Seriesmakers, a joint initiative of Series Mania, Europe’s biggest TV festival, and European film-tv powerhouse Beta Group, has revealed the 10 top-notch project lineup of the second edition of its novel and high-powered mentoring program for filmmakers making their TV creator debut.
This year’s Seriesmakers features in development drama series from Oscar winner Kevin Macdonald (“George Blake”), behind “The Last King Of Scotland,” and from Finnish director Mikko Myllylahti, who burst onto the scene co-writing with Juho Kuosmanen the latter’s “The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Makki,” a 2016 Cannes Un Certain Regard winner.
Also in the mix is the highly courted Kaouther Ben Hania, a double Oscar nominee for the “compelling, ambitious hybrid” “Four Daughters,” said Variety, in the doc category and the “The Man Who Sold His Skin” (2020), Tunisia’s entry in international feature.
In all, however, nine of the ten directors winning berths this...
This year’s Seriesmakers features in development drama series from Oscar winner Kevin Macdonald (“George Blake”), behind “The Last King Of Scotland,” and from Finnish director Mikko Myllylahti, who burst onto the scene co-writing with Juho Kuosmanen the latter’s “The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Makki,” a 2016 Cannes Un Certain Regard winner.
Also in the mix is the highly courted Kaouther Ben Hania, a double Oscar nominee for the “compelling, ambitious hybrid” “Four Daughters,” said Variety, in the doc category and the “The Man Who Sold His Skin” (2020), Tunisia’s entry in international feature.
In all, however, nine of the ten directors winning berths this...
- 3/4/2024
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
No actor has had a bigger breakout year in the awards circuit than Sandra Hüller, who has spent her 25-year career in European cinema, with prestige films such as “Requiem” (2006), “In the Aisles” (2018) and the Oscar-nominated “Toni Erdmann” (2016). This year, the German actress stars in two of the biggest international awards contenders: Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest” from the United Kingdom and Poland, and Justine Triet’s Palme d’Or-winning “Anatomy of a Fall” from France, the latter of which she is nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Film Drama Actress. Will she clinch the first major precursor award of the season on Sunday, January 7?
This is Hüller’s second collaboration with Triet, previously starring in her 2019 film “Sibyl.” In “Anatomy of a Fall,” she plays Sandra Voyter, a woman accused of murdering her husband, and trying to prove her innocence as she is put on trial.
This is Hüller’s second collaboration with Triet, previously starring in her 2019 film “Sibyl.” In “Anatomy of a Fall,” she plays Sandra Voyter, a woman accused of murdering her husband, and trying to prove her innocence as she is put on trial.
- 1/3/2024
- by Christopher Tsang
- Gold Derby
Sandra Hüller finds herself at the center of two of the most talked-about movies of the year: The German actor gets to show her range (and her facility with languages) in both Jonathan Glazer’s drama “The Zone of Interest” and Justine Triet’s legal thriller “Anatomy of a Fall.” Both premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where “Anatomy” won the Palme d’Or and “Zone” was awarded the runner-up Grand Prix prize. Now, with both films busy on the circuit, Huller stopped by Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast to discuss the passionate responses the very different films are getting. Listen below:
For most Americans, Hüller burst onto the scene with the 2016 comedy-drama “Toni Erdmann,” which was nominated for the Oscar for best foreign language film. Huller’s performance as the put-upon daughter of a prankster father earned rave reviews, and the actor says Hollywood took interest — but not for long.
For most Americans, Hüller burst onto the scene with the 2016 comedy-drama “Toni Erdmann,” which was nominated for the Oscar for best foreign language film. Huller’s performance as the put-upon daughter of a prankster father earned rave reviews, and the actor says Hollywood took interest — but not for long.
- 12/28/2023
- by Jenelle Riley
- Variety Film + TV
On Sandra Hüller’s wall is the first piece of art she ever owned: a photograph she bought from a shop in Munich. “I won’t say its name,” she says archly, “because that would be advertising.” It’s a dynamic, joyous image showing the ensemble cast of Stravinsky’s ballet The Rite of Spring as staged by Pina Bausch, the German choreographer famous for saying, “Dance, dance, otherwise we are lost.” “I just love it,” Hüller says admiringly, turning her head for another look. “These people are all making the same movement, as you can see. But everybody is doing it completely differently. They have the same task, but you can see each personality in the way they’re doing it. I love it so much. It’s like they’re almost flying.” It explains a lot about Hüller and her craft.
The East German-born actress has been a...
The East German-born actress has been a...
- 12/25/2023
- by Damon Wise
- Deadline Film + TV
Is this the year of Sandra Hüller?
The German actress is currently starring in not one, but two high-profile projects that might have the goods to carry her through awards season.
Hüller’s versatility is on display in Neon’s Palme d’Or-winning courtroom thriller “Anatomy of a Fall,” where she plays a woman accused of murdering her husband, and A24’s Holocaust drama “The Zone of Interest,” where she plays a woman whose husband was one of history’s most notorious murderers. In the former, Hüller speaks English, with a smattering of French; in the latter, she appears as Hedwig Höss, the wife of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss, registering her evil in her native German. The roles couldn’t be more distinctive, and the rare double act is already earning Hüller comparisons to international screen sirens like Ingrid Bergman, Isabelle Huppert and Liv Ullmann.
Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit...
The German actress is currently starring in not one, but two high-profile projects that might have the goods to carry her through awards season.
Hüller’s versatility is on display in Neon’s Palme d’Or-winning courtroom thriller “Anatomy of a Fall,” where she plays a woman accused of murdering her husband, and A24’s Holocaust drama “The Zone of Interest,” where she plays a woman whose husband was one of history’s most notorious murderers. In the former, Hüller speaks English, with a smattering of French; in the latter, she appears as Hedwig Höss, the wife of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss, registering her evil in her native German. The roles couldn’t be more distinctive, and the rare double act is already earning Hüller comparisons to international screen sirens like Ingrid Bergman, Isabelle Huppert and Liv Ullmann.
Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit...
- 11/16/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
This story about Sandra Hüller first appeared in the Race Begins issue of TheWrap magazine.
Justine Triet has a word for Sandra Hüller, her star in the dark family drama “Anatomy of a Fall,” which won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival: ungraspable.
“It is a word in English that I didn’t know before yesterday,” she said in early October. “And now I want to use it all the time, for Sandra.”
The word certainly applies to Hüller’s character in “Anatomy of a Fall,” in which she plays a successful writer (also named Sandra) who is accused of murdering her husband. Triet never tips her hand to reveal whether Sandra is innocent or guilty, with Hüller finding a way to suggest both alternatives at the same time as the thorny film swings between a portrait of a fracturing relationship and a charged courtroom drama.
Justine Triet has a word for Sandra Hüller, her star in the dark family drama “Anatomy of a Fall,” which won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival: ungraspable.
“It is a word in English that I didn’t know before yesterday,” she said in early October. “And now I want to use it all the time, for Sandra.”
The word certainly applies to Hüller’s character in “Anatomy of a Fall,” in which she plays a successful writer (also named Sandra) who is accused of murdering her husband. Triet never tips her hand to reveal whether Sandra is innocent or guilty, with Hüller finding a way to suggest both alternatives at the same time as the thorny film swings between a portrait of a fracturing relationship and a charged courtroom drama.
- 11/16/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest” and Aki Kaurismäki’s “Fallen Leaves” led the European Film Awards race after nominations for the major categories were revealed Tuesday.
The films were nominated in all five major categories – European film, director, screenwriter, actor and actress.
Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall” was close behind with four nominations – film, director, screenwriter and actress.
All three films were prizewinners at Cannes: “The Zone of Interest” took the festival’s Grand Prize, “Fallen Leaves” won the Jury Prize, and “Anatomy of a Fall” was the Palme d’Or winner.
Agnieszka Holland’s “Green Border,” the Special Jury Prize winner at Venice, took three nominations – film, director and screenwriter.
“Me Captain,” Venice’s best director winner, and “The Teachers’ Lounge” each nabbed two nominations.
“Afire,” “Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry,” “How to Have Sex,” “La Chimera” and “The Promised Land” took one nomination each in major categories.
The films were nominated in all five major categories – European film, director, screenwriter, actor and actress.
Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall” was close behind with four nominations – film, director, screenwriter and actress.
All three films were prizewinners at Cannes: “The Zone of Interest” took the festival’s Grand Prize, “Fallen Leaves” won the Jury Prize, and “Anatomy of a Fall” was the Palme d’Or winner.
Agnieszka Holland’s “Green Border,” the Special Jury Prize winner at Venice, took three nominations – film, director and screenwriter.
“Me Captain,” Venice’s best director winner, and “The Teachers’ Lounge” each nabbed two nominations.
“Afire,” “Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry,” “How to Have Sex,” “La Chimera” and “The Promised Land” took one nomination each in major categories.
- 11/7/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Actor Sandra Hüller could be the critical darling of awards season with two acclaimed performances in two high-profile international feature contenders, France’s “Anatomy of a Fall” from Justine Triet and United Kingdom’s “The Zone of Interest” from Jonathan Glazer.
The German performer has opted to campaign her work in Glazer’s Holocaust-era drama for best supporting actress, Variety can reveal exclusively, greatly increasing her chances for possible double acting recognition this year. Her work in Triet’s French Oscar hopeful will be submitted for lead actress consideration.
Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Oscars predictions in all categories.
Both “Anatomy” and “Zone” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where the former won the prestigious Palme d’Or prize, marking the third time a woman director has won the award. The two films are coming off screening at the Telluride Film Festival and will stop...
The German performer has opted to campaign her work in Glazer’s Holocaust-era drama for best supporting actress, Variety can reveal exclusively, greatly increasing her chances for possible double acting recognition this year. Her work in Triet’s French Oscar hopeful will be submitted for lead actress consideration.
Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Oscars predictions in all categories.
Both “Anatomy” and “Zone” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where the former won the prestigious Palme d’Or prize, marking the third time a woman director has won the award. The two films are coming off screening at the Telluride Film Festival and will stop...
- 9/7/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
If a husband is found dead at the base of a mountain in the woods, does that automatically mean his wife pushed him?
In Justine Triet’s Palme d’Or-winning “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Toni Erdmann” star Sandra Hüller takes a turn, playing a chilly bisexual novelist who is accused of offing her spouse. Added twist: he’s been killed in the very same manner she previously described in one of her murder mystery books. Director Triet co-wrote the script with her real-life spouse, Arthur Harari, the filmmaker behind “Onoda: 10,000 Nights in the Jungle.”
“Anatomy of a Fall” debuted at Cannes earlier this year, where the film won the festival’s top prize, making Triet only the third woman to win the Palme d’Or. The feature is continuing to make its rounds on the the festival circuit with upcoming screenings at TIFF and NYFF, and the film will hit theaters later this fall.
In Justine Triet’s Palme d’Or-winning “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Toni Erdmann” star Sandra Hüller takes a turn, playing a chilly bisexual novelist who is accused of offing her spouse. Added twist: he’s been killed in the very same manner she previously described in one of her murder mystery books. Director Triet co-wrote the script with her real-life spouse, Arthur Harari, the filmmaker behind “Onoda: 10,000 Nights in the Jungle.”
“Anatomy of a Fall” debuted at Cannes earlier this year, where the film won the festival’s top prize, making Triet only the third woman to win the Palme d’Or. The feature is continuing to make its rounds on the the festival circuit with upcoming screenings at TIFF and NYFF, and the film will hit theaters later this fall.
- 8/17/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Production has kicked off on “A Better Place,” which is produced by Komplizen Serien and Studiocanal Series in Germany.
Komplizen Serien, headed by David Keitsch, is the TV arm of leading movie production company Komplizen Film, whose credits include “Spencer,” for which Kristen Stewart was Oscar-nominated, and “Toni Erdmann,” which was Oscar-nominated in the foreign language film category.
“A Better Place” is the first German TV show to be produced by Studiocanal Series, the German TV arm of the French production powerhouse. Studiocanal Series is headed by Nicolas Loock.
The series will be shown on German streaming platform Ard Mediathek and broadcast channel Das Erste at the end of 2024. Studiocanal is handling international distribution.
It is shooting in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany from August to December. Alexander Lindh is the showrunner. Anne Zohra Berrached and Konstantin Bock (the editor on Oscar-nominated “Capernaum”) are directing.
The show poses the question: What if...
Komplizen Serien, headed by David Keitsch, is the TV arm of leading movie production company Komplizen Film, whose credits include “Spencer,” for which Kristen Stewart was Oscar-nominated, and “Toni Erdmann,” which was Oscar-nominated in the foreign language film category.
“A Better Place” is the first German TV show to be produced by Studiocanal Series, the German TV arm of the French production powerhouse. Studiocanal Series is headed by Nicolas Loock.
The series will be shown on German streaming platform Ard Mediathek and broadcast channel Das Erste at the end of 2024. Studiocanal is handling international distribution.
It is shooting in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany from August to December. Alexander Lindh is the showrunner. Anne Zohra Berrached and Konstantin Bock (the editor on Oscar-nominated “Capernaum”) are directing.
The show poses the question: What if...
- 8/8/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Nominations voting is from January 11-16, 2024, with official Oscar nominations announced January 23, 2024. Final voting is February 22-27, 2024. And finally, the 96th Oscars telecast will be broadcast on Sunday, March 10 and air live on ABC at 8:00 p.m. Et/ 5:00 p.m. Pt. We update predictions through awards season, so keep checking IndieWire for all our 2024 Oscar picks.
The State of the Race
Per usual, big-budget projects have the marketing and awareness advantage on the road to the Oscars. Look at two summer flicks, Christopher Nolan’s hard-hitting biopic “Oppenheimer,” (Universal), whose stars Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, and Robert Downey, Jr. will chase Oscars, and Greta Gerwig’s pastel-pink Mattel extravaganza “Barbie” (Warner Bros.), starring likely acting contenders Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Both films have accrued critical raves and elevated coverage as their studios avoided selling the films (and turning off mainstream audiences) via festival cred.
Amazon and MGM...
The State of the Race
Per usual, big-budget projects have the marketing and awareness advantage on the road to the Oscars. Look at two summer flicks, Christopher Nolan’s hard-hitting biopic “Oppenheimer,” (Universal), whose stars Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, and Robert Downey, Jr. will chase Oscars, and Greta Gerwig’s pastel-pink Mattel extravaganza “Barbie” (Warner Bros.), starring likely acting contenders Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Both films have accrued critical raves and elevated coverage as their studios avoided selling the films (and turning off mainstream audiences) via festival cred.
Amazon and MGM...
- 7/21/2023
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Hüller’s character is inspired by numerous accounts of women disguised as men in European history.
The Match Factory has acquired international rights to Austrian writer and director Markus Schleinzer’s new film Rose, with Sandra Hüller cast in the lead role.
A 17th-century drama set in the aftermath of the Thirty Years’ War, the film sees Hüller play the titular Rose, an enigmatic soldier who surfaces in an isolated Protestant village, purporting to be the heir to a long-deserted estate. While attempting to integrate into the village society and pondering an arranged marriage with a local farmer’s daughter,...
The Match Factory has acquired international rights to Austrian writer and director Markus Schleinzer’s new film Rose, with Sandra Hüller cast in the lead role.
A 17th-century drama set in the aftermath of the Thirty Years’ War, the film sees Hüller play the titular Rose, an enigmatic soldier who surfaces in an isolated Protestant village, purporting to be the heir to a long-deserted estate. While attempting to integrate into the village society and pondering an arranged marriage with a local farmer’s daughter,...
- 6/1/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Peter Simonischek, the Austrian actor who rose to international prominence late in life through Oscar-nominated feature Toni Erdmann, has died. He was 76.
He passed away surrounded by family in Vienna, according to a statement released by Austria’s national theater, the Burgtheater. No cause of death was given.
Simonischek was a well-known actor in the German-speaking world and performed at the Salzburg Festival. He played the title role in Austrian play Jedermann several times, appeared in TV movies such as Years of Love and features such as Franz Seitz Jr.’s Success.
He joined the Burgtheater in 1999, according to the institution, and was made an honorary member in 2019.
However, it was in 2016 when he played ageing prankster Winifred Conradi in the Austrian film Toni Erdmann that he gained international popularity. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Oscars,...
He passed away surrounded by family in Vienna, according to a statement released by Austria’s national theater, the Burgtheater. No cause of death was given.
Simonischek was a well-known actor in the German-speaking world and performed at the Salzburg Festival. He played the title role in Austrian play Jedermann several times, appeared in TV movies such as Years of Love and features such as Franz Seitz Jr.’s Success.
He joined the Burgtheater in 1999, according to the institution, and was made an honorary member in 2019.
However, it was in 2016 when he played ageing prankster Winifred Conradi in the Austrian film Toni Erdmann that he gained international popularity. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Oscars,...
- 5/30/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Austrian actor most recently starred in Berlinale title ‘Measures Of Men’
Austrian actor Peter Simonischek, the star of acclaimed film Toni Erdmann, has died aged 76.
Simonischek was well known as a theatre, TV and film actor in the German-speaking world before making his international breakthrough playing alongside Sandra Hüller in Maren Ade’s father-daughter comedy Toni Erdmann which premiered at Cannes in 2016.
Simonischek played an ageing, cranky music teacher with a penchant for pranks who wants to win the love of his daughter.
The Cannes Competition title topped Screen’s Jury Grid at the festival and went on to be...
Austrian actor Peter Simonischek, the star of acclaimed film Toni Erdmann, has died aged 76.
Simonischek was well known as a theatre, TV and film actor in the German-speaking world before making his international breakthrough playing alongside Sandra Hüller in Maren Ade’s father-daughter comedy Toni Erdmann which premiered at Cannes in 2016.
Simonischek played an ageing, cranky music teacher with a penchant for pranks who wants to win the love of his daughter.
The Cannes Competition title topped Screen’s Jury Grid at the festival and went on to be...
- 5/30/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Celebrated in Austria for his theatre work, the actor made his international breakthrough aged 69 in the Oscar-nominated film about an ageing prankster
Austrian actor Peter Simonischek, who played a whimsical patriarch in the Oscar-nominated film Toni Erdmann, has died in Vienna aged 76, a spokeswoman for the Austrian Federal Theatres said on Tuesday.
Born in Graz in 1946, Simonischek received great acclaim in the German-speaking world for his performances, including numerous appearances at the famous Salzburg festival.
Austrian actor Peter Simonischek, who played a whimsical patriarch in the Oscar-nominated film Toni Erdmann, has died in Vienna aged 76, a spokeswoman for the Austrian Federal Theatres said on Tuesday.
Born in Graz in 1946, Simonischek received great acclaim in the German-speaking world for his performances, including numerous appearances at the famous Salzburg festival.
- 5/30/2023
- by Staff and agencies
- The Guardian - Film News
If there was an award for the savviest U.S. distributor at the Cannes Film Festival, it would have to go to Neon, which scored its fourth consecutive Palme d’Or at the conclusion of the 76th edition on Saturday. The top prize went to French director Justine Triet for “Anatomy of a Fall,” a murder mystery and courtroom drama starring Sandra Hüller that Neon acquired shortly after its festival premiere on Tuesday.
In the two weeks leading up to the end of this year’s festival, critical consensus focused on “The Zone of Interest,” Jonathan Glazer’s austere riff on Martin Amis’ novel about the commander of Auschwitz. As a result, many assumed it would be an obvious choice for the Palme.
But critics don’t pick that prize; the jury is composed of filmmakers and actors who tend to land on a consensus choice for the top prize...
In the two weeks leading up to the end of this year’s festival, critical consensus focused on “The Zone of Interest,” Jonathan Glazer’s austere riff on Martin Amis’ novel about the commander of Auschwitz. As a result, many assumed it would be an obvious choice for the Palme.
But critics don’t pick that prize; the jury is composed of filmmakers and actors who tend to land on a consensus choice for the top prize...
- 5/27/2023
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Michel Merkt, the Monaco-based producer and consultant who’s played a key behind-the-scene role in bolstering Cannes’s profile post-pandemic, has been named honorary citizen of the city of Cannes
Merkt, an AMPAS voter who has produced over 50 films, was awarded the diploma prize by Cannes Mayor David Lisnard during an intimate ceremony on May 23. Lisnard paid tribute to the Swiss-born consultant and benefactor’s crucial backing for the city’s cultural and social initiatives.
In the last few years, Merkt has helped reinvigorate Critics Week, the Cannes Film Festival’s sidebar dedicated to first and second films, by financing the renovation of its venue, the Miramar theater. He also lent a precious financing hand to the Cannes Film Festival, Directors Fortnight, as well as Canneseries and helped enlist top-level executives for its industry program, on top of being involved in the city’s plans to build a college campus.
Merkt, an AMPAS voter who has produced over 50 films, was awarded the diploma prize by Cannes Mayor David Lisnard during an intimate ceremony on May 23. Lisnard paid tribute to the Swiss-born consultant and benefactor’s crucial backing for the city’s cultural and social initiatives.
In the last few years, Merkt has helped reinvigorate Critics Week, the Cannes Film Festival’s sidebar dedicated to first and second films, by financing the renovation of its venue, the Miramar theater. He also lent a precious financing hand to the Cannes Film Festival, Directors Fortnight, as well as Canneseries and helped enlist top-level executives for its industry program, on top of being involved in the city’s plans to build a college campus.
- 5/24/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Kirsten Niehuus, CEO at Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, which funds films and TV series production in the Berlin region, and Simone Baumann, managing director of German Films, which promotes and supports the release of German films abroad, welcomed a wide array of guests to their garden party at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday.
Three Medienboard-funded films are in this year’s Competition: Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s “Four Daughters,” Austrian filmmaker Jessica Hausner’s “Club Zero,” and U.S. helmer Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City.”
Niehuus told Variety: “Those are three very different productions, but it shows the spectrum [of films] that Medienboard supports.” Tunisian films, like “Four Daughters,” need international co-production funding to get made, she said, and “we believe in world cinema, so were very happy [to back it].” Hausner is “one of the most impressive female filmmakers [in the world], and I think there should be more female filmmakers on the Croisette and every other ‘A’ festival,...
Three Medienboard-funded films are in this year’s Competition: Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s “Four Daughters,” Austrian filmmaker Jessica Hausner’s “Club Zero,” and U.S. helmer Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City.”
Niehuus told Variety: “Those are three very different productions, but it shows the spectrum [of films] that Medienboard supports.” Tunisian films, like “Four Daughters,” need international co-production funding to get made, she said, and “we believe in world cinema, so were very happy [to back it].” Hausner is “one of the most impressive female filmmakers [in the world], and I think there should be more female filmmakers on the Croisette and every other ‘A’ festival,...
- 5/22/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
After the Oscars, the Palme d’Or is the most prestigious film award in the business, and it’s a lot less predictable. Coming from a jury usually comprised of actors and directors, it arrives as the outcome of furious debate and often conflicting values about the nature of the art form. There is no mathematical formula for predicting the Palme d’Or, and educated guesswork can be misleading, but it’s still worth a shot.
Handed out at the festival since 1955, the golden prize represents the pinnacle of prestige for the filmmaker who receives it. As Cannes presents itself as the nexus of the greatest cinema on the planet, the prize is an extension of that mentality, and it invites winners into an exclusive club that spans film history. Recipients of the Palme d’Or have ranged from “Black Orpheus” and “La Dolce Vita” to “Apocalypse Now.” In some cases,...
Handed out at the festival since 1955, the golden prize represents the pinnacle of prestige for the filmmaker who receives it. As Cannes presents itself as the nexus of the greatest cinema on the planet, the prize is an extension of that mentality, and it invites winners into an exclusive club that spans film history. Recipients of the Palme d’Or have ranged from “Black Orpheus” and “La Dolce Vita” to “Apocalypse Now.” In some cases,...
- 5/27/2022
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Before the pandemic, movie studios centered their energies on IP-first tentpoles in pursuit of 1 billion worldwide grosses. The mid-budget theatrical release? An endangered species, and maybe not one worth saving. And then — enter the World Wildlife Fund, as portrayed by CinemaCon.
Suddenly, films with budgets under 50 million may not go straight to streaming this summer. In fact, these films are central to studios’ plans to reinvigorate in-person moviegoing.
“We continue to believe that if you build it, they will come,” Jim Orr, Universal’s president of theatrical distribution, said during the studio’s presentation at Caesars Palace April 27. “But what we also know for certain is that if you stop building it, they won’t. That’s why we are not narrowing our field of theatrical releases.”
In 2019, Universal distributed around 17 films domestically. This year, it’s on track to release more than 25 movies in theaters, from an installment of...
Suddenly, films with budgets under 50 million may not go straight to streaming this summer. In fact, these films are central to studios’ plans to reinvigorate in-person moviegoing.
“We continue to believe that if you build it, they will come,” Jim Orr, Universal’s president of theatrical distribution, said during the studio’s presentation at Caesars Palace April 27. “But what we also know for certain is that if you stop building it, they won’t. That’s why we are not narrowing our field of theatrical releases.”
In 2019, Universal distributed around 17 films domestically. This year, it’s on track to release more than 25 movies in theaters, from an installment of...
- 4/29/2022
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
As well as providing a showcase for international films, the Berlinale is also a platform for German cinema. There are more than 130 German films and co-productions screening across the festival and the European Film Market.
Pre-pandemic, in 2019, 237 German films were produced a year, but only 10 to 20 a year perform well internationally, according to Simone Baumann, managing director of German Films, which promotes Teutonic movies abroad. Of the total worldwide admissions for European films in 2019, 6% were German films, compared with 18% for French films, according to the European Audiovisual Observatory.
To up the performance of local films, German Films is seeking to begin its promotional work earlier in the life of a project, such as at works-in-progress sessions at festivals like Les Arcs. The objective is to catch the eye of festival programmers, distributors and sales agents at an early stage.
Thorsten Ritter, executive VP acquisitions, sales and marketing at Beta Cinema,...
Pre-pandemic, in 2019, 237 German films were produced a year, but only 10 to 20 a year perform well internationally, according to Simone Baumann, managing director of German Films, which promotes Teutonic movies abroad. Of the total worldwide admissions for European films in 2019, 6% were German films, compared with 18% for French films, according to the European Audiovisual Observatory.
To up the performance of local films, German Films is seeking to begin its promotional work earlier in the life of a project, such as at works-in-progress sessions at festivals like Les Arcs. The objective is to catch the eye of festival programmers, distributors and sales agents at an early stage.
Thorsten Ritter, executive VP acquisitions, sales and marketing at Beta Cinema,...
- 2/13/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
"You've setup this meeting and cornered me!" Screen Daily has debuted an early festival promo trailer for this intense indie drama titled The Staffroom, the latest from Croatian filmmaker Sonja Tarokic tackling a sensitive topic - education and schooling. This is premiering in a few weeks at the 2021 Karlovy Vary Film Festival in Czechia, one of my favorite fests, and it looks like a serious discovery that should shake things up. The film is about a new counselor in a school named Anamarija, who tries to stay out of the power games played by the headmistress, teachers and parents. But as she gets to know the system better she realities she must sacrifice her integrity and play her own game. The film stars Marina Redžepović as Anamarija, with Stojan Matavulj, Nives Ivanković, Maja Posavec, and Sandra Lončarić. This is almost a thriller! It reminds me a bit of Maren Ade...
- 8/16/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
German co-productions are making a strong showing at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, among them Leos Carax’s opening film, “Annette,” Wes Anderson’s star-studded “The French Dispatch” and Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi’s “The Story of My Wife.”
Fabian Gasmia’s Berlin-based Detailfilm is among the producers on “Annette,” which stars Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard. The musical shot throughout the German state of North RhineWestphalia, including at the Ordensburg Vogelsang, a former Nazi military academy that doubles for a high-security U.S. prison in the film. The production received €500,000 from regional funder Filmstiftung Nrw in addition to support from the German-French Minitraité.
“The French Dispatch” marks Anderson’s third collaboration with co-producer Studio Babelsberg after “Grand Budapest Hotel” and “Isle of Dogs.” The competition entry also partially shot at the studio. Studio Babelsberg’s Christoph Fisser, Henning Molfenter and Charlie Woebcken, who secured funding for the production...
Fabian Gasmia’s Berlin-based Detailfilm is among the producers on “Annette,” which stars Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard. The musical shot throughout the German state of North RhineWestphalia, including at the Ordensburg Vogelsang, a former Nazi military academy that doubles for a high-security U.S. prison in the film. The production received €500,000 from regional funder Filmstiftung Nrw in addition to support from the German-French Minitraité.
“The French Dispatch” marks Anderson’s third collaboration with co-producer Studio Babelsberg after “Grand Budapest Hotel” and “Isle of Dogs.” The competition entry also partially shot at the studio. Studio Babelsberg’s Christoph Fisser, Henning Molfenter and Charlie Woebcken, who secured funding for the production...
- 7/9/2021
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Berlinale Competition entries from two actors turned directors, Maria Schrader and Daniel Brühl, were among titles on the Beta Cinema slate at the European Film Market to prove popular among international distributors.
Schrader, an Emmy Award winner as the director of “Unorthodox,” premiered comic-tragic tale “I’m Your Man,” starring Dan Stevens (“Downton Abbey”), Maren Eggert and Sandra Hueller (“Toni Erdmann”), at the virtual market, and Eggert won the festival’s Silver Bear for leading performance. Brühl made his directorial debut with dark comedy “Next Door,” a chamber piece in which he starred alongside “Babylon Berlin’s” Peter Kurth.
“I’m Your Man” is leading the way with a flurry of sales to France (Haut et Court), Italy (Koch Media), Spain, Portugal and Latin America (Sun Distribution), Scandinavia (Edge Entertainment), Benelux (September Film), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Cis and Baltics (Volgafilm), Poland (Monolith), Hungary (Cirko Film), Czech Republic/Slovakia (Film Europe), former Yugoslavia (Discovery...
Schrader, an Emmy Award winner as the director of “Unorthodox,” premiered comic-tragic tale “I’m Your Man,” starring Dan Stevens (“Downton Abbey”), Maren Eggert and Sandra Hueller (“Toni Erdmann”), at the virtual market, and Eggert won the festival’s Silver Bear for leading performance. Brühl made his directorial debut with dark comedy “Next Door,” a chamber piece in which he starred alongside “Babylon Berlin’s” Peter Kurth.
“I’m Your Man” is leading the way with a flurry of sales to France (Haut et Court), Italy (Koch Media), Spain, Portugal and Latin America (Sun Distribution), Scandinavia (Edge Entertainment), Benelux (September Film), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Cis and Baltics (Volgafilm), Poland (Monolith), Hungary (Cirko Film), Czech Republic/Slovakia (Film Europe), former Yugoslavia (Discovery...
- 3/11/2021
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Emily Atef, whose latest film “3 Days in Quiberon” competed at the Berlinale in 2018, is getting ready to shoot “More Than Ever,” a melodrama headlined by Vicky Krieps (“Phantom Thread”) and Gaspard Ulliel (“It’s Only the End of the World”). Jesper Christensen (“Before the Frost”) and Liv Ullmann will also star.
The Match Factory is representing the project in international markets.
“More Than Ever” (formerly known as “Mister”) was penned by Atef and German scribe Lars Hubrich, whose screenwriting credits include Fatih Akin’s 2016 film “Goodbye Berlin.” The movie is produced by Xénia Maingot at Eaux Vives Productions, and co-produced by Nicole Gerhards at Niko Film, Jani Thiltges at Samsa Film and Maria Ekerhovd at Mer Film.
The film follows Hélène, a 33-year-old women who lives in Bordeaux, France, and is in a happy relationship. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she finds out that she suffers from a rare lung disease.
The Match Factory is representing the project in international markets.
“More Than Ever” (formerly known as “Mister”) was penned by Atef and German scribe Lars Hubrich, whose screenwriting credits include Fatih Akin’s 2016 film “Goodbye Berlin.” The movie is produced by Xénia Maingot at Eaux Vives Productions, and co-produced by Nicole Gerhards at Niko Film, Jani Thiltges at Samsa Film and Maria Ekerhovd at Mer Film.
The film follows Hélène, a 33-year-old women who lives in Bordeaux, France, and is in a happy relationship. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she finds out that she suffers from a rare lung disease.
- 3/4/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s Global Bulletin, Rtl Group buys out Disney’s share in Super Rtl, Japanese streaming service Meecha prepares to launch later this month and Cph:dox announces its 2021 Forum titles.
Buyout
Pan-European media giant Rtl Group’s largest business unit, Mediengruppe Rtl Deutschland, has closed an agreement with The Walt Disney Company’s Bvi Television Investments for complete ownership of German kids and family network Super Rtl, buying out the House of Mouse’s 50% share and raising Rtl’s shareholding to 100%. The transaction is now waiting for approval from the German and Austrian competition authorities.
According to Rtl, the acquisition is part of the company’s larger growth plan for its Rtl streaming platform TV Now and its strategy to consolidate its existing broadcast footprint in Europe. The deal is a further step down a path which has seen the company’s French broadcasting business M6 acquire kid’s...
Buyout
Pan-European media giant Rtl Group’s largest business unit, Mediengruppe Rtl Deutschland, has closed an agreement with The Walt Disney Company’s Bvi Television Investments for complete ownership of German kids and family network Super Rtl, buying out the House of Mouse’s 50% share and raising Rtl’s shareholding to 100%. The transaction is now waiting for approval from the German and Austrian competition authorities.
According to Rtl, the acquisition is part of the company’s larger growth plan for its Rtl streaming platform TV Now and its strategy to consolidate its existing broadcast footprint in Europe. The deal is a further step down a path which has seen the company’s French broadcasting business M6 acquire kid’s...
- 3/3/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Line-up also includes the new project from two-time Oscar nominee Lucy Walker.
Danish documentary festival Cph:dox has revealed the 35 projects set to be presented at Cph:forum, its financing and co-production event that will take place online-only from April 26-30.
Scroll down for full list of titles
The selection includes new projects from two-time Oscar nominee Lucy Walker (Waste Land), Sundance winners Mads Brügger (Cold Case Hammarskjöld) and Eugene Jarecki (The House I Live In), Berlin Crystal Bear winner Geneviève Dulude-De Celle (A Colony) and Venice Horizons winner Lech Kowalski (East Of Paradise).
Further notable filmmakers include Radu Ciorniciuc, whose Acasa,...
Danish documentary festival Cph:dox has revealed the 35 projects set to be presented at Cph:forum, its financing and co-production event that will take place online-only from April 26-30.
Scroll down for full list of titles
The selection includes new projects from two-time Oscar nominee Lucy Walker (Waste Land), Sundance winners Mads Brügger (Cold Case Hammarskjöld) and Eugene Jarecki (The House I Live In), Berlin Crystal Bear winner Geneviève Dulude-De Celle (A Colony) and Venice Horizons winner Lech Kowalski (East Of Paradise).
Further notable filmmakers include Radu Ciorniciuc, whose Acasa,...
- 3/3/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
From the moment you enter the latest movie by Maria Schrader, as the ‘Tony Erdmann’ actress Sandra Hüller pulls back the curtain to reveal what seems to be a 1920s ballroom, you are hooked! It is a contemporary story and the puzzlement on our heroine’s face (Alma, played by Maren Eggert) is the puzzlement we share all the way through this story about illusions, love, longing and what makes a human being human. Her performance won the Silver Bear at the Berlinale.
Continue reading on SydneysBuzz The Blog »...
Continue reading on SydneysBuzz The Blog »...
- 3/2/2021
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
James Wan has announced that his new film Malignant has finished via Instagram and Facebook, along with this image.
Malignant comes out September 10th. I finally wrapped it last week. This was supposed to be my “little horror thriller” I do between the big ones, but the pandemic pushed it as long the big ones. I’m super excited for this film. I don’t even know how to describe it. I wanted to do something original and genre-bending, and different to my other work, but still in the spirit of the horror-thrillers I grew up with. More to come. #MalignantMovie
James Wan
Here’s the official site via WB: https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/malignant
It was announced December 17, 2019 that shooting wrapped in Los Angeles on Atomic Monster’s “Malignant,” the latest creation from “Conjuring” universe architect James Wan. The film marks director Wan’s return to his...
Malignant comes out September 10th. I finally wrapped it last week. This was supposed to be my “little horror thriller” I do between the big ones, but the pandemic pushed it as long the big ones. I’m super excited for this film. I don’t even know how to describe it. I wanted to do something original and genre-bending, and different to my other work, but still in the spirit of the horror-thrillers I grew up with. More to come. #MalignantMovie
James Wan
Here’s the official site via WB: https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/malignant
It was announced December 17, 2019 that shooting wrapped in Los Angeles on Atomic Monster’s “Malignant,” the latest creation from “Conjuring” universe architect James Wan. The film marks director Wan’s return to his...
- 1/26/2021
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Do married couples in the movies ever go on vacation just for the hell and fun of it? Or is it always to get away from something, to cover over an absence, to shorten a yawning distance between them? Alice and Niklas, the Viennese pair at the center of “What We Wanted,” aren’t about to break with tradition. Coolly attractive and comfortably off, they nonetheless arrive at a Sardinian beachside resort under a low cloud of depression and discontent: They’re in their early forties, their latest attempt at in vitro fertilization has just failed, and they’re staring down the future of a marriage they don’t know how to complete, if not with an elusive and long-desired child. Austrian writer-director Ulrike Kofler’s debut feature follows in a long tradition of marital dramas negotiating this particular impasse or turning point, and it’s a handsome, sensitive entry...
- 11/12/2020
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Director of 2017 Cannes Critics’ Week short film winner “The Disinherited,” Laura Ferrés will direct her awaited feature debut “The Permanent Picture,” which is a co-production between Barcelona-based Fasten Films and Le Bureau, based out of Paris and London.
International sales will be handled by The Bureau Sales, the sales arm of the French-British label.
A sort of “depressing comedy” – according to Ferrés – “The Permanent Picture” follows middle-aged Carmen, a casting director whose world collapses when her boss retires and the production company she works for takes a dramatic turn. Carmen will be forced to participate in a campaign for a corrupted party.
Selected by Variety as a Spanish talent to track, Ferrés studied at Barcelona’s prestigious Escac film school. She developed her feature debut script at the Next Step Program, a workshop created by Cannes’ Critics’ Week, The TorinoFilmLab and the Moulin d’Ande screenwriting support program.
“The feature...
International sales will be handled by The Bureau Sales, the sales arm of the French-British label.
A sort of “depressing comedy” – according to Ferrés – “The Permanent Picture” follows middle-aged Carmen, a casting director whose world collapses when her boss retires and the production company she works for takes a dramatic turn. Carmen will be forced to participate in a campaign for a corrupted party.
Selected by Variety as a Spanish talent to track, Ferrés studied at Barcelona’s prestigious Escac film school. She developed her feature debut script at the Next Step Program, a workshop created by Cannes’ Critics’ Week, The TorinoFilmLab and the Moulin d’Ande screenwriting support program.
“The feature...
- 9/22/2020
- by Emilio Mayorga
- Variety Film + TV
The dramatic road movie will star Birgit Minichmayr and Alexandra Maria Lara. German filmmaker Nana Neul, known for To Faro (My Friend from Faro) and Silent Summer, is readying a new film. Based on German author Lucy Fricke’s successful novel of the same name, Töchter (lit. “Daughters”) is currently in production and will centre on Betty and Martha, two women pushing 40, who set off from Germany to accompany their dying father to Switzerland. There, he is to fulfil his last wish: that of committing assisted suicide in a special institute. Their journey leads them through Italy and Greece. Töchter will star Birgit Minichmayr and Alexandra Maria Lara in the lead roles, while Josef Bierbichler, Giorgio Colangeli and Andreas Konstantinou are also among the cast of the upcoming dramatic road movie. Filming took place in Germany earlier this year and continued in...
Sales agent Picture Tree Intl. has taken the international rights to comedy “The Black Square,” which will star Sandra Hueller, the co-lead of Oscar-nominated “Toni Erdmann,” and now appearing in “Exile,” which has its European premiere Monday in Berlin’s Panorama section, after playing at Sundance.
Port au Prince Pictures will release “The Black Square” in Germany and Austria. The distributor also released last year’s Berlinale Silver Bear winner and German Oscar entry “System Crasher,” which became an indie box office hit in Germany with a $5.15 million theatrical gross.
“The Black Square,” which starts principal photography on Tuesday, is written and directed by Peter Meister, making his feature film debut.
The film tells the story of two art thieves who have stolen the iconic avant-garde painting “Black Square” by Kazimir Malevich. The handover of the $60 million ransom is set to take place on a cruise ship, but things go...
Port au Prince Pictures will release “The Black Square” in Germany and Austria. The distributor also released last year’s Berlinale Silver Bear winner and German Oscar entry “System Crasher,” which became an indie box office hit in Germany with a $5.15 million theatrical gross.
“The Black Square,” which starts principal photography on Tuesday, is written and directed by Peter Meister, making his feature film debut.
The film tells the story of two art thieves who have stolen the iconic avant-garde painting “Black Square” by Kazimir Malevich. The handover of the $60 million ransom is set to take place on a cruise ship, but things go...
- 2/24/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Published in 2016, Antoine Leiris’s bestseller charts how he and his baby son endured the weeks after his wife was killed in the Bataclan terror attack.
German production outfit Komplizen Film, whose credits include Toni Erdmann, has acquired the film rights to French journalist Antoine Leiris’s international bestseller You Will Not Have My Hate.
Published in 2016, Leiris’s book charts how he and his baby son endured the days and weeks after his wife, Hélène Muyal-Leiris was killed by terrorists while attending a rock concert at the Bataclan Theatre in Paris in November 2015.
Komplizen Film will co-produce with France...
German production outfit Komplizen Film, whose credits include Toni Erdmann, has acquired the film rights to French journalist Antoine Leiris’s international bestseller You Will Not Have My Hate.
Published in 2016, Leiris’s book charts how he and his baby son endured the days and weeks after his wife, Hélène Muyal-Leiris was killed by terrorists while attending a rock concert at the Bataclan Theatre in Paris in November 2015.
Komplizen Film will co-produce with France...
- 7/2/2019
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Christian Petzold’s latest film Transit—his third consecutive period piece, second successive literary adaptation, and first theatrical feature to not star Nina Hoss in quite some time—continues what might be described as the German director’s ongoing European project. It is telling that the title of his 2000 feature The State I Am In, after which last year’s New York retrospective of his work was named, suggests a filmmaker concerned with taking the pulse of a nation. Adapted from Anna Seghers’s 1942 novel of the same name, drawn from the writer’s experience of fleeing to Mexico during World War II, Transit completes Petzold’s self-dubbed “Love in Times of Oppressive Systems” trilogy, comprised of the 1980s spy-melodrama Barbara (2012) and his post-wwii Vertigo-facelift Phoenix (2014). From its first frame, though, one would be forgiven for echoing the enduring refrain of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: The Return (2017)—for though...
- 3/1/2019
- MUBI
In The Aisles, which has its premiere on Friday (Feb 23) in Competition at the Berlin Film Festival, has been picked up for U.S. distribution by Music Box Films.
Sales agent Beta Cinema inked the deal on the title, which stars Berlinale Shooting star Franz Rogowski (Transit), Sandra Hüller (Toni Erdmann) and Peter Kurth (Babylon Berlin).
The film, which is director Thomas Stuber’s third time at Berlin after Teenage Angst and A Heavy Heart, follows a shy and reclusive Christian who after losing his job starts to work for a wholesale market.
Sommerhaus Filmproduktion’s Jochen Laube and Fabian Maubach co-produced In The Aisles with...
Sales agent Beta Cinema inked the deal on the title, which stars Berlinale Shooting star Franz Rogowski (Transit), Sandra Hüller (Toni Erdmann) and Peter Kurth (Babylon Berlin).
The film, which is director Thomas Stuber’s third time at Berlin after Teenage Angst and A Heavy Heart, follows a shy and reclusive Christian who after losing his job starts to work for a wholesale market.
Sommerhaus Filmproduktion’s Jochen Laube and Fabian Maubach co-produced In The Aisles with...
- 2/19/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Toni Erdmann. In 2017, Maren Ade's German comedy, about the relationship between a workaholic career woman and her prankster father, was the favorite to win the foreign-language Oscar.
Then Trump happened. On Jan. 27, newly elected President Trump enacted Executive Order 13769, the first so-called Muslim ban, blocking visa-free travel to the U.S. from six Muslim-majority countries, including Iran. Asghar Farhadi, whose Tehran-set drama The Salesman was also a foreign-language contender, slammed Trump for the move and said he would boycott the Oscars. And on Feb. 26, Farhadi's The Salesman won the Academy Award for...
Then Trump happened. On Jan. 27, newly elected President Trump enacted Executive Order 13769, the first so-called Muslim ban, blocking visa-free travel to the U.S. from six Muslim-majority countries, including Iran. Asghar Farhadi, whose Tehran-set drama The Salesman was also a foreign-language contender, slammed Trump for the move and said he would boycott the Oscars. And on Feb. 26, Farhadi's The Salesman won the Academy Award for...
- 1/8/2018
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
iTunes has released its list of the best-selling independent, documentary, and foreign films of 2017, most of which are unsurprising. “Manchester by the Sea,” “Moonlight,” and “The Big Sick” were watched the most overall, whereas subtitle-inclined users were fans of “Kedi,” “Raw,” and “The Salesman.”
Most of the surprises come on the nonfiction front: “Unacknowledged: An Exposé of the World’s Greatest Secret” takes the top spot, followed by “Fittest on Earth: A Decade of Fitness.” All of them will be featured in a new room called Top Discoveries. Find the full list below.
Read More:‘The Big Sick’ Star Kumail Nanjiani’s New Reason to See ‘Last Jedi’ is a Sweet Story About Director Rian Johnson
Top-Selling Indies
“Manchester by the Sea” “Moonlight” “The Big Sick” “Lion” “Gifted” “Wind River” “Jackie” “The Lost City of Z” “Nocturnal Animals” “The Zookeeper’s Wife”
Top-Selling Documentaries in 2017
“Unacknowledged: An Exposé of the...
Most of the surprises come on the nonfiction front: “Unacknowledged: An Exposé of the World’s Greatest Secret” takes the top spot, followed by “Fittest on Earth: A Decade of Fitness.” All of them will be featured in a new room called Top Discoveries. Find the full list below.
Read More:‘The Big Sick’ Star Kumail Nanjiani’s New Reason to See ‘Last Jedi’ is a Sweet Story About Director Rian Johnson
Top-Selling Indies
“Manchester by the Sea” “Moonlight” “The Big Sick” “Lion” “Gifted” “Wind River” “Jackie” “The Lost City of Z” “Nocturnal Animals” “The Zookeeper’s Wife”
Top-Selling Documentaries in 2017
“Unacknowledged: An Exposé of the...
- 12/13/2017
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
Ruben Östlund’s “The Square” dominated the European Film Awards ceremony in Berlin, winning six prizes: European Film, European Director, European Actor (Claes Bang), European Comedy, European Production Design, European Screenwriter. Östlund took to the stage several times, explaining how he wanted his film to tackle serious issues but still be “wild, entertaining and exciting.” He also thanked his breakout star Claes Bang for adding so much to the screenplay.
Read More:European Film Awards: ‘The Square’ Wins Big in Near-Sweep at the Continent’s Most Prestigious Awards Ceremony
The European Film Academy is often predictive of the eventual Foreign-Language Oscar: Recent winners include “Ida,” “The Great Beauty” and “Amour.” On the other hand, last year’s winner went to “Toni Erdmann” while Asghar Farhadi’s “The Salesman” took home the Oscar.
Andrey Zvyagintsev’s “Loveless” took home awards for European Composer and Cinematography.
Alexandra Borbely won European Actress for Hungarian...
Read More:European Film Awards: ‘The Square’ Wins Big in Near-Sweep at the Continent’s Most Prestigious Awards Ceremony
The European Film Academy is often predictive of the eventual Foreign-Language Oscar: Recent winners include “Ida,” “The Great Beauty” and “Amour.” On the other hand, last year’s winner went to “Toni Erdmann” while Asghar Farhadi’s “The Salesman” took home the Oscar.
Andrey Zvyagintsev’s “Loveless” took home awards for European Composer and Cinematography.
Alexandra Borbely won European Actress for Hungarian...
- 12/9/2017
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Ruben Östlund’s “The Square” dominated the European Film Awards ceremony in Berlin, winning six prizes: European Film, European Director, European Actor (Claes Bang), European Comedy, European Production Design, European Screenwriter. Östlund took to the stage several times, explaining how he wanted his film to tackle serious issues but still be “wild, entertaining and exciting.” He also thanked his breakout star Claes Bang for adding so much to the screenplay.
Read More:European Film Awards: ‘The Square’ Wins Big in Near-Sweep at the Continent’s Most Prestigious Awards Ceremony
The European Film Academy is often predictive of the eventual Foreign-Language Oscar: Recent winners include “Ida,” “The Great Beauty” and “Amour.” On the other hand, last year’s winner went to “Toni Erdmann” while Asghar Farhadi’s “The Salesman” took home the Oscar.
Andrey Zvyagintsev’s “Loveless” took home awards for European Composer and Cinematography.
Alexandra Borbely won European Actress for Hungarian...
Read More:European Film Awards: ‘The Square’ Wins Big in Near-Sweep at the Continent’s Most Prestigious Awards Ceremony
The European Film Academy is often predictive of the eventual Foreign-Language Oscar: Recent winners include “Ida,” “The Great Beauty” and “Amour.” On the other hand, last year’s winner went to “Toni Erdmann” while Asghar Farhadi’s “The Salesman” took home the Oscar.
Andrey Zvyagintsev’s “Loveless” took home awards for European Composer and Cinematography.
Alexandra Borbely won European Actress for Hungarian...
- 12/9/2017
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Several dozen of Germany's top directors, including Oscar-nominated Maren Ade (Toni Erdmann) and In the Fade filmmaker Fatih Akin, have signed an open letter calling for a “new beginning” at the Berlin International Film Festival.
The letter, first published exclusively on Spiegel Online, calls for a major overhaul at Germany's leading film fest once longtime director Dieter Kosslick steps down. Kosslick, who has run the Berlin Festival since 2001, is under contract through 2019.
In their letter, the directors — including such art house luminaries as Christian Petzold, Andreas Dresen, Volker Schlondorff and Margarethe von Trotta — say the...
The letter, first published exclusively on Spiegel Online, calls for a major overhaul at Germany's leading film fest once longtime director Dieter Kosslick steps down. Kosslick, who has run the Berlin Festival since 2001, is under contract through 2019.
In their letter, the directors — including such art house luminaries as Christian Petzold, Andreas Dresen, Volker Schlondorff and Margarethe von Trotta — say the...
- 11/24/2017
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Josh Hartnett and The Deuce‘s Margarita Levieva have been set to star in Inherit the Viper, a crime thriller revolving around the timely topic of the prescription drug epidemic ravaging the U.S. Swiss-born Anthony Jerjen is making his feature directorial debut on the pic, which is based on an original script by Andrew Crabtree. Elle and Toni Erdmann producer Michel Merkt is producing, with Benito Mueller also producing and Wolfgang Mueller executive producing…...
- 11/17/2017
- Deadline
Now in its eighth year, the American Film Festival offers a unique perspective on recent developments in U.S. indie filmmaking. That’s because it happens in Poland, staged at the stylish Kino Nowe Horyzonty film center in Wroclaw, also home to the summer New Horizons festival, which has more of a European tilt.
Although the festival, which recently concluded, surveys many favorites from Sundance and South by Southwest, the curation doesn’t merely transpose selections to a new setting. It imports a lively assortment of filmmakers, as well, and creates a cozy, engaged atmosphere more akin to the communal vibe of the Maryland Film Festival. Indeed, to rub shoulders in a crowd that included Jody Lee Lipes, Noel Wells, Dustin Guy Defa, Nathan Silver, producer Mike Ryan, Jessica Oreck and Mike Ott is to experience a deep dive into the creative bustle of current indie ferment.
That spirit is...
Although the festival, which recently concluded, surveys many favorites from Sundance and South by Southwest, the curation doesn’t merely transpose selections to a new setting. It imports a lively assortment of filmmakers, as well, and creates a cozy, engaged atmosphere more akin to the communal vibe of the Maryland Film Festival. Indeed, to rub shoulders in a crowd that included Jody Lee Lipes, Noel Wells, Dustin Guy Defa, Nathan Silver, producer Mike Ryan, Jessica Oreck and Mike Ott is to experience a deep dive into the creative bustle of current indie ferment.
That spirit is...
- 11/14/2017
- by Steve Dollar
- Indiewire
“Lady Bird” (A24), Greta Gerwig’s first solo directing effort, rode a wave of strong reviews and publicity to score the best limited opener of the year. After a disappointing prime specialty season when it has become easy to forget what a strong limited platform opening can be, her valentine to her home town of Sacramento starring Saorise Ronan debuted even higher than expectations.
This success stood in sharp contrast to the weak opening for Richard Linklater’s “Last Flag Flying” (Lionsgate). Despite a strong push for the Amazon presentation, which opened the New York Film Festival, the military veteran drama starring Bryan Cranston, Steve Carell and Laurence Fishburne couldn’t pull in specialty audiences.
Opening
Lady Bird (A24) – Metacritic: 93; Festivals include: Telluride, Toronto, New York 2017
$375,612 in 4 theaters; PTA (per theater average): $93,903
The first breakout hit of the awards season is also the biggest specialized release of the year...
This success stood in sharp contrast to the weak opening for Richard Linklater’s “Last Flag Flying” (Lionsgate). Despite a strong push for the Amazon presentation, which opened the New York Film Festival, the military veteran drama starring Bryan Cranston, Steve Carell and Laurence Fishburne couldn’t pull in specialty audiences.
Opening
Lady Bird (A24) – Metacritic: 93; Festivals include: Telluride, Toronto, New York 2017
$375,612 in 4 theaters; PTA (per theater average): $93,903
The first breakout hit of the awards season is also the biggest specialized release of the year...
- 11/5/2017
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced that a record 92 countries submitted entries for Foreign Language Film category consideration this year. Notable first time participants include Haiti, Honduras, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mozambique, Senegal and Syria.
After Trump’s announcement of a Muslim Ban last January steered the Academy into voting for Iran’s “The Salesman” over Germany’s “Toni Erdmann,” this year’s Flf race is considered a wide open race with no true frontrunner as of yet.
Continue reading Record 92 Countries Submit Foreign Language Film Entries for 90th Oscars at The Playlist.
After Trump’s announcement of a Muslim Ban last January steered the Academy into voting for Iran’s “The Salesman” over Germany’s “Toni Erdmann,” this year’s Flf race is considered a wide open race with no true frontrunner as of yet.
Continue reading Record 92 Countries Submit Foreign Language Film Entries for 90th Oscars at The Playlist.
- 10/5/2017
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
This weekend brings the remake of “Flatliners,” Joel Schumacher’s 1990 thriller that starred Julia Roberts. Reviews are universally terrible for this retread of good-looking med-school students who put life-after-death on repeat, but it was a nail-biter for studio Sony Pictures from the outset: They took the risk of making an honest-to-god remake.
A remake sounds like the safest bet there is; isn’t original, untested IP the thing that studios fear most? However, in this market a true remake is what passes for a gamble. They’ve become a box-office rarity.
While none of this year’s top-grossing films are originals, there are very few genuine remakes. Yes, the year’s biggest movie, “Beauty and the Beast,” is a direct remake of the 1991 classic — but it went from animated to live action. (It was not a remake of the multiple live-action films and TV shows that preceded it, which stretch...
A remake sounds like the safest bet there is; isn’t original, untested IP the thing that studios fear most? However, in this market a true remake is what passes for a gamble. They’ve become a box-office rarity.
While none of this year’s top-grossing films are originals, there are very few genuine remakes. Yes, the year’s biggest movie, “Beauty and the Beast,” is a direct remake of the 1991 classic — but it went from animated to live action. (It was not a remake of the multiple live-action films and TV shows that preceded it, which stretch...
- 9/29/2017
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
At the 2017 Academy Awards, Sony Pictures Classics earned four Oscar nominations with one for each of these four films: “Elle,” “Land of Mine,” “The Red Turtle” and “Toni Erdmann.” This specialized film division of Sony is celebrating its silver anniversary and with its slate of celebrated fare from award-winning directors and talent could well win […]...
- 9/28/2017
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Much has been made about the dearth of strong female roles in contemporary cinema, and the problematic depictions of women in many recent movies, but the past two decades have provided plenty of counterexamples. While the onus is on writers and directors to craft strong female characters, the actresses themselves bring these figures to life, and they’re often the main reason we keep being drawn back to these works.
In no particular order, our favorite — and we’d like to think the best — female performances of the 21st century.
Isabelle Huppert, “Elle”
Paul Verhoeven’s “Elle” begins with a laugh that catches in your throat: A wide-eyed cat looks off-screen to the screams of a man and woman in apparent orgiastic bliss. Then comes the cutaway, which reveals a far more nefarious incident: Middle-aged Michéle (Isabelle Huppert), in the process of getting raped by a masked assailant on the floor of her home.
In no particular order, our favorite — and we’d like to think the best — female performances of the 21st century.
Isabelle Huppert, “Elle”
Paul Verhoeven’s “Elle” begins with a laugh that catches in your throat: A wide-eyed cat looks off-screen to the screams of a man and woman in apparent orgiastic bliss. Then comes the cutaway, which reveals a far more nefarious incident: Middle-aged Michéle (Isabelle Huppert), in the process of getting raped by a masked assailant on the floor of her home.
- 9/22/2017
- by Eric Kohn, Kate Erbland, Michael Nordine, Jude Dry, Jamie Righetti and Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Perhaps the most salient and unsung thread in last year’s arthouse comedy epic “Toni Erdmann” examined the shifting economic frontiers in Europe. This becomes the point of departure for “Western”—the third feature of fellow German filmmaker Valeska Grisebach—which further scrutinizes the human scale of these permeable borders. This, however, is where the similarities end; as its title suggests, Grisebach’s film takes on the classical American genre of the Western as a template for its thematic preoccupations.
Continue reading Valeska Grisebach’s ‘Western’ Is A German Riff On The Cowboy Movie [Tiff Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading Valeska Grisebach’s ‘Western’ Is A German Riff On The Cowboy Movie [Tiff Review] at The Playlist.
- 9/8/2017
- by Bradley Warren
- The Playlist
Father and son face up to mortality in this beautiful debut feature from a young Indian writer-director
Twenty-six-year-old Indian writer-director Shubhashish Bhutiani’s nimble debut feature trails Rajiv (Adil Hussain) as he accompanies his dying father Daya (Lalit Behl) to Hotel Salvation, a sort of spiritual hospice on the banks of the Ganges. Guests are permitted to stay free of charge for 15 days, in the hope that they experience “salvation” in the moments before death (marijuana-laced lassi optional). If it sounds a little bit Eat Pray Love, it is – though Bhutiani keeps a fairly tight rein on former “famous writer” Daya’s divine journey, paying more attention to the knotty dynamic between father and son. In this sense, the film works more as a kind of reverse Toni Erdmann, with Rajiv finally turning off his phone and shouldering the burden of his cantankerous father. It looks beautiful too, with night-time...
Twenty-six-year-old Indian writer-director Shubhashish Bhutiani’s nimble debut feature trails Rajiv (Adil Hussain) as he accompanies his dying father Daya (Lalit Behl) to Hotel Salvation, a sort of spiritual hospice on the banks of the Ganges. Guests are permitted to stay free of charge for 15 days, in the hope that they experience “salvation” in the moments before death (marijuana-laced lassi optional). If it sounds a little bit Eat Pray Love, it is – though Bhutiani keeps a fairly tight rein on former “famous writer” Daya’s divine journey, paying more attention to the knotty dynamic between father and son. In this sense, the film works more as a kind of reverse Toni Erdmann, with Rajiv finally turning off his phone and shouldering the burden of his cantankerous father. It looks beautiful too, with night-time...
- 8/27/2017
- by Simran Hans
- The Guardian - Film News
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