Kaouther Ben Hania will make history for her native Tunisia on Sunday with its first Academy Award if her hotly tipped nominated work Four Daughters triumphs in the Best Documentary category on Sunday.
The director belongs to a generation of Tunisian filmmakers who emerged in the wake of their country’s so-called Jasmine Revolution, which ousted dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in early 2011.
Habib Attia, who is one of the original producers on Four Daughters, has been an integral part of this movement too.
The Tunis-based producer has cinema in his blood as the son of late producer Ahmed Bahaeddine Attia, whose credits included Moufida Tlatli’s 1994 breakout The Silences of the Palace, starring Tunisian-Egyptian star Hend Sabry in her first major big screen role.
On finishing his high school studies, Attia headed to his mother’s native Italy to study engineering in Milan, rather than immediately following in his father’s footsteps.
The director belongs to a generation of Tunisian filmmakers who emerged in the wake of their country’s so-called Jasmine Revolution, which ousted dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in early 2011.
Habib Attia, who is one of the original producers on Four Daughters, has been an integral part of this movement too.
The Tunis-based producer has cinema in his blood as the son of late producer Ahmed Bahaeddine Attia, whose credits included Moufida Tlatli’s 1994 breakout The Silences of the Palace, starring Tunisian-Egyptian star Hend Sabry in her first major big screen role.
On finishing his high school studies, Attia headed to his mother’s native Italy to study engineering in Milan, rather than immediately following in his father’s footsteps.
- 3/10/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
A rare flagship indie producer left on the French market, Bruno Nahon’s Paris-based company Unité is preparing to conquer international audiences with “Rematch,” a period psychological thriller chronicling the historical battle between world chess champion Garry Kasparov, and Ibm’s supercomputer Deep Blue in 1997.
The sprawling show, directed by Yan England (“The Red Band Society”) and co-created with Nahon and André Gulluni (“Sam”), was commissioned by Arte in France and has already been sold by Federation Studios to major outlets around the world, including HBO Europe for Spain, Portugal, the Nordics, Iceland, Baltics, Central Europe, Greece and the Netherlands. Disney+ has bought first-window rights for the U.K. and will air the show in France after the Arte broadcast.
Nahon, who created Unité a decade ago, has been making bold shows and movies exploring social, religious and political aspects of societies, and has often captured the zeitgeist in the process.
The sprawling show, directed by Yan England (“The Red Band Society”) and co-created with Nahon and André Gulluni (“Sam”), was commissioned by Arte in France and has already been sold by Federation Studios to major outlets around the world, including HBO Europe for Spain, Portugal, the Nordics, Iceland, Baltics, Central Europe, Greece and the Netherlands. Disney+ has bought first-window rights for the U.K. and will air the show in France after the Arte broadcast.
Nahon, who created Unité a decade ago, has been making bold shows and movies exploring social, religious and political aspects of societies, and has often captured the zeitgeist in the process.
- 2/28/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
New York-based sales company Visit Films has boarded “Achilles,” the Iran-set feature debut of Farhad Delaram, a promising filmmaker whose short “Tattoo” won the Crystal Bear in the Generation 14plus at Berlin in 2019.
“Achilles” is set to world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, followed by a European premiere at San Sebastian. The film follows Farid –nicknamed Achilles– a former filmmaker turned orthotic doctor, who works nights in Iran’s capital. One night, he is led to the hospital’s restricted psychiatric ward where he meets Hedieh, a political prisoner who has been institutionalized for years. Their unexpected connection sparks a daring escape, setting the stage for a transformative journey across Iran. The pair forge bonds with fellow citizens who share adversities, all while evading the relentless pursuit of government authorities.
The movie is headlined by Mirsaeed Molavian (“Tooman”) and Behdokht Valian (“Tattoo”). It’s produced by Saeed Shahsavari, Frieda Oberlin,...
“Achilles” is set to world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, followed by a European premiere at San Sebastian. The film follows Farid –nicknamed Achilles– a former filmmaker turned orthotic doctor, who works nights in Iran’s capital. One night, he is led to the hospital’s restricted psychiatric ward where he meets Hedieh, a political prisoner who has been institutionalized for years. Their unexpected connection sparks a daring escape, setting the stage for a transformative journey across Iran. The pair forge bonds with fellow citizens who share adversities, all while evading the relentless pursuit of government authorities.
The movie is headlined by Mirsaeed Molavian (“Tooman”) and Behdokht Valian (“Tattoo”). It’s produced by Saeed Shahsavari, Frieda Oberlin,...
- 8/28/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Girls Supports Girls, the French film sorority launched by producer Vanessa Djian and publicist Karolyne Leibovici, made its debut at this year’s Cannes Film Festival with the backing of Orange, in association with Kering. A flurry of French female talent, notably “Simone” actress Elsa Zylberstein and “Houria” director Mounia Meddour, took part in the networking luncheon which was hosted on the rooftop terrasse of Kering’s Women in Motion event at the Majestic hotel.
Djian, whose production banner Daïdaï Films recently became part of Newen Group, and Leibovici, the founder of A&k communication, launched Girls Supports Girls four years ago to connect and create opportunities for female producers, actresses, executives and diverse talent coming from the film, TV and media industries.
Previous events were organized in Paris, at the prestigious restaurant Le Fouquet’s, and during Canneseries in Cannes. Each event kicks off with guests standing up and introducing themselves.
Djian, whose production banner Daïdaï Films recently became part of Newen Group, and Leibovici, the founder of A&k communication, launched Girls Supports Girls four years ago to connect and create opportunities for female producers, actresses, executives and diverse talent coming from the film, TV and media industries.
Previous events were organized in Paris, at the prestigious restaurant Le Fouquet’s, and during Canneseries in Cannes. Each event kicks off with guests standing up and introducing themselves.
- 5/25/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Rafiki Fariala, whose doc ‘We Students!’ became this year the first feature from the Central African Republic to play at the Berlinale, has unveiled at Marrakech’s Atlas Workshop his follow-up, the refugee-themed “Congo Boy.”
Exemplifying the nascent trend towards pan-regional partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa, “Congo Boy” is lead produced by Vicky Nelson Wackoro at Car’s Makongo Films, in co-production with Dieudo Hamadi at the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kiripi Films as wels Caroline Nataf at France’s Unité.
A fiction film, but heavily autobiographical, “Congo Boy” turns on Robert, 17, who lives in the Car’s capital, Bangui, and dreams of a career in music.
With both his parents imprisoned after attempting to flee Car’s civilian reprisals in 2013, however, Robert has to look after work non-stop to feed his four young siblings and has no time to study. A big cash-prize music contest at the local...
Exemplifying the nascent trend towards pan-regional partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa, “Congo Boy” is lead produced by Vicky Nelson Wackoro at Car’s Makongo Films, in co-production with Dieudo Hamadi at the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kiripi Films as wels Caroline Nataf at France’s Unité.
A fiction film, but heavily autobiographical, “Congo Boy” turns on Robert, 17, who lives in the Car’s capital, Bangui, and dreams of a career in music.
With both his parents imprisoned after attempting to flee Car’s civilian reprisals in 2013, however, Robert has to look after work non-stop to feed his four young siblings and has no time to study. A big cash-prize music contest at the local...
- 11/16/2022
- by John Hopewell and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Gaumont has locked major territory deals on “Father & Soldier,” Mathieu Vadepied’s WWI action-drama about headlined by “Lupin” star Omar Sy. The movie world premiered on opening night of Cannes’ Un Certain Regard.
“Father & Soldier” has sold to Latin America (Synapse Distribution/Leda Films), Germany and Austria (Weltkino), Switzerland (Ascot Elite), Spain (A Contracorriente), Italy (Minerva), Benelux (Athena), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Former Yugoslavia (Cinemania Group), Indonesia (Falcon) and French-speaking Africa (Pathe BC Africa).
Exploring Africa’s forgotten war heroes, the film opens during in 1917, in the French colony of Senegal. Sy stars as Bakary, a father who enlists in the army to stick by Thierno, his 17-year-old son, who was recruited against his will. Together, father and son must fight in the trenches in France.
Vadepied made his directorial debut with 2015’s “Learn by Heart,” which world premiered at Cannes’ Critics’ Week. Vadepied also worked as the artistic...
“Father & Soldier” has sold to Latin America (Synapse Distribution/Leda Films), Germany and Austria (Weltkino), Switzerland (Ascot Elite), Spain (A Contracorriente), Italy (Minerva), Benelux (Athena), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Former Yugoslavia (Cinemania Group), Indonesia (Falcon) and French-speaking Africa (Pathe BC Africa).
Exploring Africa’s forgotten war heroes, the film opens during in 1917, in the French colony of Senegal. Sy stars as Bakary, a father who enlists in the army to stick by Thierno, his 17-year-old son, who was recruited against his will. Together, father and son must fight in the trenches in France.
Vadepied made his directorial debut with 2015’s “Learn by Heart,” which world premiered at Cannes’ Critics’ Week. Vadepied also worked as the artistic...
- 5/21/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
“Father & Soldier” by Mathieu Vadepied, starring Omar Sy, Alassane Diong and Jonas Bloquet will open Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18.
The Franco-Senegalese co-production, shot in France and Senegal, tells the story of Bakary Diallo, a father, who enlists in the French army in 1917 to join Thierno, his 17-year-old son, who was drafted by force. Sent to the front, father and son will have to face the war together. Galvanized by the fervor of his officer who wants to lead him to the heart of the battle, Thierno comes of age while Bakary does everything to pull him out of the combat and bring him home safe and sound.
“Bathed in a brilliance reminiscent of the Autochrome Lumière, ‘Father & Soldier’ sways between the ochre of the earth and the blue of the uniforms, between natural light and the darkness of the trenches. By shooting on the land of the Peuls,...
The Franco-Senegalese co-production, shot in France and Senegal, tells the story of Bakary Diallo, a father, who enlists in the French army in 1917 to join Thierno, his 17-year-old son, who was drafted by force. Sent to the front, father and son will have to face the war together. Galvanized by the fervor of his officer who wants to lead him to the heart of the battle, Thierno comes of age while Bakary does everything to pull him out of the combat and bring him home safe and sound.
“Bathed in a brilliance reminiscent of the Autochrome Lumière, ‘Father & Soldier’ sways between the ochre of the earth and the blue of the uniforms, between natural light and the darkness of the trenches. By shooting on the land of the Peuls,...
- 4/26/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
“Lupin” star Omar Sy is re-teaming with Gaumont on his big screen comeback with “Father & Soldier,” a politically minded WWI action-drama about family bonds and Africa’s forgotten war heroes.
Shooting now in France, the film is being helmed by Mathieu Vadepied, who made his directorial debut with “Learn by Heart,” which world premiered at Cannes’ Critics Week. Vadepied also worked as the artistic director and cinematographer on “Untouchable,” Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano’s 2010 comedy smash hit which marked Sy’s acting breakthrough and earned him a Cesar nod.
The story opens during the First World War, in 1917, in the French colony of Senegal. Sy stars as Bakary, a father who enlists in the army to stick by Thierno, his 17-year-old son, who was recruited against his will. Together, father and son must fight the First World War in the trenches in France. Thierno is ready to sacrifice his life to fight for France,...
Shooting now in France, the film is being helmed by Mathieu Vadepied, who made his directorial debut with “Learn by Heart,” which world premiered at Cannes’ Critics Week. Vadepied also worked as the artistic director and cinematographer on “Untouchable,” Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano’s 2010 comedy smash hit which marked Sy’s acting breakthrough and earned him a Cesar nod.
The story opens during the First World War, in 1917, in the French colony of Senegal. Sy stars as Bakary, a father who enlists in the army to stick by Thierno, his 17-year-old son, who was recruited against his will. Together, father and son must fight the First World War in the trenches in France. Thierno is ready to sacrifice his life to fight for France,...
- 10/26/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Berlin-based sales agency Films Boutique has boarded Ukraine war documentary “Trenches,” which will world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in the Out of Competition section.
French war journalist Loup Bureau, directing his first documentary, depicts the reality of the war that has been raging in Eastern Europe between Ukraine and Russian-backed forces over several years, a conflict that is no longer reported extensively by mainstream international media.
In Donbas, Ukraine, while precarious ceasefires are being negotiated far away by diplomats, Ukrainian soldiers fight against separatists supported by Russia. At an age when most young people in Europe are enjoying some of the best years of their lives, on the frontline men and women are fighting for their lives, condemned to dig, and dig again trenches while bombs fall on them.
Bureau takes us on “an immersive and stunning cinematic journey revealing the naked truth and roughness of survival,” according to a press statement,...
French war journalist Loup Bureau, directing his first documentary, depicts the reality of the war that has been raging in Eastern Europe between Ukraine and Russian-backed forces over several years, a conflict that is no longer reported extensively by mainstream international media.
In Donbas, Ukraine, while precarious ceasefires are being negotiated far away by diplomats, Ukrainian soldiers fight against separatists supported by Russia. At an age when most young people in Europe are enjoying some of the best years of their lives, on the frontline men and women are fighting for their lives, condemned to dig, and dig again trenches while bombs fall on them.
Bureau takes us on “an immersive and stunning cinematic journey revealing the naked truth and roughness of survival,” according to a press statement,...
- 7/28/2021
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
In the seventh episode of the second season of Eave Impact One-to-one, sales agent Agathe Mauruc and producer Caroline Nataf discuss collaboration between sales agent and producer. In the seventh episode of the second season of Eave Impact One-to-one (see the news), Agathe Mauruc, head of international sales at Pyramide International, and Caroline Nataf, producer and cofounder of Paris-based company Unité de Production, demystify the relationship between producers and sales agents. With presales being a hard topic to deal with, as they are usually reserved for English speaking films with a strong cast, Nataf insists on the importance of having a sales agent on board soon, so that the producer can adapt and collaborate with them more easily in building the film’s strategy. Mauruc agrees and argues that it should be done even if there are not enough elements to work with, although presales might complicate things in the future.
- 12/30/2019
- Cineuropa - The Best of European Cinema
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