WTFilms will be at the Rendez-Vous with a genre-focused slate.
Paris-based sales outfit WTFilms has taken on Fabrice du Welz’s Belgian crime thriller Maldoror and unveiled a first look at the film inspired by a true story.
The film stars Anthony Bajon as an impulsive police recruit tasked with a secret mission to track a dangerous sex offender. But when the operation fails, he goes rogue to hunt down the culprits. Now in post, the film is produced by Belgium’s Frakas Productions, with The Jokers Films’ production arm.
Maldoror also stars Alexis Manenti, Béatrice Dalle, Sergi Lopez, Laurent Lucas...
Paris-based sales outfit WTFilms has taken on Fabrice du Welz’s Belgian crime thriller Maldoror and unveiled a first look at the film inspired by a true story.
The film stars Anthony Bajon as an impulsive police recruit tasked with a secret mission to track a dangerous sex offender. But when the operation fails, he goes rogue to hunt down the culprits. Now in post, the film is produced by Belgium’s Frakas Productions, with The Jokers Films’ production arm.
Maldoror also stars Alexis Manenti, Béatrice Dalle, Sergi Lopez, Laurent Lucas...
- 1/15/2024
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Signature Entertainment will release the title in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Paris-based outfit WTFilms and Federation’s new studio label Ginger & Fed has scored a raft of deals on Frederic Jardin’s French thriller Survive starring Belgium actor Émilie Dequenne.
Signature Entertainment will release the title in the UK, Australia and New Zealand while Capelight has it for Germany and Eagle Pictures in Italy.
Other territories include Spain (A Contracorriente Films); Baltic States (Uvr); Ukraine (Top Film Distribution); Poland (M2 Films); Hungary (Vertigo Media); Benelux (Vertigo Films Distribution(; the Middle East (Salim Ramia); Latin America (Gussi); South...
Paris-based outfit WTFilms and Federation’s new studio label Ginger & Fed has scored a raft of deals on Frederic Jardin’s French thriller Survive starring Belgium actor Émilie Dequenne.
Signature Entertainment will release the title in the UK, Australia and New Zealand while Capelight has it for Germany and Eagle Pictures in Italy.
Other territories include Spain (A Contracorriente Films); Baltic States (Uvr); Ukraine (Top Film Distribution); Poland (M2 Films); Hungary (Vertigo Media); Benelux (Vertigo Films Distribution(; the Middle East (Salim Ramia); Latin America (Gussi); South...
- 11/23/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Signature Entertainment will release the title in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Paris-based outfit WTFilms and Federation’s new studio label Ginger & Fed has scored a raft of deals on Frederic Jardin’s French thriller Survive starring Belgium actor Émilie Dequenne.
Signature Entertainment will release the title in the UK, Australia and New Zealand while Capelight has it for Germany and Eagle Pictures in Italy.
Other territories include Spain (A Contracorriente Films); Baltic States (Uvr); Ukraine (Top Film Distribution); Poland (M2 Films); Hungary (Vertigo Media); Benelux (Vertigo Films Distribution(; the Middle East (Salim Ramia); Latin America (Gussi); South...
Paris-based outfit WTFilms and Federation’s new studio label Ginger & Fed has scored a raft of deals on Frederic Jardin’s French thriller Survive starring Belgium actor Émilie Dequenne.
Signature Entertainment will release the title in the UK, Australia and New Zealand while Capelight has it for Germany and Eagle Pictures in Italy.
Other territories include Spain (A Contracorriente Films); Baltic States (Uvr); Ukraine (Top Film Distribution); Poland (M2 Films); Hungary (Vertigo Media); Benelux (Vertigo Films Distribution(; the Middle East (Salim Ramia); Latin America (Gussi); South...
- 11/23/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
French studio Federation’s new theatrical sales arm Ginger & Fed and Paris-based genre specialist WTFilms have unveiled a slew of AFM deals for apocalyptic thriller Survive.
The film has sold to UK, Australia, and New Zeeland (Signature Entertainment), Germany (Capelight), Italy (Eagle Pictures), Spain (A Contracorriente Films), Cis (exl Ukraine), Baltic States (Uvr), Ukraine (Top Film Distribution), Poland (M2 Films), Hungary (Vertigo Media), Benelux (Vertigo Films Distribution), the Middle East (Salim Ramia), Latin America (Gussi), South Korea (Scene and sound), Turkey (Chantier), The Philippines (808 Films), Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Directed by Frédéric Jardin, the film stars Émilie Dequenne as a woman battling for survival after a sailing trips takes a terrifying turn when a tragic polarity reversal drains the water from the oceans and she and her children find themselves in an inhospitable land inhabited by hungry, flesh-eating creatures.
Survive is the latest joint production from Monkey Pack and M.E.S Productions, which previously collaborated on Coralie Fargeat’s hit thriller Revenge.
The sales on Survive mark the first set of deals to be announced by Ginger & Fed, following its launch with sales veteran Sabine Chemaly at the helm on the eve of the AFM.
The film has sold to UK, Australia, and New Zeeland (Signature Entertainment), Germany (Capelight), Italy (Eagle Pictures), Spain (A Contracorriente Films), Cis (exl Ukraine), Baltic States (Uvr), Ukraine (Top Film Distribution), Poland (M2 Films), Hungary (Vertigo Media), Benelux (Vertigo Films Distribution), the Middle East (Salim Ramia), Latin America (Gussi), South Korea (Scene and sound), Turkey (Chantier), The Philippines (808 Films), Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Directed by Frédéric Jardin, the film stars Émilie Dequenne as a woman battling for survival after a sailing trips takes a terrifying turn when a tragic polarity reversal drains the water from the oceans and she and her children find themselves in an inhospitable land inhabited by hungry, flesh-eating creatures.
Survive is the latest joint production from Monkey Pack and M.E.S Productions, which previously collaborated on Coralie Fargeat’s hit thriller Revenge.
The sales on Survive mark the first set of deals to be announced by Ginger & Fed, following its launch with sales veteran Sabine Chemaly at the helm on the eve of the AFM.
- 11/20/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Paris-based genre special WTFilms has boarded Alexandre Bustillo & Julien Maury’s horror thriller ‘The Soul Eater’ ahead of the AFM.
The chilling drama unfolds against the backdrop of a mountain village where an old legend about a malevolent creature resurfaces following the disappearance of local children and a series of violent and gruesome deaths.
Virginie Ledoyen (Just the Two of Us) and Paul Hamy (The Last Journey) co-star as two police detectives with very different methods who are sent to investigate the crimes. Sandrine Bonnaire (Happening) joins them in the cast.
The production is adapted from French writer Alexis Laipsker’s bestseller of the same name. WTFilms will screen a first promo for the French-language film which is in post-production.
Directorial duo Bustillo and Maury gained fans in the U.S. for their 2021 English-language supernatural horror The Deep House, which was acquired by Blumhouse Television and Epix for North America,...
The chilling drama unfolds against the backdrop of a mountain village where an old legend about a malevolent creature resurfaces following the disappearance of local children and a series of violent and gruesome deaths.
Virginie Ledoyen (Just the Two of Us) and Paul Hamy (The Last Journey) co-star as two police detectives with very different methods who are sent to investigate the crimes. Sandrine Bonnaire (Happening) joins them in the cast.
The production is adapted from French writer Alexis Laipsker’s bestseller of the same name. WTFilms will screen a first promo for the French-language film which is in post-production.
Directorial duo Bustillo and Maury gained fans in the U.S. for their 2021 English-language supernatural horror The Deep House, which was acquired by Blumhouse Television and Epix for North America,...
- 10/26/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Pascal Breton’s Federation Studios has launched an international theatrical sales label, Ginger & Fed, teaming up with former TF1 Studio sales executive Sabine Chemaly’s Ginger Films on the new division.
Chemaly will head up the new group, handling both film acquisitions and international sales, focusing on titles with theatrical potential in various international territories. She will work together with Federation’s sales team of Monica Levy, Guillaume Pommier, Sarah Zarka, Lucile Avezard and Jeromine Ader, as well as the company’s business affairs, servicing and marketing teams.
The first project under the new label will be Survive, a post-apocalyptic thriller from Monkey Pack, the Federation Studios-owned producers of Coralie Fargeat’s 2017 action horror hit Revenge. Frédéric Jardin is directing with Émilie Dequenne (Love Affair(s)) and Andreas Pietschmann (Dark) starring as a couple celebrating their son’s birthday on their boat in the middle of the ocean. But when...
Chemaly will head up the new group, handling both film acquisitions and international sales, focusing on titles with theatrical potential in various international territories. She will work together with Federation’s sales team of Monica Levy, Guillaume Pommier, Sarah Zarka, Lucile Avezard and Jeromine Ader, as well as the company’s business affairs, servicing and marketing teams.
The first project under the new label will be Survive, a post-apocalyptic thriller from Monkey Pack, the Federation Studios-owned producers of Coralie Fargeat’s 2017 action horror hit Revenge. Frédéric Jardin is directing with Émilie Dequenne (Love Affair(s)) and Andreas Pietschmann (Dark) starring as a couple celebrating their son’s birthday on their boat in the middle of the ocean. But when...
- 10/26/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Federation Studios has launched an international theatrical film sales division with Sabine Chemaly.
The label will be called Ginger & Fed and is created in partnership with Chemaly’s recently-formed Ginger Films.
In charge of both film acquisitions and international sales, Chemaly will spearhead Ginger & Fed, whilst working closely with Federation’s sales team – Monica Levy, Guillaume Pommier, Sarah Zarka, Lucile Avezard and Jeromine Ader – along with their business affairs, servicing and marketing team.
Ginger & Fed’s first project will be post-apocalyptic thriller Survive from Federation outfit Robin & Co and M.E.S. Productions. The film, featuring Émilie Dequenne (Love Affair(s), Rosetta) and Andreas Pietschmann (Dark), is directed by Frédéric Jardin and Kmbo will release it theatrically in France. Sales are being co-handled with WTFilms. Two comedies, both released in France by Apollo, will quickly follow the inaugural launch: Rachel’s Game, a police project directed by Thierry Klifa, and Oldies but...
The label will be called Ginger & Fed and is created in partnership with Chemaly’s recently-formed Ginger Films.
In charge of both film acquisitions and international sales, Chemaly will spearhead Ginger & Fed, whilst working closely with Federation’s sales team – Monica Levy, Guillaume Pommier, Sarah Zarka, Lucile Avezard and Jeromine Ader – along with their business affairs, servicing and marketing team.
Ginger & Fed’s first project will be post-apocalyptic thriller Survive from Federation outfit Robin & Co and M.E.S. Productions. The film, featuring Émilie Dequenne (Love Affair(s), Rosetta) and Andreas Pietschmann (Dark), is directed by Frédéric Jardin and Kmbo will release it theatrically in France. Sales are being co-handled with WTFilms. Two comedies, both released in France by Apollo, will quickly follow the inaugural launch: Rachel’s Game, a police project directed by Thierry Klifa, and Oldies but...
- 10/26/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
This year’s Un Certain Regard selection was a pretty sturdy class and the jury comprised of John C. Reilly, Alice Winocour, Paula Beer, Davy Chou and Émilie Dequenne made some excellent palmares decisions here. One of the most unforgettable award ceremonies in recent time due to the winner being “on her way back”, the charismatic John C. Reilly charmed the audience.
Un Certain Regard Prize
How To Have Sex directed by Molly Manning Walker
New Voice Prize
Augure (Omen) directed by Baloji
Ensemble Prize
CROWRÃ (The Buriti Flower) directed by João Salaviza & Renée Nader Messora
Freedom Prize
Goodbye Julia directed by Mohamed Kordofani
Directing Prize
Asmae El Moudir in Kadib Abyad (The Mother Of All Lies)
Jury’s Prize
Les Meutes (Hounds) directed by Kamal Lazraq
…...
Un Certain Regard Prize
How To Have Sex directed by Molly Manning Walker
New Voice Prize
Augure (Omen) directed by Baloji
Ensemble Prize
CROWRÃ (The Buriti Flower) directed by João Salaviza & Renée Nader Messora
Freedom Prize
Goodbye Julia directed by Mohamed Kordofani
Directing Prize
Asmae El Moudir in Kadib Abyad (The Mother Of All Lies)
Jury’s Prize
Les Meutes (Hounds) directed by Kamal Lazraq
…...
- 7/24/2023
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
It’s been a whirlwind two weeks, and as relieved as attendees and observers around the world are that the 2023 edition of Cannes has come to a close, we’re already eager for next year’s. Though too much attention may have been paid to the wrong things – controversies regarding the opening night selection, “Jeanne du Barry,” and altercations with police over bicycles come to mind – cinema and its celebration ultimately took centerstage. By most accounts, 2023 was an improvement over two (understandably) subdued years.
This year’s Main Competition jury was headed by two-time Palme winner Ruben Östlund (“Triangle of Sadness”) and co-jurored by Julia Ducournau (“Titane”), Paul Dano, Brie Larson, Denis Ménochet (recently seen in “Beau is Afraid”), Atiq Rahimi (“Our Lady of the Nile”), Damián Szifron (“Wild Tales” and this year’s “To Catch a Killer”), Rungano Nyoni (“I Am Not a Witch”) and Maryam Touzani (“The Blue Caftan...
This year’s Main Competition jury was headed by two-time Palme winner Ruben Östlund (“Triangle of Sadness”) and co-jurored by Julia Ducournau (“Titane”), Paul Dano, Brie Larson, Denis Ménochet (recently seen in “Beau is Afraid”), Atiq Rahimi (“Our Lady of the Nile”), Damián Szifron (“Wild Tales” and this year’s “To Catch a Killer”), Rungano Nyoni (“I Am Not a Witch”) and Maryam Touzani (“The Blue Caftan...
- 5/28/2023
- by Ronald Meyer and Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
With his debut feature “Hopeless”, director Kim Chang-hoon tells a story about a 17-year-old highschooler Yeon-gyu (Xa Bing-hon) who seeks to escape domestic violence in a very wrong milieu, and a mid-level gang boss Chi-geon who (Joong-ki Soon), on the one hand comes to his rescue, and on the other – involuntarily drags him into a deeper abyss. This slow-pacing noir had its premiere towards the end of the festival in Un Certain Regard competition, in the presence of the jury consisting of John C. Reilly, Alice Winocour, Paula Beer, Davy Chou and Émilie Dequenne.
We met with Kim at the rooftop terrace of the festival Palais, a day after the premiere to inquire about the brutal milieu depicted in the movie, his impressions from Cannes and his methods. Since his biography is still a blank page that needs to be filled, we asked him to present himself in his own words,...
We met with Kim at the rooftop terrace of the festival Palais, a day after the premiere to inquire about the brutal milieu depicted in the movie, his impressions from Cannes and his methods. Since his biography is still a blank page that needs to be filled, we asked him to present himself in his own words,...
- 5/28/2023
- by Marina D. Richter
- AsianMoviePulse
As relieved as attendees and observers around the world are that the 2023 edition of Cannes has come to a close, we’re already eager for next year’s. Though too much attention may have been paid to the wrong things – controversies regarding the opening night selection, “Jeanne du Barry,” and altercations with police over bicycles come to mind – cinema and its celebration ultimately took centerstage. By most accounts, 2023 was an improvement over two (understandably) subdued years.
This year’s Main Competition jury was headed by two-time Palme winner Ruben Östlund (“Triangle of Sadness”) and co-jurored by Julia Ducournau (“Titane”), Paul Dano, Brie Larson, Denis Ménochet (recently seen in “Beau is Afraid”), Atiq Rahimi (“Our Lady of the Nile”), Damián Szifron (“Wild Tales” and this year’s “To Catch a Killer”), Rungano Nyoni (“I Am Not a Witch”) and Maryam Touzani (“The Blue Caftan”). The Un Certain Regard series was presided over by John C. Reilly.
This year’s Main Competition jury was headed by two-time Palme winner Ruben Östlund (“Triangle of Sadness”) and co-jurored by Julia Ducournau (“Titane”), Paul Dano, Brie Larson, Denis Ménochet (recently seen in “Beau is Afraid”), Atiq Rahimi (“Our Lady of the Nile”), Damián Szifron (“Wild Tales” and this year’s “To Catch a Killer”), Rungano Nyoni (“I Am Not a Witch”) and Maryam Touzani (“The Blue Caftan”). The Un Certain Regard series was presided over by John C. Reilly.
- 5/28/2023
- by Ronald Meyer and Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
The 76th edition of the Cannes film festival concludes today with the Closing Ceremony and presentation of the coveted award, the Palme d’Or which was awarded to Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall.
The Jury, presided over by director Ruben Östlund and includes director Maryam Touzani, actor Denis Ménochet, writer/director Rungano Nyoni, actress/director Brie Larson, actor/director Paul Dano, writer Atiq Rahimi, director Damián Szifron and director Julia Ducournau, selected the winners from the 21 films in Competition this year.
The Closing Ceremony marks the end of the 76th Festival de Cannes, and was followed by the screening of Peter Sohn‘s film Elementary in the Grand Théâtre Lumière.
Related: Cannes Film Festival Winners Announced
The last 2 weeks the Croisette has been a buzz with extravagant parties and bold fashion statements captured at the 21 world premieres on the Palais des Festivals red carpet.
Johnny Depp’s period...
The Jury, presided over by director Ruben Östlund and includes director Maryam Touzani, actor Denis Ménochet, writer/director Rungano Nyoni, actress/director Brie Larson, actor/director Paul Dano, writer Atiq Rahimi, director Damián Szifron and director Julia Ducournau, selected the winners from the 21 films in Competition this year.
The Closing Ceremony marks the end of the 76th Festival de Cannes, and was followed by the screening of Peter Sohn‘s film Elementary in the Grand Théâtre Lumière.
Related: Cannes Film Festival Winners Announced
The last 2 weeks the Croisette has been a buzz with extravagant parties and bold fashion statements captured at the 21 world premieres on the Palais des Festivals red carpet.
Johnny Depp’s period...
- 5/27/2023
- by Robert Lang
- Deadline Film + TV
Molly Manning Walker’s Cannes festival breakout How to Have Sex has won the prize for best film in the 2023 Un Certain Regard sidebar. The astounding debut, which follows three British teens out for a summer holiday in Greece that turns dark, was The Hollywood Reporter‘s hidden gem pick this Cannes and was among the most talked-about movies on the Croisette this year.
Four African films also took home awards at the Un Certain Regard ceremony Friday night. Asmae El Moudir won the Un Certain Regard’s best director honor for her hybrid documentary, The Mother of All Lies, a search for the truth behind her family’s stories of the 1981 Bread Riots in Morocco. Kamal Lazraq won the Un Certain Regard jury prize for Hounds, a crime drama set in the suburbs of Casablanca. Omen, the directing debut of Belgian-Congolese hip-hop artist Baloji, took the new voice prize for best first feature.
Four African films also took home awards at the Un Certain Regard ceremony Friday night. Asmae El Moudir won the Un Certain Regard’s best director honor for her hybrid documentary, The Mother of All Lies, a search for the truth behind her family’s stories of the 1981 Bread Riots in Morocco. Kamal Lazraq won the Un Certain Regard jury prize for Hounds, a crime drama set in the suburbs of Casablanca. Omen, the directing debut of Belgian-Congolese hip-hop artist Baloji, took the new voice prize for best first feature.
- 5/26/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Other winners included ’Hounds’, ’The Mother Of All Lies’, ’Goodbye Julia’ and ’The Buriti Flower’.
Molly Manning Walker’s debut feature How To Have Sex has won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section of this year’s Cannes Film Festival (May 16-27).
The film follows a group of teenage girls on a rite-of-passage clubbing holiday, and was shot in Greece with a cast including Mia McKenna-Bruce, Lara Peake and Samuel Bottomley. It is produced by Wild Swim Films and co-producer Heretic, with backing by Film4, BFI and mk2 Films, with Mubi releasing in the UK, North America and other key territories.
Molly Manning Walker’s debut feature How To Have Sex has won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section of this year’s Cannes Film Festival (May 16-27).
The film follows a group of teenage girls on a rite-of-passage clubbing holiday, and was shot in Greece with a cast including Mia McKenna-Bruce, Lara Peake and Samuel Bottomley. It is produced by Wild Swim Films and co-producer Heretic, with backing by Film4, BFI and mk2 Films, with Mubi releasing in the UK, North America and other key territories.
- 5/26/2023
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
Molly Manning Walker’s “How to Have Sex” was named the best film Friday of the Un Certain Regard competition at the Cannes Film Festival.
The UK director’s first film tells the story of three girls vacationing in Greece. The girl who is still a virgin expects to have slept with a boy by the time their trip is over, as do her two friends. She ends up losing her virginity to a guy on the beach, but she checks out during the process. The boy then makes unwanted advances on her while she is asleep. She wakes up to him ready to have sex with her, and resigns once more.
Mia McKenna-Bruce stars.
Also Read:
Cannes 2023: See the Star-Studded Red Carpet Arrivals (Photos)
This year’s Un Certain Regard competition included 20 feature films, eight of which are also competing for the Camera d’or. The jury, chaired by actor John C. Reilly,...
The UK director’s first film tells the story of three girls vacationing in Greece. The girl who is still a virgin expects to have slept with a boy by the time their trip is over, as do her two friends. She ends up losing her virginity to a guy on the beach, but she checks out during the process. The boy then makes unwanted advances on her while she is asleep. She wakes up to him ready to have sex with her, and resigns once more.
Mia McKenna-Bruce stars.
Also Read:
Cannes 2023: See the Star-Studded Red Carpet Arrivals (Photos)
This year’s Un Certain Regard competition included 20 feature films, eight of which are also competing for the Camera d’or. The jury, chaired by actor John C. Reilly,...
- 5/26/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
The 2023 Cannes Film Festival ends tomorrow, but awards for the fest start today, at least in the Un Certain Regard category. With John C. Reilly presiding as Jury president, and Paula Beer, Davy Chou, Alice Winocour, and Émilie Dequenne as fellow jurors, announced their winners today on la Croisette. And the winner of the Uncertain Regard Prize?
Read More: ‘How To Have Sex’ Review: Snapshot Of Brits Abroad Proves A Refreshing Take On Female Sexual Coming Of Age [Cannes]
It’s Molly Manning Walker‘s debut film “How To Have Sex,” about three British teens who go on a rite-of-passage holiday that ends up much more sobering than the girls expect.
Continue reading Cannes 2023 Un Certain Regard Awards: Molly Manning Walker’s Debut ‘How To Have Sex’ Wins Top Prize at The Playlist.
Read More: ‘How To Have Sex’ Review: Snapshot Of Brits Abroad Proves A Refreshing Take On Female Sexual Coming Of Age [Cannes]
It’s Molly Manning Walker‘s debut film “How To Have Sex,” about three British teens who go on a rite-of-passage holiday that ends up much more sobering than the girls expect.
Continue reading Cannes 2023 Un Certain Regard Awards: Molly Manning Walker’s Debut ‘How To Have Sex’ Wins Top Prize at The Playlist.
- 5/26/2023
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
UK director Molly Manning Walker’s first film How To Have Sex won the top prize in Cannes Un Certain Regard on Friday evening.
The tale of a group of teenagers on a rite of passage clubbing holiday was described by Deadline reviewer Damon Wise as “a visceral and sensory experience” and an “exceptional debut”. Read the review here and a Deadline interview with the director here.
The Jury Prize went to Moroccan filmmaker Kamal Lazraq’s Hounds about a father and son who find themselves caught up in a kidnapping plot that goes wrong.
Best Director went to Moroccan director Asmae El Moudir’s documentary The Mother Of All Lies about the bread riots that shook a working-class Casablanca neighborhood in 1981.
She follows in the footsteps of Alain Guiraudie, Kiyoshi Kurosawa and Sergei Loznitsa who also won the prize early in their careers.
In other awards, the Ensemble Prize...
The tale of a group of teenagers on a rite of passage clubbing holiday was described by Deadline reviewer Damon Wise as “a visceral and sensory experience” and an “exceptional debut”. Read the review here and a Deadline interview with the director here.
The Jury Prize went to Moroccan filmmaker Kamal Lazraq’s Hounds about a father and son who find themselves caught up in a kidnapping plot that goes wrong.
Best Director went to Moroccan director Asmae El Moudir’s documentary The Mother Of All Lies about the bread riots that shook a working-class Casablanca neighborhood in 1981.
She follows in the footsteps of Alain Guiraudie, Kiyoshi Kurosawa and Sergei Loznitsa who also won the prize early in their careers.
In other awards, the Ensemble Prize...
- 5/26/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
It was an evening of surprises, song and spontaneous vamping at this year’s Un Certain Regard awards ceremony, with jury president John C. Reilly putting on quite a show for the assembled audience in addition to handing out six awards to films in the festival’s second-most prestigious competition.
But the real winner of the night was British freshman director Molly Manning Walker, who not only took the section’s top award for her buzzy, fluorescent debut feature “How to Have Sex,” but managed to accept in person against the odds. Not present at the ceremony when the announcement was made, owing to a flight delay, Manning Walker scrambled to the stage five minutes later — dressed, not unlike one of the principals in her youth-centered film, in a neon-green T-shirt and Adidas shorts — directly from her airport taxi. Reilly obligingly filled the time by singing two Great American Songbook standards for a delighted crowd.
But the real winner of the night was British freshman director Molly Manning Walker, who not only took the section’s top award for her buzzy, fluorescent debut feature “How to Have Sex,” but managed to accept in person against the odds. Not present at the ceremony when the announcement was made, owing to a flight delay, Manning Walker scrambled to the stage five minutes later — dressed, not unlike one of the principals in her youth-centered film, in a neon-green T-shirt and Adidas shorts — directly from her airport taxi. Reilly obligingly filled the time by singing two Great American Songbook standards for a delighted crowd.
- 5/26/2023
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Mohammad Rasoulof’s invitation to Cannes has ignited a campaign to allow the Iranian filmmaker to leave his home nation.
International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (Icfr), an Amsterdam-based organization, issued a statement titled “Let Mohammad Rasoulof Go!” urging the Iranian government to allow the filmmaker to travel to France for this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The “There Is No Evil” filmmaker was invited to serve on the Un Certain Regard jury but is unable to attend due to Iran’s travel embargo on him.
Rasoulof was recently banned from leaving Iran after being arrested in July 2022 for posting statements criticizing government-sanctioned violence against protesters. Rasoulof was later temporarily released in February 2023 due to ongoing health concerns. He was later pardoned and sentenced to one year of penal servitude and a two-year ban from leaving Iran on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”
Similarly, director Jafar Panahi, who was detained alongside Rasoulof,...
International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (Icfr), an Amsterdam-based organization, issued a statement titled “Let Mohammad Rasoulof Go!” urging the Iranian government to allow the filmmaker to travel to France for this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The “There Is No Evil” filmmaker was invited to serve on the Un Certain Regard jury but is unable to attend due to Iran’s travel embargo on him.
Rasoulof was recently banned from leaving Iran after being arrested in July 2022 for posting statements criticizing government-sanctioned violence against protesters. Rasoulof was later temporarily released in February 2023 due to ongoing health concerns. He was later pardoned and sentenced to one year of penal servitude and a two-year ban from leaving Iran on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”
Similarly, director Jafar Panahi, who was detained alongside Rasoulof,...
- 5/5/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Mohammad Rasoulof revealed he was invited to serve on the 2023 Cannes Un Certain Regard jury but was forced to turn down the spot due to a travel ban from his home nation of Iran.
Per Radio France Internationale (Rfi), Rasoulof was prevented from leaving Iran to attend the French festival. Rfi also reported that Cannes organizers are still trying to provide conditions for Rasoulof to be in attendance. The director formerly received the Best Director award in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes in 2011 for “Goodbye” and won the Fipresci prize in 2013 for “Manuscripts Don’t Burn,” followed by the Un Certain Regard award for “A Man of Integrity” in 2017.
The 2023 Cannes Un Certain Regard jury will be overseen by jury president John C. Reilly and consists of French director and screenwriter Alice Winocour, German actress Paula Beer, Franco-Cambodian director and producer Davy Chou, and Belgian actress Émilie Dequenne.
Per Radio France Internationale (Rfi), Rasoulof was prevented from leaving Iran to attend the French festival. Rfi also reported that Cannes organizers are still trying to provide conditions for Rasoulof to be in attendance. The director formerly received the Best Director award in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes in 2011 for “Goodbye” and won the Fipresci prize in 2013 for “Manuscripts Don’t Burn,” followed by the Un Certain Regard award for “A Man of Integrity” in 2017.
The 2023 Cannes Un Certain Regard jury will be overseen by jury president John C. Reilly and consists of French director and screenwriter Alice Winocour, German actress Paula Beer, Franco-Cambodian director and producer Davy Chou, and Belgian actress Émilie Dequenne.
- 5/4/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Dissident Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof has been banned from leaving Iran to serve as a member of the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard jury, he has confirmed to Variety.
News of the travel ban for the director who was recently released from Tehran’s Evin prison after being arrested last July for criticizing the government on social media, was first reported by the Farsi-language news service of Radio France Internationale (Rfi). Rasoulof via text message confirmed he was not allowed by Iranian authorities to leave the country to be a member of the Un Certain Regard jury. No reason was provided.
The Cannes Film Festival declined to comment.
U.S. actor John C. Reilly will serve as president of the Un Certain Regard jury. The other jury members are French director and screenwriter Alice Winocour, German actor Paula Beer, French-Cambodian director and producer Davy Chou and Belgian actor Émilie Dequenne.
News of the travel ban for the director who was recently released from Tehran’s Evin prison after being arrested last July for criticizing the government on social media, was first reported by the Farsi-language news service of Radio France Internationale (Rfi). Rasoulof via text message confirmed he was not allowed by Iranian authorities to leave the country to be a member of the Un Certain Regard jury. No reason was provided.
The Cannes Film Festival declined to comment.
U.S. actor John C. Reilly will serve as president of the Un Certain Regard jury. The other jury members are French director and screenwriter Alice Winocour, German actor Paula Beer, French-Cambodian director and producer Davy Chou and Belgian actor Émilie Dequenne.
- 5/4/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The 2023 Cannes Film Festival officially has its jury.
After some delay and speculation over who’d be the judges at the Croisette this year, the 76th edition has finally unveiled its complete jury, led by previously announced jury president Ruben Östlund. The “Triangle of Sadness” Palme d’Or winner will oversee the Competition, with the festival running May 16 through 27.
Paul Dano, Brie Larson, Moroccan director Maryam Touzani, French actor Denis Ménochet, British-Zambian screenwriter and director Rungano Nyoni, Afghan author Atiq Rahimi, Argentinian director and screenwriter Damián Szifrón, and “Titane” director Julia Ducournau, who won the top prize in 2021, round out this year’s jury. The jury will award the Palme d’Or to one of the 21 films announced in competition.
Awards will be presented May 27 at the closing ceremony, which will be broadcast live by France Télévisions in France and by Brut. The final festival screening for its closing night,...
After some delay and speculation over who’d be the judges at the Croisette this year, the 76th edition has finally unveiled its complete jury, led by previously announced jury president Ruben Östlund. The “Triangle of Sadness” Palme d’Or winner will oversee the Competition, with the festival running May 16 through 27.
Paul Dano, Brie Larson, Moroccan director Maryam Touzani, French actor Denis Ménochet, British-Zambian screenwriter and director Rungano Nyoni, Afghan author Atiq Rahimi, Argentinian director and screenwriter Damián Szifrón, and “Titane” director Julia Ducournau, who won the top prize in 2021, round out this year’s jury. The jury will award the Palme d’Or to one of the 21 films announced in competition.
Awards will be presented May 27 at the closing ceremony, which will be broadcast live by France Télévisions in France and by Brut. The final festival screening for its closing night,...
- 5/4/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Get in touch to send in cinephile news and discoveries. For daily updates follow us @NotebookMUBI, and sign up for our weekly email newsletter by clicking here.NEWSNon-Fiction.The Writers Guild of America went on strike Tuesday; this is the first major Hollywood strike since 2007. Michael Schulman of the New Yorker speaks with several screenwriters about the conditions they are advocating to change, highlighting the ways in which streaming has transformed their livelihoods.Olivier Assayas is cooking up a new project with his current muse Vincent Macaigne, titled Hors du temps, per the actor’s Instagram. Macaigne wonderfully held the center of Assayas’s limited-series rewiring of Irma Vep (2022), and brought a similarly melancholy pathos to Non-Fiction (2018).The Cannes Film Festival has announced that John C. Reilly will preside over the Un Certain Regard jury—a worthy recognition of his Mvp status in Claire Denis’s Stars at Noon (2022). Alongside...
- 5/3/2023
- MUBI
John C. Reilly will head up the jury for the 2023 Cannes Un Certain Regard sidebar.
Reilly has been a frequent visitor to the French film festival, screening such titles as The Lobster, Tale of Tales and We Need to Talk About Kevin.
“I have had so many life-changing moments at the Festival de Cannes (from my miraculous first trip with Paul Thomas Anderson to celebrating my 50th birthday from the Palais stage!) So to be chosen as the president of Un Certain Regard Jury is truly such an incredible honor,” Reilly said in a statement. “Many of the films I have been lucky to appear in have been selected by the Festival over these many years and nothing feels as special as being invited to this amazing annual gathering of the very best cinema has to offer the world. I look forward to helping launch another generation of filmmakers on...
Reilly has been a frequent visitor to the French film festival, screening such titles as The Lobster, Tale of Tales and We Need to Talk About Kevin.
“I have had so many life-changing moments at the Festival de Cannes (from my miraculous first trip with Paul Thomas Anderson to celebrating my 50th birthday from the Palais stage!) So to be chosen as the president of Un Certain Regard Jury is truly such an incredible honor,” Reilly said in a statement. “Many of the films I have been lucky to appear in have been selected by the Festival over these many years and nothing feels as special as being invited to this amazing annual gathering of the very best cinema has to offer the world. I look forward to helping launch another generation of filmmakers on...
- 5/2/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New feature from the director of ‘Sheherazade’ added to Un Certain Regard strand.
US actor John C. Reilly will preside over the jury for Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section, which has added Salem by Cesar award-winning French director Jean-Bernard Marlin to its line-up.
Alongside Reilly on the five-person jury are French director and screenwriter Alice Winocour, German actress Paula Beer, French-Cambodian director and producer Davy Chou and Belgian actress Émilie Dequenne.
Reilly made his film debut in Brian De Palma’s Casualties of War in 1989 by Brian De Palma and played roles in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia, Terrence Malick’s The Thin Red Line,...
US actor John C. Reilly will preside over the jury for Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section, which has added Salem by Cesar award-winning French director Jean-Bernard Marlin to its line-up.
Alongside Reilly on the five-person jury are French director and screenwriter Alice Winocour, German actress Paula Beer, French-Cambodian director and producer Davy Chou and Belgian actress Émilie Dequenne.
Reilly made his film debut in Brian De Palma’s Casualties of War in 1989 by Brian De Palma and played roles in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia, Terrence Malick’s The Thin Red Line,...
- 5/2/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
U.S. actor John C. Reilly will serve as president of the jury of the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes Film Festival. “Salem,” directed by Jean-Bernard Marlin, has been added to the lineup.
The other members of the jury will be French director and screenwriter Alice Winocour, German actor Paula Beer, French-Cambodian director and producer Davy Chou, and Belgian actor Émilie Dequenne.
The Un Certain Regard section showcases art and discovery films by young auteurs.
In a statement, Reilly said: “I have had so many life changing moments at the Festival de Cannes (from my miraculous first trip with Paul Thomas Anderson to celebrating my 50th birthday from the Palais stage!) so to be chosen as the president of Un Certain Regard jury is truly such an incredible honor.”
Reilly’s movie credits include Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Hard Eight” (1996), “Boogie Nights” (1997), and “Magnolia” (1999), Terrence Malick’s “The Thin Red Line...
The other members of the jury will be French director and screenwriter Alice Winocour, German actor Paula Beer, French-Cambodian director and producer Davy Chou, and Belgian actor Émilie Dequenne.
The Un Certain Regard section showcases art and discovery films by young auteurs.
In a statement, Reilly said: “I have had so many life changing moments at the Festival de Cannes (from my miraculous first trip with Paul Thomas Anderson to celebrating my 50th birthday from the Palais stage!) so to be chosen as the president of Un Certain Regard jury is truly such an incredible honor.”
Reilly’s movie credits include Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Hard Eight” (1996), “Boogie Nights” (1997), and “Magnolia” (1999), Terrence Malick’s “The Thin Red Line...
- 5/2/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
John C. Reilly will now help pick which film will have its own winning time at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
The “Winning Time” star and “Chicago” Oscar nominee has officially been selected as the president of the Un Certain Regard jury for the 76th Cannes Film Festival. Reilly’s previous films ranging from Lynne Ramsay’s “We Need to Talk About Kevin” to Roman Polanski’s “Carnage” and Yórgos Lánthimos’ “The Lobster” have formerly debuted at the festival. Reilly most recently appeared briefly in the Cannes Competition-selected “Stars at Noon” helmed by Claire Denis.
“I experienced so many unforgettable moments at the Cannes Film Festival, from my unexpected first visit with Paul Thomas Anderson to my 50th birthday, celebrated on the stage at the Palais!” Reilly said in a press statement. “It is therefore an incredible honor for me to be chosen as President of the Un Certain Regard Jury.
The “Winning Time” star and “Chicago” Oscar nominee has officially been selected as the president of the Un Certain Regard jury for the 76th Cannes Film Festival. Reilly’s previous films ranging from Lynne Ramsay’s “We Need to Talk About Kevin” to Roman Polanski’s “Carnage” and Yórgos Lánthimos’ “The Lobster” have formerly debuted at the festival. Reilly most recently appeared briefly in the Cannes Competition-selected “Stars at Noon” helmed by Claire Denis.
“I experienced so many unforgettable moments at the Cannes Film Festival, from my unexpected first visit with Paul Thomas Anderson to my 50th birthday, celebrated on the stage at the Palais!” Reilly said in a press statement. “It is therefore an incredible honor for me to be chosen as President of the Un Certain Regard Jury.
- 5/2/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
John C. Reilly will preside over the Un Certain Regard Jury at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival, running May 16-27.
He will be joined by French director and screenwriter Alice Winocour, German actress Paula Beer, French-Cambodian director and producer Davy Chou and Belgian actress Émilie Dequenne.
“I have had so many life changing moments at the Festival de Cannes, from my miraculous first trip with Paul Thomas Anderson to celebrating my 50th birthday from the Palais stage! So to be chosen as the President of Un Certain Regard Jury is truly such an incredible honor,” said Reilly.
“Many of the films I have been lucky to appear in have been selected by the Festival over these many years and nothing feels as special as being invited to this amazing annual gathering of the very best cinema has to offer the world. I look forward to helping launch another generation of...
He will be joined by French director and screenwriter Alice Winocour, German actress Paula Beer, French-Cambodian director and producer Davy Chou and Belgian actress Émilie Dequenne.
“I have had so many life changing moments at the Festival de Cannes, from my miraculous first trip with Paul Thomas Anderson to celebrating my 50th birthday from the Palais stage! So to be chosen as the President of Un Certain Regard Jury is truly such an incredible honor,” said Reilly.
“Many of the films I have been lucky to appear in have been selected by the Festival over these many years and nothing feels as special as being invited to this amazing annual gathering of the very best cinema has to offer the world. I look forward to helping launch another generation of...
- 5/2/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Channel 4’s ‘The Windsors’ To Return With King Charles Coronation Parody
Channel 4 Harry Enfield comedy The Windsors is to return after three years to parody King Charles’ Coronation later this year. Enfield’s King Charles character will take center stage as the UK’s first coronation in 70 years approaches. Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan are concentrating on life in California but pondering whether to fly over for the big day, while Prince William is focusing on the UK’s cost-of-living crisis. Produced by Noho Film & TV, The Windsors aired for three seasons on Channel 4 from 2016 to 2020. “Any channel worth its salt has a landmark show with the word coronation in the title,” said Joe Hullait, Channel 4 Comedy Commissioning Executive. “For the BBC it was the world’s first televised Coronation in 1953. For ITV it’s the world’s longest running soap Coronation Street. We at Channel 4 are delighted to announce...
Channel 4 Harry Enfield comedy The Windsors is to return after three years to parody King Charles’ Coronation later this year. Enfield’s King Charles character will take center stage as the UK’s first coronation in 70 years approaches. Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan are concentrating on life in California but pondering whether to fly over for the big day, while Prince William is focusing on the UK’s cost-of-living crisis. Produced by Noho Film & TV, The Windsors aired for three seasons on Channel 4 from 2016 to 2020. “Any channel worth its salt has a landmark show with the word coronation in the title,” said Joe Hullait, Channel 4 Comedy Commissioning Executive. “For the BBC it was the world’s first televised Coronation in 1953. For ITV it’s the world’s longest running soap Coronation Street. We at Channel 4 are delighted to announce...
- 3/6/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
“Close” director Lukas Dhont’s discovery of one of his film’s stars, Eden Dambrine, is straight out of a book of Hollywood legends.
Dhont approached Dambrine on a train in their native Belgium and asked if he’d like to audition for his movie. “I was a bit worried,” Dambrine, 16, recalls. “I asked my friends to search on Google to see if it was really Lukas Dhont who was talking to me. It was so I felt a bit more safe.”
Fast forward to 2023, and “Close” is up for best international feature at the Oscars. The A24 film is a drama about 13-year-old best friends Leo, played by Eden, and Rémi (Gustav De Waele). Tragedy occurs when Leo begins to distance himself from Rémi after they become the target of school bullies who believe the boys are a couple.
I caught up with Dhont, Dambrine and De Waele at...
Dhont approached Dambrine on a train in their native Belgium and asked if he’d like to audition for his movie. “I was a bit worried,” Dambrine, 16, recalls. “I asked my friends to search on Google to see if it was really Lukas Dhont who was talking to me. It was so I felt a bit more safe.”
Fast forward to 2023, and “Close” is up for best international feature at the Oscars. The A24 film is a drama about 13-year-old best friends Leo, played by Eden, and Rémi (Gustav De Waele). Tragedy occurs when Leo begins to distance himself from Rémi after they become the target of school bullies who believe the boys are a couple.
I caught up with Dhont, Dambrine and De Waele at...
- 3/4/2023
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!
Jamie Lee Curtis Signed Photo from My Hand In Yours
Jamie Lee Curtis made her first and only horror convention appearance back in 2012. If you missed out, the Halloween star is offering signed, personalized, and authenticated 8×10 prints featuring Laurie Strode from Halloween Ends.
They’re available from My Hand In Yours for $150 this month only in honor of Make March Matter, after which the price will go up to $200. All profits are donated to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Leatherface Action Figures from Trick or Treat Studios
Trick or Treat Studios has unveiled Leatherface 1:6 scale action figures based on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre...
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!
Jamie Lee Curtis Signed Photo from My Hand In Yours
Jamie Lee Curtis made her first and only horror convention appearance back in 2012. If you missed out, the Halloween star is offering signed, personalized, and authenticated 8×10 prints featuring Laurie Strode from Halloween Ends.
They’re available from My Hand In Yours for $150 this month only in honor of Make March Matter, after which the price will go up to $200. All profits are donated to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Leatherface Action Figures from Trick or Treat Studios
Trick or Treat Studios has unveiled Leatherface 1:6 scale action figures based on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre...
- 3/3/2023
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
Is there anything sadder in a boy’s life than the moment they realise they have to become men? You often see it play out in real time, where a kind of free-wheeling innocence becomes corrupted by essentialist ideas of what a man needs to be. Sports are a must. Sensitivity is a problem. Touch another boy by all means, but only if it’s a macho thwack or a hearty backslap. Anything else is suspect.
Lukas Dhont’s Belgian drama Close – a Best International Film nominee at this month’s Oscars – makes great hay of these moments. We see 13-year-old Léo (Eden Dambrine) pushing away the head of his best friend Rémi (Gustav De Waele), who’s resting it lazily on his chest. We see their sharing of a bed at sleepovers suddenly become loaded with meaning, so Léo sleeps elsewhere. We see the panic that appears in Léo...
Lukas Dhont’s Belgian drama Close – a Best International Film nominee at this month’s Oscars – makes great hay of these moments. We see 13-year-old Léo (Eden Dambrine) pushing away the head of his best friend Rémi (Gustav De Waele), who’s resting it lazily on his chest. We see their sharing of a bed at sleepovers suddenly become loaded with meaning, so Léo sleeps elsewhere. We see the panic that appears in Léo...
- 3/2/2023
- by Adam White
- The Independent - Film
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Close,” one of the five nominees for Best International Feature at the upcoming 95th Oscars, written and directed by Lukas Dhont. In wide theater release in the U.S. beginning February 3rd.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Two boys, Léo (the star making performance of Eden Dambrine) and Rémi (Gustav de Waele) are best friends, idling away the summer hours in love with life and their company with each other. After that magic summer, they enter middle school, where their friendship is put under scrutiny by the alpha males, questioning the nature of their togetherness, characterizing it as gay. This affects Léo the most, and nothing will the same afterward.
”Close” opens in wide release on February 3rd, see local listings. Featuring Eden Dambrine, Gustav de Waele, Émilie Dequenne, Léa Drucker and Kevin Janssens. Written and directed by Lukas Dhont. Rated “PG-13”
Click Here...
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Two boys, Léo (the star making performance of Eden Dambrine) and Rémi (Gustav de Waele) are best friends, idling away the summer hours in love with life and their company with each other. After that magic summer, they enter middle school, where their friendship is put under scrutiny by the alpha males, questioning the nature of their togetherness, characterizing it as gay. This affects Léo the most, and nothing will the same afterward.
”Close” opens in wide release on February 3rd, see local listings. Featuring Eden Dambrine, Gustav de Waele, Émilie Dequenne, Léa Drucker and Kevin Janssens. Written and directed by Lukas Dhont. Rated “PG-13”
Click Here...
- 2/5/2023
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize (tied with Claire Denis) at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, with his sophomore feature, Lukas Dhont has cemented his status as a filmmaker who works in sorrow and a high Eq. Not unlike the enormous weight carried by the protagonist in his 2018 film debut Girl, the lead here is guilt stricken before becoming grief stricken. While there is compassion and a support system that surrounds the young Leo – his detachment and occasional bouts of silence are crippling. Featuring a fascinating turn by Émilie Dequenne and a break-out debut by non-actor Eden Dambrine who manages to add profundity to innocence lost, Close is about the type of non-descriptive wedge that creates a distance in friendship — one that is not only measured in inches but unannounced and forced disinterest.…...
- 2/2/2023
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Chicago – When the 95th Academy Awards nominations were announced, one notable Best International Feature Film honoree was “Close,” a Belgium/Netherlands/France production that also won the Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The writer/director of the film is 31-year-old Lukas Dhont.
The film involves two boys, Léo (the star making performance of Eden Dambrine) and Rémi (Gustav de Waele) best friends who are idling away the summer hours in love with life and their company with each other. After that magic summer, they both enter middle school, where their friendship is put under scrutiny by the alpha males. They question the nature of the boy’s togetherness, characterizing it as gay. This affects Léo the most, and nothing will the same afterward.
Writer/Director Lukas Dhont in Chicago
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com
Lukas Dhont was born in Ghent, Belgium, and began his career as...
The film involves two boys, Léo (the star making performance of Eden Dambrine) and Rémi (Gustav de Waele) best friends who are idling away the summer hours in love with life and their company with each other. After that magic summer, they both enter middle school, where their friendship is put under scrutiny by the alpha males. They question the nature of the boy’s togetherness, characterizing it as gay. This affects Léo the most, and nothing will the same afterward.
Writer/Director Lukas Dhont in Chicago
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com
Lukas Dhont was born in Ghent, Belgium, and began his career as...
- 2/2/2023
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Neon and Topic Studios present writer/director Brandon Cronenberg’s Infinity Pool at 1,835 theaters in a lively specialty weekend sandwiched between a new crop of Sundance films and noteworthy expansions in the glow of Oscar nominations.
Infinity Pool, staring Alexander Skarsgard, Mia Goth, Cleopatra Coleman and Jalil Lespert, had a splashy debut last weekend in the Midnight section of just wrapped Sundance Film Festival. Skarsgard and Coleman are enjoying a perfect vacation at a beach getaway in the fictional state of Li Tolqa — until another tourist couple convinces them to venture outside the resort grounds, where they find themselves in a culture filled with violence, hedonism and horror. Deadline review here.
A24 presents Belgian director Lukas Dhont’s Close, just nominated for Best International Feature and winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The drama follows Leo (Eden Dambrine) and Remi (Gustav De Waele), two thirteen-year-old...
Infinity Pool, staring Alexander Skarsgard, Mia Goth, Cleopatra Coleman and Jalil Lespert, had a splashy debut last weekend in the Midnight section of just wrapped Sundance Film Festival. Skarsgard and Coleman are enjoying a perfect vacation at a beach getaway in the fictional state of Li Tolqa — until another tourist couple convinces them to venture outside the resort grounds, where they find themselves in a culture filled with violence, hedonism and horror. Deadline review here.
A24 presents Belgian director Lukas Dhont’s Close, just nominated for Best International Feature and winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The drama follows Leo (Eden Dambrine) and Remi (Gustav De Waele), two thirteen-year-old...
- 1/27/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
This review originally ran May 26, 2022, in conjunction with the film’s world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.
Leo (Eden Dambrine) and Remi (Gustav De Waele) are more than just friends and not at all lovers. At only 13 years of age, they’re too young for that – and what’s more, their bond transcends simple labels. First seen running through the lush meadows of rural Belgium, the duo share a complicity that is as natural and abundant as the late summer harvest. Nothing that pure could ever hope to last.
“Close,” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday, sees Belgium filmmaker Lukas Dhont (whose previous film, “Girl,” took home the Camera d’Or for best first feature in 2018) make his competition debut at age 31. A relative whippersnapper in this year’s (and most years without Xavier Dolan) Palme d’Or campaign, the rising Belgian filmmaker more than holds his own.
Leo (Eden Dambrine) and Remi (Gustav De Waele) are more than just friends and not at all lovers. At only 13 years of age, they’re too young for that – and what’s more, their bond transcends simple labels. First seen running through the lush meadows of rural Belgium, the duo share a complicity that is as natural and abundant as the late summer harvest. Nothing that pure could ever hope to last.
“Close,” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday, sees Belgium filmmaker Lukas Dhont (whose previous film, “Girl,” took home the Camera d’Or for best first feature in 2018) make his competition debut at age 31. A relative whippersnapper in this year’s (and most years without Xavier Dolan) Palme d’Or campaign, the rising Belgian filmmaker more than holds his own.
- 1/26/2023
- by Ben Croll
- The Wrap
Les Films du Losange has boarded “Un silence,” the new thought-provoking film by Belgian filmmaker Joachim Lafosse (“The Restless”) starring Daniel Auteuil and Emmanuelle Devos. The company has unveiled an exclusive first still of the timely drama on the eve of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous market in Paris which kicks off this week.
The plot remains enigmatic but Les Films du Losange said it will revolve around Astrid (Devos), the wife of an acclaimed lawyer (Auteuil). Silenced for 25 years, her family balance suddenly collapses when her children initiate their search for justice.
Auteuil and Devos are among France’s best known actors. Auteuil previously won Cesar and BAFTA awards. His credits include “La belle époque” by Nicolas Bedos, and “Hidden” by Michael Haneke, while Devos, who also won a Cesar award, previously starred in Jacques Audiard’s “Read My Lips” and Arnaud Desplechin’s movies including “A Christmas tale” and “Kings & Queen.
The plot remains enigmatic but Les Films du Losange said it will revolve around Astrid (Devos), the wife of an acclaimed lawyer (Auteuil). Silenced for 25 years, her family balance suddenly collapses when her children initiate their search for justice.
Auteuil and Devos are among France’s best known actors. Auteuil previously won Cesar and BAFTA awards. His credits include “La belle époque” by Nicolas Bedos, and “Hidden” by Michael Haneke, while Devos, who also won a Cesar award, previously starred in Jacques Audiard’s “Read My Lips” and Arnaud Desplechin’s movies including “A Christmas tale” and “Kings & Queen.
- 1/10/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
“Marinette,” a biopic film about the first French female professional soccer player, has been boarded by Pulsar Content and Have a Good One. Garance Marillier, the breakout star of Julia Ducournau’s “Raw” and Palme d’Or winning “Titane,” stars in the lead role, as Marinette Pichon.
Based on Pichon’s bestselling autobiographical book, “Marinette” is directed by Virginie Verrier and showcases a raft of prominent and up-and-comers, including Marillier, Emilie Dequenne (“Close”), Alban Lenoir (“Lost Bullet”), Fred Testot (“Houba! On the trail of the Marsupilami”) and Sylvie Testud.
A pioneer of French women’s soccer, Pichon held for almost two decades the record for the number of goals and caps for the French team (men/women combined). She eventually became the first French player to have a career in the U.S..
Now in post, “Marinette” follows Pichon’s fight to spread awareness on women’s rights in sport.
Based on Pichon’s bestselling autobiographical book, “Marinette” is directed by Virginie Verrier and showcases a raft of prominent and up-and-comers, including Marillier, Emilie Dequenne (“Close”), Alban Lenoir (“Lost Bullet”), Fred Testot (“Houba! On the trail of the Marsupilami”) and Sylvie Testud.
A pioneer of French women’s soccer, Pichon held for almost two decades the record for the number of goals and caps for the French team (men/women combined). She eventually became the first French player to have a career in the U.S..
Now in post, “Marinette” follows Pichon’s fight to spread awareness on women’s rights in sport.
- 1/9/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Lukas Dhont had a complicated journey with his first feature. The Belgian filmmaker’s “Girl” won the Camera d’Or at Cannes in 2018, secured distribution with Netflix, and became his country’s Oscar submission. In the months that followed, however, the movie was criticized for portraying a young trans experience from a cis male perspective, with a straight actor in the lead role and a violent ending that struck some viewers as exploitative. The backlash caught the young director off-guard and left him wondering how to proceed.
“We put our hearts and souls into it,” he said over coffee in New York this week. “It was really a process of learning for me. Those perspectives opened up a lot of my knowledge around how one innocent piece can be looked at from different ways.” At the same time, he was constantly getting asked what he would do next. “It was quite a challenge,...
“We put our hearts and souls into it,” he said over coffee in New York this week. “It was really a process of learning for me. Those perspectives opened up a lot of my knowledge around how one innocent piece can be looked at from different ways.” At the same time, he was constantly getting asked what he would do next. “It was quite a challenge,...
- 12/14/2022
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Close Review — Close (2022) Film Review, a movie directed by Lukas Dhont, written by Angelo Tijssens and Lukas Dhont and starring Eden Dambrine, Gustav De Waele, Émilie Dequenne, Léa Drucker, Kevin Janssens and Marc Weiss. Filmmaker Lukas Dhont has crafted one of the most remarkable pictures of the year with the powerful film, Close, [...]
Continue reading: Film Review: Close (2022): A Heartbreaking, Marvelously Acted Film That is One of the Best Movies of the Year...
Continue reading: Film Review: Close (2022): A Heartbreaking, Marvelously Acted Film That is One of the Best Movies of the Year...
- 12/13/2022
- by Thomas Duffy
- Film-Book
Exclusive: France tv distribution has unveiled a first round of deals for best-selling French writer Gilles Legardinier’s feature directorial debut Mr. Blake At Your Service!, reuniting John Malkovich and Fanny Ardant on the big screen.
The film has been acquired for Germany and Austria (Mfa+ Film Distribution), Italy (Adler Entertainment), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Spain (A Contracorriente Films), Switzerland (Praesens Film), Bulgaria (Cinelibri), Poland (Best Film), former Yugoslavia (McF Megacom Film) as well as for Australia and New Zealand (Rialto Distribution).
The comedy-drama is adapted from Legardinier’s 2012 best-selling French novel Complètement Cramé! which sold more than one million copies sold in France and was translated into 17 languages across 22 countries.
Malkovich stars as Andrew Blake, a recently widowed British businessman who takes a job as a butler in a faded manor house in northern France, close to where he and his late wife spent the early days of their romance.
The film has been acquired for Germany and Austria (Mfa+ Film Distribution), Italy (Adler Entertainment), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Spain (A Contracorriente Films), Switzerland (Praesens Film), Bulgaria (Cinelibri), Poland (Best Film), former Yugoslavia (McF Megacom Film) as well as for Australia and New Zealand (Rialto Distribution).
The comedy-drama is adapted from Legardinier’s 2012 best-selling French novel Complètement Cramé! which sold more than one million copies sold in France and was translated into 17 languages across 22 countries.
Malkovich stars as Andrew Blake, a recently widowed British businessman who takes a job as a butler in a faded manor house in northern France, close to where he and his late wife spent the early days of their romance.
- 10/26/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
"You always wait for me, not this time." The Match Factory has debuted a second official trailer for Close, the second feature from filmmaker Lukas Dhont, his follow-up to the film Girl. This won the Grand Prix prize in Cannes, though it's still my top Palme d'Or pick from this year's selection. I really want to watch it again. The intense friendship between two thirteen-year old boys Leo and Remi suddenly gets disrupted. Struggling to understand what happened, Léo approaches Sophie, Rémi's mother. Close is an emotional film about friendship and responsibility. Starring Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele as the boys, with Émilie Dequenne & Léa Drucker. One of my favorites from 2022, I wrote in my Cannes review that "it's a genuine work of art that exemplifies all of what cinema can & should be." A24 still hasn't set an official US release date, but it's Belgium's 2022 Oscar submission and should...
- 10/17/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Click here to read the full article.
Belgian director Lukas Dhont’s Close, which explores the fragile world of childhood bonds in his second feature, has been chosen by Belgium as its contender for best international feature at the 2023 Academy Awards.
The drama, starring Eden Dambrine and Gustave De Waele, won the Grand Prix trophy at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was one of the highest profile films in competition. Close sees main characters Léo and Rémi as 13-year-old best friends with a seemingly unbreakable bond that suddenly and tragically breaks apart.
Close is the follow-up for Dhont to Girl, which won the Camera d’Or for best debut feature in Cannes in 2018. That film portrayed a young trans woman who wants to dance on pointe with the other girls. Girl won another three Cannes trophies that year — the Fipresci film critics honor, the Un Certain Regard best performance trophy for lead Victor Polster,...
Belgian director Lukas Dhont’s Close, which explores the fragile world of childhood bonds in his second feature, has been chosen by Belgium as its contender for best international feature at the 2023 Academy Awards.
The drama, starring Eden Dambrine and Gustave De Waele, won the Grand Prix trophy at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was one of the highest profile films in competition. Close sees main characters Léo and Rémi as 13-year-old best friends with a seemingly unbreakable bond that suddenly and tragically breaks apart.
Close is the follow-up for Dhont to Girl, which won the Camera d’Or for best debut feature in Cannes in 2018. That film portrayed a young trans woman who wants to dance on pointe with the other girls. Girl won another three Cannes trophies that year — the Fipresci film critics honor, the Un Certain Regard best performance trophy for lead Victor Polster,...
- 9/16/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Close Trailer — Lukas Dhont‘s Close (2022) movie trailer has been released by A24. The Close trailer stars Eden Dambrine, Gustav De Waele, Émilie Dequenne, and Léa Drucker. Crew Lukas Dhont and Angelo Tijssens wrote the screenplay for Close. “Produced by Michiel Dhont and Dirk Impens.” Post Close Movie Poster Plot Synopsis Close‘s plot synopsis: “The intense friendship between [...]
Continue reading: Close (2022) Movie Trailer: An Intense Friendship is Disrupted in Lukas Dhont’s Drama Film...
Continue reading: Close (2022) Movie Trailer: An Intense Friendship is Disrupted in Lukas Dhont’s Drama Film...
- 9/8/2022
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
A24 has revealed a beautiful official US trailer for the acclaimed Belgian film titled Close, which originally premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. It's the second feature from filmmaker Lukas Dhont, his follow-up to the film Girl, earning rave reviews and the Grand Prix prize in Cannes. Many critics thought it should've been the Palme d'Or winner in Cannes this year over the Ruben Ostlund film - I was one of them voicing this exact sentiment as well. An unforgettable story of friendship and growing up. The intense friendship between two thirteen-year old boys Leo and Remi suddenly gets disrupted. Struggling to understand what happened, Léo approaches Sophie, Rémi's mother. The film stars Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele as the two boys, with Émilie Dequenne & Léa Drucker. I raved about this film in my Cannes review, proclaiming "it's a genuine work of art that exemplifies all...
- 9/7/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Lukas Dhont’s sophomore effort captures the crushing weight of middle school friendship.
“Close” centers on Léo and Rémi, two 13-year-old best friends whose seemingly unbreakable bond is suddenly, tragically torn apart. As the duo are teased for being a “couple,” the trailer keeps their relationship — and its tragic end — elusive. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, Dhont’s second film is an emotionally transformative and unforgettable portrait of the intersection of friendship and love, identity and independence, and heartbreak and healing.
“Close” is directed by Dhont and co-written by Dhont and Angelo Tijssens. The film stars Eden Dambrine, Igor Van Dessel, Émilie Dequenne, and Léa Drucker, and is distributed by A24. There is no release date yet for the award-winning feature.
Belgian filmmaker Dhont made his directorial debut with Cannes-selected trans ballet drama “Girl” in 2018. The film won the Camera d’Or award as...
“Close” centers on Léo and Rémi, two 13-year-old best friends whose seemingly unbreakable bond is suddenly, tragically torn apart. As the duo are teased for being a “couple,” the trailer keeps their relationship — and its tragic end — elusive. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, Dhont’s second film is an emotionally transformative and unforgettable portrait of the intersection of friendship and love, identity and independence, and heartbreak and healing.
“Close” is directed by Dhont and co-written by Dhont and Angelo Tijssens. The film stars Eden Dambrine, Igor Van Dessel, Émilie Dequenne, and Léa Drucker, and is distributed by A24. There is no release date yet for the award-winning feature.
Belgian filmmaker Dhont made his directorial debut with Cannes-selected trans ballet drama “Girl” in 2018. The film won the Camera d’Or award as...
- 9/7/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
After staging a vastly scaled-down version in 2020, organizers of the Cannes Film Festival brought buzz back to the Croisette last year as the industry dipped its toes into the annual French gathering. As the 75th edition kicked off May 17, many in the business are all-in on the in-person experience and there are plenty of completed films for sale.
Mubi took an early lead in acquisitions, scooping up Léa Mysius’s sophomore film “The Five Devils” and Park Chan-wook’s mystery “Decision to Leave” in recent weeks. Other films arriving with distribution include Brett Morgen’s David Bowie doc “Moonage Daydream,” from Neon. A24 has five films premiering at Cannes, including Alex Garland’s “Men” and Claire Denis’ “The Stars at Noon.”
Still up for grabs are films like “Hunt,” the directorial debut of “Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae, and Arnaud Desplechin’s “Brother and Sister.”
Below find a constantly updated...
Mubi took an early lead in acquisitions, scooping up Léa Mysius’s sophomore film “The Five Devils” and Park Chan-wook’s mystery “Decision to Leave” in recent weeks. Other films arriving with distribution include Brett Morgen’s David Bowie doc “Moonage Daydream,” from Neon. A24 has five films premiering at Cannes, including Alex Garland’s “Men” and Claire Denis’ “The Stars at Noon.”
Still up for grabs are films like “Hunt,” the directorial debut of “Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae, and Arnaud Desplechin’s “Brother and Sister.”
Below find a constantly updated...
- 7/12/2022
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
Lukas Dhont caused a bit of a stir when he was last in Cannes with Girl in the Un Certain Regard competition. Focussing on a teenage boy desperately unhappy in his own body and resorting to self-mutilation, the film and its director caught quite a bit of flak. This year, Dhont is in the main competition with Close, another story revolving around young teenage boys and likely to cause a bit of stir itself.
The film opens with scenes of bucolic loveliness as two 13-year-old boys, Léo (Eden Dambrine) and Rémi (Gustav De Waele) play and frolic in the Belgian countryside, hiding out in old farm buildings as they create elaborate imaginary battles and racing through the fields of flowers grown by Léo’s parents. Their games and their intimacy – whether sharing a bed, lolling on top of one another, or laying a head on a shoulder – are about to...
The film opens with scenes of bucolic loveliness as two 13-year-old boys, Léo (Eden Dambrine) and Rémi (Gustav De Waele) play and frolic in the Belgian countryside, hiding out in old farm buildings as they create elaborate imaginary battles and racing through the fields of flowers grown by Léo’s parents. Their games and their intimacy – whether sharing a bed, lolling on top of one another, or laying a head on a shoulder – are about to...
- 5/28/2022
- by Jo-Ann Titmarsh
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
When two 13-year-olds are no longer close, the fallout is unbearably sad, in Lukas Dhont’s anguished second feature
Belgian film-maker Lukas Dhont found praise and then a backlash of criticism in 2018 for his debut feature, Girl, the story of a young transgender woman auditioning for ballet school, which some found to be inauthentic, and an unwarranted fetishisation of a trans person’s body. It could well be that he will get more criticism for this new film on the grounds that the unselfconscious love and friendship between two 13-year-old boys is being catastrophised and problematised.
I admit there are times when Dhont goes straight for the deafening minor chords of anguish. But there are two excellent performances from newcomers Gustav De Waele and Eden Dambrine as Rémi and Léo, and also valuable appearances from the actors playing their mothers: Sophie and Nathalie (Léa Drucker). Rémi and Léo are inseparable,...
Belgian film-maker Lukas Dhont found praise and then a backlash of criticism in 2018 for his debut feature, Girl, the story of a young transgender woman auditioning for ballet school, which some found to be inauthentic, and an unwarranted fetishisation of a trans person’s body. It could well be that he will get more criticism for this new film on the grounds that the unselfconscious love and friendship between two 13-year-old boys is being catastrophised and problematised.
I admit there are times when Dhont goes straight for the deafening minor chords of anguish. But there are two excellent performances from newcomers Gustav De Waele and Eden Dambrine as Rémi and Léo, and also valuable appearances from the actors playing their mothers: Sophie and Nathalie (Léa Drucker). Rémi and Léo are inseparable,...
- 5/27/2022
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
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