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Freida Pinto took a break from her jury duties at the Red Sea Film Festival to talk to Variety about her career and her hopes for the future.

The Indian actor shot to world fame for her starring role in Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008) and remains committed to the breadth of cinema. “I’ve always looked at cinema globally,” she tells Variety. “After ‘Slumdog,’ I could have easily played all the Indian roles, the girlfriends and sidekicks, or just gone and done something only in India.”

Instead, she sought out challenging roles, often playing non-Indian characters such as Iranian or Arab women, for example a Palestinian girl in “Miral,” a choice that she recognizes is now controversial.

“I know it’s not okay these days, because the world has opened up and there’s so much talent,” Pinto says. “But — and I don’t mean this in a pompous...

Freida Pinto feels there was a time when the world ridiculed Indians for speaking so many languages and celebrating so many festivals. The actress says the world needs to imbibe the ethos of Indian culture in this "dark time".

The actress is excited about her new animated show "Mira, Royal Detective", weaved around with the Indian culture and traditions. She feels people will be amazed to look at the myriad colours and diversity of India.

Also Read:?Ayushmann Khurrana pens a shayari amid Covid-19 scare

"I think the first thing is that the world is going to be absolutely enthralled by the fact that there are so many languages and festivals that we celebrate," Freida told Ians in an interview.

"We, in the past, have been ridiculed for speaking so many languages and celebrating so many festivals. Now, they are going to see the beauty of these and then realise what they are missing on.

Exclusive: Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire) starrer Love Sonia, from Life Of Pi and Deepwater Horizon producer David Womark, has been picked up for UK distribution by Modern Films.

The U.S.-Indian drama, about a young girl’s journey to rescue her sister from the devastating world of international sex trafficking, stars newcomer Mrunal Thakur in the title role, Richa Chadda, Demi Moore, Pinto, Mark Duplass, Manoj Bajpayee, Rajkummar Rao, Anupam Kher and Adil Hussain. Tabrez Noorani co-wrote, co-produced and directed.

The Hindi and English-language film opened the Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival in June. Noorani was previously line producer on Slumdog Millionaire and co-producer of Julian Schnabel’s Miral. He met Womark on Ang Lee’s Life Of Pi.

The project had support and guidance from two of the world’s largest anti-trafficking NGOs. Executive producers include Pravesh Sahni from his and Noorani’s India Take One Productions,...

Julian Schnabel emerged from a giant elevator in the lobby of his West Village home, and gestured to a large black frame adorning the wall above his doorman. Jagged white lines stretched across the dark canvas. Schnabel created the cryptic work “Tower of Babel,” in 1978, a year before his first solo show and his arrival as a major New York artist. “I’ve always been interested in painting things,” he said, almost too matter-of-fact for his own good.

Schnabel lives surrounded by his work, in the sprawling, pink-encrusted condominium he’s labeled “Palazzo Chupi.” Hiding behind dark glasses and an unkempt beard as he wanders his home in an oversized sweatshirt, the frazzled 67-year-old looks as though he’s receded into his creativity in other ways. It’s no wonder that “At Eternity’s Gate,” the new movie he’s directed starring Willem Dafoe as Vincent van Gogh, comes across...

At Eternity's Gate led the pack of limited release newcomers this weekend. The Julian Schnabel-directed title from CBS Films, starring Willem Dafoe, grossed $92K from four locations, averaging $23K, the weekend’s highest per theater average.

Universal release Green Book with Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali appeared in 25 theaters Friday to a timid showing. The title grossed $313K, averaging $12,520.

When you see “At Eternity’s Gate,” which opens Nov. 16, sit back and sink into Willem Dafoe’s remarkable performance as the Dutch post-impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh. This is not Kirk Douglas in 1956’s “Lust for Life” or last year’s animated “Loving Vincent.” Fimmaker Julian Schnabel, an artist himself who previously cast the actor in 1996’s “Basquiat” and 2010’s “Miral,” places his star and us in the middle of the rustic French countryside with paint, brush and easel. At one point, Dafoe covers his face with dirt, becoming one with the outdoors. We see nature through his gaze, as he thickly slathers paint on his canvas to create a visceral work of art.

At 63, Dafoe is far older than the tortured Vincent, who died from suicide at 37. But, at some point, you will think that with his chiseled cheekbones and perceptive eyes, “Of course, he should have embodied this misunderstood genius long ago.

This year’s Venice Film Festival isn’t over yet, but already it feels historic. A nexus of shifting paradigms and pure filmmaking excitement. Here are a few thoughts about it:

1. It Was the Mother of All Festival Cornucopias. It’s not unusual to leave a film festival having encountered a number of inspiring movies. But what dazzled uniquely at Venice this year was how many films there were that felt extraordinary that felt so major. From the convulsively authentic and exciting “First Man,” a rough-and-tumble 1960s Nasa-goes-to-the-moon drama that takes up residence in your head, to the transcendent romance of “A Star Is Born,” a Hollywood movie that feels at once rapturously new and swooningly classic. From the wicked acidic grip of the “All About Eve”-meets-Masterpiece Theatre of Doom costume drama “The Favourite” to the neorealist aesthetic mastery of “Roma” to the ecstatically lived-in portrait of Vincent van Gogh...

"I'd like to find a new light... for paintings we haven't yet seen." CBS Films has unveiled an official trailer for the indie drama At Eternity's Gate, the latest feature made by artist & filmmaker Julian Schnabel. This film is about famous Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, starring Willem Dafoe as Van Gogh, telling the story of his final few years in France when he made the majority of his remarkable paintings. The story follows Van Gogh struggling to survive and make money, along with being sent to a hospital after a judge claimed he was mentally ill. At Eternity's Gate's full cast includes Rupert Friend as his brother Theo, Oscar Isaac as Paul Gauguin, plus Mads Mikkelsen, Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, and Niels Arestrup. This just premiered at the Venice Film Festival, and plays at the New York Film Festival next. I just saw it and it's another ...

“I’ll show what I see to my human brothers who can’t see it.” Julian Schnabel‘s “At Eternity‘s Gate” is something of a test for the filmmaker. The director behind “The Diving Bell And The Butterfly” needs another success after the critical and commercial disappointment of his previous film “Miral.” If his latest, a biopic charting the last days of Vincent Van Gogh (Willem Dafoe), is as successful as it looks, Schnabel could see himself into awards conversations.

Continue reading ‘At Eternity’s Gate’: First Look Clips Of Willem Dafoe As Vincent Van Gogh at The Playlist.

Julian Schnabel’s “At Eternity’s Gate,” which stars Willem Dafoe as artist Vincent van Gogh, will serve as the closing-night attraction at the 2018 New York Film Festival, the Film Society of Lincoln Center announced on Wednesday.

The film also stars Oscar Isaac, Rupert Friend, Mathieu Amalric and Mads Mikkelsen. It will make its North American premiere at Alice Tully Hall at the festival on Friday, October 12. CBS Films acquired the film earlier this year and plans an awards-qualifying fall release.

Schnabel is a painter and director whose previous films include “Basquiat,” Before Night Falls” and “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.” He has not made a feature since 2010’s “Miral.”

Also Read: Alfonso Cuarón's 'Roma' to Screen as New York Film Festival Centerpiece

In the press release announcing the selection, Nyff director and selection committee chair Kent Jones said, “‘At Eternity’s Gate’ is such a surprising film,...

Julian Schnabel’s “At Eternity’s Gate” will be the closing night film of the 56th New York Film Festival.

The drama about the last days of Vincent van Gogh will screen at Alice Tully Hall on Oct. 12, and will be making its North American debut. CBS Films will release the film in theaters in November.

Willem Dafoe, fresh off his Oscar-nominated turn in “The Florida Project,” could find himself back in the awards hunt with his work as van Gogh, the tortured impressionist painter. The cast includes Oscar Isaac as Gauguin, as well as Rupert Friend, Emmanuelle Seigner, Mathieu Amalric, and Mads Mikkelsen.

With the “At Eternity’s Gate” announcement, the New York Film Festival has largely filled out its major screenings. Yorgos Lanthimos’ “The Favourite” was previously announced as the festival’s opening night film and Alfonso Cuarón’s “Roma” will be the centerpiece selection. “The Favourite” is...

Update: The Venice Film Festival has come up with another intriguing lineup which — despite mostly on-the-nose pre-reveal speculation — also offers some surprises, notably the Coen Brothers’ The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs landing in competition. Artistic Director Alberto Barbera unveiled the full roster this morning in Rome, setting the stage for the awards season kick-off and providing a window onto some of the major titles we expect to be talking about throughout the next six months.

Under Barbera’s curation, such films as Gravity, Birdman, La La Land, Hacksaw Ridge, Spotlight, Arrival and last year’s Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and The Shape Of Water have been key fixtures on the trail and account for three Best Picture Oscar winners. But Venice hasn’t gone entirely Hollywood and today’s roster reveal is a mix of established and newer...

CBS Films has acquired U.S. distribution rights to “At Eternity’s Gate,” the new film from fine artist and director Julian Schnabel that was for sale at this year’s Cannes.

The deal was for $1.75 million and the picture will star Willem Dafoe, fresh off an Oscar-nominated turn in “The Florida Project,” as Vincent Van Gogh. Oscar Isaacs (“Ex Machina”), Rupert Friend (“Homeland”) and Mads Mikkelsen (“Valhalla Rising”) round out the cast. A 2018 release is planned, with CBS Films positioning “At Eternity’s Gate” as an awards contender.

Schnabel hasn’t made a film since 2010’s “Miral,” a coming of age drama about a Palestinian girl that received a tepid critical response and withering box office returns. He fared much better with 2007’s “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” and 2000’s “Before Night Falls,” both of which scored Oscar nominations and rave reviews.

Schnabel is an eccentric figure, often pajama clad,...

Executive produced by its subject, Julian Schnabel: A Private Portrait offers access to the painter, filmmaker, and amateur extreme sportsman with commentary about his work offered up by friends, collaborators, family members, and ex-wives, who all have nice and insightful things to say about the man. Unlike Matthew Barney: No Restraint, which functioned as a skeleton to the work of a mythical artist, this film offers a broad overview into the life and work of its subject, lensed in a sun- and smoke-filled haze by director Pappi Corsicato.

A Private Portrait, though, doesn’t really dig much deeper than simply providing a general look at Schnabel’s roots: a Brooklyn boy who was uprooted to Brownsville, Texas before moving back home to Manhattan where his swagger and bravado rocketed him to stardom in the ’70s and ’80s. It wasn’t until he was interviewed by an unnamed Polish filmmaker about...

Doha Film Institute flew me in via Istanbul to attend the Ajyal Youth Film Festival. My first time in Doha Qatar, I am stunned by the luxury of it all. The area is filled with large buildings, modern and yet very Arabic in style, from the huge gleaming glass and steel airport with its marble floors and empty, at least at 1:30 Am. Awaiting in the posh Al Mira Lounge for my drive to take me to the St. Regis Hotel -- again -- huge, with its arches and arabesque style towers, to the people, elegantly enshrouded women in black and men in gleaming white.

After a day to recuperate from my 24 hour flight, we, the press, had a welcome dinner and the next day was devoted to “The Idol” Opening Night Film’s press screening and press conference and to Opening Night itself with a lovely party and a band playing American movie tunes.

"Designed to inspire, and it works!" This Palestine/ UK/ Qatar/ Dubai/ Abu Dhabi/ Netherlands coproduction "The Idol" premiered at Toronto’s Tiff this September. After Doha, it won Antalya's Best Director Award before going on to Dubai Film Festival. This is a feel-good movie which gives a human voice to the Palestinian dilemma without being political or religious. It’s pure heart.

Read my interview with Hany Abu-Assad during Tiff.

“The Idol” was coproduced by Image Nation of Abu Dhabi, Enjaaz -- a Dubai Film Market initiative -- Doha Film institute with support from the Netherlands Film Fund. Mbc (Middle East Broadcasting Company) also coproduced and is handling the film’s release in the Middle East and North Africa. September’s Hans de Wolf was the Dutch coproducer and is distributing it in Benelux.

Speaking in Doha with producers Ali Jaafar, Amira Diab in the patio of Al Jazeera Press Center I was given an in-depth look at the origin of this production which will be seen across the Arab lands both theatrically and through Mbc. Mbc was the first to come on board when producer Ali pitched them the idea of making a movie of the phenomenal success story of Mohammed Assaf, a Palestinian who grew up in Gaza and whose voice became the voice of the nation when he won the Arab Idol contest in 2013.

Sydney Levine: Where did you come from? IMDb only lists one credit for you and that’s for “The Idol”.

Ali Jaafar: I was executive director of Tarak Ben Ammar’s Quinta Communications' film division for five years. The company co-produced Rachid Bouchareb’s Oscar Nominated “Outside The Law’”; Julian Schnabel’s “Miral”; Jean-Jacques Annaud’s “Black Gold” aka “Day of the Falcon” starring Antonio Banderas, Tahar Rahim and Freida Pinto, which was distributed by Warner Bros and Universal Pictures and was Doha Film Institute’s first film investment and the first major film to shoot in Qatar. It was an attempt to tell an epic Arabian story for the international audience. Filming took place in Tunisia during the Jasmine Revolution that led to the overthrow of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Filming finished on schedule and on budget with no interference, but it was a very difficult time for such a film to break out.

Quinta also co-produced “Where Do We Go Now” by Nadine Labaki known first for Caramel (2007) and more recently for Rio, I Love You(2014). “Where Do We Go Now” was the first Arabic film to win the prestigious Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Sl: How did you hook up with “The Idol”?

Ali: When the major pop TV show Arab Idol awarded its top prize to Mohammed Assaf, the next morning the media went wild. It was during the toughest time yet in the Arab world, with Tunisia’s Revolution igniting insurgencies in Libya, Egypt, Palestine. It was a great story. I spoke to Mbc suggesting they make a movie about it. They said yes and were onboard from the very beginning.

This was my first movie as a producer. I learned so much from Tarak. One of the things I learned was to have the best partners and Mbc was just that. They offered critical support, PR support all the way through filming, support in releasing and guidance in what works in the Middle East region.

Mbc helped with script development. Sameh Zoabi wrote the first two drafts of the film. With the Number One Media (Mbc) company on board, I was able to enlist others to help as well.

Sl: How did you get Hany on board as director?

Ali: Hany was my number one choice as director, but during my first year working on “The Idol”, he was busy promoting “Omar” and lining up a project with a big U.S. studio. He was a friend and I was hoping he might at least co-produce; he read the script and gradually, one year later we met in London. He said that the American movie had been pushed back one year so he was available, but he needed to start in January – which gave me three months to put it together.

Sl: Amira, so you’re Hany’s wife…where were you working before this film?

Amira: I had been living in London but we’re now living in L.A. My background is in financing.

Ali: Yes she brought in a major part of the financing on the film too.

Amira: I met Hany who said we need more women producers and the timing was right. When Ali called Hany, Hany brought me in to meet Ali. I spent a lot of time on the set with the line producer Baher Agbariya who became a coproducer. I also worked on the rewrite and worked with the kids.

Sl: And is it true that TV does not usually show movies? That is what I heard someone say during the Q&A.

Ali: This film is an important bridge in a very crowded marketplace. Cinema is more challenging for breaking out of borders. Usually what is Lebanese stays in Lebanon, what is Jordanian stays in Jordan, etc. Films do not easily cross borders – except for Egyptian films. And usually independent films are more arthouse rather than commercial. “The Idol” about a big pop star has breakout potential.

Sl: When Hany came on board, what did he do first?

Ali: He worked on the script, strengthening the relationship between the sister and brother, adding some elements.

Hany insisted on shooting on location in both Beirut and Cairo for the exterior scenes set in those cities so that the film would look and feel real. He was only given a three day permit to film in Gaza. Set in the devastated landscapes of a Gaza still reeling from the month-long bombardment in 2014, Abu-Assad and his crew were still able to find great moments of beauty and surprise. The Gaza Parkour Team, for example, supplies its amazing acrobatic display in the most surprising way in one moment, proving that art can thrive in even the most challenging of situations.

That desire for authenticity is also why Hany insisted on finding and employing real kids from Gaza to act in the film. The crew did a Gaza-wide search, holding casting sessions and rehearsals in schools across the area. Ultimately, the production was blessed to find four amazing Gazan children to star in the film, all first time actors, and all incredible natural performers.

The first half of the film takes place in a war-torn Gaza city which, for Mohammed Assaf, his sister Nour and their best friends Ahmad and Omar. is a playground where they freely ride their bikes, play music, football and dare to dream big. Their band might play on second hand, beat-up instruments but their ambitions are sky-high. Their ambition is to play at the world famous Cairo Opera Hall.

The world around Mohammed shatters. Through it all, however, he retains the hope that his voice will somehow deliver him from the pain that surrounds him and bring joy to others. He sings at weddings, he drives a taxi to pay for his university studies. Even as the siege around Gaza intensifies, the prison around them ever more forbidding, Mohammed knows he has a rare gift, the ability to make people smile and forget their anxieties about day to day living.

Sl: How did eOne become your international sales agent?

Ali: The international sales agent was critical for us as filmmakers. We had interest from a number of established European sales agents who would’ve done a good job but when EOne expressed their strong passion for the project it provided us with a great opportunity to position the film in a more commercial space in the marketplace.

EOne’s arthouse arm Seville took it to Afm and they presold almost all the territories, even China and Australia based on the powerful package of the script, Mbc, Hany and a great story.

Sl: I know international sales by Seville were made before Tiff to some 20 territories including Benelux (September Films -- the former Wild Bunch Benelux), France (TF1), Germany (Koch), Japan (New Select), Hong Kong (Edko), Hungary (Mtva), Australia (Umbrella), Latin America (California Filmes), Portugal (Outsider Films), South Africa (Times Media) Switzerland (Praesens), China (Beijing Xiangjiang YiHua Films), India (PVR), Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore (Red Pictures), Taiwan (Spring International), Former Yugoslavia (Discovery Films), Romania (Independenta), South Korea (Kaon Contents & Media) and Airlines (Captive). eOne will directly release the film in Spain. Mbc will distribute throughout the Middle East, including Palestine and North Africa.

Ali: We filmed “The Idol” with no advance publicity outside of the Middle East. When it premiered at Tiff, we announced the sales. After it premiered in Toronto we sealed the American deal with Adopt Films which had released Hany’s film “Omar” and a U.K. deal. That concluded world sales to every territory.

Sl: Where will it play next?

Ali: After Toronto it played London, Warsaw and Torino Film Festivals. It will go on to play in Turkey and Dubai Film Festivals. Eagle will release the film on December 24th in the Gulf states (Gcc) and on January 14th in the Levant (Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan). On the 21st it opens in Egypt. Mbc will release on its pan-Arab television network.

Also in January Rotterdam Film Festival will screen it Its U.S. release by Adopt will be sometime between spring and summer.

New Delhi, June 14: After becoming part of international cinema with plum projects like "Slumdog Millionaire", "Miral" and "Immortals", actress Freida Pinto has earned an impressive fan following. Now, she has decided to take to the world of social networking to connect with them.

She was apprehensive about being active on the online medium, but she has now created a Facebook page and she has even got hooked to online photo-sharing and social networking service Instagram.

"Known to be quite reticent, especially with the media, seeing her actively engage with her fans is nice. She's been lucky to have such diverse experiences,.

Julian Schnabel split from stunning "Miral" screenwriter Rula Jebreal only last spring, but it looks like the artist-director is engaged again. The New York Post reports that the 60-year-old "Diving Bell and the Butterfly" director has popped the question to 30-year-old Danish model May Anderson, who now works at Hole Gallery in New York. Anderson has also been featured as a model in Sports Illustrated, Playboy and Victoria's Secret.

Schnabel has been married twice before, to clothing designer Jacqueline Beaurang and Spanish actress Olatz López Garmendia. He has five children.

Chicago – Willem Dafoe is one of those wonderful actors who seamlessly moves from mainstream fare to indie films and always seems purely in the moment and totally in character. He’s one of our most diverse and consistently underrated stars and I’ve loved the daring choices he’s made lately in films like “Antichrist,” “4:44 Last Day on Earth,” “Miral,” and “The Hunter,” my favorite of his recent stretch of arthouse flicks and recently released on Blu-ray and DVD.

“The Hunter” is a mesmerizing tale of man, nature, and business and how the three intersect. Dafoe plays the title character, a man hired to find a Tasmanian tiger that’s believed to be extinct. He grows closer to the family with which he lodges in between hunting excursions and Daniel Nettheim’s film build a wonderful sense of dread while also featuring some of the most spectacular nature cinematography...

Each week within this column we strive to pair the latest in theatrical releases to worthwhile titles currently available on Netflix Instant Watch. This week we offer alternatives to The Avengers, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel & First Position.

Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow, Captain America, Hawkeye and the Hulk join forces as the Avengers to face an evil unlike the earth has ever seen before. Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Jeremy Renner co-star; Joss Whedon directs.

How about giving some lesser-known superheroes their due:

Confessions of a Superhero (2007) This quirky and compelling documentary follows four dreamers whose passion to become professional actors has landed them all on Hollywood Boulevard costumed as Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, and the Incredible Hulk. Matt Ogens directs.

Big Man Japan (2007) This Japanese mockumentary explores the downside to being a superhero. Daisato is a middle-aged, second-rate superhero who not...

Mark Byron/Michael Priest Photography Queen Noor at the screening of ‘My Neighborhood.’

In the first few minutes of the documentary “My Neighborhood,” Mohammed El Kurd, a bright and energetic 11-year-old Palestinian boy, says, “I live in Jerusalem in Sheik Jarrah.” As the opening scene unfolds, the camera follows him as he attempts to make eggs, introduces his father and grandmother, and proudly shows the small library of books he keeps in a cupboard in his bedroom.

The tender scenes of Mohammed’s home life,...

Chicago – Cinema is one of the most powerful tools of communication that mankind can utilize to shed light on gravely overlooked areas on our planet. Yet good intentions are not enough to achieve success with this art form. If the scripted drama rings false, the message, however vital, gets lost in a sea of disinterest.

Like Julian Schnabel’s superior passion project, “Miral,” “In the Land of Blood and Honey” stages a bland two-dimensional human story against a riveting three-dimensional backdrop. It marks the directorial debut of Angelina Jolie, whose travels around the world and mounting rage at the crimes against women led her to pen a screenplay set during the Bosnian War of the mid-’90s. Though the subject matter is obviously worthy of cinematic treatment, Jolie’s attempt to symbolize the tragedy of warring neighbors with an epic love story falls flat. The results are deeply unsatisfying.

Blu-ray...

Admission

Producers are out to Paul Rudd to play the male lead in Tina Fey's new dramatic comedy "Admission" at Focus Features. Rudd is reportedly very interested and has met with the filmmakers, though no formal deal has been struck.

Fey would play an unmarried woman who meets a man she went to school with (Rudd) but never really knew. It turns out he's been harboring thoughts about her, and possibly a secret as well. [Source: The L.A. Times]

Beautiful Creatures

Jeremy Irons is in final negotiations to join Richard Lagravenese's Southern supernatural love story "Beautiful Creatures" which begins shooting next month in New Orleans.

Irons will play the role of Macon Ravenwood, the mysterious and reclusive uncle of the leading girl (Alice Englert). [Source: The Press Association]

Zero Dark Thirty

Israeli theater actor Yoav Levy ("Miral") is set to play Osama Bin Laden's reported third-in-command, Abu Faraj al-Libi, in Kathryn Bigelow's "Zero Dark Thirty...

Although Quentin Tarantino‘s been deep into production on Django Unchained for at least a month — production which follows coverage that’s lasted almost a year, no less — nearly all possible peeks at his western revenge epic have been kept from the public’s eye. Heck, things have been so tight-lipped that some (relatively minor) news can go unknown before a concerned party speaks out themselves.

As it goes, Scott Pilgrim and 21 Jump Street scribe Michel Bacall told ScreenCrave (via ThePlaylist) that he’ll be acting under Tarantino‘s guidance once again — you might remember him from Death Proof, or in his dialogue-free part playing one of the Inglourious Basterds — for a job that took only one day. We know nothing else and, refusing to read the script before seeing the film, I don’t expect to hear much more before actually seeing Django Unchained on December 25th.

Next up,...

While lensing on the Kathryn Bigelow and Mark Boal reunion for the newly-titled "Zero Dark Thirty" has already began, the duo look to be casting on-the-fly with little known Israeli theater actor Yoav Levy now joining the project as Osama Bin Laden's reported third-in-command, Abu Faraj al-Libi.

Levy joins the star-studded cast that includes Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt, Jessica Chastain, Mark Strong and Edgar Ramirez but may very well be one of few (if any) cast members to have actual military experience. He served in the Israeli army in dangerous areas of the long-standing Israeli-Palestine conflicts before making a name for himself on the theater scene. To date, Levy has only featured in Julian Schnabel's "Miral" but evidently impressed Bigelow/Boal enough recently in Jordan where he auditioned, to earn the role of Faraj (al-Libi is not part of his real name and is simply translated as "the Libyan"). At the very least,...

The Slumdog Millionaire star is returning to her roots in Trishna, but her international roles hint at the declining importance of actors' ethnicity

Since Slumdog Millionaire, Freida Pinto has played a Palestinian orphan, an American primatologist, an ancient Greek priestess and an Arab princess. Either by adventurousness or design, it looks like she's striving to be a new kind of film star: one not bound in her roles by ethnicity, and able to appeal freely across those boundaries, too.

A few years ago, people were talking about Vin Diesel in similar tones. He was a throwback to 80s juiceheads like Arnie, but, with his mixed-race background, he also looked like an action star for multicultural times. That dream ended with the failure of his signature antihero Riddick's "chronicles". But then his Fast & Furious franchise, into its fifth instalment last year, weirdly impervious in its urban-petrolhead elysium, all peoples equally inaudible...

Just last week, we brought you the final trailer and an extended sneak peek at the forthcoming Walt Disney Pictures big screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars, directed by Andrew Stanton and starring Taylor Kitsch (Battleship), Lynn Collins (Ten Year) and Willem Dafoe (Odd Thomas).

Now we have a new ten-minute clip from John Carter to show you, which features Carter (Taylor Kitsch) and his encounter with the U.S. Calvary and Colonel Powell (Bryan Cranston) on Earth. Check it out below!

Clip: John Carter

Click here to view the embedded video.

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The...

Walt Disney Pictures has released the final trailer for director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming big screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars starring Taylor Kitsch (Battleship), Lynn Collins (Ten Year) and Willem Dafoe (Odd Thomas).

Check it out below!

Trailer: John Carter

Click here to view the embedded video.

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating...

Walt Disney Pictures has released a new, extended sneak peek for director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming big screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars starring Taylor Kitsch (Battleship), Lynn Collins (Ten Year) and Willem Dafoe (Odd Thomas).

This extended sneak peek at John Carter features a good chunk of the scene where Carter (Taylor Kitsch) and Tars Tarkas (Willem Deafoe) battle the white apes and concludes with a montage of footage from the film, including some we have not seen before. Check it out below!

Extended Sneak Peek: John Carter

Click here to view the embedded video.

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present.

London, Feb 25: Freida Pinto admits that it's not all smooth sailing for her in the world of showbiz and she isn't always up to the fame game.

Although she won fame four years ago in Danny Boyle's Oscar-winning 'Slumdog Millionaire', the actress has been criticised at every turn for her artistic choices.

She has played an Arab girl in Julian Schnabel's 'Miral' and a Greek priestess in Tarsem Singh's 'Immortals' but was accused of "selling out" to Hollywood when she acted in Woody Allen's 'You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger' and Rupert Wyatt's blockbuster 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes'.

Despite working with.

Walt Disney Pictures has released tons of clips and images in the lead up to the March release of director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming big screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars starring Taylor Kitsch (Battleship), Lynn Collins (Ten Year) and Willem Dafoe (Odd Thomas).

Now, artist J.C. Richards has created this commemorative Mondo Poster that will be given away to moviegoers (while supplies last) that attend IMAX midnight screenings of John Carter on March 9th. Check the IMAX site for updates on participating locations.

[Click the Image to Enlarge to Barsoomian Proportions]

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former...

Walt Disney Pictures has released a new featurette for director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming big screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars starring Taylor Kitsch (Battleship), Lynn Collins (Ten Year) and Willem Dafoe (Odd Thomas).

This new John Carter featurette focuses on the lovely Princess of Mars herself, Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). Check it out below!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions...

Walt Disney Pictures has released four new clips from director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming big screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars starring Taylor Kitsch (Battleship), Lynn Collins (Ten Year) and Willem Dafoe (Odd Thomas).

Check them out below!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a...

Walt Disney Pictures doesn’t seem to be letting up on the release of clips and featurettes for director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming big screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars. Now we have a new featurette for the film, that talks about the film and the source material for John Carter starring Taylor Kitsch (Battleship).

Check it out below!

Featurette: John Carter – An Introduction

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of...

Just last week, we brought you the new Super Bowl TV spot and some great high resolution images that Walt Disney Pictures for director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming big screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars. Now we have a new trailer and TV Spot for the film, featuring some new footage from John Carter starring Taylor Kitsch (Battleship).

Check them out below!

Trailer: John Carter – Our World

TV Spot: John Carter – Battle

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where...

Last week, Walt Disney Pictures released a new featurette for director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming big screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars, and just yesterday we brought you the Super Bowl TV Spot for the film starring Taylor Kitsch (Battleship).

Now, Cineheroes has debuted seven new images from the film. Check them out below!

[Click Images to Blow Sh!t Up]

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars...

Supposedly a large sporting event took place last night, amongst a flurry of new TV spots. Included in these spots were ads for John Carter, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Battleship and The Avengers (to name a few). Check out all the cool ads below, in no particular order… aside from saving the best for last. Enjoy!

Battleship

Click here to view the embedded video.

John Carter

Click here to view the embedded video.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation

Click here to view the embedded video.

Stick around for the end of this one…

Volkswagen: The Dog Strikes Back

Click here to view the embedded video.

I had to give Chevy a spot for using a giant robot head, and a downed UFO in their post-apocalyptic debris in this commercial.

Chevy 2012 Apocalypse

Click here to view the embedded video.

And lastly, the Pièce de résistance.

The Avengers

Click here to view the embedded video.

Disney has released a new featurette for director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming big screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars which features a brief look at the characters in the film and some never before seen footage.

Check it out below!

Featurette: John Carter – Special Look

Click here to view the embedded video.

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe...

Earlier this month we brought you a new International poster for director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming big screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars for Walt Disney Pictures. Now, we have the teaser for their forthcoming Super Bowl Xlvi Commercial, a new poster and a whole collection of newly released concept art from the film’s production.

Check them out below!

TV Spot: John Carter – Super Bowl Xlvi Teaser

Click here to view the embedded video.

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported...

"Sultan considers the exploitation of the Yellow Belt a violation of the treaty. May god protect us all." Another shorter new international trailer has popped up on YouTube (via Tmb) for Jean-Jacques Annaud's Arabian oil epic Black Gold, starring a great cast, including Mark Strong as Sultan Amar, seen above. We also featured a fantastic longer trailer for this late last year, and I've been anxiously awaiting it ever since, as it looks spectacular but I don't know when it'll arrive in Us theaters. The cast includes Tahar Rahim (of A Prophet), Freida Pinto (of Slumdog Millionaire, Miral) and of course Antonio Banderas. Take a look! Watch the newest international trailer for Jean-Jacques Annaud's Black Gold, via YouTube: Black Gold, originally Black Thirst (also Or Noir in French seen above), is directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud (of Quest for Fire, Seven Years in Tibet, Enemy at the Gates, Two Brothers...

Last month, we brought you some cool TV spots for director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming big screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars for Walt Disney Pictures. Now, we have a brand new international poster film, featuring our titular hero (Taylor Kitsch), Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe), Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins) and Carter’s pet Calot Woola.

Check it out below!

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet,...

Just a few days ago, we brought you two cool TV spots for director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming big screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars for Walt Disney Pictures. Now, we have two brand new TV spots for the film, featuring new footage. Check them out below!

TV Spot: John Carter – Warhoon

TV Spot: John Carter – Awakening

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet,...

Just two days ago, we brought you a white ape infested IMAX poster for director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming big screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars for Walt Disney Pictures. Now, we have two brand new TV spots for the film. Check them out below!

TV Spot: John Carter – Lost

TV Spot: John Carter – He Arrives

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet,...

Earlier this month, we brought you some new banners and the second trailer for director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming big screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars for Walt Disney Pictures. Now, we have a brand new IMAX 3D poster for the film.

Check it out below!

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah...

Marisa Tomei and Joshua Jackson will star in the upcoming political thriller "Inescapable," Myriad Pictures and Alliance Films announced Thursday. Alexander Siddig ("Miral") will co-star in the film, which will be directed by his "Cairo Time" collaborator Ruba Nadda. Nadda also wrote the script. Also read: Will Harrison Ford Rediscover His Mojo With the Jackie Robinson Biopic? "Inescapable" centers on a Syrian expatriate (Siddig) whose journalist daughter goes missing in Damascus. He returns to his country to track her down and calls on a former love (Tomei) to help him. Jackson plays an embassy official of...

The 2nd Flashpoint Human Rights Film Festival will open on Wednesday in Mumbai with Julian Schnabel’s Miral starring Freida Pinto, a drama centered on an orphaned Palestinian girl growing up in the wake of Arab-Israeli war who finds herself drawn into the conflict. Filmmaker and activist Mahesh Bhatt and actor Tisca Chopra will inaugurate the festival.

The festival will be held from Dec 7-10, 2011 at Alliance Française de Bombay. Entry to the festival is free and registrations will be done on the venue.

The festival will screen 18 films on human rights issues from countries like Kenya, Senegal, Columbia, Israel, Iraq, Kurdistan, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, USA and India.

The festival will screen six films that are set in India focusing on human rights issues– Firaaq, Mee Sindutai Sakpal, Cotton For My Shroud, Made In India, In Search Of My Home and Pink Saris.

The first day of the...

Just last week, we brought you the brand new trailer for director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming big screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars for Walt Disney Pictures. Now, we’ve got three new banners for John Carter which feature scenes from the film.

Check them out below!

[Click Images to Blow Sh!t Up]

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess...

Back in July, we brought you the first trailer for director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming big screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars for Walt Disney Pictures. Earlier today, we gave you two new posters for John Carter and now we have the brand new trailer for the film.

Check it out below!

Trailer: John Carter

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including...

Just a few days ago, we brought you some very cool pics from director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming Walt Disney Pictures film John Carter, the big-screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars. Now, we have two new posters for you… or more precisely, one poster in two different formats, a U.S. version and a U.K. Quad version.

Check them out below!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Synopsis:

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly...

Back in July, we brought you the first trailer for director Andrew Stanton‘s forthcoming film John Carter. Then in September, we brought you some very cool concept art for the forthcoming Walt Disney Pictures big-screen adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, John Carter of Mars.

Now, EW has premiered a brand new image from the movie, featuring Taylor Kitsch (Battleship) as the titular hero facing off against a beastly white ape. Check it out below!

[Click Image to Blow Sh!t Up to Martian Proportions]

Stanton also revealed some details about the beast and the differences between the movie and book versions of the creature:

“No, they’re sort of an oversized gorilla in the books, and they’re kind of ubiquitous. They’re littered everywhere through at least the first several novels. They were always cool, just from a visceral standpoint, [but] they don’t really have a narrative function in the first book. So what we did...

Black Gold Poster. Jean-Jacques Annaud‘s Black Gold (2011) movie poster stars Tahar Rahim, Mark Strong, Antonio Banderas, Freida Pinto, and Riz Ahmed. Black Gold‘s plot synopsis: based on Hans Reusch’s South of the Heart: A Novel of Modern Arabia, ”Set in the 1930s Arab states at the dawn of the oil boom, the story centers on a young Arab prince torn between allegiance to his conservative father and modern, liberal father-in-law.”

We previously posted the Black Gold (2011) International Movie Trailer.

The official Black Gold movie poster (click to enlarge):

Black Gold movie poster

The official description of the cast and plot:

Casting: Tahar Rahim, after his award-winning, breakthrough performance inJacques Audiard’s award winning “Un Prophete,” will play the lead role of Prince Auda in “Black Gold”, a hero torn between two fathers, two loves, two choices, one destiny.

Mark Strong (“Robin Hood”; “Sherlock Holmes”; “Kick-Ass”) is Auda’s father Amar,...