Movie News
Ari Aster and his producing partner Lars Knudsen have boarded Chile’s Cristóbal León and Joaquín Cociña’s new film “Hansel & Gretel” as executive producers through their company, Square Peg.
The Chilean duo’s feature “The Hyperboreans” forms part of Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight.
The story is expected to twist the fairy tale into inimitable shapes. “It’s our very personal adaptation of the classic fairy tale, with the main difference that Hansel and Gretel are both boys in this version, at least at the beginning of the story,” Cristóbal León told Variety. In this telling, “the story itself gets lost,” León added.
León and Cociña worked with Aster on “Beau is Afraid,” having come to his attention via their feature “The Wolf House,” a winner at Annecy described by Variety as “a jaw-dropping marriage of various animation techniques.”
“Cociña and León are among the true originals working in animation right now.
The Chilean duo’s feature “The Hyperboreans” forms part of Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight.
The story is expected to twist the fairy tale into inimitable shapes. “It’s our very personal adaptation of the classic fairy tale, with the main difference that Hansel and Gretel are both boys in this version, at least at the beginning of the story,” Cristóbal León told Variety. In this telling, “the story itself gets lost,” León added.
León and Cociña worked with Aster on “Beau is Afraid,” having come to his attention via their feature “The Wolf House,” a winner at Annecy described by Variety as “a jaw-dropping marriage of various animation techniques.”
“Cociña and León are among the true originals working in animation right now.
- 5/20/2024
- by Callum McLennan
- Variety - Film News
Not exactly the opening weekend that dreams are made of.
Director John Krasinski’s “If,” a fantasy-comedy that promises your imaginary friends from childhood are real, fell slightly short of box office expectations with $35 million. Heading into the weekend, “If” was expected to bring in at least $40 million in its first weekend of release. Based on Friday’s turnout, it looked like “If” would open to $30 million but projections were revised up after Saturday’s strong showing. Ticket sales were enough for first place, but it’s a wobbly start for a PG family film that cost $110 million to make and many millions more to market. It collected an additional $20 million overseas for a global total of $55 million.
The good news for Paramount Pictures, which distributed “If,” is that audiences dug the film, giving it an “A” CinemaScore. Ideally, it’ll have staying power like recent original kid-friendly movies, including “Migration” and “Elemental,...
Director John Krasinski’s “If,” a fantasy-comedy that promises your imaginary friends from childhood are real, fell slightly short of box office expectations with $35 million. Heading into the weekend, “If” was expected to bring in at least $40 million in its first weekend of release. Based on Friday’s turnout, it looked like “If” would open to $30 million but projections were revised up after Saturday’s strong showing. Ticket sales were enough for first place, but it’s a wobbly start for a PG family film that cost $110 million to make and many millions more to market. It collected an additional $20 million overseas for a global total of $55 million.
The good news for Paramount Pictures, which distributed “If,” is that audiences dug the film, giving it an “A” CinemaScore. Ideally, it’ll have staying power like recent original kid-friendly movies, including “Migration” and “Elemental,...
- 5/19/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
As the longest running reality television series, “Survivor” has become a household name. Just think of the famous catchphrases. Who hasn’t said they wanted to vote an irritating person “off the island” or used “the tribe has spoken” at one punny point in their life? After three decades of filming, this year’s Season 46 is proving that changes to this season’s unique gameplay combining social, mental, and physical elements is the key to keeping the series exciting, highly discussable, and popular with viewers.
New aspects of the game introduced after the pandemic have earned the last five seasons the fan-dubbed moniker “New Era Survivor” for good reason. Instead of 39 days, “Survivor” is now played in a shorter and more intense 26 days. Forget those lavish days of “Survivor’s” past with building supplies, canned food and rice, and comfy hammocks. Contestants are no longer given any food to start,...
New aspects of the game introduced after the pandemic have earned the last five seasons the fan-dubbed moniker “New Era Survivor” for good reason. Instead of 39 days, “Survivor” is now played in a shorter and more intense 26 days. Forget those lavish days of “Survivor’s” past with building supplies, canned food and rice, and comfy hammocks. Contestants are no longer given any food to start,...
- 5/21/2024
- by Brigid Misselhorn
- Indiewire
[Editor’s note: this list was originally published in May 2023. It has since been updated with new films to crack the Cannes 5-minute mark.]
Each Cannes Film Festival is accompanied by the annual debate about whether the length of a film’s standing ovation is an accurate measure of its quality. But whether you see the practice of tracking ovation times as a fun cinephile tradition or an oversimplified waste of time, there’s no denying that it happens every year. For certain film industry observers, the number of minutes of applause that a buzzy movie receives on the Croisette is as significant as the first wave of reviews.
Cannes audiences have long been known for their bold responses to new movies. There’s virtually no such thing as a lukewarm response at the world’s biggest film festival — or at least, nothing that an American audience would recognize as lukewarm. Virtually all films receive either a standing ovation or loud boos. The over the top responses are a ritual in and of themselves,...
Each Cannes Film Festival is accompanied by the annual debate about whether the length of a film’s standing ovation is an accurate measure of its quality. But whether you see the practice of tracking ovation times as a fun cinephile tradition or an oversimplified waste of time, there’s no denying that it happens every year. For certain film industry observers, the number of minutes of applause that a buzzy movie receives on the Croisette is as significant as the first wave of reviews.
Cannes audiences have long been known for their bold responses to new movies. There’s virtually no such thing as a lukewarm response at the world’s biggest film festival — or at least, nothing that an American audience would recognize as lukewarm. Virtually all films receive either a standing ovation or loud boos. The over the top responses are a ritual in and of themselves,...
- 5/21/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
No matter how badly your week is going, it’s worth pausing to appreciate the fact that you’re not currently embroiled in a violent feud with a snake venom dealer who calls himself Butcher Hu. But we can’t all be so lucky.
Lang (Eddie Peng) is a changed man since coming out of prison. Emotionally callused and silent by choice, you’d never guess that he was once a beloved entertainer who played rock music and rode motorcycles in the local circus. But when he leaves the joint and returns to his small hometown in China’s Gobi Desert, there’s nothing waiting for him except bad vibes. His father is drinking himself to death at the local zoo, his neighbors resent him for his perceived crimes and assume he got a light sentence because of his celebrity, and his town is overrun with rabid dogs. To make matters worse,...
Lang (Eddie Peng) is a changed man since coming out of prison. Emotionally callused and silent by choice, you’d never guess that he was once a beloved entertainer who played rock music and rode motorcycles in the local circus. But when he leaves the joint and returns to his small hometown in China’s Gobi Desert, there’s nothing waiting for him except bad vibes. His father is drinking himself to death at the local zoo, his neighbors resent him for his perceived crimes and assume he got a light sentence because of his celebrity, and his town is overrun with rabid dogs. To make matters worse,...
- 5/20/2024
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Former President Donald Trump’s campaign is hitting back following the premiere of controversial film “The Apprentice,” which chronicles the 2024 presidential candidate’s early years as a real estate developer.
“We will be filing a lawsuit to address the blatantly false assertions from these pretend filmmakers,” the Trump campaign’s chief spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement to Variety. “This garbage is pure fiction which sensationalizes lies that have been long debunked. As with the illegal Biden Trials, this is election interference by Hollywood elites, who know that President Trump will retake the White House and beat their candidate of choice because nothing they have done has worked.”
Cheung’s statement continues, “This ‘film’ is pure malicious defamation, should not see the light of day, and doesn’t even deserve a place in the straight-to-dvd section of a bargain bin at a soon-to-be-closed discount movie store, it belongs in a dumpster fire.
“We will be filing a lawsuit to address the blatantly false assertions from these pretend filmmakers,” the Trump campaign’s chief spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement to Variety. “This garbage is pure fiction which sensationalizes lies that have been long debunked. As with the illegal Biden Trials, this is election interference by Hollywood elites, who know that President Trump will retake the White House and beat their candidate of choice because nothing they have done has worked.”
Cheung’s statement continues, “This ‘film’ is pure malicious defamation, should not see the light of day, and doesn’t even deserve a place in the straight-to-dvd section of a bargain bin at a soon-to-be-closed discount movie store, it belongs in a dumpster fire.
- 5/20/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
As lovely and lilting as hearing Claude Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” over a crackly record player on a snow-flecked day, Japanese filmmaker Hiroshi Okuyama’s second feature “My Sunshine” is a moving coming-of-age drama about kids facing up to the troubles of adulthood.
This gently composed story of an ice-skating coach on the island of Hokkaido, and his two young pupils, has darker dynamics under its sleeve than the emotionally generous time-to-face-the-music-of-growing-up story that’s on its surface. It’s told in furtive glances and silent pacts against a frost-dappled backdrop, the end of winter coming soon, as two adolescents form a bond on the ice rink that complicates the private life of their instructor. Japan would be wise to submit “My Sunshine,” the second feature from “Jesus” director Okuyama, for the Best International Feature Oscar. Both the glass-half-full and the glass-half-empty corners of the audience will resonate with...
This gently composed story of an ice-skating coach on the island of Hokkaido, and his two young pupils, has darker dynamics under its sleeve than the emotionally generous time-to-face-the-music-of-growing-up story that’s on its surface. It’s told in furtive glances and silent pacts against a frost-dappled backdrop, the end of winter coming soon, as two adolescents form a bond on the ice rink that complicates the private life of their instructor. Japan would be wise to submit “My Sunshine,” the second feature from “Jesus” director Okuyama, for the Best International Feature Oscar. Both the glass-half-full and the glass-half-empty corners of the audience will resonate with...
- 5/20/2024
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Scarlett Johansson said that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman contacted her last September about voicing the current ChatGPT 4.0 system but that she declined. After the launch of “Sky” that resembles her voice, Johansson said she’s hired legal counsel to demand more information about how the company created the AI voice model, leading the company to today “pause” its usage.
“When I heard the released demo, I was shocked, angered, and in disbelief that Mr. Altman would pursue a voice so eerily similar to mine that my closest friends and news outlets could not tell the difference,” Johansson said in a statement obtained by NPR on Monday, May 20.
Johansson said Altman contacted her agents two days before the release of ChatGPT 4.0 asking her to reconsider, but the demo featuring Sky was launched before they had the chance to meet.
The statement also refers to Altman’s May 13 tweet of the word “her,...
“When I heard the released demo, I was shocked, angered, and in disbelief that Mr. Altman would pursue a voice so eerily similar to mine that my closest friends and news outlets could not tell the difference,” Johansson said in a statement obtained by NPR on Monday, May 20.
Johansson said Altman contacted her agents two days before the release of ChatGPT 4.0 asking her to reconsider, but the demo featuring Sky was launched before they had the chance to meet.
The statement also refers to Altman’s May 13 tweet of the word “her,...
- 5/20/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Before becoming one of Hollywood’s most beloved leading men, Chris Pratt lived in an apartment behind the TLC Chinese Theater. Well into the early morning, he would wander on the Walk of Fame and stare at the stars beneath his feet, wondering if his time in the spotlight would ever come.
Pratt returned to the Hollywood landmark on Sunday, not to lament over broken dreams, but to help introduce Garfield creator Jim Davis as he cemented his signature outside the TLC Chinese Theater at “The Garfield Movie” premiere.
“[He] absolutely rocked the part,” said Davis about Pratt’s performance as the lasagna-loving cat. “You laugh just listening to [his] kind of timing. He also has the ability to go over to the softer side and to sound angry and stuff like that. So, it’s not just the humor, but his ability to bring out all sides of the character.”
Starring Pratt,...
Pratt returned to the Hollywood landmark on Sunday, not to lament over broken dreams, but to help introduce Garfield creator Jim Davis as he cemented his signature outside the TLC Chinese Theater at “The Garfield Movie” premiere.
“[He] absolutely rocked the part,” said Davis about Pratt’s performance as the lasagna-loving cat. “You laugh just listening to [his] kind of timing. He also has the ability to go over to the softer side and to sound angry and stuff like that. So, it’s not just the humor, but his ability to bring out all sides of the character.”
Starring Pratt,...
- 5/20/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety - Film News
Indian Paintbrush founder Steven Rales has purchased Criterion and Janus Films.
The mission and leadership of the companies will not change following the private transaction.
Screen Daily was first to report the news of the sale. “We have grown our brands and audience with dedication to a set of values reflected in the films we release, the way we release them, and the way we conduct our business with our valued partners around the world,” said Criterion and Janus Films president Peter Becker told the outlet. “We are excited to continue that legacy and pursue new opportunities now available through this relationship.”
Janus Films was founded in 1954 by Bryant Haliday and Cyrus Harvey, Jr., and has since become the preeminent distributor of international classic films in the United States. Recent films include “Drive My Car,” “Evil Does Not Exist,” “Eo” and “The Beast.” On Monday, Sideshow and Janus films acquired...
The mission and leadership of the companies will not change following the private transaction.
Screen Daily was first to report the news of the sale. “We have grown our brands and audience with dedication to a set of values reflected in the films we release, the way we release them, and the way we conduct our business with our valued partners around the world,” said Criterion and Janus Films president Peter Becker told the outlet. “We are excited to continue that legacy and pursue new opportunities now available through this relationship.”
Janus Films was founded in 1954 by Bryant Haliday and Cyrus Harvey, Jr., and has since become the preeminent distributor of international classic films in the United States. Recent films include “Drive My Car,” “Evil Does Not Exist,” “Eo” and “The Beast.” On Monday, Sideshow and Janus films acquired...
- 5/20/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
Are we on the verge of a Livelaissance? Four years after her last live-action movie role, Blake Lively is returning to the big screen this year with "It Ends With Us." The film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling toxic relationship novel made waves this past week with the arrival of its trailer, which even came fitted with an appropriately bleary-eyed tune by Lively's buddy Taylor Swift. It's also a reminder of just how well Livelites (which is what I'm calling Lively fans until I come up with a better name) were eating in the 2010s.
We're talking about a decade in which the "Gossip Girl" and "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" alum was in a marijuana-growing throuple in "Savages," played a woman who stopped aging at 29 and dated a young Harrison Ford in "The Age of Adaline," and killed a great white shark with her bare hands in "The Shallows...
We're talking about a decade in which the "Gossip Girl" and "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" alum was in a marijuana-growing throuple in "Savages," played a woman who stopped aging at 29 and dated a young Harrison Ford in "The Age of Adaline," and killed a great white shark with her bare hands in "The Shallows...
- 5/20/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Criterion and its sister distribution arm Janus Films each have a new owner: Indian Paintbrush founder Steven Rales.
Rales has acquired both Criterion and Janus in a private transaction, IndieWire has learned according to two individuals, giving the home for classic and art house films a new leader.
However, as Screen Daily first reported, leadership, including Criterion and Janus Films president Peter Becker, is expected to remain in place, and the overall mission of both companies is not expected to change, per a source.
“We have grown our brands and audience with dedication to a set of values reflected in the films we release, the way we release them, and the way we conduct our business with our valued partners around the world,” Becker said in a statement to Screen. “We are excited to continue that legacy and pursue new opportunities now available through this relationship.”
Reps for Janus Films...
Rales has acquired both Criterion and Janus in a private transaction, IndieWire has learned according to two individuals, giving the home for classic and art house films a new leader.
However, as Screen Daily first reported, leadership, including Criterion and Janus Films president Peter Becker, is expected to remain in place, and the overall mission of both companies is not expected to change, per a source.
“We have grown our brands and audience with dedication to a set of values reflected in the films we release, the way we release them, and the way we conduct our business with our valued partners around the world,” Becker said in a statement to Screen. “We are excited to continue that legacy and pursue new opportunities now available through this relationship.”
Reps for Janus Films...
- 5/20/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
David Cronenberg’s “The Shrouds,” the horror auteur’s latest film about a widow who invents technology to see inside his late wife’s grave, received a 3.5-minute standing ovation at its Cannes premiere on Monday night.
The crowd showed their respect for the Cannes legend with applause after the credits rolled, but it was lackluster as audience members digested the film, which is a departure from Cronenberg’s usual out-of-the-box body horror. Instead, “The Shrouds” is a thoughtful exploration of grief and technology, and though there are several gross-out moments, the film relies on emotion more than anything.
“This is the first time I’ve seen the movie with an audience, and it’s completely different,” Cronenberg said after the clapping died down. “I’m very happy that you are all here.”
Described as an arthouse horror film, “The Shrouds” stars Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce and Sandrine Holt.
The crowd showed their respect for the Cannes legend with applause after the credits rolled, but it was lackluster as audience members digested the film, which is a departure from Cronenberg’s usual out-of-the-box body horror. Instead, “The Shrouds” is a thoughtful exploration of grief and technology, and though there are several gross-out moments, the film relies on emotion more than anything.
“This is the first time I’ve seen the movie with an audience, and it’s completely different,” Cronenberg said after the clapping died down. “I’m very happy that you are all here.”
Described as an arthouse horror film, “The Shrouds” stars Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce and Sandrine Holt.
- 5/20/2024
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety - Film News
Lionsgate has added three movies to its release calendar.
“Flight Risk,” an aviation thriller starring Mark Wahlberg and directed by Mel Gibson, will land on Oct. 18, 2024, while Dave Bautista-led action-comedy “The Killer’s Game” will debut on Sept. 13, 2024. Meanwhile, Gerard Butler’s sequel “Den of Thieves: Pantera” will open on Jan. 10, 2025.
“Flight Risk” is scheduled to debut on the big screen alongside Paramount’s “Smile 2.” In “Flight Risk,” Wahlberg plays a balding and psychotic mob hitman who tricks a federal agent into allowing him to pilot a plane carrying an informant (Topher Grace) out of a remote area. The movie reunites Gibson and Wahlberg, who worked together in the past on “Father Stu” and “Daddy’s Home 2.”
“The Killer’s Game” will open on the same day as Universal’s horror remake “Speak No Evil,” starring James McAvoy. Adapted from Jay R. Bonansinga’s book of the same name, this...
“Flight Risk,” an aviation thriller starring Mark Wahlberg and directed by Mel Gibson, will land on Oct. 18, 2024, while Dave Bautista-led action-comedy “The Killer’s Game” will debut on Sept. 13, 2024. Meanwhile, Gerard Butler’s sequel “Den of Thieves: Pantera” will open on Jan. 10, 2025.
“Flight Risk” is scheduled to debut on the big screen alongside Paramount’s “Smile 2.” In “Flight Risk,” Wahlberg plays a balding and psychotic mob hitman who tricks a federal agent into allowing him to pilot a plane carrying an informant (Topher Grace) out of a remote area. The movie reunites Gibson and Wahlberg, who worked together in the past on “Father Stu” and “Daddy’s Home 2.”
“The Killer’s Game” will open on the same day as Universal’s horror remake “Speak No Evil,” starring James McAvoy. Adapted from Jay R. Bonansinga’s book of the same name, this...
- 5/20/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
Cannes film festival
Elaborate necrophiliac meditation on loss and longing stars Vincent Cassel as an oncologist who has founded a restaurant with a hi-tech cemetery attached
David Cronenberg’s new film is a contorted sphinx without a secret, an eroticised necrophiliac meditation on grief, longing and loss that returns this director to his now very familiar Ballardian fetishes. It’s intriguing and exhausting: a quasi-murder mystery and doppelganger sex drama combined with a sci-fi conspiracy thriller which comes very close to participating in that very xenophobia it purports to satirise. And among its exasperating plot convolutions, there is a centrally important oncologist who was having a possible affair with the hero’s dead wife and who had also been her first sexual partner as a teenager – but who never appears on camera.
Yet for all this, the film has its own creepy, enveloping mausoleum atmosphere of disquiet, helped by the...
Elaborate necrophiliac meditation on loss and longing stars Vincent Cassel as an oncologist who has founded a restaurant with a hi-tech cemetery attached
David Cronenberg’s new film is a contorted sphinx without a secret, an eroticised necrophiliac meditation on grief, longing and loss that returns this director to his now very familiar Ballardian fetishes. It’s intriguing and exhausting: a quasi-murder mystery and doppelganger sex drama combined with a sci-fi conspiracy thriller which comes very close to participating in that very xenophobia it purports to satirise. And among its exasperating plot convolutions, there is a centrally important oncologist who was having a possible affair with the hero’s dead wife and who had also been her first sexual partner as a teenager – but who never appears on camera.
Yet for all this, the film has its own creepy, enveloping mausoleum atmosphere of disquiet, helped by the...
- 5/20/2024
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Inspired by the loss of the director’s wife, “The Shrouds” is a grief story as only David Cronenberg would ever think to shoot one: Sardonic, unsentimental, and often so cadaverously stiff that the film itself appears to be suffering from rigor mortis, as if its images died at some point along their brief journey from the projector to the screen. And really, what else would you expect? I suppose it’s possible that the story’s deeply personal context might have spurred Cronenberg to push against the tender sterility of his recent features, or even dare to expose the soft underbelly that’s always been hiding inside his tumorous body of work and its many layers of scary-beautiful new flesh. If so, it almost immediately becomes clear that he had zero interest in accepting that invitation.
A quintessentially late film from an artist who’s always been ahead of his time,...
A quintessentially late film from an artist who’s always been ahead of his time,...
- 5/20/2024
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
The pop culture nostalgia cycle might have moved on to the early 2000s, but for many filmmakers and movie fans, the '80s will never go out of style. That's certainly true for director Ti West, who returns this year with the third chapter of his horror trilogy that started with 2022's "X" and was shortly followed by a surprise prequel, "Pearl." Star Mia Goth will return for this summer's bloody conclusion, "MaXXXine," in which aspiring adult film star (and massacre survivor) Maxine Minx is now trying to break into mainstream movies with a role in horror movie "The Puritan II."
"MaXXXine" is set in 1985 Los Angeles, six years after the events of "X." West recently told Empire magazine that "the '80s aspect of it was a natural, chronological thing" -- but that it was also a great opportunity to draw inspiration from '80s movies. For many people,...
"MaXXXine" is set in 1985 Los Angeles, six years after the events of "X." West recently told Empire magazine that "the '80s aspect of it was a natural, chronological thing" -- but that it was also a great opportunity to draw inspiration from '80s movies. For many people,...
- 5/20/2024
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
Before digital tools allowed composers to simulate any instrument on a laptop, musical scores for TV were simple melodies performed by a handful of session musicians. The newer technology meant those musicians lost their jobs; so did the guy who transcribed the composer’s scores.
However: That doesn’t mean scores require fewer people, or became cheaper to produce.
Today, even the smallest TV shows employ full orchestras. Tech made things easier, but the cost to produce scores for film and TV has only increased. With greater possibilities, more advanced jobs replaced those that were lost.
That’s the analogy Matt Nix, showrunner for “Burn Notice” and the recent “True Lies,” used when describing the advent of artificial intelligence at the May 16 AI on the Lot summit at Los Angeles Center Studios. He rejected the idea that AI will become a pathway to low-cost filmmaking and TV production that uses...
However: That doesn’t mean scores require fewer people, or became cheaper to produce.
Today, even the smallest TV shows employ full orchestras. Tech made things easier, but the cost to produce scores for film and TV has only increased. With greater possibilities, more advanced jobs replaced those that were lost.
That’s the analogy Matt Nix, showrunner for “Burn Notice” and the recent “True Lies,” used when describing the advent of artificial intelligence at the May 16 AI on the Lot summit at Los Angeles Center Studios. He rejected the idea that AI will become a pathway to low-cost filmmaking and TV production that uses...
- 5/20/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
It proved to be the most disturbing scene in a movie chock full of unflattering sequences about Donald Trump.
In Ali Abbasi’s “The Apprentice,” Trump (played by Sebastian Stan) violently throws his then-wife Ivana (Maria Bakalova) to the ground and proceeds to have nonconsensual sex with her.
In the controversial scene, Ivana playfully presents a book to her husband about the merits of a female orgasm. But the interaction between the two turns dark quickly, as an uninterested Trump tells his wife that he is no longer attracted to her. They argue, and then Trump throws her to the ground. As he angrily thrusts himself into her, an icy Trump sneers: “Is that your G spot? Did I find it?”
Heading into tonight’s premiere, insiders insisted that the scene, which Variety previously reported on, was consensual but uncomfortable. But reactions within the Palais said otherwise. One woman in her 20s called the scene,...
In Ali Abbasi’s “The Apprentice,” Trump (played by Sebastian Stan) violently throws his then-wife Ivana (Maria Bakalova) to the ground and proceeds to have nonconsensual sex with her.
In the controversial scene, Ivana playfully presents a book to her husband about the merits of a female orgasm. But the interaction between the two turns dark quickly, as an uninterested Trump tells his wife that he is no longer attracted to her. They argue, and then Trump throws her to the ground. As he angrily thrusts himself into her, an icy Trump sneers: “Is that your G spot? Did I find it?”
Heading into tonight’s premiere, insiders insisted that the scene, which Variety previously reported on, was consensual but uncomfortable. But reactions within the Palais said otherwise. One woman in her 20s called the scene,...
- 5/20/2024
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Variety - Film News
John Krasinski’s “If” presents a menagerie of celebrity-voiced imaginary friends who are in search of existential purpose after their kids grow up and forget them. Enter Ryan Reynolds, who runs a matchmaking service for the “IFs,” who live in a secluded retirement home at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park in Coney Island.
Framestore handled the audacious fusion of live-action and CG animation and VFX (800 shots) spread across their London, Montreal, and Mumbai studios. Led by animation director Arslan Elver and VFX supervisor Chris Lawrence, the team worked closely with director-actor Krasinski to get believable performances out of the IFs on set or in post. Krasinski saw them as visceral, hyper-real puppets. The techniques included stand-ins to help the voice actors deliver full performances, placing the animated characters in the shot with VR, or the use of home-shot reference footage from the animators.
There are three hero characters: Blue (Steve Carell), a sweet,...
Framestore handled the audacious fusion of live-action and CG animation and VFX (800 shots) spread across their London, Montreal, and Mumbai studios. Led by animation director Arslan Elver and VFX supervisor Chris Lawrence, the team worked closely with director-actor Krasinski to get believable performances out of the IFs on set or in post. Krasinski saw them as visceral, hyper-real puppets. The techniques included stand-ins to help the voice actors deliver full performances, placing the animated characters in the shot with VR, or the use of home-shot reference footage from the animators.
There are three hero characters: Blue (Steve Carell), a sweet,...
- 5/20/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
The Farrelly brothers’ buddy comedy “Dumb and Dumber” will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in December, and star Jeff Daniels recently looked back on how his agents were quite apprehensive about him taking on the role of Harry Dunne opposite Jim Carrey as Lloyd. While the movie would go on to become a comedy classic and earn $247 million worldwide, Daniels told USA Today that the script was not in line with the “serious actor” his agents wanted him to be at the time.
“I had agents, who weren’t wrong, telling me, ‘You’re a serious actor. This is not the direction you need to be going. We’re going to stop this and get you off this movie,'” Daniels said. “But I wanted to shake it up with a comedy. And I wanted to work with Jim Carrey.”
Daniels admitted that he feared his agents might’ve been...
“I had agents, who weren’t wrong, telling me, ‘You’re a serious actor. This is not the direction you need to be going. We’re going to stop this and get you off this movie,'” Daniels said. “But I wanted to shake it up with a comedy. And I wanted to work with Jim Carrey.”
Daniels admitted that he feared his agents might’ve been...
- 5/20/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
It has been a sobering year for the movie industry, particularly when looking at the state of the box office. We entered 2024 knowing it was likely going to be a down year compared to 2023, when domestic ticket sales topped $9 billion for the first time since the pandemic began. Unfortunately, it's been worse than expected. Ticket sales are pacing more than 20% behind this same point in 2023 and there is little hope on the horizon. So, what can be done to provide hope for Hollywood? In short, people need to start going to the movies more. How we get to that point is a big, complicated question for another time. But what would it take to get the box office back to a healthy place in the pandemic era? That's a question we can at least try to tackle.
What I am about to present is an extremely rough bit of math...
What I am about to present is an extremely rough bit of math...
- 5/20/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Whether the sprawling fantasia that is Tyler Taormina’s Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point proves heartwarmingly reflective or personally destabilizing in its near-ethnographic study of American holiday ritual will depend, largely, on the composition and size of your own Xmas memories. It’s a strength of the film, however, that Taormina’s expansive canvas allows for — and incorporates — the whole range of emotions that the theater of Christmas can produce, from the giddiness of an overstimulated child, stomach groaning from too much pumpkin pie, gazing at all those wrapped presents, to the wearied anxiety of an adult realizing that the holiday […]
The post “I Actually Feel Like the Firefly Was Caught in the Jar”: Tyler Taormina on His Cannes-Premiering Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “I Actually Feel Like the Firefly Was Caught in the Jar”: Tyler Taormina on His Cannes-Premiering Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 5/20/2024
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Welcome to It’s a Hit! In this series, IndieWire speaks to creators and showrunners behind a few of our favorite television programs about the moment they realized their show was breaking big.
“It did feel like the Avengers assembling,” said executive producer Sam Rees-Jones of casting the first all-celebrity edition of “The Traitors” on Peacock. “We knew in Season 2 we wanted to assemble an all celebrity cast knowing that that would create a buzz as well, and would help build on the success of Season 1,” said executive producer Mike Cotton.
The pair, based in the United Kingdom, told IndieWire over Zoom that another key change for the second season of the reality competition series where “faithful” contestants try to weed out who among them are traitors before the latter steal all the money they earned from completing missions was changing the way in which the episodes were rolled out.
“It did feel like the Avengers assembling,” said executive producer Sam Rees-Jones of casting the first all-celebrity edition of “The Traitors” on Peacock. “We knew in Season 2 we wanted to assemble an all celebrity cast knowing that that would create a buzz as well, and would help build on the success of Season 1,” said executive producer Mike Cotton.
The pair, based in the United Kingdom, told IndieWire over Zoom that another key change for the second season of the reality competition series where “faithful” contestants try to weed out who among them are traitors before the latter steal all the money they earned from completing missions was changing the way in which the episodes were rolled out.
- 5/20/2024
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
Not to sound like a broken record but it was yet another brutal weekend at the box office as May rolls right along. Director John Krasinski's big-budget, family-friendly flick "If" topped the charts with a worse-than-expected opening. Theaters are desperate for a breakout hit given the relatively lackluster performances of other films like "The Fall Guy" in the early going. But, as has been the case so many times in the pandemic era, horror came to the rescue — sort of. Lionsgate's "The Strangers: Chapter 1" had a solid debut, but not so much that it can make up for what was lacking elsewhere. It was also an iffy start for a film that is launching an entire trilogy.
Director Renny Harlin's new take on "The Strangers" (the first part of it anyway) opened to an estimated $12 million domestically, placing at number three on the charts behind "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes...
Director Renny Harlin's new take on "The Strangers" (the first part of it anyway) opened to an estimated $12 million domestically, placing at number three on the charts behind "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes...
- 5/20/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Just over a week into Cannes, some major contenders have already found homes, while many more buzzy titles with Palme d’Or aspirations are awaiting buyers. This year’s market hasn’t been weighed down by the writers or actors strikes in the same way as last year, meaning companies like A24, Neon, Apple, and more have jumped in on exciting packages of possibly future contenders.
Below we’re tracking everything that gets bought throughout the festival and beyond.
Films Acquired During the Festival “Santosh”
Section: Un Certain Regard
Director: Sandhya Suri
Buyer: Metrograph Pictures
Date Acquired: May 20
Cast: Shahana Goswami, Sunita Rajwar
Buzz: Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri, who previously won the World Documentary Grand Jury Prize at Sundance for “I For India,” made her narrative feature directorial debut on this police procedural about a widow who inherits her husband’s job as a police constable and is brought under...
Below we’re tracking everything that gets bought throughout the festival and beyond.
Films Acquired During the Festival “Santosh”
Section: Un Certain Regard
Director: Sandhya Suri
Buyer: Metrograph Pictures
Date Acquired: May 20
Cast: Shahana Goswami, Sunita Rajwar
Buzz: Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri, who previously won the World Documentary Grand Jury Prize at Sundance for “I For India,” made her narrative feature directorial debut on this police procedural about a widow who inherits her husband’s job as a police constable and is brought under...
- 5/20/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Ryan Reynolds said in a new video interview with Fandango that he is “surprised” Disney allowed the upcoming “Deadpool and Wolverine” to be so R-rated. The movie is the first “Deadpool” film to be released under Disney following the company’s acquisition of Fox, which made Reynolds’ first two R-rated “Deadpool” movies that grossed just over $780 million each at the worldwide box office. Comic book fans feared Disney might tamp down the franchise’s R-rating given its commitment to family entertainment, but Reynolds and director Shawn Levy were granted permission to continue with the raunchy humor.
“I hope it doesn’t sound condescending, I’m really proud of them for doing this. I think it’s a huge step for them,” Reynolds said about Disney letting a film be R-rated “I mean, it adds a whole other color to this kaleidoscopic wheel that is that company and the different people...
“I hope it doesn’t sound condescending, I’m really proud of them for doing this. I think it’s a huge step for them,” Reynolds said about Disney letting a film be R-rated “I mean, it adds a whole other color to this kaleidoscopic wheel that is that company and the different people...
- 5/20/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
Indian Paintbrush founder Steven Rales has acquired Criterion and Janus Films in a private transaction.
Screen understands the leadership and mission of the companies will not change.
“We have grown our brands and audience with dedication to a set of values reflected in the films we release, the way we release them, and the way we conduct our business with our valued partners around the world,” said Peter Becker, president of Criterion and Janus Films.
“We are excited to continue that legacy and pursue new opportunities now available through this relationship.”
Sister companies Janus and Criterion are longtime champions of global classic cinema.
Screen understands the leadership and mission of the companies will not change.
“We have grown our brands and audience with dedication to a set of values reflected in the films we release, the way we release them, and the way we conduct our business with our valued partners around the world,” said Peter Becker, president of Criterion and Janus Films.
“We are excited to continue that legacy and pursue new opportunities now available through this relationship.”
Sister companies Janus and Criterion are longtime champions of global classic cinema.
- 5/20/2024
- ScreenDaily
Metrograph Pictures has acquired North American rights to Sandhya Suri’s Cannes standout “Santosh” following its world premiere in Un Certain Regard.
Metrograph Pictures will distribute the film theatrically, with additional release details to be announced at a later date. MK2 Films represents the movie in international markets.
“Santosh” marks the narrative feature debut of Suri, whose breakout documentary “I For India” competed at Sundance. Her short film “The Field” was nominated for the BAFTA for Best Short Film in 2019, and won Best International Short at Toronto in 2018.
“Santosh” received solid reviews following its Cannes premiere, with Variety called it a “whip-smart film” that “speaks the language of a fiercely feminist empowerment saga”.
The film follows Santosh (Shahana Goswami), a recent widow who, under a government scheme, inherits her husband’s job as a police constable in the rural badlands of Northern India. When a low-caste girl is murdered, she...
Metrograph Pictures will distribute the film theatrically, with additional release details to be announced at a later date. MK2 Films represents the movie in international markets.
“Santosh” marks the narrative feature debut of Suri, whose breakout documentary “I For India” competed at Sundance. Her short film “The Field” was nominated for the BAFTA for Best Short Film in 2019, and won Best International Short at Toronto in 2018.
“Santosh” received solid reviews following its Cannes premiere, with Variety called it a “whip-smart film” that “speaks the language of a fiercely feminist empowerment saga”.
The film follows Santosh (Shahana Goswami), a recent widow who, under a government scheme, inherits her husband’s job as a police constable in the rural badlands of Northern India. When a low-caste girl is murdered, she...
- 5/20/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety - Film News
Five years ago, Iranian-Danish filmmaker Ali Abbasi broke out internationally with the Oscar-nominated “Border,” a thorny little beast of a fable about love, complicity, and guilt. His latest prods at some of the same themes, although the thorny little beast at the center of “The Apprentice” is far from a fictional creature of fables.
Abbasi’s newest chronicles the rise of former American president Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan) through his relationship with lawyer and political fixer Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong).
Continue reading ‘The Apprentice’ Review: Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump? It Works! [Cannes] at The Playlist.
Abbasi’s newest chronicles the rise of former American president Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan) through his relationship with lawyer and political fixer Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong).
Continue reading ‘The Apprentice’ Review: Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump? It Works! [Cannes] at The Playlist.
- 5/20/2024
- by Rafa Sales Ross
- The Playlist
An hour into “Misericordia,” there is a scene so shocking that it might leave viewers’ mouths agape in disbelief. Only it is a mere conversation between two people. That exchange of words can be so profoundly disquieting and underscores Alain Guiraudie’s commitment to thrilling audiences the old-fashioned way – with ideas rather than actions. His new thriller film is overladen with mysteries and enigmas, perhaps none so confounding as its absence from the main Competition at the Cannes Film Festival.
Continue reading ‘Misericordia’ Review: Alain Guiraudie’s Nerve-Rattling Thriller Is A Dostoevskian Masterwork [Cannes Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Misericordia’ Review: Alain Guiraudie’s Nerve-Rattling Thriller Is A Dostoevskian Masterwork [Cannes Review] at The Playlist.
- 5/20/2024
- by Ankit Jhunjhunwala
- The Playlist
Madrid-based producer José Alba of Pecado Films gets the Cannes Close-Up treatment, revealing his plans for finding international co-production partners, and an “amazing moment” at last year’s Cannes.
Alba is in Cannes selling May I Speak With The Enemy, a biopic of stand-up comedian Miguel Gila based on an original idea by Alba.
Pecado Films was a producer on Victor Erice’s 2023 Cannes competition title Close Your Eyes and 2016 romantic war drama Guernica, distributed by Sony.
This year Alba is on the lookout for new international partners at Cannes: “We are going to meet, above all, Japanese and Indian...
Alba is in Cannes selling May I Speak With The Enemy, a biopic of stand-up comedian Miguel Gila based on an original idea by Alba.
Pecado Films was a producer on Victor Erice’s 2023 Cannes competition title Close Your Eyes and 2016 romantic war drama Guernica, distributed by Sony.
This year Alba is on the lookout for new international partners at Cannes: “We are going to meet, above all, Japanese and Indian...
- 5/20/2024
- ScreenDaily
It’s May 20th, so you know what that means…
Oh you don’t either? Well, apparently, it’s National Streaming Day. And this isn’t just any National Streaming Day — it’s the 10th anniversary of the holiday, first declared by Roku in 2014. Break out the champagne — or at least have a few brewskis in Roku City.
More than just the screensaver’s majestic skyline has changed in the past decade. Occupying the penthouse of the largest skyscraper in all of streaming is Netflix, which currently has about 270 million global paid subscribers; 10 years ago the tally was 46 million subs, and the platform had just released “House of Cards” Season 2. Do you think Kevin Spacey’s life has changed at all since then?
On May 20, 2014, Netflix still did DVDs (in addition to streaming), it swore off ads, and would not touch live sports. Well, the DVDs have since been recycled,...
Oh you don’t either? Well, apparently, it’s National Streaming Day. And this isn’t just any National Streaming Day — it’s the 10th anniversary of the holiday, first declared by Roku in 2014. Break out the champagne — or at least have a few brewskis in Roku City.
More than just the screensaver’s majestic skyline has changed in the past decade. Occupying the penthouse of the largest skyscraper in all of streaming is Netflix, which currently has about 270 million global paid subscribers; 10 years ago the tally was 46 million subs, and the platform had just released “House of Cards” Season 2. Do you think Kevin Spacey’s life has changed at all since then?
On May 20, 2014, Netflix still did DVDs (in addition to streaming), it swore off ads, and would not touch live sports. Well, the DVDs have since been recycled,...
- 5/20/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Bafta albert, HBO’s True Detective: Night Country, Saudi Arabia’s Film AlUla and UK city Bristol were among the winners at Screen International’s second annual Global Production Awards, held tonight (May 20) at the Mademoiselle Gray d’Albion Plage in Cannes, France.
Bafta albert received the Special Recognition award. The Bafta-owned organisation offers online tools, training, events, practical guidance and thought leadership to all screen industry professionals with the aim of helping them to identify and act upon opportunities on and off screen that will lead to effective climate action.
Scroll down for the full list of winners.
Night Country,...
Bafta albert received the Special Recognition award. The Bafta-owned organisation offers online tools, training, events, practical guidance and thought leadership to all screen industry professionals with the aim of helping them to identify and act upon opportunities on and off screen that will lead to effective climate action.
Scroll down for the full list of winners.
Night Country,...
- 5/20/2024
- ScreenDaily
Sideshow and Janus Films have acquired all North American rights to Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light, the first Indian film to screen in Cannes Competition in 30 years.
Kapadia previously brought her documentary A Night Of Knowing Nothing to Directors’ Fortnight, where she won the L’Œil d’Or for Best Documentary in 2021.
Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam, Hridhu Haroon and Azees Nedumangad star in the Mumbai-set story of a nurse and her roommate who take a road trip to a beach town.
Sideshow and Janus Films plan a theatrical release after negotiating the deal with Luxbox on behalf of the filmmakers.
Kapadia previously brought her documentary A Night Of Knowing Nothing to Directors’ Fortnight, where she won the L’Œil d’Or for Best Documentary in 2021.
Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam, Hridhu Haroon and Azees Nedumangad star in the Mumbai-set story of a nurse and her roommate who take a road trip to a beach town.
Sideshow and Janus Films plan a theatrical release after negotiating the deal with Luxbox on behalf of the filmmakers.
- 5/20/2024
- ScreenDaily
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Few artists have etched imaginatively vivid, intricate Lovecraftian worlds like French comic artist Philippe Druillet, whose "The 6 Voyages of Lone Sloane" — arguably his magnum opus — emerges as the culmination of his intense innovation. This wild, sprawling comic takes place 800 years after an event dubbed The Great Fear and follows a wandering space traveler named Lone Sloane, whose capture by an otherworldly entity propels him on a mind-melting journey to beautiful, horrifying realms. Through Sloane's gaze, we are privy to worlds that are beyond comprehension, comprising alien citadels, technological landfills as far as the eye can see, and massive, obsessively detailed beings who exist between the states of man and machine. Druillet's storytelling hones in on traditional sci-fi space horror tropes taken to the extreme, where the cosmic artwork eclipses narration with its intention to shock and provoke.
As Sloane...
Few artists have etched imaginatively vivid, intricate Lovecraftian worlds like French comic artist Philippe Druillet, whose "The 6 Voyages of Lone Sloane" — arguably his magnum opus — emerges as the culmination of his intense innovation. This wild, sprawling comic takes place 800 years after an event dubbed The Great Fear and follows a wandering space traveler named Lone Sloane, whose capture by an otherworldly entity propels him on a mind-melting journey to beautiful, horrifying realms. Through Sloane's gaze, we are privy to worlds that are beyond comprehension, comprising alien citadels, technological landfills as far as the eye can see, and massive, obsessively detailed beings who exist between the states of man and machine. Druillet's storytelling hones in on traditional sci-fi space horror tropes taken to the extreme, where the cosmic artwork eclipses narration with its intention to shock and provoke.
As Sloane...
- 5/20/2024
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
Even in Cannes, it’s hard to avoid Donald Trump.
“The Apprentice,” the story of the 45th and possibly 47th president’s early years as a real estate developer, earned a eight-minute standing ovation on Monday. It’s probably safe to assume that the film festival crowd isn’t a Maga-heavy one, so it helps that “The Apprentice” paints a blistering portrait, focusing on Trump’s relationship with Roy Cohn, the McCarthy-ite lawyer and fixer who took an interest in the “the Donald” before he was a household name.
Sebastian Stan (“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”) stars as Trump, Jeremy Strong (“Succession”) plays Cohn and Maria Bakalova (“Borat 2”) portrays Ivana Trump, the thrice-married president’s first spouse. Ali Abbasi, the Iranian-Danish filmmaker behind “Border” and “Holy Spider,” directs the movie from a script by Gabriel Sherman, a journalist who covered the Trump White House, as well as...
“The Apprentice,” the story of the 45th and possibly 47th president’s early years as a real estate developer, earned a eight-minute standing ovation on Monday. It’s probably safe to assume that the film festival crowd isn’t a Maga-heavy one, so it helps that “The Apprentice” paints a blistering portrait, focusing on Trump’s relationship with Roy Cohn, the McCarthy-ite lawyer and fixer who took an interest in the “the Donald” before he was a household name.
Sebastian Stan (“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”) stars as Trump, Jeremy Strong (“Succession”) plays Cohn and Maria Bakalova (“Borat 2”) portrays Ivana Trump, the thrice-married president’s first spouse. Ali Abbasi, the Iranian-Danish filmmaker behind “Border” and “Holy Spider,” directs the movie from a script by Gabriel Sherman, a journalist who covered the Trump White House, as well as...
- 5/20/2024
- by Matt Donnelly and Brent Lang
- Variety - Film News
It’s been seven years since the last “Pirates of the Caribbean” arrived in theaters. And it sure does appear that a new film in the franchise is coming. Actually, there are two films in the works and both might actually get made. Sadly, if you’re a fan of Johnny Depp, then you’re out of luck.
According to a new EW interview with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, the filmmaker talked about the current state of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise.
Continue reading ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’: Jerry Bruckheimer Says Reboot & Margot Robbie Spinoff Both Might Get Made at The Playlist.
According to a new EW interview with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, the filmmaker talked about the current state of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise.
Continue reading ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’: Jerry Bruckheimer Says Reboot & Margot Robbie Spinoff Both Might Get Made at The Playlist.
- 5/20/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
The 2024 Cannes Film Festival is underway, with major premieres like “Megalopolis,” “Horizon,” “The Substance,” “Emelia Perez” and more. Check out some of Variety‘s photography from the festival.
More from VarietyWho's Driving the Canary Islands' New Wave? A Drill-Down on Players and Banner Titles Variety Honors Universal Pictures With International Achievement in Film Award: 'Theatrical Is the Core of Our Business'Talents to Track on the Canaries' New Film Scene...
More from VarietyWho's Driving the Canary Islands' New Wave? A Drill-Down on Players and Banner Titles Variety Honors Universal Pictures With International Achievement in Film Award: 'Theatrical Is the Core of Our Business'Talents to Track on the Canaries' New Film Scene...
- 5/20/2024
- by Victoria Stevens
- Variety - Film News
Introducing The Damned at its world premiere, Roberto Minervini stated that the film began from a desire to “deconstruct the precepts in war cinema,” e.g. good versus evil, “hyper-masculinity” and heroism. In the press kit interview, Minervini goes further, stating that there’s never been a war movie “that I would call humane […] Even films that depict tragedy and self-destruction emphasize martyrdom and sacrifice.” Has there really never been a true anti-war film? The existence of Come and See seems to contradict that, and noting that “good versus evil” isn’t real isn’t a breakthrough either, which may be why The […]
The post Cannes 2024: The Damned, The Invasion first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Cannes 2024: The Damned, The Invasion first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 5/20/2024
- by Vadim Rizov
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Dakota Johnson has had a tough 2024. The actress stars in “Madame Web,” which might go down as one of the worst films of the year. Hell, the publicity tour was far more entertaining than the actual film. But coming next month is a film that might serve as a bit of a palate cleanser, “Am I Ok?”
Read More: ‘Am I Ok?’ Review: Dakota Johnson & Sonoya Mizuno Find True Love In A Heartwarming Coming Out Tale [Sundance]
As seen in the trailer for “Am I Ok?” the film tells the story of a 30-something woman who is terrible at finding love.
Continue reading ‘Am I Ok?’ Trailer: Dakota Johnson & Sonoya Mizuno Star In New Comedy From Tig Notaro & Stephanie Allyne at The Playlist.
Read More: ‘Am I Ok?’ Review: Dakota Johnson & Sonoya Mizuno Find True Love In A Heartwarming Coming Out Tale [Sundance]
As seen in the trailer for “Am I Ok?” the film tells the story of a 30-something woman who is terrible at finding love.
Continue reading ‘Am I Ok?’ Trailer: Dakota Johnson & Sonoya Mizuno Star In New Comedy From Tig Notaro & Stephanie Allyne at The Playlist.
- 5/20/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
In 2009, nine production companies were operating in the Canary Islands using Zec preferential tax rates for being established here. Flash forward 15 years, there are now 31 companies doing live action. Below, some of the Canary Islands pacemaker production companies, and titles to track:
Anaga Media Productions
The Canary Islands’ newest kid on the block, founded in June 2023 by two U.S.-raised Venezuelans: Gisberg Bermúdez, director of hit chiller “Whistler: the Origins,” and actress-turned-producer Malena González, now based out of Tenerife’s San Cristobal de La Laguna. There it hit the ground offering production services on “Bruha,” which shot in November, directed and co-written by Bermúdez for Elizabeth Avellán. Currently in post, it stars Clara Rosager McCaul Lombardi, Jeff Fahey and González. Now developing “Black Lotus” which will be Anaga’s first production. Interested in both international co-production and offering production services, say González and Bermúdez.
Buendía Estudios Canarias
The biggest...
Anaga Media Productions
The Canary Islands’ newest kid on the block, founded in June 2023 by two U.S.-raised Venezuelans: Gisberg Bermúdez, director of hit chiller “Whistler: the Origins,” and actress-turned-producer Malena González, now based out of Tenerife’s San Cristobal de La Laguna. There it hit the ground offering production services on “Bruha,” which shot in November, directed and co-written by Bermúdez for Elizabeth Avellán. Currently in post, it stars Clara Rosager McCaul Lombardi, Jeff Fahey and González. Now developing “Black Lotus” which will be Anaga’s first production. Interested in both international co-production and offering production services, say González and Bermúdez.
Buendía Estudios Canarias
The biggest...
- 5/20/2024
- by John Hopewell
- Variety - Film News
Film industry players gathered at Mr. Nakamoto at the Mondrian hotel in Cannes on Monday night to celebrate Universal Pictures International.
As Variety co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh pointed out in his opening remarks, Universal had several big successes this past year, not the least of which was Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” which took home seven Oscars. The studio also produced box office hits “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” “M3GAN” and “Cocaine Bear,” and is promising a victory lap this year with “The Bikeriders,” “Despicable Me 4,” “Twisters” and “Wicked” on the lineup.
For this reason, Universal Pictures International was awarded Variety‘s international achievement in film award, which was accepted by the company’s president of distribution — international Veronika Kwan Vandenberg.
During her speech, Kwan Vandenberg thanked her team, including NBCUniversal chairman and chief content officer Donna Langley, head of business affairs Jimmy Horowitz, head of global distribution Peter Levinsohn, head...
As Variety co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh pointed out in his opening remarks, Universal had several big successes this past year, not the least of which was Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” which took home seven Oscars. The studio also produced box office hits “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” “M3GAN” and “Cocaine Bear,” and is promising a victory lap this year with “The Bikeriders,” “Despicable Me 4,” “Twisters” and “Wicked” on the lineup.
For this reason, Universal Pictures International was awarded Variety‘s international achievement in film award, which was accepted by the company’s president of distribution — international Veronika Kwan Vandenberg.
During her speech, Kwan Vandenberg thanked her team, including NBCUniversal chairman and chief content officer Donna Langley, head of business affairs Jimmy Horowitz, head of global distribution Peter Levinsohn, head...
- 5/20/2024
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety - Film News
Studios that call the Canary Islands home are curating top talent to further diversify their audiovisual offerings, luring and retaining creatives dedicated to costume design, sound, production, animation and editing. Others are simply born in the Islands.
A further testament to the sustained development of the local sector and its increasing relevance to a broader global cinematic landscape, the Islands have seen growing audiences for their domestic films.
More on six of the players currently anchoring the regional production push:
Orlando Harris
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife-born art director and green-screen foreman has put his muster behind large studio bets such as Netflix hits “The Witcher” and “La Palma,” as well as Amazon’s “The Rings of Power.” A frequent collaborator with the isles’ Volcano Films, he notes that his work with them “has always been, without a doubt, the most rewarding professional experience.” Ahead, several international productions and a...
A further testament to the sustained development of the local sector and its increasing relevance to a broader global cinematic landscape, the Islands have seen growing audiences for their domestic films.
More on six of the players currently anchoring the regional production push:
Orlando Harris
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife-born art director and green-screen foreman has put his muster behind large studio bets such as Netflix hits “The Witcher” and “La Palma,” as well as Amazon’s “The Rings of Power.” A frequent collaborator with the isles’ Volcano Films, he notes that his work with them “has always been, without a doubt, the most rewarding professional experience.” Ahead, several international productions and a...
- 5/20/2024
- by Holly Jones
- Variety - Film News
Barcelona-based production, sales, and distribution company Filmax has secured global sales rights to the upcoming kids and family animated feature “The Treasure of Barracuda,” and is presenting the film to potential buyers at the Marché du Film.
Having pitched at several international animation project events, “The Treasure of Barracuda” is one of the buzziest Spanish titles on the market right now. Just last year, the production received €500,000 in financial backing from the 2023 Eurimages Project Evaluation Sessions.
Based on the adventure novel of the same name by Llanos Campos, the film tells the story of a young girl named Sparks who disguises herself as a boy and boards a pirate ship loaded with fearsome pirates. Although the swarthy crew has an abundance of muscles and ego, not one of the buccaneers knows how to read. But young Sparks does, making her an invaluable asset when hunting treasure.
“The Treasure of Barracuda...
Having pitched at several international animation project events, “The Treasure of Barracuda” is one of the buzziest Spanish titles on the market right now. Just last year, the production received €500,000 in financial backing from the 2023 Eurimages Project Evaluation Sessions.
Based on the adventure novel of the same name by Llanos Campos, the film tells the story of a young girl named Sparks who disguises herself as a boy and boards a pirate ship loaded with fearsome pirates. Although the swarthy crew has an abundance of muscles and ego, not one of the buccaneers knows how to read. But young Sparks does, making her an invaluable asset when hunting treasure.
“The Treasure of Barracuda...
- 5/20/2024
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety - Film News
Hollywood Cinema Production Resources’ (Hollywood CPR) board of directors names Ashlee Hypolite as its new executive director.
Hollywood CPR is a nonprofit that creates opportunities for employment and provides accessible workforce training for students from underrepresented communities. As executive director, Hypolite will lead the industry’s first union-recognized below-the-line career pathway training program. She will manage film and TV studios, nonprofit organizations, community colleges, industry leaders and partnerships with unions.
“I am thrilled to step into the role of executive director at Hollywood CPR. I am inspired by the stories of our students and the impact they have on our industry,” Hypolite said. “I look forward to building upon the organization’s 27 years of experience and partnering with other impact-driven organizations creating pipelines into the entertainment industry.”
Before joining Hollywood CPR, Hypolite created social impact initiatives for Range Media Partners and Project 68. She’s also worked at Creative Artists Agency and contributed to Time’s Up,...
Hollywood CPR is a nonprofit that creates opportunities for employment and provides accessible workforce training for students from underrepresented communities. As executive director, Hypolite will lead the industry’s first union-recognized below-the-line career pathway training program. She will manage film and TV studios, nonprofit organizations, community colleges, industry leaders and partnerships with unions.
“I am thrilled to step into the role of executive director at Hollywood CPR. I am inspired by the stories of our students and the impact they have on our industry,” Hypolite said. “I look forward to building upon the organization’s 27 years of experience and partnering with other impact-driven organizations creating pipelines into the entertainment industry.”
Before joining Hollywood CPR, Hypolite created social impact initiatives for Range Media Partners and Project 68. She’s also worked at Creative Artists Agency and contributed to Time’s Up,...
- 5/20/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay, Lexi Carson and Jack Dunn
- Variety - Film News
Dakota Johnson is asking herself what we all have at one time or another: “Am I Ok?”
Johnson stars in the simply titled feature that premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. Tig Notaro co-directs with her wife and fellow comedian Stephanie Allynne from a semi-autobiographical script written by Lauren Pomerantz.
Johnson stars as 30something Lucy who realizes she is a lesbian just as her best friend Jane (Sonoya Mizuno) announces she’s moving from Los Angeles to London for work. As Lucy’s life is upended, she’s suddenly floating through a queer dating pool without the life raft of Jane.
Jermaine Fowler, Kiersey Clemons, Molly Gordon, and Sean Hayes also star, along with co-director Notaro.
Screenwriter Pomerantz told Entertainment Weekly that “Am I Ok?” began as a “friendship movie” centered on her actual best friend Jessica Elbaum, who serves as a producer on the film. However, the feature became a coming-out dramedy instead.
Johnson stars in the simply titled feature that premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. Tig Notaro co-directs with her wife and fellow comedian Stephanie Allynne from a semi-autobiographical script written by Lauren Pomerantz.
Johnson stars as 30something Lucy who realizes she is a lesbian just as her best friend Jane (Sonoya Mizuno) announces she’s moving from Los Angeles to London for work. As Lucy’s life is upended, she’s suddenly floating through a queer dating pool without the life raft of Jane.
Jermaine Fowler, Kiersey Clemons, Molly Gordon, and Sean Hayes also star, along with co-director Notaro.
Screenwriter Pomerantz told Entertainment Weekly that “Am I Ok?” began as a “friendship movie” centered on her actual best friend Jessica Elbaum, who serves as a producer on the film. However, the feature became a coming-out dramedy instead.
- 5/20/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Boosted by world-class incentives, Spain’s Canary Islands has attracted the shoots of some of the higher-profile movies on earth from “In the Heart of the Sea” to “Wonder Woman 1984” and “Eternals.”
Now, however, a homegrown Canary Islands cinema is bursting onto the scene, a Canary Island New Wave cinema lifting off, hitting festivals and making ever more insistent production news.
If a date can be attributed to the event, it may be March’s Malaga Film Festival.
Already playing Berlin’s Forum, Macu Machín’s “Undergrowth” won ZonaZine, Málaga Festival’s edgier main sidebar.
Two Canary Islands projects were pitched at the Malaga Festival Fund & Co-Production Event (Maff): Lucía Pérez’s Locarno hit “Ever & the Sharks” and Víctor Moreno’s anticipated fiction feature debut “The Outside.”
Malaga’s Spanish Screenings featured Canary Island production “I’m Gonna Disappear,” Coré Ruiz’s tale of two estranged brothers. Another Spanish Screenings title,...
Now, however, a homegrown Canary Islands cinema is bursting onto the scene, a Canary Island New Wave cinema lifting off, hitting festivals and making ever more insistent production news.
If a date can be attributed to the event, it may be March’s Malaga Film Festival.
Already playing Berlin’s Forum, Macu Machín’s “Undergrowth” won ZonaZine, Málaga Festival’s edgier main sidebar.
Two Canary Islands projects were pitched at the Malaga Festival Fund & Co-Production Event (Maff): Lucía Pérez’s Locarno hit “Ever & the Sharks” and Víctor Moreno’s anticipated fiction feature debut “The Outside.”
Malaga’s Spanish Screenings featured Canary Island production “I’m Gonna Disappear,” Coré Ruiz’s tale of two estranged brothers. Another Spanish Screenings title,...
- 5/20/2024
- by John Hopewell
- Variety - Film News
We are less than two months away from the most anticipated horror film of the year, “MaXXXine.” Coming off of the surprising (and massive) success of both “X” and “Pearl,” the trilogy-capper looks like it could become the biggest in the franchise yet. But there are still many trying to pinpoint exactly what style filmmaker Ti West is bringing to this film.
Continue reading ‘MaXXXine’: Ti West Explains How Paul Schrader, ‘Terminator,’ ‘Vice Squad’ & Giallo All Mix To Bring His Next Slasher To Life at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘MaXXXine’: Ti West Explains How Paul Schrader, ‘Terminator,’ ‘Vice Squad’ & Giallo All Mix To Bring His Next Slasher To Life at The Playlist.
- 5/20/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
“Pirates of the Caribbean” producer Jerry Bruckheimer has provided more clarity on the current state of the Disney adventure franchise. He already teased in March that a total reboot was going to be the first “Pirates” movie out of the gate in the future because “it’s easier to put together because you don’t have to wait for certain actors.” This reboot is now confirmed to have writer Jeff Nathanson attached. Bruckheimer announced the news in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
Nathanson also wrote the screenplay for the last “Pirates” movie, 2017’s “Dead Men Tell No Tales,” which was directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg. Rønning and Nathanson, as well as Bruckheimer, have reunited on the new Disney biographical drama “Young Woman and the Sea.”
“He’s cracked it,” Bruckheimer said of Nathanson’s script for the “Pirates” reboot. “He’s got an amazing third act. We just...
Nathanson also wrote the screenplay for the last “Pirates” movie, 2017’s “Dead Men Tell No Tales,” which was directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg. Rønning and Nathanson, as well as Bruckheimer, have reunited on the new Disney biographical drama “Young Woman and the Sea.”
“He’s cracked it,” Bruckheimer said of Nathanson’s script for the “Pirates” reboot. “He’s got an amazing third act. We just...
- 5/20/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
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