Die dritte Zusammenarbeit des iranischen Regieduos Maryam Moghaddam und Behtash Sanaeeha feierte ihre Weltpremiere in diesem Jahr im Berlinale-Wettbewerb und wird von Alamode Film am 11. Juli in die deutschen Kinos gebracht. Jetzt wurde der Trailer veröffentlicht.
In ihrer dritten gemeinsamen Arbeit „Ein Stück vom Kuchen“ erzählen die iranischen Regisseure Maryam Moghaddam und Behtash Sanaeeha die Geschichte der 70-jährigen Mahin (Lily Farhadpour), die seit dem Tod ihres Mannes und der Ausreise ihrer Tochter nach Europa allein in Teheran lebt. Nach einem Nachmittag mit ihren Freundinnen beschließt sie, der Einsamkeit und Monotonie ihres Alltags zu entfliehen und ihr Liebesleben wieder zu aktivieren. Zufällig trifft sie den gleichaltrigen Taxifahrer Faramarz (Esmail Mehrabi). Was mit einer zufälligen Begegnung begann, endet in einer überraschenden und unvergesslichen Nacht.
Alamode Film startet „Ein kleines Stück vom Kuchen“ am 11. Juli in den deutschen Kinos.
In ihrer dritten gemeinsamen Arbeit „Ein Stück vom Kuchen“ erzählen die iranischen Regisseure Maryam Moghaddam und Behtash Sanaeeha die Geschichte der 70-jährigen Mahin (Lily Farhadpour), die seit dem Tod ihres Mannes und der Ausreise ihrer Tochter nach Europa allein in Teheran lebt. Nach einem Nachmittag mit ihren Freundinnen beschließt sie, der Einsamkeit und Monotonie ihres Alltags zu entfliehen und ihr Liebesleben wieder zu aktivieren. Zufällig trifft sie den gleichaltrigen Taxifahrer Faramarz (Esmail Mehrabi). Was mit einer zufälligen Begegnung begann, endet in einer überraschenden und unvergesslichen Nacht.
Alamode Film startet „Ein kleines Stück vom Kuchen“ am 11. Juli in den deutschen Kinos.
- 5/29/2024
- by Jochen Müller
- Spot - Media & Film
Cannes Critics’ Week title Julie Keeps Quiet, directed by Belgium’s Leonardo Van Dijl, is to be released in the UK and Ireland through Curzon’s Artificial Eye distribution label.
It unfurls as an elite tennis academy star’s coach falls under investigation and is suddenly suspended. All of the club’s players are encouraged to speak up, but Julie decides to keep quiet.
The feature is produced by Gilles De Schryver, Gilles Coulier, Wouter Sap and Roxanne Sarkozi for De Wereldvrede (Belgium), and co-produced by Delphine Tomson, Luc Dardenne and Jean-Pierre Dardenne for Les Films du Fleuve (Belgium), Nima Yousefi...
It unfurls as an elite tennis academy star’s coach falls under investigation and is suddenly suspended. All of the club’s players are encouraged to speak up, but Julie decides to keep quiet.
The feature is produced by Gilles De Schryver, Gilles Coulier, Wouter Sap and Roxanne Sarkozi for De Wereldvrede (Belgium), and co-produced by Delphine Tomson, Luc Dardenne and Jean-Pierre Dardenne for Les Films du Fleuve (Belgium), Nima Yousefi...
- 5/29/2024
- ScreenDaily
Ed Fletcher has been at the helm of UK distributor and exhibitor Curzon for six months as CEO, following the departure of Philip Knatchbull from the Cohen Media Group-owned company in November 2023.
Fletcher brings with him experience spent managing cinemas in London and Cambridge, and working in theatrical distribution at first Ica Projects and then distributor Soda Pictures, the company he co-founded with Eve Gabareau in 2002 that became Thunderbird Releasing in 2014. He also runs a production label called Beef with Emma Biggins as a sideline to his day job.
Just before Cannes, Curzon revealed the revival of the Artificial...
Fletcher brings with him experience spent managing cinemas in London and Cambridge, and working in theatrical distribution at first Ica Projects and then distributor Soda Pictures, the company he co-founded with Eve Gabareau in 2002 that became Thunderbird Releasing in 2014. He also runs a production label called Beef with Emma Biggins as a sideline to his day job.
Just before Cannes, Curzon revealed the revival of the Artificial...
- 5/20/2024
- ScreenDaily
New U.A.E.-based distribution and production studio The Plot Pictures is headed for the Cannes Marche du Film after snapping up Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (Menat) rights to a slew of indie titles across different genres.
They include “Locust,” a first feature film from Taiwanese American multidisciplinary artist Keff that is playing in Critics Week, and Nick Hamm’s epic “William Tell.”
The Plot Pictures CEO Pratixa Shah and head of sales Ozge Conduroglu – who was previously with Starz Play Arabia – are assembling a slate spanning “different genres, regions, and languages,” as Shah put it in statement. “We are agnostic to language and country of origin,” she said, noting that “the hyper local is often what global audiences are looking for, even if it is not local to them.”
The studio, which officially launched in Dubai in March, are co-producers on “Locust.” The film is set in Taiwan where,...
They include “Locust,” a first feature film from Taiwanese American multidisciplinary artist Keff that is playing in Critics Week, and Nick Hamm’s epic “William Tell.”
The Plot Pictures CEO Pratixa Shah and head of sales Ozge Conduroglu – who was previously with Starz Play Arabia – are assembling a slate spanning “different genres, regions, and languages,” as Shah put it in statement. “We are agnostic to language and country of origin,” she said, noting that “the hyper local is often what global audiences are looking for, even if it is not local to them.”
The studio, which officially launched in Dubai in March, are co-producers on “Locust.” The film is set in Taiwan where,...
- 5/8/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Artificial Eye, the arthouse distribution company established in 1976 by Curzon Cinemas, is set for a re-launch as a theatrical and home entertainment label.
Founded by Andi and Pam Engel, the label gained recognition for releasing independent, arthouse, and foreign language films, promoting films from directors such as Béla Tarr, the Dardenne Brothers, and Trần Anh Hùng.
Artificial Eye went on hiatus in 2014, after being part of the Curzon group since 2006. In 2019, we told you Curzon Group and its subsidiaries, including Artificial Eye, had been acquired by U.S. indie distributor and exhibitor Cohen Media Group. Ruben Östlund’s Force Majeure was one of the last films released under the previous version of the label.
Curzon has continued to release critically acclaimed films under the Curzon Film label led by Managing Director Louisa Dent. One of their successes has been Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite, the highest-grossing foreign-language film ever at the UK box office.
Founded by Andi and Pam Engel, the label gained recognition for releasing independent, arthouse, and foreign language films, promoting films from directors such as Béla Tarr, the Dardenne Brothers, and Trần Anh Hùng.
Artificial Eye went on hiatus in 2014, after being part of the Curzon group since 2006. In 2019, we told you Curzon Group and its subsidiaries, including Artificial Eye, had been acquired by U.S. indie distributor and exhibitor Cohen Media Group. Ruben Östlund’s Force Majeure was one of the last films released under the previous version of the label.
Curzon has continued to release critically acclaimed films under the Curzon Film label led by Managing Director Louisa Dent. One of their successes has been Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite, the highest-grossing foreign-language film ever at the UK box office.
- 5/1/2024
- by Hannah Abraham
- Deadline Film + TV
Goodfellas has come on board to handle international sales on Francis Ford Coppola’s Cannes Competition selection Megalopolis, Screen can reveal.
It is further understood the epic drama has sold to Le Pacte for France, which satisfies Cannes’ rule stating that films invited to play in Competition must be released theatrically in France prior to debuting on a platform.
Adam Driver stars in Megalopolis as an ambitious architect who harbours grand plans to rebuild New York and falls for the daughter of his rival, the mayor, who wants to perpetuate greed and support special interest groups. The first-look image from...
It is further understood the epic drama has sold to Le Pacte for France, which satisfies Cannes’ rule stating that films invited to play in Competition must be released theatrically in France prior to debuting on a platform.
Adam Driver stars in Megalopolis as an ambitious architect who harbours grand plans to rebuild New York and falls for the daughter of his rival, the mayor, who wants to perpetuate greed and support special interest groups. The first-look image from...
- 4/30/2024
- ScreenDaily
U.K. outfit Curzon — part of the Cohen Media Group — is set to relaunch Artificial Eye, the arthouse distribution label that was established in 1976 and has been on hiatus for the last decade.
The label, first founded by film enthusiasts Andi and Pam Engel and part of the Curzon group since 2006, became renowned for releasing independent, foreign-language and arthouse title to U.K. audiences, including those by Béla Tarr, the Dardenne Brothers and Trần Anh Hùng. Its library boasts over 400 critically acclaimed films from directors including Wim Wenders, Michael Haneke and Claire Denis. Ruben Östlund’s “Force Majeure” was one of the last films released under the previous incarnation.
Led by managing director Louisa Dent, who has been with the company since 2008, Curzon has continued to release critically acclaimed films under the Curzon Film label — including Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite,” the highest-grossing foreign-language film ever at the U.K.
The label, first founded by film enthusiasts Andi and Pam Engel and part of the Curzon group since 2006, became renowned for releasing independent, foreign-language and arthouse title to U.K. audiences, including those by Béla Tarr, the Dardenne Brothers and Trần Anh Hùng. Its library boasts over 400 critically acclaimed films from directors including Wim Wenders, Michael Haneke and Claire Denis. Ruben Östlund’s “Force Majeure” was one of the last films released under the previous incarnation.
Led by managing director Louisa Dent, who has been with the company since 2008, Curzon has continued to release critically acclaimed films under the Curzon Film label — including Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite,” the highest-grossing foreign-language film ever at the U.K.
- 4/30/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
The UK’s Curzon is to relaunch its specialist UK/Ireland distribution label Artificial Eye, as a theatrical and home entertainment brand.
The first release under the banner will be Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha’s Berlinale Competition title My Favourite Cake.
Led by Curzon managing director Louisa Dent, the acquisitions team will curate additions to the Artificial Eye catalogue, focusing on director-led world cinema and discoveries from emerging filmmakers.
Artificial Eye was founded in 1976 by Andi Engel and Pam Engel. The label released leading independent, foreign-language and arthouse titles, including films by Bela Tarr, the Dardenne brothers and Tran Anh Hung.
The first release under the banner will be Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha’s Berlinale Competition title My Favourite Cake.
Led by Curzon managing director Louisa Dent, the acquisitions team will curate additions to the Artificial Eye catalogue, focusing on director-led world cinema and discoveries from emerging filmmakers.
Artificial Eye was founded in 1976 by Andi Engel and Pam Engel. The label released leading independent, foreign-language and arthouse titles, including films by Bela Tarr, the Dardenne brothers and Tran Anh Hung.
- 4/30/2024
- ScreenDaily
Mahin decides to break her loneliness by searching for a partner in Maryam Moghadam & Behtash Sanaeeha's warm-hearted drama “My Favourite Cake”. The third directorial collaboration between two filmmakers had its world premiere in the official competition of Berlinale earlier this year, screened in absence of the helmers who were not allowed to leave the country. The movie shows women without mandatory hijabs, it lets them speak about their flirts, dreams and longing, and it even involves alcohol drinking and a burgeoning love affair between two people who were not destined to live that dream to the fullest, as well as an open rebellion against the morality police. Iranian authorities made a clumsy attempt at stopping the film of reaching the international audience, which luckily proved futile.”My Favourite Cake” was shot secretly amidst the wide-spread anti Government protests sparked by the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, a young Iranian...
- 4/30/2024
- by Marina D. Richter
- AsianMoviePulse
The Berlin-based German Federal Film Board (Ffa) is following the lead of other European countries and launching its dedicated minority co-production fund with an annual budget of €1m.
Producers based in Germany can apply to this fund if their financial participation is at least 10% and less than that of the foreign delegate producer.
The fund is open to feature-length fiction, animation and documentary films that have a high degree of festival potential, or could be commercially successful in Germany and abroad.
The projects applying for support must show that they have a German financing share of at least €350,000.
The minimum...
Producers based in Germany can apply to this fund if their financial participation is at least 10% and less than that of the foreign delegate producer.
The fund is open to feature-length fiction, animation and documentary films that have a high degree of festival potential, or could be commercially successful in Germany and abroad.
The projects applying for support must show that they have a German financing share of at least €350,000.
The minimum...
- 4/11/2024
- ScreenDaily
Before we put our focus on the upcoming edition of the Cannes Film Festival, we look back at our coverage of the Berlinale – a competition that many would agree was subpar and sidebar selections that did indeed offer some gems. Mati Diop’s Dahomey (read review) claimed the top prize and Behtash Saneeha & Maryam Moghaddam’s My Favourite Cake (read our ★★★★review) was the overall critical darling among critics. This year Our Nicholas Bell was also part of filmneweurope.com’s Fipresci grid (worth noting that they have a grading system that is less precise and incompatible with our grading system) and we’ve also added Screen Daily’s chart for further comparison – see after the jump below.…...
- 3/13/2024
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
UK production, sales and distribution outfit Signature Entertainment has acquired Latin American production and distribution company Particular Crowd.
Particular Crowd’s slate includes Martino Zaidelis’s Argentinian thriller La Extorsión and Argentinian-Uruguayan comedy Casi Muerta.
Both titles secured strong box office runs locally, ahead of streaming on Max, as part of Particular Crowd’s first-look and production deal with Max owner Warner Bros Discovery. The deal with Warner Bros Discovery will continue following the Signature acquisition.
Upcoming projects include Brazil’s Evidências Do Amor, which will be released theatrically this month by Warner Bros and Aztec Batman: Clash Of Empires,...
Particular Crowd’s slate includes Martino Zaidelis’s Argentinian thriller La Extorsión and Argentinian-Uruguayan comedy Casi Muerta.
Both titles secured strong box office runs locally, ahead of streaming on Max, as part of Particular Crowd’s first-look and production deal with Max owner Warner Bros Discovery. The deal with Warner Bros Discovery will continue following the Signature acquisition.
Upcoming projects include Brazil’s Evidências Do Amor, which will be released theatrically this month by Warner Bros and Aztec Batman: Clash Of Empires,...
- 3/12/2024
- ScreenDaily
Canneseries has lined up world premieres of international titles including Apple TV+’s Franklin, Disney+’s Becoming Karl Lagerfeld and Netflix’s French comedy Fiasco for its seventh edition which runs in Cannes from April 5-10 in parallel with MipTV.
Franklin, produced by ITV Studios America with Apple Studios, stars Michael Douglas as the titular US founding father in a story about his time on a mission to France in 1776. Douglas, also an executive producer on the eight-episode limited series, is expected to attend the event.
“We can’t do a premiere in Cannes of Franklin without Franklin himself aka Michael Douglas,...
Franklin, produced by ITV Studios America with Apple Studios, stars Michael Douglas as the titular US founding father in a story about his time on a mission to France in 1776. Douglas, also an executive producer on the eight-episode limited series, is expected to attend the event.
“We can’t do a premiere in Cannes of Franklin without Franklin himself aka Michael Douglas,...
- 3/12/2024
- ScreenDaily
Iranian tragicomedy My Favourite Cake continues to sell strongly for Totem Films following its premiere in Berlinale competition last month.
The French sales agent has inked new deals for Australia and New Zealand (Vendetta), Taiwan (Swallow Wings), Indonesia (Falcon), Portugal (Alambique), Brazil (Imovision), Finland (Cinema Mondo), Bulgaria (Betafilm), Greece (Weird Wave), the Baltics (Kino Pavasaris) and former Yugoslavia (Demiurg).
Directed by Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha, the film sold to a slew of territories ahead of its Berlin premiere and during EFM including UK and Ireland (Curzon), Spain (A Contracorriente), Italy (Academy Two), Germany and Austria (Alamode), Norway (Arthaus), France...
The French sales agent has inked new deals for Australia and New Zealand (Vendetta), Taiwan (Swallow Wings), Indonesia (Falcon), Portugal (Alambique), Brazil (Imovision), Finland (Cinema Mondo), Bulgaria (Betafilm), Greece (Weird Wave), the Baltics (Kino Pavasaris) and former Yugoslavia (Demiurg).
Directed by Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha, the film sold to a slew of territories ahead of its Berlin premiere and during EFM including UK and Ireland (Curzon), Spain (A Contracorriente), Italy (Academy Two), Germany and Austria (Alamode), Norway (Arthaus), France...
- 3/12/2024
- ScreenDaily
Lucasfilm’s upcoming The Mandalorian & Grogu directed by Jon Favreau will bring the largest total qualified expenditures in the history of the California Film and Television Tax Credit Program, the California Film Commission said on Monday.
The film commences production later this year and marks the first feature from the Star Wars universe since 2019 as Disney CEO Bob Iger attempts to mine the core IP and revive a pipeline rocked by several relative misfires at the box office in 2023.
The Mandalorian & Grogu will shoot entirely in California and is set to inject an estimated $166m into the state...
The film commences production later this year and marks the first feature from the Star Wars universe since 2019 as Disney CEO Bob Iger attempts to mine the core IP and revive a pipeline rocked by several relative misfires at the box office in 2023.
The Mandalorian & Grogu will shoot entirely in California and is set to inject an estimated $166m into the state...
- 2/27/2024
- ScreenDaily
Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala’s The Devil’s Bath and Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha’s My Favourite Cake have jointly topped Screen’s 2024 Berlin jury grid with an average score of 3.1.
See the final 2024 grid below.
The last three titles to land, Meryam Joobeur’s Who Do I Belong To?; Gustav Möller’s Sons; and Min Bahadur Bham’s Shambhala, could not unseat the duo after scoring 2.8, 2.1 and 2.4 respectively.
Who Do I Belong To? follows a Tunisian mother struggling to cope when her jihadist son returns from Syria. It earned two fours (excellent) from Die Zeit’s Katja Nicodemus and Meduza’s Anton Dolin,...
See the final 2024 grid below.
The last three titles to land, Meryam Joobeur’s Who Do I Belong To?; Gustav Möller’s Sons; and Min Bahadur Bham’s Shambhala, could not unseat the duo after scoring 2.8, 2.1 and 2.4 respectively.
Who Do I Belong To? follows a Tunisian mother struggling to cope when her jihadist son returns from Syria. It earned two fours (excellent) from Die Zeit’s Katja Nicodemus and Meduza’s Anton Dolin,...
- 2/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
When it comes to romance, everyone knows that you shouldn't wait too long... Don't let all of life go by, and have the courage to say hi to someone before it's too late. That's the wisdom explored in this delightful new film from Iran titled My Favourite Cake (labeled as Keyke mahboobe man in the Berlinale line-up). The film is both written & directed by the Iranian filmmakers Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha, and premiered at the 2024 Berlin Film Festival in the Main Competition section (though it didn't win any awards). Unfortunately the two filmmakers are being kept in Iran, as the government took their passports and imposed a travel ban. Nonetheless, this film stands out within the Berlinale line-up as an entertaining-for-everyone heartfelt story of romance. The best compliment I can give is that it has the vibe of an Iranian Before Sunrise telling a charming story about two 70-year-old single,...
- 2/26/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The independent juries of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival early Saturday unveiled their picks of the best movies at the 2024 Berlinale.
Matthias Glasner’s German family epic Sterben (Dying), and the Iranian feature My Favourite Cake from directors Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha, both of which are considered frontrunners for the top prize at the official festival ceremony on Saturday night, received multiple awards for the indie juries, as did Dag Johan Haugerud’s Norwegian drama Sex, a critical favorite from this year’s Panorama sidebar.
Sterben, which follows a classical conductor (played by Lars Eidinger) and his very dysfunctional family, won the best film honor from the guild of German arthouse cinemas and the top prize awarded by the jury of Berliner Morgenpost readers representing the Berlin newspaper.
My Favourite Cake, a quiet drama about a 70-year-old widow who takes a chance on new love, won the Fipresci...
Matthias Glasner’s German family epic Sterben (Dying), and the Iranian feature My Favourite Cake from directors Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha, both of which are considered frontrunners for the top prize at the official festival ceremony on Saturday night, received multiple awards for the indie juries, as did Dag Johan Haugerud’s Norwegian drama Sex, a critical favorite from this year’s Panorama sidebar.
Sterben, which follows a classical conductor (played by Lars Eidinger) and his very dysfunctional family, won the best film honor from the guild of German arthouse cinemas and the top prize awarded by the jury of Berliner Morgenpost readers representing the Berlin newspaper.
My Favourite Cake, a quiet drama about a 70-year-old widow who takes a chance on new love, won the Fipresci...
- 2/24/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The awards ceremony for the 74th Berlin International Film Festival kicks off Saturday night, where this year’s jury, headed by 12 Years a Slave and Black Panther actress Lupita Nyong’o, will hand out the coveted Gold and Silver Bears.
Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha’s Iranian drama My Favourite Cake is being given good odds for an award this year. The drama, about a 70-year-old widow and her tentative attempts at romance with an age-appropriate taxi driver, was a critical fave. A win for the film would also send a political message after the Iranian government banned the directors from attending Berlin. If the jury picks out Cake for the Golden Bear it would be the third time in 10 years —following Jafar Panahi’s Taxi (2015) and There Is No Evil (2020) from Mohammad Rasoulof —that Berlin has given its top honor to Iranian directors in absentia. World sales for My...
Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha’s Iranian drama My Favourite Cake is being given good odds for an award this year. The drama, about a 70-year-old widow and her tentative attempts at romance with an age-appropriate taxi driver, was a critical fave. A win for the film would also send a political message after the Iranian government banned the directors from attending Berlin. If the jury picks out Cake for the Golden Bear it would be the third time in 10 years —following Jafar Panahi’s Taxi (2015) and There Is No Evil (2020) from Mohammad Rasoulof —that Berlin has given its top honor to Iranian directors in absentia. World sales for My...
- 2/23/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Alex Garland’s Civil War will receive its world premiere at SXSW on March 14, the festival said on Thursday.
Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Nick Offerman star and A24 produced alongside Andrew Macdonald and Allon Reich of DNA, and Gregory Goodman.
The action film set in a splintered America balanced on a knife’s edge marks the British filmmaker’s first return to SXSW following the 2015 North American premiere of his directorial debut, the sci-fi Ex Machina.
“Alex Garland’s Civil War is a gorgeous, haunting, and powerful piece of cinema unlike anything else you...
Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Nick Offerman star and A24 produced alongside Andrew Macdonald and Allon Reich of DNA, and Gregory Goodman.
The action film set in a splintered America balanced on a knife’s edge marks the British filmmaker’s first return to SXSW following the 2015 North American premiere of his directorial debut, the sci-fi Ex Machina.
“Alex Garland’s Civil War is a gorgeous, haunting, and powerful piece of cinema unlike anything else you...
- 2/22/2024
- ScreenDaily
Psychological thriller The Devil’s Bath has scored an average of 3.1 from critics on Screen’s Berlin jury grid, meaning it is now the joint leader alongside My Favourite Cake.
The latest from Austrian Goodnight Mommy duo Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala received two four stars (excellent) from Barbara Hollender (Poland’s Rzeczpospolita) and Paolo Bertolin cinematografo.it while five critics gave it three (good). Rita Di Santo (UK’s Morning Star) was less in favour of the film, following a newly married woman in 1750 who commits a shocking act of violence, awarding it just one star (poor).
Click on the...
The latest from Austrian Goodnight Mommy duo Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala received two four stars (excellent) from Barbara Hollender (Poland’s Rzeczpospolita) and Paolo Bertolin cinematografo.it while five critics gave it three (good). Rita Di Santo (UK’s Morning Star) was less in favour of the film, following a newly married woman in 1750 who commits a shocking act of violence, awarding it just one star (poor).
Click on the...
- 2/22/2024
- ScreenDaily
Curzon Film has picked up Berlinale Competition title My Favourite Cake for UK and Ireland distribution.
France’s Totem Films is handling international sales on Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeh’s Iranian tragicomedy, which follows a widow living in solitude who decides one day to restart her love life.
My Favourite Cake is produced by Iran’s Filmsazan Javan, France’s Caractères Productions, Sweden’s Hobab, and Germany’s Watchmen Productions.
The film has already sold to a range of territories including A Contracorriente in Spain, Academy Two in Italy, Alamode for Germany and Austria, and Arthaus in Norway.
Premiering at the Berlinale last week,...
France’s Totem Films is handling international sales on Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeh’s Iranian tragicomedy, which follows a widow living in solitude who decides one day to restart her love life.
My Favourite Cake is produced by Iran’s Filmsazan Javan, France’s Caractères Productions, Sweden’s Hobab, and Germany’s Watchmen Productions.
The film has already sold to a range of territories including A Contracorriente in Spain, Academy Two in Italy, Alamode for Germany and Austria, and Arthaus in Norway.
Premiering at the Berlinale last week,...
- 2/22/2024
- ScreenDaily
Hong Sangsoo’s A Traveler’s Needs and Mati Diop’s Dahomey earned strong average scores on Screen’s Berlin jury grid, while Bruno Dumont’s The Empire divided critics.
A Traveler’s Needs stars Isabelle Huppert as a French woman teaching in Korea and is currently on an average of 2.9, with one score still to come (from Paolo Bertolin from cinematografo.it). Screen’s own critic awarded it four stars (excellent), while three critics gave it three stars (good) and three gave it two (average).
Click on the jury grid above for the most up-to-date version.
The score is currently slighter...
A Traveler’s Needs stars Isabelle Huppert as a French woman teaching in Korea and is currently on an average of 2.9, with one score still to come (from Paolo Bertolin from cinematografo.it). Screen’s own critic awarded it four stars (excellent), while three critics gave it three stars (good) and three gave it two (average).
Click on the jury grid above for the most up-to-date version.
The score is currently slighter...
- 2/20/2024
- ScreenDaily
France’s Totem Films has signed a slew of international deals at the EFM for Berlin competition title My Favourite Cake, directed by Iranian filmmakers Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha.
The Iranian tragicomedy follows a 70-year-old woman who breaks out of her solitary routine by trying to invigorate her love life. The film stars newcomer Lily Farhadpour alongside veteran Iranian actor Esmail Mehrabi.
It has sold to A Contracorriente in Spain, Academy Two in Italy, Alamode for Germany and Austria, and Arthaus in Norway.
The film took an early lead on Screen’s jury grid and had previously inked pre-sales...
The Iranian tragicomedy follows a 70-year-old woman who breaks out of her solitary routine by trying to invigorate her love life. The film stars newcomer Lily Farhadpour alongside veteran Iranian actor Esmail Mehrabi.
It has sold to A Contracorriente in Spain, Academy Two in Italy, Alamode for Germany and Austria, and Arthaus in Norway.
The film took an early lead on Screen’s jury grid and had previously inked pre-sales...
- 2/20/2024
- ScreenDaily
Ukrainian drama project Screaming Girl has scooped the top prize at the Berlinale Co-Production Market.
The feature won the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award, worth €20,000, which went to Kyiv-based producers Forefilms.
Director Antonio Lukich is known for comedy-drama Luxembourg, Luxembourg, which screened in the Horizons strand of the Venice Film Festival in 2022. His debut was My Thoughts Are Silent, which won a special jury prize at Karlovy Vary in 2019.
Screaming Girl centres on a girl who, after the invasion of Ukraine, finds herself in Ireland and pursues her dream of becoming an actress. However, she begins to experience strange and fantastical events that disrupt her life,...
The feature won the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award, worth €20,000, which went to Kyiv-based producers Forefilms.
Director Antonio Lukich is known for comedy-drama Luxembourg, Luxembourg, which screened in the Horizons strand of the Venice Film Festival in 2022. His debut was My Thoughts Are Silent, which won a special jury prize at Karlovy Vary in 2019.
Screaming Girl centres on a girl who, after the invasion of Ukraine, finds herself in Ireland and pursues her dream of becoming an actress. However, she begins to experience strange and fantastical events that disrupt her life,...
- 2/19/2024
- ScreenDaily
by Elisa Giudici
My Favourite Cake © Hamid Janipour
Three more movies from Berlinale to discuss including a great Iranian film, the latest from Olivier Assayas, and a World War II picture.
My Favourite Cake by Behtash Sanaeeha and Maryam Moghadda
Once again, Iranian cinema, amidst the myriad challenges of filming in a hostile political environment, offers a memorable title. My Favourite Cake is a brilliant bittersweet romantic comedy, addressing universal themes with sudden, precise glimpses into Iranian reality...
My Favourite Cake © Hamid Janipour
Three more movies from Berlinale to discuss including a great Iranian film, the latest from Olivier Assayas, and a World War II picture.
My Favourite Cake by Behtash Sanaeeha and Maryam Moghadda
Once again, Iranian cinema, amidst the myriad challenges of filming in a hostile political environment, offers a memorable title. My Favourite Cake is a brilliant bittersweet romantic comedy, addressing universal themes with sudden, precise glimpses into Iranian reality...
- 2/18/2024
- by Elisa Giudici
- FilmExperience
Iranian tragicomedy My Favourite Cake has taken the early lead on Screen international’ s 2024 Berlin competition jury grid, with scores for seven titles now in.
The latest from Iranian duo Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha follows a 70-year-old woman who breaks out of her solitary routine by trying to invigorate her love life. It scored a strong 3.1 average, including three fours (excellent) from Ahmed Shawkey (Egypt’s filfan.com), Rita Di Santo (UK’s Morning Star) and Screen’s own critic.
Click on the jury grid above for the most up-to-date version.
Currently in joint second on the grid with...
The latest from Iranian duo Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha follows a 70-year-old woman who breaks out of her solitary routine by trying to invigorate her love life. It scored a strong 3.1 average, including three fours (excellent) from Ahmed Shawkey (Egypt’s filfan.com), Rita Di Santo (UK’s Morning Star) and Screen’s own critic.
Click on the jury grid above for the most up-to-date version.
Currently in joint second on the grid with...
- 2/18/2024
- ScreenDaily
Like taxis on a rainy night, you wait for ages for a great, bittersweet film about love in late middle age with a side helping of gastronomic lusciousness — and then two come along at once. Tehran-set but internationally-produced comedy-drama My Favourite Cake premiered at the Berlin Film Festival a day after Valentine’s Day. That day just so happened to overlap with the release of French drama The Taste of Things in several key territories. (Taste opened in the U.S. on Feb. 9.)
Of course, writer-directors Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha‘s Berlinale competitor is very different from Tran Anh Hung’s period study starring Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel, but the two films overlap in fascinating ways. Both remind viewers of the ephemeral nature of all things. Both are sublime portraits of complicated, older souls, one of whom is an excellent cook who expresses love through food. And in both,...
Of course, writer-directors Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha‘s Berlinale competitor is very different from Tran Anh Hung’s period study starring Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel, but the two films overlap in fascinating ways. Both remind viewers of the ephemeral nature of all things. Both are sublime portraits of complicated, older souls, one of whom is an excellent cook who expresses love through food. And in both,...
- 2/17/2024
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tim Mielants’ Berlinale opening film Small Things Like These is the first film to land on Screen’s Berlin 2024 Competition jury grid.
Cillian Murphy stars as a quiet man with a conscience in 1980s Ireland in this adaptation of Claire Keegan’s novella, which is produced by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s Artists Equity.
Eight critics are taking part in this year’s jury grid and will mark all 20 films playing in competition.
Click on the jury grid above for the most up-to-date version.
The film divided critics, earning an average score of 2.4 overall. It received four two-star ratings...
Cillian Murphy stars as a quiet man with a conscience in 1980s Ireland in this adaptation of Claire Keegan’s novella, which is produced by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s Artists Equity.
Eight critics are taking part in this year’s jury grid and will mark all 20 films playing in competition.
Click on the jury grid above for the most up-to-date version.
The film divided critics, earning an average score of 2.4 overall. It received four two-star ratings...
- 2/16/2024
- ScreenDaily
Iranian filmmakers Behtash Sanaeeha and Maryam Moghadam’s new feature My Favourite Cake world premieres at the Berlinale on Friday but the directors are not at the festival having been slapped with a travel ban by Iran’s authoritarian Islamic Republic regime.
Their absence was marked at the press conference by two empty seats and a joint portrait, while lead actress Lily Farhadpour, who has been allowed to make the journey, read out a statement on their behalf.
“We feel like parents who are forbidden from even looking at their new-born child,” it read. “We’re sad and we’re tired, but we’re not alone. This is the magic of cinema. Cinema brings us together. It is a window which opens up a time and a place where we can meet.”
Their quirky comedy-drama stars Farhadpour as a lonely widow who seizes the moment and invites a taxi driver...
Their absence was marked at the press conference by two empty seats and a joint portrait, while lead actress Lily Farhadpour, who has been allowed to make the journey, read out a statement on their behalf.
“We feel like parents who are forbidden from even looking at their new-born child,” it read. “We’re sad and we’re tired, but we’re not alone. This is the magic of cinema. Cinema brings us together. It is a window which opens up a time and a place where we can meet.”
Their quirky comedy-drama stars Farhadpour as a lonely widow who seizes the moment and invites a taxi driver...
- 2/16/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
The Iranian directors of Keyke Mahboobe Man (My Favourite Cake) have pledged to push back against censorship back home after they were stopped by authorities in Tehran from traveling to Berlin in time for their world premiere Friday night.
“We’ve have decided to cross all of the restrictive red lines and accept the consequences of our choice to paint a real picture of Iranian women,” Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha said in a statement read to a press conference in Berlin on Friday. The directors were barred from leaving Iran to discuss their film about an elderly woman who wants a normal life.
“We feel like parents who are forbidden from even looking at their newborn child. We have not been allowed today to enjoy watching the film with you, a discerning audience at this film festival. We are sad and tired, but we are not alone,” the directors...
“We’ve have decided to cross all of the restrictive red lines and accept the consequences of our choice to paint a real picture of Iranian women,” Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha said in a statement read to a press conference in Berlin on Friday. The directors were barred from leaving Iran to discuss their film about an elderly woman who wants a normal life.
“We feel like parents who are forbidden from even looking at their newborn child. We have not been allowed today to enjoy watching the film with you, a discerning audience at this film festival. We are sad and tired, but we are not alone,” the directors...
- 2/16/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Directors Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeh were banned by Iranian authorities from traveling to this year’s Berlin Film Festival, where their film “My Favourite Cake” is premiering in competition.
At the film’s press conference on Friday morning, actors Lily Farhadpour and Esmail Mehrabi delivered a powerful message from the directors in the form of a letter as a photo of the two was propped up besides their empty seats.
“Today, a film which we have spent three years of our lives making will be shown here, unfortunately, without our presence. We feel like parents who are forbidden from even looking at their newborn child,” the directors said in the statement. “We have not been allowed today to enjoy watching the film with you, a discerning audience of this important film festival. We are sad and we are tired but we are not alone.”
“My Favourite Cake” stirred up...
At the film’s press conference on Friday morning, actors Lily Farhadpour and Esmail Mehrabi delivered a powerful message from the directors in the form of a letter as a photo of the two was propped up besides their empty seats.
“Today, a film which we have spent three years of our lives making will be shown here, unfortunately, without our presence. We feel like parents who are forbidden from even looking at their newborn child,” the directors said in the statement. “We have not been allowed today to enjoy watching the film with you, a discerning audience of this important film festival. We are sad and we are tired but we are not alone.”
“My Favourite Cake” stirred up...
- 2/16/2024
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha won’t be coming to Berlin. The Iranian directors, whose feature Ballad of a White Cow received a rapturous reception here in 2020, were set to attend the 74th Berlinale with their latest competition entry, My Favourite Cake.
“But then the police came, took our passports and told us were banned from traveling,” says Moghaddam, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter via Zoom from the couple’s home in Tehran. “We are now facing a court case because of the film.”
The Berlinale has called on Iran to release the directors, saying it was “shocked and dismayed” to hear of the couple’s fate.
My Favourite Cake follows 70-year-old Mahin (Ballad of a White Cow actress Lili Farhadpour) who, after decades of living alone, decides to revive her love life. On a whim, she propositions Faramarz, a solidarity cab driver (Esmaeel Mehrabi), and invites him to her house.
“But then the police came, took our passports and told us were banned from traveling,” says Moghaddam, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter via Zoom from the couple’s home in Tehran. “We are now facing a court case because of the film.”
The Berlinale has called on Iran to release the directors, saying it was “shocked and dismayed” to hear of the couple’s fate.
My Favourite Cake follows 70-year-old Mahin (Ballad of a White Cow actress Lili Farhadpour) who, after decades of living alone, decides to revive her love life. On a whim, she propositions Faramarz, a solidarity cab driver (Esmaeel Mehrabi), and invites him to her house.
- 2/16/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha’s My Favourite Cake in is screening in Competition at the Berlinale today (February 16) but the directors are unable to attend the festival, having been prevented from leaving Iran by its government.
“Six months ago security guards raided our editor’s office, and took all the computers, hard drives and copies of the film,” said Sanaeeha. “They told us there will be a court case, and because of that we can’t leave the country.”
The government still holds their passports and has tried to make them withdraw the film from Berlin. “It feels like...
“Six months ago security guards raided our editor’s office, and took all the computers, hard drives and copies of the film,” said Sanaeeha. “They told us there will be a court case, and because of that we can’t leave the country.”
The government still holds their passports and has tried to make them withdraw the film from Berlin. “It feels like...
- 2/16/2024
- ScreenDaily
After a week of protests, petitions, and even a call to boycott the Berlin International Film Festival, organizers had to be fearing the worst when the 74th Berlinale kicked off Thursday night.
But the only demonstration on the red carpet was a peaceful one. Several filmmakers gathered together next to Berlinale Directors Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian and, holding up their cell phones, with LEDs shining, called for “democracy, diversity and peaceful togetherness.”
It was worlds away from the PR disaster that could have been expected just a week ago when the news came out that the Berlinale had invited elected members of the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) to its opening ceremony. The invitations were standard protocol and AfD members had been invited to the festival for years. But this year was different. For weeks, hundreds of thousands of Germans have been marching in anti-AfD demonstrations across the country,...
But the only demonstration on the red carpet was a peaceful one. Several filmmakers gathered together next to Berlinale Directors Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian and, holding up their cell phones, with LEDs shining, called for “democracy, diversity and peaceful togetherness.”
It was worlds away from the PR disaster that could have been expected just a week ago when the news came out that the Berlinale had invited elected members of the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) to its opening ceremony. The invitations were standard protocol and AfD members had been invited to the festival for years. But this year was different. For weeks, hundreds of thousands of Germans have been marching in anti-AfD demonstrations across the country,...
- 2/15/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Berlin International Film Festival faced up to several ongoing political controversies in a speech-heavy opening ceremony for the 74th edition tonight (February 15).
Following controversy around the invitation then disinvitation of AfD policitians to the ceremony; plus the crisis in Gaza; and ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, hosts Hadnet Tesfai and Jo Schuck confronted the political aspect of the festival in their opening remarks.
“Saying ‘this is how we did it in the last 200 years’ is not enough,” said Schuck, in a possible reference to criticism of the festival for inviting AfD politicians due to it being protocol in previous years.
Following controversy around the invitation then disinvitation of AfD policitians to the ceremony; plus the crisis in Gaza; and ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, hosts Hadnet Tesfai and Jo Schuck confronted the political aspect of the festival in their opening remarks.
“Saying ‘this is how we did it in the last 200 years’ is not enough,” said Schuck, in a possible reference to criticism of the festival for inviting AfD politicians due to it being protocol in previous years.
- 2/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
Iranian director duo Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha were recently banned by Iranian authorities from traveling to this year’s Berlin Film Festival, where their drama “My Favourite Cake” is premiering in competition.
The film is about a 70-year-old woman named Mahin who has been living alone in Tehran ever since her husband died and her daughter left for Europe. Suddenly an incident prompts Mahin to break her solitary routine and revitalize her love life. The directors have a history with the Berlinale, where their previous work, “Ballad of a White Cow,” premiered in 2021 with the directors in tow.
They spoke to Variety via Zoom from Tehran about the increased crackdown against filmmakers in their country.
What have Iranian authorities done to prevent you from coming to Berlin?
Behtash Sanaeeha: Actually, it all started six months ago when security guards raided our editor’s place. They took all the hard...
The film is about a 70-year-old woman named Mahin who has been living alone in Tehran ever since her husband died and her daughter left for Europe. Suddenly an incident prompts Mahin to break her solitary routine and revitalize her love life. The directors have a history with the Berlinale, where their previous work, “Ballad of a White Cow,” premiered in 2021 with the directors in tow.
They spoke to Variety via Zoom from Tehran about the increased crackdown against filmmakers in their country.
What have Iranian authorities done to prevent you from coming to Berlin?
Behtash Sanaeeha: Actually, it all started six months ago when security guards raided our editor’s place. They took all the hard...
- 2/15/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Jury members for the 74th Berlinale answered and avoided numerous political questions in a tense press conference ahead of the opening of the 2024 festival.
In a 40-minute conference, the seven-person jury fielded questions on the invitation then disinvitation of Germany right-wing party Alternative fur Deutschland; the ongoing crisis in Gaza; and the war in Ukraine.
Responding to a question about Gaza, German filmmaker Christian Petzold said, “I don’t want to answer this question here because it’s not really one that belongs in this press conference.
“I’m in favour of peace, in favour of discussing, talking, which I...
In a 40-minute conference, the seven-person jury fielded questions on the invitation then disinvitation of Germany right-wing party Alternative fur Deutschland; the ongoing crisis in Gaza; and the war in Ukraine.
Responding to a question about Gaza, German filmmaker Christian Petzold said, “I don’t want to answer this question here because it’s not really one that belongs in this press conference.
“I’m in favour of peace, in favour of discussing, talking, which I...
- 2/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
Paris-based sales and production outfit Totem Films has closed a slew of sales ahead of the Berlinale premieres of their Competition title “My Favourite Cake,” and the Panorama opening film “Crossing.”
Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha’s “My Favourite Cake” sold to Cherry Pickers for Benelux, Camera for Denmark, Arizona for France, Triart for Sweden, Cineworx for Switzerland and Bir for Turkey.
Levan Akin’s “Crossing” sold to Imagine for Benelux, New Story for France, Lucky Red for Italy, Avalon for Spain and Cineworx for Switzerland. As announced previously, a multi-territory deal was also signed with Mubi.
Other territories are in discussion and Totem will continue selling the films at the European Film Market in Berlin.
Totem will also be launching sales in Berlin for “Queen Mom,” which is in post-production. The film is directed by Manele Labidi (“Arab Blues”) and stars Camélia Jordana, Sofiane Zermani, Damien Bonnard and Rim Monfort.
Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha’s “My Favourite Cake” sold to Cherry Pickers for Benelux, Camera for Denmark, Arizona for France, Triart for Sweden, Cineworx for Switzerland and Bir for Turkey.
Levan Akin’s “Crossing” sold to Imagine for Benelux, New Story for France, Lucky Red for Italy, Avalon for Spain and Cineworx for Switzerland. As announced previously, a multi-territory deal was also signed with Mubi.
Other territories are in discussion and Totem will continue selling the films at the European Film Market in Berlin.
Totem will also be launching sales in Berlin for “Queen Mom,” which is in post-production. The film is directed by Manele Labidi (“Arab Blues”) and stars Camélia Jordana, Sofiane Zermani, Damien Bonnard and Rim Monfort.
- 2/12/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The Berlin Film Festival has called on Iran to allow directors Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha to leave the country to attend the world premiere of their new film My Favorite Cake, which has been selected to screen in competition at the 74th Berlinale.
In a statement Thursday, the festival said that they have learned that Moghaddam and Sanaeeha have been banned from traveling, have had their passports confiscated by Iranian authorities, and face a court trial connected to their work as artists and filmmakers.
Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha on the set of ‘My Favourite Cake’
“The Berlinale is a festival fundamentally committed to freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of the arts, for all people around the world and the festival is shocked and dismayed to learn that Moghaddam and Sanaeeha could be prevented from traveling to the festival to present their film and meet their audience in Berlin,...
In a statement Thursday, the festival said that they have learned that Moghaddam and Sanaeeha have been banned from traveling, have had their passports confiscated by Iranian authorities, and face a court trial connected to their work as artists and filmmakers.
Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha on the set of ‘My Favourite Cake’
“The Berlinale is a festival fundamentally committed to freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of the arts, for all people around the world and the festival is shocked and dismayed to learn that Moghaddam and Sanaeeha could be prevented from traveling to the festival to present their film and meet their audience in Berlin,...
- 2/1/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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