Los Angeles, Nov. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The eighth annual Asian World Film Festival (Awff) announced its competition winners at a star-studded event November 18 at Beverly Hill’s Saban Theater. The Last Film Show (India), directed by Pan Nalin, won the Snow Leopard Award for Best Film; Mohsen Tanabandeh garnered the Snow Leopard for Best Actor for World War III (Iran), and Hui Fang Hong was honored with the Snow Leopard for Best Actress for Ajoomma (Singapore).
Asian World Film Festival (Awff)
The Snow Leopard Special Jury Award went to World War III, directed by Houman Seyedi, and the Snow Leopard Audience Award to Aurora’s Sunrise (Armenia), directed by Inna Sahakyan. Kerr (Turkey) director of photography, Andreas Sinanos, received the Panavision Best Cinematography Award along with a 60,000 Panavision Camera Grant of cutting-edge filmmaking equipment.
Short films and the talent behind them were also recognized at the standing-room-only event. The Hollywood Foreign Press...
Asian World Film Festival (Awff)
The Snow Leopard Special Jury Award went to World War III, directed by Houman Seyedi, and the Snow Leopard Audience Award to Aurora’s Sunrise (Armenia), directed by Inna Sahakyan. Kerr (Turkey) director of photography, Andreas Sinanos, received the Panavision Best Cinematography Award along with a 60,000 Panavision Camera Grant of cutting-edge filmmaking equipment.
Short films and the talent behind them were also recognized at the standing-room-only event. The Hollywood Foreign Press...
- 11/21/2022
- by Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
The United Talent Agency has appointed six men and two women as new partners, the agency’s board of directors announced Friday.
Jacob Fenton, Ken Fermaglich, Susie Fox, Ben Jacobson, Ophir Lupu, John Sacks, Bec Smith and Mark Subias have been appointed from across UTA’s businesses, accounting for a 13 percent expansion of the company’s partnership. The agents come from the world of theatre, music, TV, movies, video games and more. Between them they have nearly 70 years of experience at the agency.
“These eight individuals from across our business have been a critical part of UTA’s growth over the past years,” the UTA Board of Directors said in a statement. “Their appointments reflect not just the longstanding contributions each has made, but their leadership, innovation and commitment to creating unique opportunities for our clients. We are proud to have them join our partnership.”
Also Read: Veteran Agent David Lubliner...
Jacob Fenton, Ken Fermaglich, Susie Fox, Ben Jacobson, Ophir Lupu, John Sacks, Bec Smith and Mark Subias have been appointed from across UTA’s businesses, accounting for a 13 percent expansion of the company’s partnership. The agents come from the world of theatre, music, TV, movies, video games and more. Between them they have nearly 70 years of experience at the agency.
“These eight individuals from across our business have been a critical part of UTA’s growth over the past years,” the UTA Board of Directors said in a statement. “Their appointments reflect not just the longstanding contributions each has made, but their leadership, innovation and commitment to creating unique opportunities for our clients. We are proud to have them join our partnership.”
Also Read: Veteran Agent David Lubliner...
- 1/25/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The UTA board of directors said Friday that the agency has promoted eight agents to partner, repping a 13% expansion of the group. The promotions come from across UTA’s businesses including theater, music, TV, movies and video games.
The new partners include two division heads — Video Games’ Ophir Lupu and Theatre’s Mark Subias — along with Jacob Fenton, Ken Fermaglich, Susie Fox, Ben Jacobson, John Sacks and Bec Smith.
“These eight individuals from across our business have been a critical part of UTA’s growth over the past years,” UTA said in a statement announcing the news. “Their appointments reflect not just the longstanding contributions each has made, but their leadership, innovation and commitment to creating unique opportunities for our clients. We are proud to have them join our partnership.”
More info her, per UTA:
Jacob Fenton, an 18-year UTA veteran who started in the mailroom in 2001 and rose through...
The new partners include two division heads — Video Games’ Ophir Lupu and Theatre’s Mark Subias — along with Jacob Fenton, Ken Fermaglich, Susie Fox, Ben Jacobson, John Sacks and Bec Smith.
“These eight individuals from across our business have been a critical part of UTA’s growth over the past years,” UTA said in a statement announcing the news. “Their appointments reflect not just the longstanding contributions each has made, but their leadership, innovation and commitment to creating unique opportunities for our clients. We are proud to have them join our partnership.”
More info her, per UTA:
Jacob Fenton, an 18-year UTA veteran who started in the mailroom in 2001 and rose through...
- 1/25/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Channing Tatum executive producer on Gorilla And The Bird.
Jean-Marc Vallée has signed on to direct Gorilla And The Bird, his third limited series for HBO.
Based on Sack Dermot’s 2017 book Gorilla And The Bird: A Memoir Of Madness And A Mother’s Love, the series will be co-produced by HBO and Big Beach TV, producer of Starz series Vida and Facebook Watch series Sorry For Your Loss.
Bryan Sipe, writer of Vallée’s 2015 feature Demolition, will write the series and serve as showrunner and executive producer. Channing Tatum’s company Free Association is also an executive producer.
The...
Jean-Marc Vallée has signed on to direct Gorilla And The Bird, his third limited series for HBO.
Based on Sack Dermot’s 2017 book Gorilla And The Bird: A Memoir Of Madness And A Mother’s Love, the series will be co-produced by HBO and Big Beach TV, producer of Starz series Vida and Facebook Watch series Sorry For Your Loss.
Bryan Sipe, writer of Vallée’s 2015 feature Demolition, will write the series and serve as showrunner and executive producer. Channing Tatum’s company Free Association is also an executive producer.
The...
- 12/11/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
HBO has greenlighted Gorilla and the Bird, a new limited series from Jean-Marc Vallée, the director/executive producer behind the network’s Big Little Lies and Sharp Objects. Vallée is set to direct and executive produce the project, based on Zack McDermott’s book Gorilla and the Bird: A Memoir of Madness and a Mother’s Love. It hails from Vallée’s crazyrose, Channing Tatum’s Free Association and Marc Turtletaub and Peter Saraf’s Big Beach, and will be an HBO-Big Beach co-production.
Written by Demolition scribe Bryan Sipe, who will serve as executive producer/showrunner, Gorilla and the Bird is described as an inspirational tale of a mother’s unconditional love for her bipolar son. It follows Zack (the Gorilla) as he fights to regain his sanity after a devastating psychotic break, turning to the only person who didn’t give up on him – his mother (The Bird...
Written by Demolition scribe Bryan Sipe, who will serve as executive producer/showrunner, Gorilla and the Bird is described as an inspirational tale of a mother’s unconditional love for her bipolar son. It follows Zack (the Gorilla) as he fights to regain his sanity after a devastating psychotic break, turning to the only person who didn’t give up on him – his mother (The Bird...
- 12/10/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Jean-Marc Vallée has lined up yet another HBO project.
Vallée has signed on to direct and executive produce the limited series “Gorilla And The Bird,” based on the memoir of the same name by Zack McDermott, at the premium cabler. It is described as an inspirational tale of a mother’s unconditional love for her bipolar son, following Zack (the Gorilla) as he fights to regain his sanity after a devastating psychotic break, turning to the only person who didn’t give up on him – his mother (The Bird). Once a highly successful public defender for The Legal Aid Society of New York, Zack’s sudden illness takes him on a harrowing journey of delusions and antisocial behavior, leading to his eventual arrest and commitment to Bellevue Hospital.
Vallée will executive produce under his crazyrose production banner. He previously directed and executive produced the entire first season of HBO’s “Big Little Lies,...
Vallée has signed on to direct and executive produce the limited series “Gorilla And The Bird,” based on the memoir of the same name by Zack McDermott, at the premium cabler. It is described as an inspirational tale of a mother’s unconditional love for her bipolar son, following Zack (the Gorilla) as he fights to regain his sanity after a devastating psychotic break, turning to the only person who didn’t give up on him – his mother (The Bird). Once a highly successful public defender for The Legal Aid Society of New York, Zack’s sudden illness takes him on a harrowing journey of delusions and antisocial behavior, leading to his eventual arrest and commitment to Bellevue Hospital.
Vallée will executive produce under his crazyrose production banner. He previously directed and executive produced the entire first season of HBO’s “Big Little Lies,...
- 12/10/2018
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
“Big Little Lies” and “Sharp Objects” alum Jean-Marc Vallée has re-teamed with HBO for yet another limited series.
The director has signed on to direct and executive produce the network’s upcoming adaptation of “Gorilla and the Bird,” HBO announced on Monday.
An adaptation of the memoir by former attorney Zack McDermott, the series is described as “an inspirational tale of a mother’s unconditional love for her bipolar son.” Bryan Sipe, who previously collaborated with Vallée on the 2015 Jake Gyllenhaal-led film “Demolition,” is executive producer and showrunner on the limited series.
The director has signed on to direct and executive produce the network’s upcoming adaptation of “Gorilla and the Bird,” HBO announced on Monday.
An adaptation of the memoir by former attorney Zack McDermott, the series is described as “an inspirational tale of a mother’s unconditional love for her bipolar son.” Bryan Sipe, who previously collaborated with Vallée on the 2015 Jake Gyllenhaal-led film “Demolition,” is executive producer and showrunner on the limited series.
- 12/10/2018
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
The Whistler Film Festival (November 28 — December 2) is hosting the industry’s top screenwriters at highly anticipated 7th consecutive event in Whistler.
This year’s honoured screenwriters will share their personal stories and challenges related to succeeding in today’s film industry at an afternoon conversation on December 1 as part of Wff’s Signature Series as well as receive their coveted award at Wff’s Awards Celebration on December 2.
Hosted by Canadian broadcast veteran George Stroumboulopoulos, festival goers will join this prestigious class of film scribes as they discuss tips and tricks for navigating the film landscape in 2018. The group will also share a behind the scenes look at their current and future projects during this intimate conversation.
Variety’s class of 2018 screenwriters and notable credits include:
Joe Robert Cole, Black PantherBryan Woods and Scott Beck, A Quiet PlaceAshleigh Powell, The Nutcracker And The Four RealmsJay Longino, Uncle DrewElizabeth Chomko, What They HadSofia Alvarez,...
This year’s honoured screenwriters will share their personal stories and challenges related to succeeding in today’s film industry at an afternoon conversation on December 1 as part of Wff’s Signature Series as well as receive their coveted award at Wff’s Awards Celebration on December 2.
Hosted by Canadian broadcast veteran George Stroumboulopoulos, festival goers will join this prestigious class of film scribes as they discuss tips and tricks for navigating the film landscape in 2018. The group will also share a behind the scenes look at their current and future projects during this intimate conversation.
Variety’s class of 2018 screenwriters and notable credits include:
Joe Robert Cole, Black PantherBryan Woods and Scott Beck, A Quiet PlaceAshleigh Powell, The Nutcracker And The Four RealmsJay Longino, Uncle DrewElizabeth Chomko, What They HadSofia Alvarez,...
- 11/20/2018
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Channing Tatum’s Free Association has teamed with Marc Turtletaub and Peter Saraf’s Big Beach to option Zack McDermott’s book Gorilla and the Bird: A Memoir of Madness and a Mother's Love, for TV series development. Demolition scribe Bryan Sipe is attached to pen the adaptation and executive produce. The memoir, released today (Sept. 26) by Little Brown Publishing Company, chronicles McDermott’s personal battle with bipolar disorder, which affects nearly 6 million…...
- 9/27/2017
- Deadline TV
Dallas Buyers Club director Jean Marc-Vallée ends his run of form with an over-egged story of bereavement starring Jake Gyllenhaal
“For some reason, everything has become a metaphor,” writes recently widowed investment banker Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal) in the latest of a series of confessional letters to a vending machine customer service department. It’s an indication of how much this film talks down to its audience that screenwriter Bryan Sipe felt the need to spell this out to us. The story of a bereaved man who starts to dismantle household appliances and, later, buildings, the whole movie is a laboured metaphor: we get it, he’s falling apart. A deftly executed opening sequence notwithstanding, this is a disappointingly one note piece of direction from Jean-Marc Vallée, whose recent run of form with Dallas Buyers Club and Wild seems to have abruptly derailed. Perhaps the main redeeming factor is the assured performance from newcomer Judah Lewis,...
“For some reason, everything has become a metaphor,” writes recently widowed investment banker Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal) in the latest of a series of confessional letters to a vending machine customer service department. It’s an indication of how much this film talks down to its audience that screenwriter Bryan Sipe felt the need to spell this out to us. The story of a bereaved man who starts to dismantle household appliances and, later, buildings, the whole movie is a laboured metaphor: we get it, he’s falling apart. A deftly executed opening sequence notwithstanding, this is a disappointingly one note piece of direction from Jean-Marc Vallée, whose recent run of form with Dallas Buyers Club and Wild seems to have abruptly derailed. Perhaps the main redeeming factor is the assured performance from newcomer Judah Lewis,...
- 5/1/2016
- by Wendy Ide
- The Guardian - Film News
This Friday sees Jean-Marc Vallée’s Demolition enter UK cinemas following a surge of positive reviews on its debut at Toronto. Micah Phillips took time with the cast and crew and we’ll be running the interviews all this week. We’ve spoken to screenwriter Bryan Sipe, newcomer Judah Lewis right here, and today we present our interview
The post Exclusive Interview: Chris Cooper on his part in Demolition appeared first on HeyUGuys.
The post Exclusive Interview: Chris Cooper on his part in Demolition appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 4/27/2016
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Jean-Marc Vallée’s Demolition enters UK cinemas this Friday following strong reviews from its debut at Toronto. Micah Phillips took time with the cast and crew and we’ll be running the interviews all this week. Today we have screenwriter Bryan Sipe, whose concurrent job was to adapt the latest film based on the work of Nicholas
The post Exclusive Interview: Demolition writer Bryan Sipe appeared first on HeyUGuys.
The post Exclusive Interview: Demolition writer Bryan Sipe appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 4/26/2016
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
I think it’s pretty hard to argue that Jake Gyllenhaal isn’t among the absolute top tier of actors in Hollywood right now. For the last few years, he’s been delivering one tremendous performance after the other. He hasn’t yet connected with the Academy on that second Oscar nomination so far, but was close with Nightcrawler for sure. This week, he has another strong performance to submit for consideration in Demolition, a quirkier movie than usual for him, but a fascinating one, to say the least. It has received mixed reviews so far, but I’m quite fond of it, and actually would list it as one of my favorite films of the year. With the release upon us, I felt it was only appropriate to discuss the flick a bit. The film is a quirky dramedy centering around how we deal with grief. Davis (Gyllenhaal) is...
- 4/8/2016
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Chicago – The attempt to make a European-style “journey of emotional morality” between four characters in New York City kept getting flatter and flatter as the tale emerged. It’s amusing that they called it “Demolition,” because as cinema, it’s basically a teardown.
Rating: 2.5/5.0
It’s Jake Gyllenhaal at his “Gyllenhaal-est” as a guilty widower who reacts in a special way when mourning his wife’s untimely death – and somehow it involves a mysterious outsider and her conveniently weird son, and lots of angst. There are some interesting feelings to consider, but they are all screwed into the ground until they melt at the center core. The director, Canadian Jean Marc-Valleé, has hacked it up before (the overrated “Dallas Buyer’s Club”), but this time the choppy narrative and attempts at “relevance” is a Hacker’s Hall of Fame. And dang nab the happy ending, which was tacked on so...
Rating: 2.5/5.0
It’s Jake Gyllenhaal at his “Gyllenhaal-est” as a guilty widower who reacts in a special way when mourning his wife’s untimely death – and somehow it involves a mysterious outsider and her conveniently weird son, and lots of angst. There are some interesting feelings to consider, but they are all screwed into the ground until they melt at the center core. The director, Canadian Jean Marc-Valleé, has hacked it up before (the overrated “Dallas Buyer’s Club”), but this time the choppy narrative and attempts at “relevance” is a Hacker’s Hall of Fame. And dang nab the happy ending, which was tacked on so...
- 4/8/2016
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
We all process grief in our own way: that’s the crux of Demolition, in which Jake Gyllenhaal loses his wife and proceeds to fall apart. I should have been on the verge of tears through all of this, but somehow, I just didn’t care. Bryan Sipe’s screenplay establishes Gyllenhaal as a man who seems to have everything: a beautiful spouse, a magnificent home, and a cushy job on Wall Street working for his father-in-law (Chris Cooper). But in the wake of that fatal accident he realizes that none of it has meaning. When Cooper tells him that in order to fix something, you have to take it apart and put it back together, his son-in-law takes the aphorism literally and begins to demolish...
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[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]...
- 4/8/2016
- by Leonard Maltin
- Leonard Maltin's Movie Crazy
Imagine buying a brand new Porsche. It’s beautiful, has a great engine, and makes everyone around you jealous. Now imagine being told you can only drive it in subdivisions. Sure, driving a Porsche is still driving a Porsche, but you’re not using it to its full potential. That’s what it is like watching Jake Gyllenhaal in Demolition. He’s still great and turns in a solid performance, but the filmmakers of Demolition don’t give one of the best actors working today a whole lot to work with. They don’t use him to his full potential.
Demolition tells the story of Davis Mitchell, a successful investment banker, who, after losing his wife in a fatal car accident, struggles with the realization that he never loved his wife and decides to deconstruct their marriage. The successful investment banker develops a relationship with a customer service rep of...
Demolition tells the story of Davis Mitchell, a successful investment banker, who, after losing his wife in a fatal car accident, struggles with the realization that he never loved his wife and decides to deconstruct their marriage. The successful investment banker develops a relationship with a customer service rep of...
- 4/8/2016
- by Scott Davis
- CinemaNerdz
Jake Gyllenhaal takes a sledgehammer to his grief in the flawed but well-acted Demolition. It’s the story of Manhattan investment broker Davis Mitchell (Gyllenhaal), whose wife, Julia (Heather Lind), is killed in a car wreck while they’re arguing about a leaky refrigerator. Davis is uninjured and, while waiting in the emergency room’s lobby, has an encounter with a vending machine there that fails to properly dispense his peanut M&Ms. He feels little in terms of anguish over the sudden loss of his wife, even returning to work the next day. It’s that denied bag of candy that really gets under his skin so he begins writing to the vending company’s customer complaint department — long, personal letters that become a narrative device illustrating Davis’ state of mind. On the receiving end of his rants is the vending company’s owner’s wife Karen Moreno (Naomi Watts...
- 4/7/2016
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The new movie "Demolition" centers around Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal), a man who's grieving the sudden death of his wife in a car accident, and his difficult struggle to put his life back together in the aftermath. The flick follows the logic that in order "to repair the human heart, you have to take everything apart, and figure out what's important," and that propels Davis's personal journey as he attempts to right his emotional ship.
In this behind-the-scenes sneak peek of "Demolition," premiering today exclusively on Moviefone, Gyllenhaal and director Jean-Marc Vallée discuss the film's unique approach to grief and loss. One of the ways in which the flick does so is through its sense of heightened reality, in which Davis is continually haunted by very real visions of his deceased partner.
According to the actor, "Demolition"'s handling of the delicate subject is "not like it is in [other] movies," and...
In this behind-the-scenes sneak peek of "Demolition," premiering today exclusively on Moviefone, Gyllenhaal and director Jean-Marc Vallée discuss the film's unique approach to grief and loss. One of the ways in which the flick does so is through its sense of heightened reality, in which Davis is continually haunted by very real visions of his deceased partner.
According to the actor, "Demolition"'s handling of the delicate subject is "not like it is in [other] movies," and...
- 4/6/2016
- by Katie Roberts
- Moviefone
Chris Cooper remembers James Dean and Jo Van Fleet in Elia Kazan's East of Eden, and Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Jean-Marc Vallée's wrecking ball of a movie, Demolition, written by Bryan Sipe, stars Jake Gyllenhaal with Naomi Watts, Chris Cooper, Judah Lewis and Heather Lind in a world of loss and destructive confrontations. At Essex House, Jake Gyllenhaal said he loves Chris Cooper's brutal honesty since Joe Johnston's October Sky, David Fincher's work ethic on Zodiac and A Single Man director Tom Ford's script for Nocturnal Animals with Amy Adams, Michael Shannon and Isla Fisher and questions having a Gene Kelly moment. Chris Cooper compares Benedict Cumberbatch's maternal instinct to his own in John Wells' drama August: Osage County with Meryl Streep and Sam Shepard as head of household. Working with director Ben Affleck on Dennis Lehane's Live By Night,...
Jean-Marc Vallée's wrecking ball of a movie, Demolition, written by Bryan Sipe, stars Jake Gyllenhaal with Naomi Watts, Chris Cooper, Judah Lewis and Heather Lind in a world of loss and destructive confrontations. At Essex House, Jake Gyllenhaal said he loves Chris Cooper's brutal honesty since Joe Johnston's October Sky, David Fincher's work ethic on Zodiac and A Single Man director Tom Ford's script for Nocturnal Animals with Amy Adams, Michael Shannon and Isla Fisher and questions having a Gene Kelly moment. Chris Cooper compares Benedict Cumberbatch's maternal instinct to his own in John Wells' drama August: Osage County with Meryl Streep and Sam Shepard as head of household. Working with director Ben Affleck on Dennis Lehane's Live By Night,...
- 4/5/2016
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Judah Lewis on Mick Jagger and David Bowie: "My wardrobe was based a lot on rockers." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
The Dallas Buyers Club and Wild director, Jean-Marc Vallée, phoning in from La where he is shooting HBO's miniseries Big Little Lies with Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley and Zoë Kravitz, said the inspiration he gave costume designer Leah Katznelson for the Chris Moreno character was Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, and that Heart's Crazy On You took hold of him.
Demolition, written by Bryan Sipe, starring Jake Gyllenhaal with Naomi Watts, Chris Cooper and Heather Lind (seen in Noah Baumbach's Mistress America), introduces Judah Lewis as Chris, whose mother Karen Moreno (Watts) works as a customer service representative for a vending machine company. She becomes intrigued by the continuous flow of letters from an uncoiling Davis (Gyllenhaal), an investment banker whose wife Julia (Lind...
The Dallas Buyers Club and Wild director, Jean-Marc Vallée, phoning in from La where he is shooting HBO's miniseries Big Little Lies with Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley and Zoë Kravitz, said the inspiration he gave costume designer Leah Katznelson for the Chris Moreno character was Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, and that Heart's Crazy On You took hold of him.
Demolition, written by Bryan Sipe, starring Jake Gyllenhaal with Naomi Watts, Chris Cooper and Heather Lind (seen in Noah Baumbach's Mistress America), introduces Judah Lewis as Chris, whose mother Karen Moreno (Watts) works as a customer service representative for a vending machine company. She becomes intrigued by the continuous flow of letters from an uncoiling Davis (Gyllenhaal), an investment banker whose wife Julia (Lind...
- 3/30/2016
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Demolition screenwriter Bryan Sipe with Anne-Katrin Titze Photo: Omar Gonzales
Jean-Marc Vallée's rockin' Demolition stars Jake Gyllenhaal with Naomi Watts, Chris Cooper and introduces Judah Lewis as an impressive teenage mix of Kurt Cobain, Mick Jagger and David Bowie. Paul Valéry, Michael Almereyda's take on Stanley Milgram's "Familiar Stranger" in Experimenter, a Joy Division T-shirt, costume choices by the Dallas Buyers Club and Wild director, a nail in the foot and an ache in the soul, what it means to "deserve", heightened reality in Café De Flore, starring Vanessa Paradis, plus a mini-manual of how to creatively destroy a house - all came up in my Essex House conversation with screenwriter Bryan Sipe.
Bryan Sipe on Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal): "All of a sudden, the most odd things are catching his attention."
Unlike his protagonist, investment banker Davis (Gyllenhaal), who unravels after losing his wife in a car accident,...
Jean-Marc Vallée's rockin' Demolition stars Jake Gyllenhaal with Naomi Watts, Chris Cooper and introduces Judah Lewis as an impressive teenage mix of Kurt Cobain, Mick Jagger and David Bowie. Paul Valéry, Michael Almereyda's take on Stanley Milgram's "Familiar Stranger" in Experimenter, a Joy Division T-shirt, costume choices by the Dallas Buyers Club and Wild director, a nail in the foot and an ache in the soul, what it means to "deserve", heightened reality in Café De Flore, starring Vanessa Paradis, plus a mini-manual of how to creatively destroy a house - all came up in my Essex House conversation with screenwriter Bryan Sipe.
Bryan Sipe on Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal): "All of a sudden, the most odd things are catching his attention."
Unlike his protagonist, investment banker Davis (Gyllenhaal), who unravels after losing his wife in a car accident,...
- 3/23/2016
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
On Monday, Jake Gyllenhaal attended the NYC screening of his latest film, Demolition, looking handsome as always after returning from the South by Southwest Music, Film + Interactive Festival. The actor hit the red carpet solo and later met up with his costars Naomi Watts and Judah Lewis, and writer Bryan Sipe. In the drama, which hits theaters April 8, Jake plays an investment banker who struggles with life after losing his wife in a car accident. On top of promoting the movie, Jake has also been busy with his upcoming project, Stronger. Just last week, the actor toured Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Massachusetts to research his new role and even surprised a few patients while there. Keep reading to see more of Jake, and then check out his Hollywood evolution.
- 3/22/2016
- by Monica Sisavat
- Popsugar.com
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From the director of Dallas Buyers Club comes the off-beat drama Demolition, starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Here’s Ryan’s review...
Suddenly, it all has to go: the marble kitchen worktop and the double-width range cooker. The $2,000 coffee machine. The hand-blown glass vase. The reproduction French black chest of drawers with matching mirror. Davis Mitchell (Jake Gyllenhaal) takes a sledgehammer to the lot, smashing his entire life into matchsticks and shards of glass.
Demolition, directed by Jean-Marc Vallee (Dallas Buyers Club, Wild), tells the story of a very individual grieving process. New York investment banker Davis has a perfectly respectable, normal life untila car accident rips his wife away from him. In the wake of the crash, Davis responds not with an outpouring of emotion but instead with quiet fixation. In a hospital corridor, still spattered with blood from the collision, Davis tries to buy a packet of...
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From the director of Dallas Buyers Club comes the off-beat drama Demolition, starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Here’s Ryan’s review...
Suddenly, it all has to go: the marble kitchen worktop and the double-width range cooker. The $2,000 coffee machine. The hand-blown glass vase. The reproduction French black chest of drawers with matching mirror. Davis Mitchell (Jake Gyllenhaal) takes a sledgehammer to the lot, smashing his entire life into matchsticks and shards of glass.
Demolition, directed by Jean-Marc Vallee (Dallas Buyers Club, Wild), tells the story of a very individual grieving process. New York investment banker Davis has a perfectly respectable, normal life untila car accident rips his wife away from him. In the wake of the crash, Davis responds not with an outpouring of emotion but instead with quiet fixation. In a hospital corridor, still spattered with blood from the collision, Davis tries to buy a packet of...
- 2/24/2016
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
I’ll just get this out of the way now: you’ve already seen The Choice. The genre that is Nicholas Sparks at this point has defined the romantic tragedy movie as much as Marvel has provided the blueprint for the shared universe. The full checklist is here: quaint small town, prickly leads, people unbothered by rainstorms, moonlit rowboats – everything you’d imagine (and if you’re into this sort of thing, want) is in The Choice. It’s an earnestness that makes the movie easily digestible, but also easily forgettable.
As these things usually start, there’s a girl, Gabby (Teresa Palmer), who moves in next door to a guy, Travis (Benjamin Walker), and the two clash right off the bat. Gabby left distractions of the city to live in a small North Carolinian town for peace and quiet while studying to become a doctor; Travis throws somewhat loud get-togethers with a few friends,...
As these things usually start, there’s a girl, Gabby (Teresa Palmer), who moves in next door to a guy, Travis (Benjamin Walker), and the two clash right off the bat. Gabby left distractions of the city to live in a small North Carolinian town for peace and quiet while studying to become a doctor; Travis throws somewhat loud get-togethers with a few friends,...
- 2/5/2016
- by Mitchel Broussard
- We Got This Covered
For many, Nicholas Sparks’ adaptations are a dead horse that have been beaten with punishing predictability. Now released as annual installments, every new one is greeted with the same critiques of predictability, melodramatic writing and the avalanche of contrivances that make up the plot. Sparks’ adaptations have distilled their paint-by-numbers blueprint to a science with the same immutable features, namely a fawning view of North Carolina that doubles as a superlative tourism board video, and a star-crossed romance that’s struck with divine intervention.
Ross Katz’s The Choice isn’t terribly dissimilar from the rest of the crop, but it’s still one of the better Sparks adaptations since The Notebook because it doesn’t simply feel like it’s dragging its heels until the main conflict hits. For the first hour, it’s just a very good hang-out movie with likable characters and amiable dialogue that recall the...
Ross Katz’s The Choice isn’t terribly dissimilar from the rest of the crop, but it’s still one of the better Sparks adaptations since The Notebook because it doesn’t simply feel like it’s dragging its heels until the main conflict hits. For the first hour, it’s just a very good hang-out movie with likable characters and amiable dialogue that recall the...
- 2/5/2016
- by Michael Snydel
- The Film Stage
Organizers for the South by Southwest film festival have officially rolled out the initial lineup for SXSW 2016, boasting 137 features and no less than 89 world premieres across 12 sections.
Those include the star-studded Headliners, Narrative Feature Competition, Documentary Feature Competition and Midnighters among many others, and today’s comprehensive breakdown gives budding attendees the opportunity to pinpoint exactly which films deserve a place on their radar.
Among those premieres include Jean-Marc Vallee’s domestic drama Demolition, while Jeff Nichols’ starry sci-fi Midnight Special continues to draw our attention – with a cast that includes Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver and Jaeden Lieberher, can you really blame us? Richard Linklater’s Everybody Wants Some, meanwhile, opens the festival on March 11, where it will run through until March 19.
For the full comprehensive breakdown, check out the official site for SXSW 2016. For now, we’ve included the rundown for Narrative Feature Competition, Documentary Feature Competition and Headliners.
Those include the star-studded Headliners, Narrative Feature Competition, Documentary Feature Competition and Midnighters among many others, and today’s comprehensive breakdown gives budding attendees the opportunity to pinpoint exactly which films deserve a place on their radar.
Among those premieres include Jean-Marc Vallee’s domestic drama Demolition, while Jeff Nichols’ starry sci-fi Midnight Special continues to draw our attention – with a cast that includes Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver and Jaeden Lieberher, can you really blame us? Richard Linklater’s Everybody Wants Some, meanwhile, opens the festival on March 11, where it will run through until March 19.
For the full comprehensive breakdown, check out the official site for SXSW 2016. For now, we’ve included the rundown for Narrative Feature Competition, Documentary Feature Competition and Headliners.
- 2/2/2016
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
The 15th anniversary celebration of the Whistler Film Festival wrapped Sunday night, living up to its title as ‘Canada’s coolest film fest’ by hosting more premieres, filmmakers, industry executives, and celebrities than ever before, including unique experiences from films, music and parties to high adrenaline races.
The Whistler Film Festival’s Pandora Audience Award went to British-American romantic drama "Carol," directed by Todd Haynes from the screenplay by Phyllis Nagy (Variety 10 Screenwriters to Watch class of 2014) starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, which received its Canadian premiere at Whistler. The Wff Audience Award runner-ups were "The Legend of Barney Thomson," character-actor Robert Carlyle's first theatrical feature and directorial debut, which received its North American premiere at the festival, followed by Ricardo Trogi’s mid-life crisis dramedy, Quebec film "Le Mirage," the highest grossing and most popular Canadian film of the year so far. The Wff Audience Award is a non-cash prize presented to the highest-rated film as voted by the audience.
Paul Gratton, Director of Programming had this to say about this year’s event: "We were very fortunate to open this year's fest with the Canadian premiere of "Carol," a film we are convinced will be a major contender in this year's awards season race. The festival took off from there, with many sold out screenings, packed and newsworthy industry sessions, and over 450 guests who made a point of trekking out to beautiful Whistler to support their films and talk business with the high-level movers and shakers also in attendance. 2015 represented another step forward towards making Wff the coolest festival in the world. Can't wait 'til next year.”
Total attendance for this year’s fest was 13,233 attendees (a 18% increase over 11,273 in 2014) . This included 7,740 film-screening attendees and 3,533 special event attendees (Signature Series, Music Café, ShortWork Showcase, R-Rated Party, Awards Brunch, L’Oreal Men Expert Bobsleigh Race and Celebrity Challenge Ski Race), in addition to 2,530 Summit attendees. Several of the feature films were at or near capacity, including: "Born to be Blue," "Chasing Bansky," "Forsaken," "How to Plan and Orgy in a Small Town," "Legend,""Legend of Barney Thomson," "Numb," "The Lady in the Van," "the Steps," and "Trumbo."
Designed to facilitate international alliances and financial partnerships, Wff’s industry Summit program presented 30 interactive sessions that addressed a range of issues affecting the film, television, and digital media industry. Overall Summit attendance was at 86% capacity with 2,530 attendees (a 13% increase over 2,231 in 2014) including 855 delegates (on par with 2014). The Whistler Summit directly connects to Wff’s slate of project development programs designed to provide creative and business immersion experiences for 42 Canadian artists including its Feature Project Lab, Praxis Screenwriters Lab, Aboriginal Filmmaker Fellowship, and Music Café. Wff also collaborates with several industry organizations by hosting specific third party initiatives at the Whistler Summit including the Women in the Director’s Chair Industry Immersion, Women in Film & Television Film Market Preparation Mentorship, and the Mppia Short Film Award Pitch with the Motion Picture Production Industry Association and Creative BC. In addition to the
204 scheduled meetings (a 10% increase over 186 in 2014) that took place during the Summit, there was again a notable increase in unscheduled meetings that took place outside of scheduled blocks proving the festival remains an important place for the industry to meet and do business. Industry guests came from Canada, USA, UK, India, and China to participate, and included some of the top talent and executives in the business.
Film met music when Morning Show, one of the ten-featured BC artists from Wff’s Music Café, performed the live score for "He Hated Pigeons." Wff’s Music Café, which expanded to include two showcases over two days and featured five music supervisors, was well received with several deals in the works and over 526 guests in attendance.
Toronto’s first-time feature director Jamie M. Dagg’s "River" dominated Whistler prize-giving, winning for best Canadian feature, Best Director and Best Screenplay in the Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature presented by the Directors Guild of Canada – British Columbia. The jury also awarded French-Canadian actor Paul Savoie with Best Performance in a Borsos Film for his performance in "The Diary of an Old Man," as well as provided honorable mention for Rossif Sutherland’s work in "River" and Laura Abramsen’s roles in "Basic human Needs" and "The Sabbatical." Lastly, Best Cinematography in a Borsos Film, presented by I.A.T.S.E. Local 669, went to cinematographer Dylan Macleod for "He Hated Pigeons," directed by Ingrid Veninger. The Borsos Jury was comprised of three accomplished film industry artists that included the highly versatile director and screenwriter and WFF15 Alumni Carl Bessai ("Rehearsal), beloved actor and director Marc-André Grondin , and award-winning producer extraordinaire, Kim McCraw.
Other Whistler award winners included "Last Harvest" by first-time female director Hui (Jane) Wang that won the World Documentary Award presented by Tribute.ca with honorable mention for Brian D. Johnson’s "Al Purdy Was Here." The Best Mountain Culture Film presented by Whistler Blackcomb went to Anthony Bonello’s "Eclipse." The Canadian ShortWork Award went to "Withheld" directed by Johnathan Sousa, with an honorable mention to Amanda Strong and Bracken Hanuse Corlett’s Mia’. The International ShortWork Award was awarded to "Dissonance" by Germany filmmaker Till Nowak, with Langara College’s Canadian ShortWork Award for Best Screenplay given to Jem Garrard’s "The World Who Came to Dinner." Emily Carr University of Art and Design’s Lawrence Lam won the ShortWork Student Award presented by Capilano University Film Centre for "The Blue Jet," and Maja Aro won the Mppia Short Film Award for "Hoods" presented by Mppia and Creative BC, which consists of a $15,000 cash award plus up to $100,000 in services. The Alliance of Women Film Journalists (Awfj) Eda Awards gave Best Female-Directed Narrative Feature to Valerie Weiss’ "A Light Beneath Their Feet," Best Female-Directed Documentary to Hui (Jane) Wang’s "Last Harvest," with a special mention for Brian D. Johnson’s "Al Purdy Was Here." In addition, Céline Devaux’s "Sunday Lunch" took home the Best Female-Directed Short Award.
Receiving Wff’s Trailblazer Award and Tribute presented by Pandora, British-born Canadian actor, film producer, and film director Kiefer Sutherland discussed his extensive acting career spanning film, stage and television, with CTV Film Critic Jim Gordon , followed by the Western Canadian Premiere of his latest film, "Forsaken." Scottish-born Robert Carlyle , one of the most recognizable actors today, graced the Festival’s red carpet at this year’s Spotlight event as Wff’s Maverick Award honoree and sat down with Jim Gordon to discuss his bold choices that have led to the creation of some of the most dynamic, memorable, and beloved characters of our time before the North American Premiere of his directorial debut, "The Legend the Barny Thomson." One of Canada's hardest working and most accomplished character actors, Bruce Greenwood was the recipient of Wff’s Career Achievement Award, at the World Premiere of his latest film "Rehearsal," directed by admired Wff Alumni Carl Bessai.
The Whistler Film Festival proudly hosted the Variety 10 Screenwriters to Watch for the fourth consecutive year hosted by Variety Vice President and Executive Editor, Steven Gaydos . This year’s slate of screenwriters in attendance included Bryan Sipe ("Demolition"), John Scott III ("Maggie"), Meg LeFauve ("Inside Out"), Mike Le ("Patient Zero"), and Emma Donoghue ("Room"), who also delivered a Master Class for the Wff Praxis Screenwriters Lab participants.
To top it all off, Lauren Lee Smith ("How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town"), Jakob Davies ("The Birdwatcher"), Taylor Russell and Rustin Gresiuk ("Suspension") were recognized as Wff’s Rising Stars sponsored by Ubcp/Actra at this year’s Keynote Filmmaker Luncheon presented by Pacific Northwest Pictures, and all had films premiering at the fest.
Over 400 guests attended the fest with other notable talent in attendance with films premiering at the fest including: actor Rossif Sutherland ("River"), director Jon Cassar ("Forsaken"), actor Callum Keith Rennie ("Born to Be Blue"), director/writer Sandy Wilson ("My American Cousin), actors Aleks Paunovic, Stefanie von Pfetten, Marie Avgeropoulos and Colin Cunningham ("Numb"), actors Chelah Horsdal and Alex Zahara ("Patterson's Wager"), actor Sage Brocklebank ("Suspension"), actors Gabrielle Rose and Camille Sullivan ("The Birdwatcher"), actor Rebecca Dalton ("The Colossal Failure of the Modern Relationship"), actor Paul Savoie ("The Diary of an Old Man"), director and founder of the Toronto Film Critics Association Brian D. Johnson ("Al Purdy Was Here"), director and co-founder of World Elephant Day Patricia Sims and co-director Michael Clark ("When Elephants Were Young"), "The Steps" director Andrew Currie and actor Steven McCarthy , and award-winning directors Philippe Lesage ("The Demons") and Ricardo Trogi ("The Miracle"). Veteran director Bruce McDonald attended as a mentor of the Wff Praxis Screenwriters Lab, as well as Canadian actress, writer, filmmaker, comedian, and social activist Mary Walsh , who participated in the Women In The Director’s Chair program and got a standing ovation as Wff’s Keynote Speaker at the Filmmaker Luncheon.
The Whistler Film Festival’s Pandora Audience Award went to British-American romantic drama "Carol," directed by Todd Haynes from the screenplay by Phyllis Nagy (Variety 10 Screenwriters to Watch class of 2014) starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, which received its Canadian premiere at Whistler. The Wff Audience Award runner-ups were "The Legend of Barney Thomson," character-actor Robert Carlyle's first theatrical feature and directorial debut, which received its North American premiere at the festival, followed by Ricardo Trogi’s mid-life crisis dramedy, Quebec film "Le Mirage," the highest grossing and most popular Canadian film of the year so far. The Wff Audience Award is a non-cash prize presented to the highest-rated film as voted by the audience.
Paul Gratton, Director of Programming had this to say about this year’s event: "We were very fortunate to open this year's fest with the Canadian premiere of "Carol," a film we are convinced will be a major contender in this year's awards season race. The festival took off from there, with many sold out screenings, packed and newsworthy industry sessions, and over 450 guests who made a point of trekking out to beautiful Whistler to support their films and talk business with the high-level movers and shakers also in attendance. 2015 represented another step forward towards making Wff the coolest festival in the world. Can't wait 'til next year.”
Total attendance for this year’s fest was 13,233 attendees (a 18% increase over 11,273 in 2014) . This included 7,740 film-screening attendees and 3,533 special event attendees (Signature Series, Music Café, ShortWork Showcase, R-Rated Party, Awards Brunch, L’Oreal Men Expert Bobsleigh Race and Celebrity Challenge Ski Race), in addition to 2,530 Summit attendees. Several of the feature films were at or near capacity, including: "Born to be Blue," "Chasing Bansky," "Forsaken," "How to Plan and Orgy in a Small Town," "Legend,""Legend of Barney Thomson," "Numb," "The Lady in the Van," "the Steps," and "Trumbo."
Designed to facilitate international alliances and financial partnerships, Wff’s industry Summit program presented 30 interactive sessions that addressed a range of issues affecting the film, television, and digital media industry. Overall Summit attendance was at 86% capacity with 2,530 attendees (a 13% increase over 2,231 in 2014) including 855 delegates (on par with 2014). The Whistler Summit directly connects to Wff’s slate of project development programs designed to provide creative and business immersion experiences for 42 Canadian artists including its Feature Project Lab, Praxis Screenwriters Lab, Aboriginal Filmmaker Fellowship, and Music Café. Wff also collaborates with several industry organizations by hosting specific third party initiatives at the Whistler Summit including the Women in the Director’s Chair Industry Immersion, Women in Film & Television Film Market Preparation Mentorship, and the Mppia Short Film Award Pitch with the Motion Picture Production Industry Association and Creative BC. In addition to the
204 scheduled meetings (a 10% increase over 186 in 2014) that took place during the Summit, there was again a notable increase in unscheduled meetings that took place outside of scheduled blocks proving the festival remains an important place for the industry to meet and do business. Industry guests came from Canada, USA, UK, India, and China to participate, and included some of the top talent and executives in the business.
Film met music when Morning Show, one of the ten-featured BC artists from Wff’s Music Café, performed the live score for "He Hated Pigeons." Wff’s Music Café, which expanded to include two showcases over two days and featured five music supervisors, was well received with several deals in the works and over 526 guests in attendance.
Toronto’s first-time feature director Jamie M. Dagg’s "River" dominated Whistler prize-giving, winning for best Canadian feature, Best Director and Best Screenplay in the Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature presented by the Directors Guild of Canada – British Columbia. The jury also awarded French-Canadian actor Paul Savoie with Best Performance in a Borsos Film for his performance in "The Diary of an Old Man," as well as provided honorable mention for Rossif Sutherland’s work in "River" and Laura Abramsen’s roles in "Basic human Needs" and "The Sabbatical." Lastly, Best Cinematography in a Borsos Film, presented by I.A.T.S.E. Local 669, went to cinematographer Dylan Macleod for "He Hated Pigeons," directed by Ingrid Veninger. The Borsos Jury was comprised of three accomplished film industry artists that included the highly versatile director and screenwriter and WFF15 Alumni Carl Bessai ("Rehearsal), beloved actor and director Marc-André Grondin , and award-winning producer extraordinaire, Kim McCraw.
Other Whistler award winners included "Last Harvest" by first-time female director Hui (Jane) Wang that won the World Documentary Award presented by Tribute.ca with honorable mention for Brian D. Johnson’s "Al Purdy Was Here." The Best Mountain Culture Film presented by Whistler Blackcomb went to Anthony Bonello’s "Eclipse." The Canadian ShortWork Award went to "Withheld" directed by Johnathan Sousa, with an honorable mention to Amanda Strong and Bracken Hanuse Corlett’s Mia’. The International ShortWork Award was awarded to "Dissonance" by Germany filmmaker Till Nowak, with Langara College’s Canadian ShortWork Award for Best Screenplay given to Jem Garrard’s "The World Who Came to Dinner." Emily Carr University of Art and Design’s Lawrence Lam won the ShortWork Student Award presented by Capilano University Film Centre for "The Blue Jet," and Maja Aro won the Mppia Short Film Award for "Hoods" presented by Mppia and Creative BC, which consists of a $15,000 cash award plus up to $100,000 in services. The Alliance of Women Film Journalists (Awfj) Eda Awards gave Best Female-Directed Narrative Feature to Valerie Weiss’ "A Light Beneath Their Feet," Best Female-Directed Documentary to Hui (Jane) Wang’s "Last Harvest," with a special mention for Brian D. Johnson’s "Al Purdy Was Here." In addition, Céline Devaux’s "Sunday Lunch" took home the Best Female-Directed Short Award.
Receiving Wff’s Trailblazer Award and Tribute presented by Pandora, British-born Canadian actor, film producer, and film director Kiefer Sutherland discussed his extensive acting career spanning film, stage and television, with CTV Film Critic Jim Gordon , followed by the Western Canadian Premiere of his latest film, "Forsaken." Scottish-born Robert Carlyle , one of the most recognizable actors today, graced the Festival’s red carpet at this year’s Spotlight event as Wff’s Maverick Award honoree and sat down with Jim Gordon to discuss his bold choices that have led to the creation of some of the most dynamic, memorable, and beloved characters of our time before the North American Premiere of his directorial debut, "The Legend the Barny Thomson." One of Canada's hardest working and most accomplished character actors, Bruce Greenwood was the recipient of Wff’s Career Achievement Award, at the World Premiere of his latest film "Rehearsal," directed by admired Wff Alumni Carl Bessai.
The Whistler Film Festival proudly hosted the Variety 10 Screenwriters to Watch for the fourth consecutive year hosted by Variety Vice President and Executive Editor, Steven Gaydos . This year’s slate of screenwriters in attendance included Bryan Sipe ("Demolition"), John Scott III ("Maggie"), Meg LeFauve ("Inside Out"), Mike Le ("Patient Zero"), and Emma Donoghue ("Room"), who also delivered a Master Class for the Wff Praxis Screenwriters Lab participants.
To top it all off, Lauren Lee Smith ("How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town"), Jakob Davies ("The Birdwatcher"), Taylor Russell and Rustin Gresiuk ("Suspension") were recognized as Wff’s Rising Stars sponsored by Ubcp/Actra at this year’s Keynote Filmmaker Luncheon presented by Pacific Northwest Pictures, and all had films premiering at the fest.
Over 400 guests attended the fest with other notable talent in attendance with films premiering at the fest including: actor Rossif Sutherland ("River"), director Jon Cassar ("Forsaken"), actor Callum Keith Rennie ("Born to Be Blue"), director/writer Sandy Wilson ("My American Cousin), actors Aleks Paunovic, Stefanie von Pfetten, Marie Avgeropoulos and Colin Cunningham ("Numb"), actors Chelah Horsdal and Alex Zahara ("Patterson's Wager"), actor Sage Brocklebank ("Suspension"), actors Gabrielle Rose and Camille Sullivan ("The Birdwatcher"), actor Rebecca Dalton ("The Colossal Failure of the Modern Relationship"), actor Paul Savoie ("The Diary of an Old Man"), director and founder of the Toronto Film Critics Association Brian D. Johnson ("Al Purdy Was Here"), director and co-founder of World Elephant Day Patricia Sims and co-director Michael Clark ("When Elephants Were Young"), "The Steps" director Andrew Currie and actor Steven McCarthy , and award-winning directors Philippe Lesage ("The Demons") and Ricardo Trogi ("The Miracle"). Veteran director Bruce McDonald attended as a mentor of the Wff Praxis Screenwriters Lab, as well as Canadian actress, writer, filmmaker, comedian, and social activist Mary Walsh , who participated in the Women In The Director’s Chair program and got a standing ovation as Wff’s Keynote Speaker at the Filmmaker Luncheon.
- 12/9/2015
- by Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
Sneak Peek teaser trailer footage from the upcoming romantic feature "The Choice", directed by Ross Katz and written by Bryan Sipe, based on author Nicholas Sparks' best-selling 2007 novel of the same name, starring Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, Tom Welling ("Smallville"), Tom Wilkinson, Alexandra Daddario and Maggie Grace, opening February 5, 2016:
"...'Travis Parker', living in the small coastal town of 'Beaufort', falls in love on his first meeting...
"...with neighbour 'Gabby Holland', who moves in next door..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The Choice"...
"...'Travis Parker', living in the small coastal town of 'Beaufort', falls in love on his first meeting...
"...with neighbour 'Gabby Holland', who moves in next door..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The Choice"...
- 11/11/2015
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Creative destruction is a concept that, for many of us, recalls the stereotypical young male who has just discovered he’s really into economic theory and is eager to share his newly acquired knowledge. I don’t know what it is about masculinity and destroying things, but the idea of destruction in itself is enough of a draw to attract many of us (see: every major blockbuster in the past twenty years), and the potential for something positive to come out of that satisfying act of breaking stuff is like a cherry on top. Demolition is a film that takes this idea, makes it both a metaphor and not a metaphor, is aware of what it’s doing, and makes its experience as pleasurable and interesting as it possibly can over the course of two hours.
Jake Gyllenhaal leads the derby as Davis Mitchell, who works in finance, although he...
Jake Gyllenhaal leads the derby as Davis Mitchell, who works in finance, although he...
- 9/12/2015
- by Darren Ruecker
- We Got This Covered
Jake Gyllenhaal earned applause last night in Toronto for his turn as a troubled investment banker who loses his moorings after the death of his wife in a car crash. He returns to work for his hard-charging father-in-law (Chris Cooper), but his well-ordered world is falling apart. Jean-Marc Vallée wanted to share this strange drama, based on an original screenplay by Bryan Sipe, with the Toronto crowd inside the Princess of Wales Theatre on opening night of Tiff, where audiences are friendly, media less so. The central conceit is that Davis Mitchell claws his way back to emotional health by writing a string of candid letters about himself to a vending machine company, ostensibly complaining about a broken unit in intensive care. A customer service rep (Naomi Watts), sympathetically responds to him; they develop a friendship, and he gets to know her troubled, flamboyant son (breakout Judah Lewis). And Mitchell starts getting off on taking.
- 9/11/2015
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Montreal-born Jean-Marc Vallee has become one of the most reliable regulars at the Toronto Film Festival, where his Dallas Buyers Club premiered in 2013, Wild played in 2014 and now, with a promotion to the opening-night slot, his latest film, Demolition, was just unveiled. Based on Bryan Sipe’s original screenplay, which appeared on the 2007 Black List, Demolition stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a man grieving over the death of his wife in a car crash whose life is unraveling when he makes contact with a customer’s rep, played by Naomi Watts, who works for a vending machine
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- 9/11/2015
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Toronto – Early on in Jean Marc Vallee’s new drama “Demolition” there is a moment where Davis Mitchell (Jake Gyllenhaal) steps into a private washroom to gather himself for a moment. He’s escaping from the reception for his wife’s funeral after she passed away in a tragic car accident. The blank faced Davis looks into the mirror and attempts to muster up enough emotion to cry because as the widower he should be a bawling wreck, right? Frustratingly, as hard as he tries he can’t go there. Clearly, Davis isn’t handling the death of his wife as he’s expected to. Before Julia (Heather Lind) was killed Davis appeared – by his own account, mind you - to be a very structured and driven guy. He’d get up at 5 Am so he could fit in a workout before heading into the city for his job as a successful investment banker.
- 9/11/2015
- by Gregory Ellwood
- Hitfix
At Cannes, Harvey Weinstein vowed Jake Gyllenhaal would get an Oscar nomination for his role as the boxer Billy Hope in the upcoming film Southpaw making up for his not getting a nomination for last year's Nightcrawler. "We'll get revenge," he told Cannes journalists. "This transformation in Southpaw is amazing... this film is so strong and credible. We believe Jake is a boxer first." I mention this now because, in terms of my Best Actor predictions for the 2016 Oscars, I was working under the theory Gyllenhaal's work in Southpaw would most likely end up playing second fiddle to his work in Jean-Marc Vallee's Demolition, simply because Southpaw is hitting theaters in July and Demolition would have most likely played the festival circuit. After all, it was easy enough to suppose Demolition would arrive this year considering the film is in the can and already has its MPAA rating, but it...
- 7/15/2015
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
As always, March is too early to get any kind of firm grasp on what will or won't be an Oscar contender come the end of the year, but that doesn't mean it isn't fun to speculate. Last year, only two of the nine films I predicted out of the gates actually ended up receiving Best Picture nominations at the 2015 Oscars -- Boyhood and The Grand Budapest Hotel -- which goes to show just how much we know in advance. In fact, looking at the films I had on the outside looking in, only Best Picture winner Birdman was listed. But hey, at least I had three of the top contenders in the early year conversation, that's something... rightc When it comes to this year, I feel even less certain than I did last year. I'm not sure that's saying a whole lot since only two of the 43 films on...
- 3/9/2015
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
While Jake Gyllenhaal blows up the internet with photographs of him with massive muscles for his next project, another one of the actor’s upcoming films has been sold with the director of Wild and Dallas Buyers Club set to bring it to the screen.
Fox Searchlight announced on Wednesday that Jean-Marc Vallée’s followup to this year’s Wild, Demolition, has sold to over 25 territories worldwide. The film was snapped up in a heated bidding war back in October and will co-star Naomi Watts.
Demolition turns on a troubled, investment banker widower (Gyllenhaal) whose world is changed by an unexpected encounter with a single mom (Watts). The film is based on Bryan Sipe’s 2007 Black Listed screenplay.
The director came from Quebec and hit the movie scene by storm with last year’s Dallas Buyers Club, which was nominated for Best Picture and garnered Best Actor and Supporting Actor Oscars for its two stars,...
Fox Searchlight announced on Wednesday that Jean-Marc Vallée’s followup to this year’s Wild, Demolition, has sold to over 25 territories worldwide. The film was snapped up in a heated bidding war back in October and will co-star Naomi Watts.
Demolition turns on a troubled, investment banker widower (Gyllenhaal) whose world is changed by an unexpected encounter with a single mom (Watts). The film is based on Bryan Sipe’s 2007 Black Listed screenplay.
The director came from Quebec and hit the movie scene by storm with last year’s Dallas Buyers Club, which was nominated for Best Picture and garnered Best Actor and Supporting Actor Oscars for its two stars,...
- 12/3/2014
- by Zach Dennis
- SoundOnSight
Sierra/Affinity has sold out worldwide on Demolition, the romantic drama from Dallas Buyers Club helmer Jean-Marc Vallee starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts. Gyllenhaal plays an investment banker rallying to rebuild his life after a family crisis with the help of a struggling mother and her unusual son. Fox Searchlight is readying a 2015 domestic debut.
Back in September, Sierra/Affinity took the pic co-financed by Black Label Media, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Fox Searchlight Pictures out to international buyers at Toronto; the company closed out final territories at Afm last month. The project, based on a Black List script by Bryan Sipe, also stars Chris Cooper. It was produced by Black Label Media’s Molly Smith and Trent Luckinbill, Sidney Kimmel and Mr. Mudd’s Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith. Thad Luckinbill, Right of Way’s Jason Reitman and Helen Estabrook, John Malkovich, Ellen Schwartz, Ske’s Carla Hacken,...
Back in September, Sierra/Affinity took the pic co-financed by Black Label Media, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Fox Searchlight Pictures out to international buyers at Toronto; the company closed out final territories at Afm last month. The project, based on a Black List script by Bryan Sipe, also stars Chris Cooper. It was produced by Black Label Media’s Molly Smith and Trent Luckinbill, Sidney Kimmel and Mr. Mudd’s Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith. Thad Luckinbill, Right of Way’s Jason Reitman and Helen Estabrook, John Malkovich, Ellen Schwartz, Ske’s Carla Hacken,...
- 12/2/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Wild director Jean-Marc Vallee's Demolition, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts, has sold out around the world. That includes finalizing a multiterritory deal with Fox Searchlight to release the film in the U.S., the U.K., France and Germany, as well as Australia. Sierra/Affinity handled the film in all remaining markets. THR first reported Searchlight's involvement last month just as the movie wrapped production. Based on a Black List script by Bryan Sipe, Demolition centers on an investment banker (Gyllenhaal) who finds himself in emotional turmoil after the death of his wife. He begins to rip apart his
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- 12/2/2014
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fox Searchlight is closing in on a deal to buy U.S. rights to Demolition, reuniting the specialty division with Wild director Jean-Marc Vallee. Sources say Demolition, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts, sparked heated interest among U.S. buyers, with Searchlight emerging the victor. It's the latest example of a high-profile indie project selling before it is completed (the movie is currently in production). Chris Cooper also stars. Read more Q&A: Jean-Marc Vallee Based on a Black List script by Bryan Sipe, Demolition centers on an investment banker (Gyllenhaal) who finds himself in emotional turmoil after
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- 10/16/2014
- by Pamela McClintock, Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Production is set to begin today in Wilmington, Nc on the Lionsgate film The Choice, based on the number one New York Times best-selling author Nicholas Sparks.s novel of the same name. Directed by Ross Katz (Taking Chance) and adapted for the screen by Bryan Sipe (A Million Miles), the film stars Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, Maggie Grace, Alexandra Daddario, Tom Welling and Tom Wilkinson. Sparks and Theresa Park are partnering with Peter Safran (The Conjuring, Annabelle) to produce and finance the film, the first independent feature from Nicholas Sparks Productions.
- 10/13/2014
- Comingsoon.net
Production is set to begin today in Wilmington, Nc on the Lionsgate film The Choice based on the #1 New York Times best-selling author Nicholas Sparks’s novel of the same name.
Directed by Ross Katz (“Taking Chance”) and adapted for the screen by Bryan Sipe (“A Million Miles”), the film stars Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, Maggie Grace, Alexandra Daddario, Tom Welling and Tom Wilkinson.
Sparks and Theresa Park are partnering with Peter Safran (“The Conjuring,” “Annabelle”) to produce and finance the film, the first independent feature from Nicholas Sparks Productions.
The Choice tells the story of Travis Parker (Walker) and Gabby Holland (Palmer), who meet first as neighbors in a small coastal town and end up pursuing a relationship that neither could have foreseen. Spanning a decade and tracing the evolution of a love affair that is ultimately tested by life’s most defining events, this story features a memorable...
Directed by Ross Katz (“Taking Chance”) and adapted for the screen by Bryan Sipe (“A Million Miles”), the film stars Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, Maggie Grace, Alexandra Daddario, Tom Welling and Tom Wilkinson.
Sparks and Theresa Park are partnering with Peter Safran (“The Conjuring,” “Annabelle”) to produce and finance the film, the first independent feature from Nicholas Sparks Productions.
The Choice tells the story of Travis Parker (Walker) and Gabby Holland (Palmer), who meet first as neighbors in a small coastal town and end up pursuing a relationship that neither could have foreseen. Spanning a decade and tracing the evolution of a love affair that is ultimately tested by life’s most defining events, this story features a memorable...
- 10/13/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Author Nicholas Sparks has another book, The Choice, being adapted into a movie, and Tom Welling has been cast in a lead role. This might just be the biggest thing to happen to Welling since Smallville ended. He really hasn't done a lot since that series.
Sparks is a big deal in Hollywood, and his romantic tales usually turn out to be really good films. Some of the movies based off his work include The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, and Dear John.
The movie also stars Benjamin Walker as Travis Parker and Teresa Palmer as Gabby Holland. In the story they play neighbors in a small coastal town, and "end up pursuing a relationship neither expected." According to Deadline, Welling will take on the role of Kevin McCarthy, a doctor at his father’s practice who is Gabby’s boyfriend. The love triangle plays out over the course of a decade.
Sparks is a big deal in Hollywood, and his romantic tales usually turn out to be really good films. Some of the movies based off his work include The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, and Dear John.
The movie also stars Benjamin Walker as Travis Parker and Teresa Palmer as Gabby Holland. In the story they play neighbors in a small coastal town, and "end up pursuing a relationship neither expected." According to Deadline, Welling will take on the role of Kevin McCarthy, a doctor at his father’s practice who is Gabby’s boyfriend. The love triangle plays out over the course of a decade.
- 10/12/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
• The final pieces have been put in place in order to make The Choice, the latest Nicholas Sparks novel to be adapted to the screen. Tom Welling, Alexandra Daddario (True Detective) and Maggie Grace (Taken 2) have completed the cast that already includes Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer and Tom Wilkinson. Ross Katz is directing the story adapted by Bryan Sipe about a love affair between neighbors Travis (Walker) and Gabby (Palmer). Welling will play Ryan, Gabby's boyfriend who complicates the relationship and forces her to make a choice between the two. [THR] • Instructions Not Included star Eugenio Derbez has joined Gerard Butler...
- 10/9/2014
- by Jake Perlman
- EW - Inside Movies
“True Detective” breakout Alexandra Daddario has joined the cast of Lionsgate's Nicholas Sparks adaptation “The Choice” along with Tom Welling, Maggie Grace and Tom Wilkinson. Ross Katz (“Adult Beginners”) is directing from a script by Bryan Sipe, who adapted Sparks’ bestselling novel of the same name. Also read: Voltage to Finance Joe Dante's ‘Burying the Ex’ Starring Anton Yelchin, Ashley Greene (Exclusive) Benjamin Walker and Teresa Palmer star in “The Choice” as Travis Parker and Gabby Holland, who meet first as neighbors in a small coastal town and end up pursuing a relationship that neither could have foreseen. Spanning a decade and tracing the.
- 10/8/2014
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
Lionsgate's The Choice has rounded out its cast with Tom Welling, Alexandra Daddario and Maggie Grace. Teresa Palmer and Benjamin Walker are starring in the adaptation of the 2007 novel by Nicholas Sparks. The story centers on Travis (Walker) and Gabby (Palmer), who meet first as neighbors in a small coastal town and end up pursuing a relationship that neither could have foreseen. The film will span their love affair over decades as their relationship is ultimately tested by life's most defining events. Ross Katz is directing from a screenplay adaptation by Bryan Sipe. Sparks and Theresa Park are partnering
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- 10/8/2014
- by Rebecca Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tom Welling has landed a lead in The Choice, the Ross Katz-directed adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks novel from a script by Bryan Sipe for Lionsgate. Benjamin Walker plays Travis Parker and Teresa Palmer plays Gabby Holland. Neighbors in a small coastal town, they end up pursuing a relationship neither expected. Welling plays a doctor at his father’s practice who is Gabby’s boyfriend. The triangle plays out over the course of a decade in North Carolina. Tom Wilkinson also stars.
Sparks and Theresa Park are partnering with Peter Safran to produce and finance the film, the first independent feature from Nicholas Sparks Productions. Lionsgate’s Jason Constantine, president of acquisitions and co-productions, and Eda Kowan, Evp acquisitions and co-productions, will oversee the project for the studio. Good Universe is handling international sales for the film.
Wme reps the former Smallville star, who was most recently seen opposite Kevin Costner in Draft Day.
Sparks and Theresa Park are partnering with Peter Safran to produce and finance the film, the first independent feature from Nicholas Sparks Productions. Lionsgate’s Jason Constantine, president of acquisitions and co-productions, and Eda Kowan, Evp acquisitions and co-productions, will oversee the project for the studio. Good Universe is handling international sales for the film.
Wme reps the former Smallville star, who was most recently seen opposite Kevin Costner in Draft Day.
- 10/8/2014
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline
• Oscar nominee Casey Affleck will return to his native Massachusetts to star in and produce a film based on the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. The script written by Eric Johnson and Paul Tamasy (The Fighter) is based on the book "Boston Strong" by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge and chronicles the massive manhunt to find the two men believed responsible for the bombings and the city's response to the horrific events. [Variety] • Steve Carell will continue his trend of taking on less comedic roles in an untitled thriller from director Gore Verbinski (The Lone Ranger). The film will be the third straight...
- 10/8/2014
- by Jake Perlman
- EW - Inside Movies
The Lionsgate drama is based on the Nicholas Spark novel of the same name. Good Universe handles international sales.
Ross Katz will direct from Bryan Sipe’s adapted screenplay about a couple’s unexpected long-lasting relationship.
Wilkinson will play Dr Shep and the cast includes Benjamin Walker Teresa Palmer.
Sparks and Theresa Park are producing and financing with Peter Safran in what will be the first independent feature from Nicholas Sparks Productions.
Lionsgate’s Jason Constantine and Eda Kowan will oversee the project for the studio.
Ross Katz will direct from Bryan Sipe’s adapted screenplay about a couple’s unexpected long-lasting relationship.
Wilkinson will play Dr Shep and the cast includes Benjamin Walker Teresa Palmer.
Sparks and Theresa Park are producing and financing with Peter Safran in what will be the first independent feature from Nicholas Sparks Productions.
Lionsgate’s Jason Constantine and Eda Kowan will oversee the project for the studio.
- 10/7/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Though donning a black stovepipe and slaying bloodsuckers in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter didn’t land Benjamin Walker on the A-list in the manner that some had expected, the actor appears to have another chance at breakout stardom, now that he’s been tapped to lead Nicholas Sparks adaptation The Choice.
Lionsgate is behind the adaptation of Sparks’ 2007 novel, which will be the first to emerge from the bestselling author’s own Nicholas Sparks Productions, where he spent time developing the project before handing it over to the studio. It centers on two neighbors in a coastal town, Travis Parker and Gabby Holland, who begin a passionate romance that is tested by many major life events over the course of one eventful decade.
Walker’s star has been on the rise over the past few years, and his schedule includes such buzzy projects as Ron Howard’s Heart of the Sea,...
Lionsgate is behind the adaptation of Sparks’ 2007 novel, which will be the first to emerge from the bestselling author’s own Nicholas Sparks Productions, where he spent time developing the project before handing it over to the studio. It centers on two neighbors in a coastal town, Travis Parker and Gabby Holland, who begin a passionate romance that is tested by many major life events over the course of one eventful decade.
Walker’s star has been on the rise over the past few years, and his schedule includes such buzzy projects as Ron Howard’s Heart of the Sea,...
- 10/6/2014
- by Isaac Feldberg
- We Got This Covered
• Oscar winner William Hurt has joined the ensemble of Race, the Jesse Owens biopic starring Stephan James (When the Game Stands Tall) as the legendary track and field star. Hurt will play the president of the Amateur Athletic Union Jeremiah Mahoney, who led efforts to boycott the 1936 Olympics in Berlin against Hitler. Emmy winner Stephen Hopkins (The Life and Death of Peter Sellers) is directing the production currently filming in Montreal and on location at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. In addition to James, Hurt joins Jeremy Irons as future International Olympic Committee president Avery Brundage, Jason Sudeikis as Osu...
- 10/2/2014
- by Jake Perlman
- EW - Inside Movies
Benjamin Walker and Teresa Palmer have been cast in the adaptation of Nicholas Sparks's The Choice.
The Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Warm Bodies actors will star in Lionsgate's romantic drama.
The pair will star as a young couple who get together in a small coastal town.
It charts a decade of the ups and downs of their relationship.
Ross Katz will direct from Bryan Sipe's screenplay.
Palmer will star in the upcoming Point Break remake.
Walker will next be seen in Ron Howard's Heart of the Sea.
The Choice will be the 11th film adaptation of a Sparks novel. The Best of Me and The Longest Ride will be the next two of his adaptations to be released.
The Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Warm Bodies actors will star in Lionsgate's romantic drama.
The pair will star as a young couple who get together in a small coastal town.
It charts a decade of the ups and downs of their relationship.
Ross Katz will direct from Bryan Sipe's screenplay.
Palmer will star in the upcoming Point Break remake.
Walker will next be seen in Ron Howard's Heart of the Sea.
The Choice will be the 11th film adaptation of a Sparks novel. The Best of Me and The Longest Ride will be the next two of his adaptations to be released.
- 10/1/2014
- Digital Spy
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