Following what happened in the US during the last decade or so, the quality of Asian dramas has skyrocketed during the last few years, with a significant surge of talent from cinema towards streaming platforms, with Korea definitely paving the way in the regard, and Japan following. The result is quite impressive to watch, since, frequently, the level of these titles is equal to the one of movies.
Without further ado, here are 20 Asian dramas in random order proving the fact in the most eloquent fashion.
1. Cigarette Girl by Kamila Andini
“Cigarette Girl” is not a typical story of two broken hearts crushed by unfortunate circumstances, a trope over-used in the soap opera format. It also has a bit of history to offer alongside a basic insight into the women's hardships in Indonesia not such long time ago. “Your duty is to clean the house and find yourself a husband...
Without further ado, here are 20 Asian dramas in random order proving the fact in the most eloquent fashion.
1. Cigarette Girl by Kamila Andini
“Cigarette Girl” is not a typical story of two broken hearts crushed by unfortunate circumstances, a trope over-used in the soap opera format. It also has a bit of history to offer alongside a basic insight into the women's hardships in Indonesia not such long time ago. “Your duty is to clean the house and find yourself a husband...
- 1/18/2024
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
Garry Keane and Stephen Gerard Kelly’s documentary In The Shadow Of Beirut, which is Ireland’s Oscar category this year, is headed to the Red Sea International Film Festival, running November 30 to December 9 in the Red Sea port of Jeddah.
The work, which is executive produced by Hillary and Chelsea Clinton as well as Siobhan Sinnerton under their HiddenLight Productions banner, is an immersive work capturing life in the slum neighborhoods of Sabra and Shatila neighborhoods outside Beirut, three decades after they hit world headlines following the infamous massacre of 1982.
The documentary is among six titles selected for the New Vision line-up alongside Jurgen Buedts and Sahim Omar Kalifa biodoc The Iraq’s Invisible Beauty about Iraqi photographer Latif Al Ani, which world premieres at the Red Sea, and Thien An Pham’s first feature Inside The Yellow Cocoon Shell which won Camera d’Or at Cannes this year.
The work, which is executive produced by Hillary and Chelsea Clinton as well as Siobhan Sinnerton under their HiddenLight Productions banner, is an immersive work capturing life in the slum neighborhoods of Sabra and Shatila neighborhoods outside Beirut, three decades after they hit world headlines following the infamous massacre of 1982.
The documentary is among six titles selected for the New Vision line-up alongside Jurgen Buedts and Sahim Omar Kalifa biodoc The Iraq’s Invisible Beauty about Iraqi photographer Latif Al Ani, which world premieres at the Red Sea, and Thien An Pham’s first feature Inside The Yellow Cocoon Shell which won Camera d’Or at Cannes this year.
- 11/22/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
When the Thessaloniki International Film Festival’s industry arm, Agora, kicks off this week in Greece’s second city, organizers will be looking to expand upon recent additions to a time-tested formula that’s served the event across nearly two decades as a launching pad and incubator for Greek and regional talent.
“We’ve been doing the Agora since 2005, and we have slowly but steadily established it as one of the markets where you can find new talents and emerging directors from this region,” says industry head Angeliki Vergou, who took over from longtime Agora topper Yianna Sarri last year. “I think we are maintaining the essence of Agora that we have developed all these years, but just tweaking it a little bit to make it more available and more open to bring in new opportunities.”
In her second year in charge of the Agora, Vergou is looking to build...
“We’ve been doing the Agora since 2005, and we have slowly but steadily established it as one of the markets where you can find new talents and emerging directors from this region,” says industry head Angeliki Vergou, who took over from longtime Agora topper Yianna Sarri last year. “I think we are maintaining the essence of Agora that we have developed all these years, but just tweaking it a little bit to make it more available and more open to bring in new opportunities.”
In her second year in charge of the Agora, Vergou is looking to build...
- 11/1/2023
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Three festival-goers will choose the winner of the international series competition.
Switzerland’s Geneva International Film Festival (Giff) has unveiled the programme for its 29th edition, with festival hits including Polite Society and The Sweet East, and a new format for its international series competition.
The festival includes 110 works, of which 53 are films, 27 are series, 28 are immersive experiences and two are installations.
Scroll down for the feature and series competition titles
Giff includes four competition sections: international feature, international series, international immersive and the convergent competition – the latter section featuring projects from all three formats.
All 12 titles in the international...
Switzerland’s Geneva International Film Festival (Giff) has unveiled the programme for its 29th edition, with festival hits including Polite Society and The Sweet East, and a new format for its international series competition.
The festival includes 110 works, of which 53 are films, 27 are series, 28 are immersive experiences and two are installations.
Scroll down for the feature and series competition titles
Giff includes four competition sections: international feature, international series, international immersive and the convergent competition – the latter section featuring projects from all three formats.
All 12 titles in the international...
- 10/12/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: The Thessaloniki Film Festival’s Agora Series, a hybrid film-series industry strand, returns this year for its sophomore outing with Paper Entertainment CEO and Tehran executive producer Julien Leroux serving as program consultant.
This year’s Agora series program will run for two extended days, starting November 4, with a focus on the creative process of series screenwriting. The schedule will feature a range of masterclass sessions from local and international series professionals. Canadian filmmaker Jeremy Podeswa will host a masterclass on the future of storytelling titled From Six Feet Under to the Top: The Evolution of Contemporary Television at the Pavlos Zannas Theatre on November 4. Podeswa — who was recently announced as the lead director of the Blade Runner 2099 mini-series at Amazon — will discuss the evolution of series content throughout the years and his personal journey in the business. Podeswa’s credits include Six Feet Under, Game of Thrones,...
This year’s Agora series program will run for two extended days, starting November 4, with a focus on the creative process of series screenwriting. The schedule will feature a range of masterclass sessions from local and international series professionals. Canadian filmmaker Jeremy Podeswa will host a masterclass on the future of storytelling titled From Six Feet Under to the Top: The Evolution of Contemporary Television at the Pavlos Zannas Theatre on November 4. Podeswa — who was recently announced as the lead director of the Blade Runner 2099 mini-series at Amazon — will discuss the evolution of series content throughout the years and his personal journey in the business. Podeswa’s credits include Six Feet Under, Game of Thrones,...
- 10/12/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome to Global Breakouts, Deadline’s fortnightly strand in which we shine a spotlight on the TV shows and films killing it in their local territories. The industry is as globalized as it’s ever been, but breakout hits are appearing in pockets of the world all the time and it can be hard to keep track… So, we’re going to do the hard work for you.
This week we head to Iran, where filmmaker Nima Javidi’s debut TV series has been winning awards and generating plenty of attention. Taking inspiration from the Bard himself, the show follows two friends who use their acting skills to help solve cold cases. What could possibly go wrong? Plenty, it turns out. Having won the Series Mania Grand Prize, attracting the attention of thousands of important attendees at the annual Lille confab, The Actor’s creator and seller now have their sights set globally.
This week we head to Iran, where filmmaker Nima Javidi’s debut TV series has been winning awards and generating plenty of attention. Taking inspiration from the Bard himself, the show follows two friends who use their acting skills to help solve cold cases. What could possibly go wrong? Plenty, it turns out. Having won the Series Mania Grand Prize, attracting the attention of thousands of important attendees at the annual Lille confab, The Actor’s creator and seller now have their sights set globally.
- 7/11/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The Iranian series The Actor from director Nima Javidi picked up the top Grand Prize jury award at Series Mania, the international TV festival that wrapped in Lille, France on Friday night.
The drama from Iran is led by the Venice best actor winner Navid Mohammadzadeh and follows two down and out actors struggling to make ends meet as they run a derelict theater in Tehran with wealthy Iranians as patrons.
The international jury, led by screenwriter and producer Lisa Joy, also gave its best actor trophy to Michael Sheen for his performance the U.K. series Best Interests, while the best actress prize went to Margot Mancilhon for her star turn in the French series Haven of Grace.
The Series Mania international jury also gave the best writing trophy to John Kâre Raake for The Fortress series from Norway.
In other prize giving, the International Panorama jury, led by French writer Herve Le Tellier,...
The drama from Iran is led by the Venice best actor winner Navid Mohammadzadeh and follows two down and out actors struggling to make ends meet as they run a derelict theater in Tehran with wealthy Iranians as patrons.
The international jury, led by screenwriter and producer Lisa Joy, also gave its best actor trophy to Michael Sheen for his performance the U.K. series Best Interests, while the best actress prize went to Margot Mancilhon for her star turn in the French series Haven of Grace.
The Series Mania international jury also gave the best writing trophy to John Kâre Raake for The Fortress series from Norway.
In other prize giving, the International Panorama jury, led by French writer Herve Le Tellier,...
- 3/24/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lille, France — Headed by a commanding performance from Navid Mohammadzadeh, superbly shot and packing arguably the best opening scene of any series in Series Mania main competition, Navid Javidi’s “The Actor” won the Grand Prize at Series Mania on Friday night.
The top Series Mania award for the “The Actor” also proves vindication for the Festival which this year has broadened its geographical reach in an effort to discover new narrative modes and styles. Consistently subordinating narrative to mood, “The Actor” certainly wins on that score.
Main scribe John Kåre Raake (“The Quake”) and co-scribe Linn-Jeanethe Kyed (“Bø”) scooped best writing for “The Fortress,” a banner upcoming Viaplay title produced by Norway’s Maipo Film and sold by TrustNordisk, which delivers a telling political cautionary tale for our times, a chic isolationist parable thriller set in an alternative Norway which has built a wall to keep foreigners out. When a virus strikes,...
The top Series Mania award for the “The Actor” also proves vindication for the Festival which this year has broadened its geographical reach in an effort to discover new narrative modes and styles. Consistently subordinating narrative to mood, “The Actor” certainly wins on that score.
Main scribe John Kåre Raake (“The Quake”) and co-scribe Linn-Jeanethe Kyed (“Bø”) scooped best writing for “The Fortress,” a banner upcoming Viaplay title produced by Norway’s Maipo Film and sold by TrustNordisk, which delivers a telling political cautionary tale for our times, a chic isolationist parable thriller set in an alternative Norway which has built a wall to keep foreigners out. When a virus strikes,...
- 3/24/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
For writers of hardboiled fiction, the private eye could act as a conduit, an unmoored guide moving freely across social ranks and situations. For director Nima Javidi – whose new series “The Actor” is the first Iranian production to premiere in competition at Series Mania – the thespian might play a similar role.
“Shakespeare said that all the world’s a stage,” Javidi tells Variety. “And that all the men and women are merely players, assuming different roles depending on their situations and what they want to achieve. I thought it was fascinating [to put performers in those private detective roles and have them], overcome obstacles, solve problems, and save themselves and others from difficulties by using their acting abilities.”
Led by Venice best actor winner Navid Mohammadzadeh (who recently anchored Saeed Roustayi’s Cannes-acclaimed “Leila’s Brothers”), “The Actor” follows Ali (Mohammadzadeh) and Morteza (Ahmad Mehranfar), two down-and-out performers with little to their names but a derelict theater for which they can barely make rent.
“Shakespeare said that all the world’s a stage,” Javidi tells Variety. “And that all the men and women are merely players, assuming different roles depending on their situations and what they want to achieve. I thought it was fascinating [to put performers in those private detective roles and have them], overcome obstacles, solve problems, and save themselves and others from difficulties by using their acting abilities.”
Led by Venice best actor winner Navid Mohammadzadeh (who recently anchored Saeed Roustayi’s Cannes-acclaimed “Leila’s Brothers”), “The Actor” follows Ali (Mohammadzadeh) and Morteza (Ahmad Mehranfar), two down-and-out performers with little to their names but a derelict theater for which they can barely make rent.
- 3/24/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Sun Children (Khorshid) Strand Releasing Reviewed for Shockya.com & BigAppleReviews.net linked from Rotten Tomatoes by: Harvey Karten Director: Majid Majidi Writer: Nima Javidi, Majid Majidi Cast: Roohollah Zamani, Ali Ghabeshi, Shamila Shirzad, Javad Ezati, Ali Nassiran Screened at: Critics’ link, NYC, 5/19/21 Opens: June 25, 2021 Iranian filmmakers frequently make use of children to evade […]
The post Sun Children Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Sun Children Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 6/20/2021
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
Majid Majidi begins his new film with a caption dedicating it to the 152 million children who have been forced into child labor. It’s an important and sobering statistic, but not necessarily one that leads you to expect a rollicking hour-and-a-half’s entertainment.
In fact, though, “Khorshid” (or “Sun Children”) is quite the thrill ride, mixing a Dickensian, social-realist account of children in poverty in Tehran with a kinetic, far-fetched heist movie and a well-meaning drama about a kindly teacher who would, in a 1980s American film, have been played by Robin Williams. Majidi’s “Children of Heaven” was the first Iranian film to be nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, back in 1999 (Roberto Benigni’s “Life is Beautiful” won). “Sun Children,” which was the top prize-winner at Tehran’s Fajr International Film Festival in February, could have a similar crossover appeal.
Its hero is 12-year-old Ali (Rouhollah...
In fact, though, “Khorshid” (or “Sun Children”) is quite the thrill ride, mixing a Dickensian, social-realist account of children in poverty in Tehran with a kinetic, far-fetched heist movie and a well-meaning drama about a kindly teacher who would, in a 1980s American film, have been played by Robin Williams. Majidi’s “Children of Heaven” was the first Iranian film to be nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, back in 1999 (Roberto Benigni’s “Life is Beautiful” won). “Sun Children,” which was the top prize-winner at Tehran’s Fajr International Film Festival in February, could have a similar crossover appeal.
Its hero is 12-year-old Ali (Rouhollah...
- 9/6/2020
- by Nicholas Barber
- Indiewire
The sales outfit previously represented Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi’s feature debut ‘Baduk’.
Paris-based Celluloid Dreams has boarded international sales rights to Majid Majidi’s Sun Children, ahead of its world premiere in competition at the 77th Venice Film Festival (September 2-12).
The French sales firm previously handled the Iranian director’s feature debut Baduk, which screened in Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes in 1992.
His latest feature centres on 12-year-old Ali and his three friends, who take small jobs and commit petty crimes to make fast money. When Ali is entrusted to find some underground “hidden treasure”, he recruits his gang to help.
Paris-based Celluloid Dreams has boarded international sales rights to Majid Majidi’s Sun Children, ahead of its world premiere in competition at the 77th Venice Film Festival (September 2-12).
The French sales firm previously handled the Iranian director’s feature debut Baduk, which screened in Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes in 1992.
His latest feature centres on 12-year-old Ali and his three friends, who take small jobs and commit petty crimes to make fast money. When Ali is entrusted to find some underground “hidden treasure”, he recruits his gang to help.
- 7/28/2020
- by 1100453¦Michael Rosser¦9¦
- ScreenDaily
The 60th Thessaloniki International Film Festival invites audience and filmmakers to the large celebration of global independent cinema from October 31 to November 10, 2019, showcasing the best films from all over the world, important guests and tributes, cinematic surprises, as well as a series of parallel events in the city of Thessaloniki.
Here are all the Asian Films in the Official Programme:
International Competition
“Wet Season” by Anthony Chen – Singapore, Taiwan – 2019
Out Of Competition
“Beanpole” by Kantemir Balagov – Russia, 2019
”Abou Leila” – by Amin Sidi-boumediene – Algeria, France, Qatar – 2019
“Sister”
Balkan Survey
“Noah Land” by Cenk Erturk – Germany, Turkey, USA – 2019
”Sister” by Svetla Tsotsorkova – Bulgaria, Qatar – 2019
Film Forward
“From Tomorrow On, I Will” by Ivan Markovic, Wu Linfeng – Germany, China, Serbia – 2019
”Krabi 2562” by Anocha Suwichakornpong, Ben Rivers – United Kingdom, Thailand – 2019
“Africa”
Meet The Neighbors
”Africa” by Oren Gerner – Israel – 2019
“The Criminal Man” by Dmitry Mamuliya – Georgia, Russia – 2019
Special Screenings
”Chained” by Yaron Shani – Israel,...
Here are all the Asian Films in the Official Programme:
International Competition
“Wet Season” by Anthony Chen – Singapore, Taiwan – 2019
Out Of Competition
“Beanpole” by Kantemir Balagov – Russia, 2019
”Abou Leila” – by Amin Sidi-boumediene – Algeria, France, Qatar – 2019
“Sister”
Balkan Survey
“Noah Land” by Cenk Erturk – Germany, Turkey, USA – 2019
”Sister” by Svetla Tsotsorkova – Bulgaria, Qatar – 2019
Film Forward
“From Tomorrow On, I Will” by Ivan Markovic, Wu Linfeng – Germany, China, Serbia – 2019
”Krabi 2562” by Anocha Suwichakornpong, Ben Rivers – United Kingdom, Thailand – 2019
“Africa”
Meet The Neighbors
”Africa” by Oren Gerner – Israel – 2019
“The Criminal Man” by Dmitry Mamuliya – Georgia, Russia – 2019
Special Screenings
”Chained” by Yaron Shani – Israel,...
- 10/22/2019
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
A gust of progressive and very feminine wind sweeps through the empty corridors of soon-to-crumble male institution in “The Warden”, second feature from Iranian director Nima Javidi, whose 2014 debut “Melbourne” collected a good deal of awards and consensus. Equally location-centered and set in a closed environment, The Warden is less claustrophobic than “Melbourne” and more evocative and darkly atmospheric.
“The Warden” is screening at the BFI London Film Festival 2019
A gallows with its black outline under the pouring rain is the first, strongly allusive scene of the movie. A group of prison wardens is trying to take it apart but the old artifact is too strongly built and refuses to came down. The whole prison building is about to be evacuated and the inmates relocated in new facilities due to the construction of a new airstrip just where the old building sits. Major Jahed (Navid Mohammadzadeh) is the head of...
“The Warden” is screening at the BFI London Film Festival 2019
A gallows with its black outline under the pouring rain is the first, strongly allusive scene of the movie. A group of prison wardens is trying to take it apart but the old artifact is too strongly built and refuses to came down. The whole prison building is about to be evacuated and the inmates relocated in new facilities due to the construction of a new airstrip just where the old building sits. Major Jahed (Navid Mohammadzadeh) is the head of...
- 10/4/2019
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Iran's Farabi Cinema Foundation has shortlisted 10 films that are being considered as potential candidates to represent the Middle Eastern nation in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 88th Academy Awards. A team of experts from the Iranian film industry has been commissioned to review the films and make a final selection in the upcoming days. Iran is one of the last country's to submit a film into the race which this year includes films from 67 countries so far.
Here are the 10 films being considered:
Note that none of this films has secured U.S. distribution, thus rights are available.
"13"
Dir. Hooman Seyedi
Isa: Visual Media Institute
"Crazy Castle"
Dir. Abolhassan Davoodi
Facebook Page
"Fish & Cat"
Dir. Shahram Mokri
Isa: Iranian Independents
"I Am Diego Maradona"
Dir. Bahram Tavakoli
Isa: Iranian Independents
"The Long Goodbye"
Dir. Farzad Motamen
Isa: Farabi Cinema Foundation
"Melbourne"
Dir. Nima Javidi
Isa: Iranian Independents
"Muhammad: The Messenger of God"
Dir. Majid Majidi
PC: Nourtaban Film Indsutry
"Tales"
Dir. Rakhshan Bani-Etemad
Isa: Noori Pictures
"Track 143"
Dir. Narges Abyar
Isa: Irib Media Trade
"What's the Time in Your World?"
Dir. Safi Yazdanian
Isa: Dreamlab Films
Despite censorship and other restrictions imposed on Iranian filmmakers, which would never allowed a film like Panahi's "Taxi" to become the country's Oscar entry, Iranian cinema is thriving and the films in this list showcase a range of sophisticated stories that have gotten the attention of multiple international festivals.
Simply based on its scale and the talent involved, the clear favorite would be Majidi's biopic "Muhammad: The Messenger of God." Not only is the director one of the most internationally acclaimed Iranian auteurs of all time, but the film also has 3-time Academy Award-winner Vittorio Storaro as its Dp. It's also the most expensive Iranian film ever made. However, regardless of these numerous qualities, the committee might choose to look elsewhere to avoid more controversy as the film has been banned in other Muslim countries that reject any visual depiction of the prophet, even if his face never appears in the film.
If Majidi's epic is deemed too much of a liability, there are plenty of other great options among the shortlisted works: Yazdanian's "What's the Time in Your World?" stars two of Iran's most well-known actors, Leila Hatami ("A Separation") and Ali Mosaffa ("The Past"), and won the Fipresci Prize at last year's Busan International Film Festival; "Tales" won the Best Screenplay award at the 2014 Venice Film Festival and stars "A Separation's" Peyman Moaadi; "Melbourne," which also stars Moaadi, had extensive presence in the festival circuit picking up several awards, and Mokri's "Fish & Cat" screened at AFI Fest and won a Special Prize in Venice back in 2013.
Iran won its first Academy Award with Asghar Farhadi's masterpiece "A Separation" in 2012. Prior to that deserved win, the country had only been nominated once for Majid Majidi's "Children of Heaven."...
Here are the 10 films being considered:
Note that none of this films has secured U.S. distribution, thus rights are available.
"13"
Dir. Hooman Seyedi
Isa: Visual Media Institute
"Crazy Castle"
Dir. Abolhassan Davoodi
Facebook Page
"Fish & Cat"
Dir. Shahram Mokri
Isa: Iranian Independents
"I Am Diego Maradona"
Dir. Bahram Tavakoli
Isa: Iranian Independents
"The Long Goodbye"
Dir. Farzad Motamen
Isa: Farabi Cinema Foundation
"Melbourne"
Dir. Nima Javidi
Isa: Iranian Independents
"Muhammad: The Messenger of God"
Dir. Majid Majidi
PC: Nourtaban Film Indsutry
"Tales"
Dir. Rakhshan Bani-Etemad
Isa: Noori Pictures
"Track 143"
Dir. Narges Abyar
Isa: Irib Media Trade
"What's the Time in Your World?"
Dir. Safi Yazdanian
Isa: Dreamlab Films
Despite censorship and other restrictions imposed on Iranian filmmakers, which would never allowed a film like Panahi's "Taxi" to become the country's Oscar entry, Iranian cinema is thriving and the films in this list showcase a range of sophisticated stories that have gotten the attention of multiple international festivals.
Simply based on its scale and the talent involved, the clear favorite would be Majidi's biopic "Muhammad: The Messenger of God." Not only is the director one of the most internationally acclaimed Iranian auteurs of all time, but the film also has 3-time Academy Award-winner Vittorio Storaro as its Dp. It's also the most expensive Iranian film ever made. However, regardless of these numerous qualities, the committee might choose to look elsewhere to avoid more controversy as the film has been banned in other Muslim countries that reject any visual depiction of the prophet, even if his face never appears in the film.
If Majidi's epic is deemed too much of a liability, there are plenty of other great options among the shortlisted works: Yazdanian's "What's the Time in Your World?" stars two of Iran's most well-known actors, Leila Hatami ("A Separation") and Ali Mosaffa ("The Past"), and won the Fipresci Prize at last year's Busan International Film Festival; "Tales" won the Best Screenplay award at the 2014 Venice Film Festival and stars "A Separation's" Peyman Moaadi; "Melbourne," which also stars Moaadi, had extensive presence in the festival circuit picking up several awards, and Mokri's "Fish & Cat" screened at AFI Fest and won a Special Prize in Venice back in 2013.
Iran won its first Academy Award with Asghar Farhadi's masterpiece "A Separation" in 2012. Prior to that deserved win, the country had only been nominated once for Majid Majidi's "Children of Heaven."...
- 9/25/2015
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Ewan McGregor, Jane Seymour, Malcolm McDowell and Hong Kong director Johnnie To among the guests set to attend the festival.Scroll down for competition titles
The line-up for the 69th Edinburgh International Film Festival (Eiff) has been unveiled this morning by new artistic director Mark Adams.
This year’s Eiff (June 17-28) will comprise 164 features from 36 countries, including 24 world premieres, eight international premieres, 16 European premieres and 84 UK premieres.
Highlights including the UK premiere of Asif Kapadia’s documentary Amy, about the life of singer Amy Winehouse; the latest Disney-Pixar animation Inside Out; Arnold Schwarzenegger in zombie drama Maggie; comedy The D-Train, starring Jack Black and James Marsden; and a biopic of The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, Love & Mercy, in which John Cusack and Paul Dano play different aged versions of the musician.
Classic Screenings will include a rare outing for Noel Marshall’s Roar, a cult 1981 big cat movie.
Star power
This year’s Eiff will present...
The line-up for the 69th Edinburgh International Film Festival (Eiff) has been unveiled this morning by new artistic director Mark Adams.
This year’s Eiff (June 17-28) will comprise 164 features from 36 countries, including 24 world premieres, eight international premieres, 16 European premieres and 84 UK premieres.
Highlights including the UK premiere of Asif Kapadia’s documentary Amy, about the life of singer Amy Winehouse; the latest Disney-Pixar animation Inside Out; Arnold Schwarzenegger in zombie drama Maggie; comedy The D-Train, starring Jack Black and James Marsden; and a biopic of The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, Love & Mercy, in which John Cusack and Paul Dano play different aged versions of the musician.
Classic Screenings will include a rare outing for Noel Marshall’s Roar, a cult 1981 big cat movie.
Star power
This year’s Eiff will present...
- 5/27/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Other winners included Winter Sleep, The Dark Horse and Red Amnesia.
Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Leviathan has won Best Feature Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (Apsa).
Taking place at Brisbane’s City Hall, this year’s ceremony saw Nuri Bilge Ceylan scooping his third Apsa for Achievement in Directing for Winter Sleep, while Cliff Curtis (The Dark Horse) and Lü Zhong (Red Amnesia) won Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress, respectively.
Other winners included Dong Kinsong for Achievement in Cinematography for Black Coal, Thin Ice, Nima Javidi taking home Best Screenplay for Melbourne and Isao Takahata’s The Tale of Princess Kaguya winning Best Animated Feature Film.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk commented: “This evening’s winners have displayed cinematic excellence through their films and they should be congratulated on their achievements. The Asia Pacific Screen Awards are a unique testament to the vibrancy, diversity and divergence...
Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Leviathan has won Best Feature Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (Apsa).
Taking place at Brisbane’s City Hall, this year’s ceremony saw Nuri Bilge Ceylan scooping his third Apsa for Achievement in Directing for Winter Sleep, while Cliff Curtis (The Dark Horse) and Lü Zhong (Red Amnesia) won Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress, respectively.
Other winners included Dong Kinsong for Achievement in Cinematography for Black Coal, Thin Ice, Nima Javidi taking home Best Screenplay for Melbourne and Isao Takahata’s The Tale of Princess Kaguya winning Best Animated Feature Film.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk commented: “This evening’s winners have displayed cinematic excellence through their films and they should be congratulated on their achievements. The Asia Pacific Screen Awards are a unique testament to the vibrancy, diversity and divergence...
- 12/11/2014
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Titli took home the international jury prize at Gijon International Film Festival Indian film Titli (Butterfly), directed by Kanu Behl, took the international jury prize for best feature film at the 52nd Gijón International Film Festival this weekend.
The film - which tells the story of Titli, a young man who longs to escape his family's life of crime - also saw Shivani Raghuvanshipor take home the best actress prize for her role as Titli's wife through arranged marriage, Neelu, who is also dreaming of freedom.
The best director and writer's prizes when to Iranian director Nima Javidi for Melbourne, which sees a couple faced with a moral dilemma on the day they are due to leave the country for a new life.
Polish drama Life Feels Good - based on the true story of a man suffering from cerebral palsy - saw Dawid Ogrodnik named best actor for...
The film - which tells the story of Titli, a young man who longs to escape his family's life of crime - also saw Shivani Raghuvanshipor take home the best actress prize for her role as Titli's wife through arranged marriage, Neelu, who is also dreaming of freedom.
The best director and writer's prizes when to Iranian director Nima Javidi for Melbourne, which sees a couple faced with a moral dilemma on the day they are due to leave the country for a new life.
Polish drama Life Feels Good - based on the true story of a man suffering from cerebral palsy - saw Dawid Ogrodnik named best actor for...
- 12/1/2014
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
One of the most gripping films I've seen in ages, Nima Javidi's fiction feature debut Melbourne just won the Golden Pyramid for Best Film at the Cairo International Film Festival, and deservedly so. It proves that you don't need an unbelievable, far-fetched scenario to create great suspense. Ostensibly a domestic drama, Melbourne sets up its scene in 20 minutes, and then spends the remainder of the film keeping its audience on the edge of their seats, all in one location, with a simple yet plausible and all-too-frightening turn of events that will leave a couple shattered.Amir (Peyman Moaadi) and Sara (Negar Javaherian) are preparing to move to Melbourne later that night. They and Sara's sister are packing up their things and having typical yet light...
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- 11/20/2014
- Screen Anarchy
A man, a woman, and a baby that doesn’t belong to them – this is the backdrop of writer/director Nima Javidi’s Melbourne. Set in present-day Tehran, the film bears strong influence from Asghar Fahardi’s 2011 hit A Separation, not least because it also features leading man Peyman Moaadi. Tense and expertly edited, Melbourne digs deep into what goes on behind closed doors in an urban apartment building and how far people will go when responsibility, morality and self-interest collide.
Set almost entirely within the same apartment, Melbourne follows married couple Amir (Moaadi) and Sara (Negar Javaherian) on the day that they are set to leave for Australia on student visas. With personal effects packed up and appointments set for furniture removal and building inspection, it seems that the worst of the couple’s problems is the constant flow of friends and family lamenting and agonizing their departure. However,...
Set almost entirely within the same apartment, Melbourne follows married couple Amir (Moaadi) and Sara (Negar Javaherian) on the day that they are set to leave for Australia on student visas. With personal effects packed up and appointments set for furniture removal and building inspection, it seems that the worst of the couple’s problems is the constant flow of friends and family lamenting and agonizing their departure. However,...
- 11/1/2014
- by Misa Shikuma
- SoundOnSight
Leviathan leads contenders; 36 films from 21 countries in the running.
Films in the running for the 2014 Apsa for Best Feature Film include Winter Sleep (Turkey, France, Germany), Leviathan (Russia), I’m Not Angry (Iran), The Owners (Kazakhstan), and Memories on Stone (Iraqi Kurdistan, Germany).
Leviathan, also nominated for Achievement in Cinematography for Mikhail Krichman, has received three nominations in total, the most for any film.
In total, 36 films from 21 countries are in the running for awards.
Nominees vying for the award in the Achievement in Directing category are: Rolf de Heer (Charlie’s Country, Australia), Andrey Zvyagintsev (Leviathan, Russia), Im Kwon-taek (Revivre, South Korea), Rakhshan Banietemad (Tales, Iran) and Nuri Bilge Ceylan (Winter Sleep, Turkey, France, Germany).
For the first time, a film from Syria has received a nomination, with Silvered Water, Syria Self-portrait (Syria, France) nominated for the Apsa for Best Feature Documentary.
Films from the China and Russia lead the nominations with six each, closely followed...
Films in the running for the 2014 Apsa for Best Feature Film include Winter Sleep (Turkey, France, Germany), Leviathan (Russia), I’m Not Angry (Iran), The Owners (Kazakhstan), and Memories on Stone (Iraqi Kurdistan, Germany).
Leviathan, also nominated for Achievement in Cinematography for Mikhail Krichman, has received three nominations in total, the most for any film.
In total, 36 films from 21 countries are in the running for awards.
Nominees vying for the award in the Achievement in Directing category are: Rolf de Heer (Charlie’s Country, Australia), Andrey Zvyagintsev (Leviathan, Russia), Im Kwon-taek (Revivre, South Korea), Rakhshan Banietemad (Tales, Iran) and Nuri Bilge Ceylan (Winter Sleep, Turkey, France, Germany).
For the first time, a film from Syria has received a nomination, with Silvered Water, Syria Self-portrait (Syria, France) nominated for the Apsa for Best Feature Documentary.
Films from the China and Russia lead the nominations with six each, closely followed...
- 10/28/2014
- ScreenDaily
The Stockholm International Film Festival has unveiled the programme for its 25th edition, with more than 200 films from 60+ countries screening from Nov 5-16.
The festival opens with Mikael Marcimain’s hotly anticipated adaptation of Klas Östergren’s postwar Swedish classic Gentlemen [pictured].
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s Birdman will be the centerpiece film of the festival and Jean-Marc Vallee’s Wild will close.
“We are extra proud to present a record breaking program when celebrating our 25th anniversary,” said festival director Git Scheynius.
This year’s spotlight theme is hope, and films selected in that programme include Richard Raymond’s Desert Dancer, Hong Khaou’s Lilting, Shira Geffen’s Self Made and Stephen Daldry’s Trash.
Uma Thurman will be honoured with the Stockholm Achievement Award and give a public talk followed by a screening of Kill Bill 1 & 2.
Mike Leigh will also be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award and will give a talk and screen Mr. Turner.
Ai...
The festival opens with Mikael Marcimain’s hotly anticipated adaptation of Klas Östergren’s postwar Swedish classic Gentlemen [pictured].
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s Birdman will be the centerpiece film of the festival and Jean-Marc Vallee’s Wild will close.
“We are extra proud to present a record breaking program when celebrating our 25th anniversary,” said festival director Git Scheynius.
This year’s spotlight theme is hope, and films selected in that programme include Richard Raymond’s Desert Dancer, Hong Khaou’s Lilting, Shira Geffen’s Self Made and Stephen Daldry’s Trash.
Uma Thurman will be honoured with the Stockholm Achievement Award and give a public talk followed by a screening of Kill Bill 1 & 2.
Mike Leigh will also be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award and will give a talk and screen Mr. Turner.
Ai...
- 10/21/2014
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
The festival’s 25th edition will feature a contribution from Ai Weiwei and competition titles including Whiplash, Nightcrawler and Foxcatcher.
The Stockholm International Film Festival (Nov 5-16) is to present its Achievement Award to Us actress Uma Thurman.
The Kill Bill star will will visit Stockholm to receive the prestigious Bronze Horse and meet the audience during an exclusive “Face2Face”.
Thurman will also take part in the inauguration ceremony, which will include the unveiling of an ice sculpture by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.
Weiwei was a Stockholm jury member last year but since he wasn’t allowed to leave China, he sent an empty chair named ”The Chair for Non-attendance” as symbol of his absence.
He is still not allowed to leave China so will send a design that will be portrayed in the form of a large ice sculpture symbolising this years’ Spotlight theme - Hope.
Brazil
The festival will focus this year on Brazil...
The Stockholm International Film Festival (Nov 5-16) is to present its Achievement Award to Us actress Uma Thurman.
The Kill Bill star will will visit Stockholm to receive the prestigious Bronze Horse and meet the audience during an exclusive “Face2Face”.
Thurman will also take part in the inauguration ceremony, which will include the unveiling of an ice sculpture by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.
Weiwei was a Stockholm jury member last year but since he wasn’t allowed to leave China, he sent an empty chair named ”The Chair for Non-attendance” as symbol of his absence.
He is still not allowed to leave China so will send a design that will be portrayed in the form of a large ice sculpture symbolising this years’ Spotlight theme - Hope.
Brazil
The festival will focus this year on Brazil...
- 10/16/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
World premieres from Goupil, Li, De La Cruz, Yeo, Yoshida and more.Scroll down for Competition line-up
The 27th Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) (Oct 23-31) has announced the rest of its line-up with a Competition selection that includes world premieres such as Romain Goupil’s French film The Days Come and Li Ruijun’s Chinese film River Road.
The other world premieres in Competition will be: Filipino maverick Khavn De La Cruz‘s Ruined Heart - Another Love Story Between A Criminal & A Whore; Malaysian producer of Cannes title Tiger Factory, Edmund Yeo’s feature directorial debut River Of Exploding Durians, and the previously announced single Japanese film in Competition, Pale Moon, directed by Daihachi Yoshida.
Claudio Noce’s Italian film Ice Forest will make an international premiere in Competition.
Tiff Programming director Yoshi Yatabe explained the selection was made on three criteria: “an unswerving focus on depicting humanity”, “diversity” and “auteurism”.
He said, “To sum up...
The 27th Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) (Oct 23-31) has announced the rest of its line-up with a Competition selection that includes world premieres such as Romain Goupil’s French film The Days Come and Li Ruijun’s Chinese film River Road.
The other world premieres in Competition will be: Filipino maverick Khavn De La Cruz‘s Ruined Heart - Another Love Story Between A Criminal & A Whore; Malaysian producer of Cannes title Tiger Factory, Edmund Yeo’s feature directorial debut River Of Exploding Durians, and the previously announced single Japanese film in Competition, Pale Moon, directed by Daihachi Yoshida.
Claudio Noce’s Italian film Ice Forest will make an international premiere in Competition.
Tiff Programming director Yoshi Yatabe explained the selection was made on three criteria: “an unswerving focus on depicting humanity”, “diversity” and “auteurism”.
He said, “To sum up...
- 9/30/2014
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
The Zurich International Film Festival has completed its lineup for its 10th edition, which runs from Sept. 25 to Oct. 5. Zurich named a few last-minute editions to its schedule, including Craig Johnson's Sundance-winning drama The Skeleton Twins, starring Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader; Nima Javidi-directed drama Melbourne, which premiered in Venice; and Toronto titles including Michael R Roskam’s The Drop, starring Tom Hardy and the late James Gandolfini, and Life in a Fishbowl from Icelandic director Baldvin Zophoniasson. Tate Taylor’s James Brown biopic Get on Up starring Chadwick Boseman will open the festival. Zurich hasn't yet
read more...
read more...
- 9/12/2014
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
International and documentary competitions include The Skeleton Twins, ‘71 and The Look of Silence. A total of 17 world premieres secured for the festival, which has received a budget boost.
The 10th Zurich Film Festival (Sept 25 – Oct 5) has revealed its full line-up, which comprises 145 features – up from 122 last year – from 29 countries.
Co-director Nadja Schildknecht revealed a rise in budget for the festival as well as growth in anticipated guest numbers.
“This year, we expect some 500 guests (previous year 450) from around the world to accompany their films,” she said.
“And the budget has increased accordingly to CHF6.9m ($7.4m) (previous year CHF6.1m/$6.5m).”
As previously announced, Tate Taylor’s James Brown biopic Get On Up will open the festival on Sept 25. The closing film has yet to be revealed.
International competition
The International Feature Film Competition includes 14 titles, some of which have received critical acclaim at previous festivals such as Yann Demange’s action thriller ‘71, which debuted at the...
The 10th Zurich Film Festival (Sept 25 – Oct 5) has revealed its full line-up, which comprises 145 features – up from 122 last year – from 29 countries.
Co-director Nadja Schildknecht revealed a rise in budget for the festival as well as growth in anticipated guest numbers.
“This year, we expect some 500 guests (previous year 450) from around the world to accompany their films,” she said.
“And the budget has increased accordingly to CHF6.9m ($7.4m) (previous year CHF6.1m/$6.5m).”
As previously announced, Tate Taylor’s James Brown biopic Get On Up will open the festival on Sept 25. The closing film has yet to be revealed.
International competition
The International Feature Film Competition includes 14 titles, some of which have received critical acclaim at previous festivals such as Yann Demange’s action thriller ‘71, which debuted at the...
- 9/11/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
‘Camp X-Ray’ trailer 2014: Kristen Stewart and Payman Maadi in Guantanamo’s ‘war zone’ (photo: Kristen Stewart in ‘Camp X-Ray’) The official Camp X-Ray trailer is out. "Make no mistake about it. This is a war zone," a male voice tells the recruits (and us) at the start of the movie trailer, set in Guantanamo’s temporary detention center Camp X-Ray. A "war zone" in more ways than one; he’s referring not only to the physical danger faced by the U.S. military guards (and their Muslim prisoners — or rather, "detainees"), but also, and more ominously, to a war of minds and mindsets between the two groups, who may have more in common with each other than is apparent on the surface. Private Amy Cole aka Kristen Stewart is forewarned: "You can talk to ‘em, but do not let these guys learn anything about you. Do not let them get inside your head.
- 8/8/2014
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
The Venice International Film Festival is in the process announcing the lineup for its 71st edition. Here's what we know so far:
Competition
The Cut (Fatih Akin)
A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence (Roy Andersson)
99 Homes (Ramin Bahrani)
Tales (Rakhshan Bani E'temad)
La rancon de la gloire (Xavier Beauvois)
Hungry Hearts (Saverio Costanzo)
Le dernier coup de marteau (Alix Delaporte)
Pasolini (Abel Ferrara)
Manglehorn (David Gordon Green)
Birdman or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance (Alejandro González Iñárritu)
Three Hearts (Benoît Jacquot)
The Postman's White Nights (Andrei Konchalovsky)
Il Giovane Favoloso (Mario Martone)
Sivas (Kaan Mujdeci)
Anime Nere (Francesco Munzi)
Good Kill (Andrew Niccol)
Loin des hommes (David Oelhoffen)
The Look of Silence (Joshua Oppenheimer)
Nobi (Shinya Tsukamoto)
Red Amnesia (Wang Xiaoshuai)
Out Of Competition
Joe Date. Photo by Evan Dickson.
Words with Gods (Guillermo Arriaga, Emir Kusturica, Amos Gitai, Mira Nair, Warwick Thornton, Hector Babenco, Bahman Ghobadi,...
Competition
The Cut (Fatih Akin)
A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence (Roy Andersson)
99 Homes (Ramin Bahrani)
Tales (Rakhshan Bani E'temad)
La rancon de la gloire (Xavier Beauvois)
Hungry Hearts (Saverio Costanzo)
Le dernier coup de marteau (Alix Delaporte)
Pasolini (Abel Ferrara)
Manglehorn (David Gordon Green)
Birdman or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance (Alejandro González Iñárritu)
Three Hearts (Benoît Jacquot)
The Postman's White Nights (Andrei Konchalovsky)
Il Giovane Favoloso (Mario Martone)
Sivas (Kaan Mujdeci)
Anime Nere (Francesco Munzi)
Good Kill (Andrew Niccol)
Loin des hommes (David Oelhoffen)
The Look of Silence (Joshua Oppenheimer)
Nobi (Shinya Tsukamoto)
Red Amnesia (Wang Xiaoshuai)
Out Of Competition
Joe Date. Photo by Evan Dickson.
Words with Gods (Guillermo Arriaga, Emir Kusturica, Amos Gitai, Mira Nair, Warwick Thornton, Hector Babenco, Bahman Ghobadi,...
- 7/25/2014
- by Notebook
- MUBI
Nima Javidi’s Melbourne and Diego Bianchi’s The Market to bookend Venice Critics’ Week line-up.
The line-up for the 29th Venice International Film Critics’ Week (Aug 27-Sept 6) has been announced.
The opening film, playing out of competition, is Nima Javidi’s Melbourne.
The Iranian feature will receive its international premiere at Critics’ Week - the independent section of the Venice International Film Festival - dedicated to first-time directors’ feature-length films.
Melbourne centres on a young couple on their way to the eponymous Australian city to continue their studies. But just a few hours before their departure, they become involved in a tragic event.
The closing film will be the world premiere of Italian director Diego Bianchi’s The Market (Arance e Martello), also playing out of competition.
The satirical comedy, which takes place over one day in the midst of the Berlusconi era in 2011, centres on the life of a quiet corner market, which is shaken...
The line-up for the 29th Venice International Film Critics’ Week (Aug 27-Sept 6) has been announced.
The opening film, playing out of competition, is Nima Javidi’s Melbourne.
The Iranian feature will receive its international premiere at Critics’ Week - the independent section of the Venice International Film Festival - dedicated to first-time directors’ feature-length films.
Melbourne centres on a young couple on their way to the eponymous Australian city to continue their studies. But just a few hours before their departure, they become involved in a tragic event.
The closing film will be the world premiere of Italian director Diego Bianchi’s The Market (Arance e Martello), also playing out of competition.
The satirical comedy, which takes place over one day in the midst of the Berlusconi era in 2011, centres on the life of a quiet corner market, which is shaken...
- 7/21/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
The National Union of Italian Film Critics and La Biennale di Venezia have unveiled the lineup for the 29th International Film Critics’ Week and, as Nick Vivarelli notes in Variety, what we have here are nine films from Europe, China, Vietnam, Iran and Palestine. "Just like last year, the U.S. is absent." Nima Javidi's Melbourne, from Iran, will open the event, running from August 27 through September 6. The closing film is Diego Bianchi's The Market (Arance e martello, Italy). Both films will screen out of competition. » - David Hudson...
- 7/21/2014
- Fandor: Keyframe
The National Union of Italian Film Critics and La Biennale di Venezia have unveiled the lineup for the 29th International Film Critics’ Week and, as Nick Vivarelli notes in Variety, what we have here are nine films from Europe, China, Vietnam, Iran and Palestine. "Just like last year, the U.S. is absent." Nima Javidi's Melbourne, from Iran, will open the event, running from August 27 through September 6. The closing film is Diego Bianchi's The Market (Arance e martello, Italy). Both films will screen out of competition. » - David Hudson...
- 7/21/2014
- Keyframe
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