from acclaimed duo Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano (“The Intouchables”) tells the story of two close friends who have combined their nonprofits to train youth in underprivileged areas to be caregivers for autistic children and teens. Although the program runs into challenges the power of unity, compassion and acceptance within the program prove exceptional.
Closing night film is Brian Malone and Regan Linton’s documentary “Imperfect,...
The 2022 edition boasts a dozen features and more than 25 shorts, plus post-screening discussion, presented by Pfizer, and other events aimed at opening dialogue and discussion.
“The Specials” (pictured above), starring Vincent Cassel, Reda Kateb, Helene Vincent and Brian Mialoudama opens the festival. The drama, from acclaimed duo Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano (“The Intouchables”) tells the story of two close friends who have combined their nonprofits to train youth in underprivileged areas to be caregivers for autistic children and teens. Although the program runs into challenges the power of unity, compassion and acceptance within the program prove exceptional.
Closing night film is Brian Malone and Regan Linton’s documentary “Imperfect,...
- 3/2/2022
- by Carole Horst
- Variety Film + TV
Orange Studio has signed a two-year distribution deal with the aggregation company Under The Milky Way. The pact will allow the outfit to handle the distribution of titles from Orange Studio’s library across English-speaking territories as well as Latin America on transactional VOD services such as Amazon, PlutoTV, Roku and Tubi.
The first films which are part of the deal are Philipe Lacheau’s “City Hunter,” Olivier Nakache et Eric Toledano’s “Tellement Proches,” Riad Sattouf’s “Beaux gosses,” Bertrand Tavernier’s “Death Watch” (pictured), and Bertrand Blier’s “Going Places.”
“This new partnership with Under The Milky Way will give us the opportunity to increase the international visibility of our films and reach new audiences on VOD services that are currently booming,” said Kristina Zimmermann, managing director of Orange Studio.
Alexis de Rendinger, the co-founder of Under The Milky Way, said this deal with Orange Studio will give...
The first films which are part of the deal are Philipe Lacheau’s “City Hunter,” Olivier Nakache et Eric Toledano’s “Tellement Proches,” Riad Sattouf’s “Beaux gosses,” Bertrand Tavernier’s “Death Watch” (pictured), and Bertrand Blier’s “Going Places.”
“This new partnership with Under The Milky Way will give us the opportunity to increase the international visibility of our films and reach new audiences on VOD services that are currently booming,” said Kristina Zimmermann, managing director of Orange Studio.
Alexis de Rendinger, the co-founder of Under The Milky Way, said this deal with Orange Studio will give...
- 2/10/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Orange Studio, the film and TV production and distribution arm of France’s leading telco group, is launching a trio of new projects, “The Nannies,” “The Green Perfume” and “A Cat’s Life,” at the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris.
“The Nannies” (“Les femmes du square”), directed by Julien Rambaldi (“Labor Day”), stars Eye Haïdara (“C’est la Vie”) as Angèle, a young undocumented woman in her thirties who lives on the outskirts of Paris. Threatened by gangsters she conned, Angèle decides to leave her neighborhood and starts working as a nanny for Hélène’s 10-year-old son in a chic Parisian area. Although she’s supposed to keep a low profile, Angèle meets other nannies, some of whom are being taken advantage of, and sets out to help them. Haïdara stars in the film opposite Ahmed Sylla (“The Climb”) and Léa Drucker (“Custody”).
“The Nannies” is produced by Les Films du Kiosque,...
“The Nannies” (“Les femmes du square”), directed by Julien Rambaldi (“Labor Day”), stars Eye Haïdara (“C’est la Vie”) as Angèle, a young undocumented woman in her thirties who lives on the outskirts of Paris. Threatened by gangsters she conned, Angèle decides to leave her neighborhood and starts working as a nanny for Hélène’s 10-year-old son in a chic Parisian area. Although she’s supposed to keep a low profile, Angèle meets other nannies, some of whom are being taken advantage of, and sets out to help them. Haïdara stars in the film opposite Ahmed Sylla (“The Climb”) and Léa Drucker (“Custody”).
“The Nannies” is produced by Les Films du Kiosque,...
- 1/12/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix’s hit series “Lupin” is currently shooting its highly anticipated third instalment in Paris with French star Omar Sy reprising his role as Assane Diop, a character inspired by the world famous gentleman thief and master of disguise, Arsène Lupin. The show is Netflix’s second biggest international hit after “Squid Game.”
The production was announced on Thursday by both Netflix and Sy on their respective Twitter accounts. Sy, who is now based in Los Angeles, posted a selfie with his staple bright smile against a rooftop view of Paris, with a caption that reads “Feels good being home! Lupin, Part 3, now in production.”
Ici, c’est (toujours) Paris !
Lupin, Partie 3, tournage en cours.
Feels good being home !
Lupin, Part 3, now in production. pic.twitter.com/I8APTx2lV1
— Omar Sy (@OmarSy) November 18, 2021
Netflix posted the same picture to announce the production, with a caption that reads: “Guess who...
The production was announced on Thursday by both Netflix and Sy on their respective Twitter accounts. Sy, who is now based in Los Angeles, posted a selfie with his staple bright smile against a rooftop view of Paris, with a caption that reads “Feels good being home! Lupin, Part 3, now in production.”
Ici, c’est (toujours) Paris !
Lupin, Partie 3, tournage en cours.
Feels good being home !
Lupin, Part 3, now in production. pic.twitter.com/I8APTx2lV1
— Omar Sy (@OmarSy) November 18, 2021
Netflix posted the same picture to announce the production, with a caption that reads: “Guess who...
- 11/18/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
“Lupin” star Omar Sy is re-teaming with Gaumont on his big screen comeback with “Father & Soldier,” a politically minded WWI action-drama about family bonds and Africa’s forgotten war heroes.
Shooting now in France, the film is being helmed by Mathieu Vadepied, who made his directorial debut with “Learn by Heart,” which world premiered at Cannes’ Critics Week. Vadepied also worked as the artistic director and cinematographer on “Untouchable,” Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano’s 2010 comedy smash hit which marked Sy’s acting breakthrough and earned him a Cesar nod.
The story opens during the First World War, in 1917, in the French colony of Senegal. Sy stars as Bakary, a father who enlists in the army to stick by Thierno, his 17-year-old son, who was recruited against his will. Together, father and son must fight the First World War in the trenches in France. Thierno is ready to sacrifice his life to fight for France,...
Shooting now in France, the film is being helmed by Mathieu Vadepied, who made his directorial debut with “Learn by Heart,” which world premiered at Cannes’ Critics Week. Vadepied also worked as the artistic director and cinematographer on “Untouchable,” Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano’s 2010 comedy smash hit which marked Sy’s acting breakthrough and earned him a Cesar nod.
The story opens during the First World War, in 1917, in the French colony of Senegal. Sy stars as Bakary, a father who enlists in the army to stick by Thierno, his 17-year-old son, who was recruited against his will. Together, father and son must fight the First World War in the trenches in France. Thierno is ready to sacrifice his life to fight for France,...
- 10/26/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Rolling off the smashing success of “Lupin,” Netflix and French star Omar Sy have entered a multi-year feature film deal. It’s the streamer’s first deal with a French talent or filmmaker.
The partnership will see Sy’s Paris and L.A.-based production company develop original films for Netflix, with Sy starring in and acting as executive producer on the projects.
“I have experienced Netflix’s collaboration with artists and their passion to bring unique and diverse stories to homes all over the world,” said Sy, who was a creative producer on some episodes of “Lupin.”
Sy added that he was “happy to have the opportunity to extend the relationship and look forward to this next step of our journey together.” Sy broke through with Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano’s hit comedy “The Intouchables” a decade ago, which marked his first leading role after many years in acting.
The partnership will see Sy’s Paris and L.A.-based production company develop original films for Netflix, with Sy starring in and acting as executive producer on the projects.
“I have experienced Netflix’s collaboration with artists and their passion to bring unique and diverse stories to homes all over the world,” said Sy, who was a creative producer on some episodes of “Lupin.”
Sy added that he was “happy to have the opportunity to extend the relationship and look forward to this next step of our journey together.” Sy broke through with Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano’s hit comedy “The Intouchables” a decade ago, which marked his first leading role after many years in acting.
- 10/12/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy and Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Colcoa, the L.A.-based French film and series festival, has unveiled the television section of its upcoming 25th anniversary edition.
“In Treatment,” Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache’s French adaptation of the original Israeli series “BeTipul”; Julie Delpy’s series debut “On The Verge”; and “Germinal,” the 19th century-set ambitious period series adapted from Emile Zola’s masterpiece created by Julien Lilti (“Hippocrate”) are among the nine TV titles set to have their North American premiere at Colcoa.
The other series set to compete at Colcoa include “High Intellectual Potential” starring Audrey Fleurot (“Spiral”) as an intractable cleaning lady-turned-ace detective and “Nona and her Daughters,” co-written and directed by Valerie Donzelli (“Declaration of War”).
Set to take place Nov. 1-7 at the DGA, the festival will showcase 12 programs, including seven series, four TV movies and one documentary. The section is being backed by Titrafilm and has enlisted some of France’s top companies,...
“In Treatment,” Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache’s French adaptation of the original Israeli series “BeTipul”; Julie Delpy’s series debut “On The Verge”; and “Germinal,” the 19th century-set ambitious period series adapted from Emile Zola’s masterpiece created by Julien Lilti (“Hippocrate”) are among the nine TV titles set to have their North American premiere at Colcoa.
The other series set to compete at Colcoa include “High Intellectual Potential” starring Audrey Fleurot (“Spiral”) as an intractable cleaning lady-turned-ace detective and “Nona and her Daughters,” co-written and directed by Valerie Donzelli (“Declaration of War”).
Set to take place Nov. 1-7 at the DGA, the festival will showcase 12 programs, including seven series, four TV movies and one documentary. The section is being backed by Titrafilm and has enlisted some of France’s top companies,...
- 9/24/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The 74th Cannes Film Festival has unveiled its jury which includes five women; a majority in the nine-person group including President Spike Lee.
The jury includes French-Senegalese actor-director Mati Diop whose 2019 movie Atlantics took home the Grand Prix from the festival; Crazy Heart Oscar nominated actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, French Inglorious Basterds actress Mélanie Laurent, Austrian filmmaker Jessica Hausner and French singer Mylène Farmer.
Rounding out the jury are French actor and recent Golden Globe and BAFTA nominated The Mauritanian actor Tahar Rahim, Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho and South Korean actor Song Kang-Ho who starred in the 2019 Cannes Palme d’Or winner and ultimate Oscar Best Picture winner, Parasite. Song has been a frequent star in Bong Joon Ho’s canon including The Host and Memories of Murder.
Diop’s Atlantics was shortlisted as one of the ten best international films at the Oscars. She has also directed several short-films...
The jury includes French-Senegalese actor-director Mati Diop whose 2019 movie Atlantics took home the Grand Prix from the festival; Crazy Heart Oscar nominated actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, French Inglorious Basterds actress Mélanie Laurent, Austrian filmmaker Jessica Hausner and French singer Mylène Farmer.
Rounding out the jury are French actor and recent Golden Globe and BAFTA nominated The Mauritanian actor Tahar Rahim, Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho and South Korean actor Song Kang-Ho who starred in the 2019 Cannes Palme d’Or winner and ultimate Oscar Best Picture winner, Parasite. Song has been a frequent star in Bong Joon Ho’s canon including The Host and Memories of Murder.
Diop’s Atlantics was shortlisted as one of the ten best international films at the Oscars. She has also directed several short-films...
- 6/24/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
About 100 celebrated French filmmakers warn against a new media chronology that would be too favourable to streaming platforms. Jacques Audiard, Arnaud Desplechin, Claire Denis, Olivier Assayas, Michel Hazanavicius, Laurent Cantet, Stéphane Brizé, Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano, Robert Guédiguian, Emmanuel Mouret, Michel Ocelot, Agnès Jaoui, Pierre Salvadori, Cédric Klapisch, Catherine Corsini, Philippe Faucon, Rachid Bouchareb, Emmanuel Finkiel, Claire Simon, Philippe Lioret, Philippe Le Guay, Martin Provost, Nicolas Philibert, Bruno Podalydès, etc. In an open letter published today in the daily newspaper Le Monde, a very large number of some of the most prestigious French filmmakers add their voices to the debate, just as the 31 March deadline for the interprofessional negotiation regarding the reform of France’s media chronology rears its head. If no agreement is reached, then it is the government that will decide on this reform, which concerns the timing and rhythm of films’ screening windows across various...
French actor and screenwriter Jean-Pierre Bacri died of cancer in Paris on Monday at the age of 69. Bacri’s death was confirmed by his agent, Anne Alvares-Correa, to Afp.
Bacri, whose career started in the 80s, delivered, along with Agnes Jaoui, his wife and lifelong friend, films and plays such as “The Taste of Others” and “Kitchen and Outbuildings,” which gained cult status in France. And he never stopped working. He was celebrated by many different generations of audiences and artists for his sharp humor, sense of observation and uncompromising integrity.
Bacri’s popularity could be observed through the success of most films he headlined. His most recent roles include “C’est la vie,” a 2017 comedy-drama directed by Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano, and “Place Publique,” which he co-wrote with Jaoui, who directed. Together with Jaoui, Bacri created and often starred in films which explored human nature and relationships through dark humor.
Bacri, whose career started in the 80s, delivered, along with Agnes Jaoui, his wife and lifelong friend, films and plays such as “The Taste of Others” and “Kitchen and Outbuildings,” which gained cult status in France. And he never stopped working. He was celebrated by many different generations of audiences and artists for his sharp humor, sense of observation and uncompromising integrity.
Bacri’s popularity could be observed through the success of most films he headlined. His most recent roles include “C’est la vie,” a 2017 comedy-drama directed by Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano, and “Place Publique,” which he co-wrote with Jaoui, who directed. Together with Jaoui, Bacri created and often starred in films which explored human nature and relationships through dark humor.
- 1/19/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
French cinema saw its international box office receipts fall to €86.6 million ($105.4 million), a near 70% drop, in 2020, according to a study unveiled by French promotion org UniFrance during the virtual Rendez-Vous market.
The drastic decline is explained by the fact that theaters worldwide were closed for several months due to the pandemic. The number of French films released in foreign theaters fell by 30% to 611 titles.
International ticket sales, meanwhile, fell to 13.7 million, down 69.8% on 2019. The extent of the drop in overseas admissions mirrors the decline in admissions for French films at home, which were down 60.7% compared with 2019 levels. UniFrance also points to the absence of a major hit and the downturn in emerging markets such as China.
Celine Sciamma’s “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” Roman Polanski’s “An Officer and a Spy” and Ladj Ly’s “Les Miserables” were the three French films that sold the most admissions overseas...
The drastic decline is explained by the fact that theaters worldwide were closed for several months due to the pandemic. The number of French films released in foreign theaters fell by 30% to 611 titles.
International ticket sales, meanwhile, fell to 13.7 million, down 69.8% on 2019. The extent of the drop in overseas admissions mirrors the decline in admissions for French films at home, which were down 60.7% compared with 2019 levels. UniFrance also points to the absence of a major hit and the downturn in emerging markets such as China.
Celine Sciamma’s “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” Roman Polanski’s “An Officer and a Spy” and Ladj Ly’s “Les Miserables” were the three French films that sold the most admissions overseas...
- 1/13/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Filippo Meneghetti’s feature debut “Two of Us” will represent France in the race for the best international feature film award at the Oscars.
“Two of Us” was selected over Maiwenn’s “DNA,” François Ozon’s “Summer 85,” Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh’s “Gagarine” and Maïmouna Doucouré’s “Cuties” which were short-listed.
“Two of Us” was released in France on Feb. 12 and was represented in international markets by The Party Film Sales. Magnolia Pictures acquired North American rights to the film and is planning to release it on Feb. 5.
The films follows two older women, played by Barbara Sukowa and Martine Chevallier, who live across the hall from each other in the same apartment building but have kept their romance hidden for decades.
The film held its world premiere as part of the Toronto International Film Festival’s Discovery program. Mark Keizer said in his review for Variety that the...
“Two of Us” was selected over Maiwenn’s “DNA,” François Ozon’s “Summer 85,” Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh’s “Gagarine” and Maïmouna Doucouré’s “Cuties” which were short-listed.
“Two of Us” was released in France on Feb. 12 and was represented in international markets by The Party Film Sales. Magnolia Pictures acquired North American rights to the film and is planning to release it on Feb. 5.
The films follows two older women, played by Barbara Sukowa and Martine Chevallier, who live across the hall from each other in the same apartment building but have kept their romance hidden for decades.
The film held its world premiere as part of the Toronto International Film Festival’s Discovery program. Mark Keizer said in his review for Variety that the...
- 11/19/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Magnolia has US rights for the film which premiered in Toronto in 2019.
France has selected Italian director Filippo Meneghetti’s drama Two Of Us as its submission for the best international film category of the 2021 Oscars.
The France-set drama stars Barbara Sukowa and Martine Chevallier as a lesbian couple facing up to the challenge of coming out after two decades of secret passion and companionship.
It was produced by France’s Paprika Films, Luxembourg’s Tarantula and Belgium’s Artémis Productions. The Party Film Sales handles international rights.
It premiered at Toronto in 2019 where Magnolia took US rights.
The distributor...
France has selected Italian director Filippo Meneghetti’s drama Two Of Us as its submission for the best international film category of the 2021 Oscars.
The France-set drama stars Barbara Sukowa and Martine Chevallier as a lesbian couple facing up to the challenge of coming out after two decades of secret passion and companionship.
It was produced by France’s Paprika Films, Luxembourg’s Tarantula and Belgium’s Artémis Productions. The Party Film Sales handles international rights.
It premiered at Toronto in 2019 where Magnolia took US rights.
The distributor...
- 11/19/2020
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
France’s Oscar selection committee has chosen comedy/drama Two Of Us as its submission to the International Feature Film category at the 2021 Academy Awards. From director Filippo Meneghetti, the feature debut world premiered in the Discovery section of Toronto last year and was released in France in early 2020 via Sophie Dulac Distribution. Magnolia has U.S. rights and is releasing on February 5, 2021. Other festival play has included London, Macau and Palm Springs.
The story centers on retirees Nina (Barbara Sukowa) and Madeleine (Martine Chevallier) who have hidden their deep and passionate love for many decades. Everybody, including Madeline’s family, thinks they are simply neighbors. When an unforeseen crisis turns their relationship upside down, Madeline’s daughter (Léa Drucker) begins to gradually unravel the truth between them.
Two Of Us (aka Deux in French) is produced by Paprika Films with The Party Film Sales on international rights.
Deliberations today...
The story centers on retirees Nina (Barbara Sukowa) and Madeleine (Martine Chevallier) who have hidden their deep and passionate love for many decades. Everybody, including Madeline’s family, thinks they are simply neighbors. When an unforeseen crisis turns their relationship upside down, Madeline’s daughter (Léa Drucker) begins to gradually unravel the truth between them.
Two Of Us (aka Deux in French) is produced by Paprika Films with The Party Film Sales on international rights.
Deliberations today...
- 11/19/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
France’s Oscar selection committee today set a shortlist of five films that are in contention to be the country’s official submission to the International Feature Film category at the 2021 Academy Awards. Among the titles is Cuties, the Sundance award-winning debut drama from Maïmouna Doucouré that was well-received in France when it released this summer, but also was collaterally involved in an online backlash spurred by Netflix’s early marketing campaign.
Bac Films released Cuties in France while Netflix began rollout elsewhere on September 9. The story follows Amy, an 11-year-old girl who joins a group of dancers named “The Cuties” at school, and who rapidly grows aware of her burgeoning femininity — upsetting her mother and her values.
A poster released by Netflix at the same time as the French theatrical rollout, in a bid to begin promoting the movie ahead of its streaming debut, provoked a furious online backlash...
Bac Films released Cuties in France while Netflix began rollout elsewhere on September 9. The story follows Amy, an 11-year-old girl who joins a group of dancers named “The Cuties” at school, and who rapidly grows aware of her burgeoning femininity — upsetting her mother and her values.
A poster released by Netflix at the same time as the French theatrical rollout, in a bid to begin promoting the movie ahead of its streaming debut, provoked a furious online backlash...
- 11/12/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
The final candidate will be decided on November 19.
Cuties, DNA, Gagarine, Two Of Us and Summer Of 85 have been shortlisted to be France’s candidate for the best international feature film category of the 2021 Oscars, in the country’s two-part selection process.
This year’s selection committee includes directors Mati Diop and Olivier Nakache; producers Marc du Pontavice and Anne-Dominique Toussaint; and international sales agents Carole Baraton, co-head of Charades, and Juliette Schrameck, who recently left as head of sales at mk2 Films to move into production.
They join perennial institutional committee members, Cannes delegate general Thierry Frémaux, Unifrance president...
Cuties, DNA, Gagarine, Two Of Us and Summer Of 85 have been shortlisted to be France’s candidate for the best international feature film category of the 2021 Oscars, in the country’s two-part selection process.
This year’s selection committee includes directors Mati Diop and Olivier Nakache; producers Marc du Pontavice and Anne-Dominique Toussaint; and international sales agents Carole Baraton, co-head of Charades, and Juliette Schrameck, who recently left as head of sales at mk2 Films to move into production.
They join perennial institutional committee members, Cannes delegate general Thierry Frémaux, Unifrance president...
- 11/12/2020
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.