The acclaimed director James Marsh takes on the challenging task of bringing Samuel Beckett’s complex life to the screen in Dance First. Written by Neil Forsyth, the film stars Gabriel Byrne as the older Beckett, with Fionn O’Shea playing him in his younger days. It skips through key periods, relationships, and events in a largely linear chronology.
The story opens in 1969 at the Nobel Prize ceremony, from which Beckett hastily escapes. This prompts conversations with another Beckett where he reflects on those who caused him “shame”—his m mother, James Joyce’s daughter Lucia, and the two women in his life.
Through flashbacks we see Beckett’s difficult upbringing in Ireland, his arrival in Paris and work with Joyce, his involvement in the French Resistance, and his long relationships with his eventual wife Suzanne and translator Barbara Bray.
While providing glimpses into Beckett’s experiences, the film only touches on his groundbreaking works.
The story opens in 1969 at the Nobel Prize ceremony, from which Beckett hastily escapes. This prompts conversations with another Beckett where he reflects on those who caused him “shame”—his m mother, James Joyce’s daughter Lucia, and the two women in his life.
Through flashbacks we see Beckett’s difficult upbringing in Ireland, his arrival in Paris and work with Joyce, his involvement in the French Resistance, and his long relationships with his eventual wife Suzanne and translator Barbara Bray.
While providing glimpses into Beckett’s experiences, the film only touches on his groundbreaking works.
- 8/10/2024
- by Naser Nahandian
- Gazettely
Director James Marsh has had great success telling the stories of extraordinary people. He won an Oscar for his documentary Man on Wire, about tightrope walker Philippe Petit, and his Stephen Hawking biopic, The Theory of Everything, which won several awards, including Oscars. So Dance First — a biography about the iconic author and playwright Samuel Beckett (Waiting for Godot), directed by Marsh and starring Garbiel Byrne (Hereditary) and Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones) — should be a slam dunk. Unfortunately, despite its attempts to break convention, Dance First feels far too safe to make much of an impact.
Dance First Review
Dance First tells the story of Irish writer Samuel Beckett and his incredible life, from his childhood to fighting in the French resistance during WWII to becoming one of the world’s most prolific writers and winning a Nobel Prize for literature. The story plays out pretty much as one would expect,...
Dance First Review
Dance First tells the story of Irish writer Samuel Beckett and his incredible life, from his childhood to fighting in the French resistance during WWII to becoming one of the world’s most prolific writers and winning a Nobel Prize for literature. The story plays out pretty much as one would expect,...
- 8/7/2024
- by Sean Boelman
- FandomWire
“Dance First” is a new ‘bio-pic’ feature, directed by Oscar winner James Marsh, starring Gabriel Byrne (“The Keep”), Aidan Gillen, Maxine Peake, Fionn O’Shea and Sandrine Bonnaire, opening August 9, 2024 in limited theatrical screenings:
“…recognized literary genius ‘Samuel Beckett’ (Byrne) lived a life of many parts: Parisian bon vivant, ‘WWII’ Resistance fighter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, philandering husband, recluse.
“But despite all the adulation that came his way, he was a man acutely aware of his own failings…”
Click the images to enlarge…...
“…recognized literary genius ‘Samuel Beckett’ (Byrne) lived a life of many parts: Parisian bon vivant, ‘WWII’ Resistance fighter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, philandering husband, recluse.
“But despite all the adulation that came his way, he was a man acutely aware of his own failings…”
Click the images to enlarge…...
- 8/5/2024
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
“The sun shone, having no alternative, on the nothing new.” So goes the famous opening line to Samuel Beckett’s 1938 avant-garde novel Murphy. There’s nothing much new to be found in director James Marsh’s film about the legendary Irish writer either, which takes a fairly rote cradle-to-grave approach to the Nobel laureate’s life. The great shame is that there were alternatives here and, in its best moments, Dance First hints at them, flirting with a more adventurous approach that, well, might have yielded something new.
The film begins promisingly at the 1969 Nobel Prize ceremony, where Beckett (Gabriel Byrne) learns the devastating news that he’s won the prize for literature. “Catastrophe,” he grumbles to his wife, Suzanne Dumesnil (Sandrine Bonnaire), before climbing the steps up to the stage, and then up the walls of the theater itself before clambering into a strange, cave-like crevice. The surreal place...
The film begins promisingly at the 1969 Nobel Prize ceremony, where Beckett (Gabriel Byrne) learns the devastating news that he’s won the prize for literature. “Catastrophe,” he grumbles to his wife, Suzanne Dumesnil (Sandrine Bonnaire), before climbing the steps up to the stage, and then up the walls of the theater itself before clambering into a strange, cave-like crevice. The surreal place...
- 8/4/2024
- by Ross McIndoe
- Slant Magazine
“Dance First” is a new ‘bio-pic’ feature, directed by Oscar winner James Marsh, starring Gabriel Byrne, Aidan Gillen, Maxine Peake, Fionn O’Shea and Sandrine Bonnaire, opening August 9, 2024 in limited theatrical screenings and August 16, 2024 on digital platforms:
“…recognized literary genius ‘Samuel Beckett’ (Byrne) lived a life of many parts: Parisian bon vivant, ‘WWII’ Resistance fighter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, philandering husband, recluse.
“But despite all the adulation that came his way, he was a man acutely aware of his own failings…”
Click the images to enlarge…...
“…recognized literary genius ‘Samuel Beckett’ (Byrne) lived a life of many parts: Parisian bon vivant, ‘WWII’ Resistance fighter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, philandering husband, recluse.
“But despite all the adulation that came his way, he was a man acutely aware of his own failings…”
Click the images to enlarge…...
- 7/17/2024
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Without a doubt, Samuel Beckett is one of the most influential and inspirational literary icons. But he was also a flawed human. Both of those aspects come into play in the upcoming film, “Dance Firsts.”
Read More: Summer Movie Preview: 50 Must-See Films To Watch
As seen in the trailer, “Dance First” is an upcoming biopic about the legendary writer Samuel Beckett. The film touches on all aspects of his life, from his early years trying to make it as a writer to his later life when people gave him countless awards.
Continue reading ‘Dance First’ Trailer: Gabriel Byrne Is Samuel Beckett In James Marsh’s New Drama at The Playlist.
Read More: Summer Movie Preview: 50 Must-See Films To Watch
As seen in the trailer, “Dance First” is an upcoming biopic about the legendary writer Samuel Beckett. The film touches on all aspects of his life, from his early years trying to make it as a writer to his later life when people gave him countless awards.
Continue reading ‘Dance First’ Trailer: Gabriel Byrne Is Samuel Beckett In James Marsh’s New Drama at The Playlist.
- 7/16/2024
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
James Marsh is continuing his biopic filmography 10 years after “The Theory of Everything” debuted.
Marsh is now directing “Dance First,” an adaptation of literary icon Samuel Beckett’s life story. Gabriel Byrne portrays Beckett in the biopic that centers on his decades-spanning legacy. The film’s synopsis reads: “Literary genius Samuel Beckett lived a life of many parts: Parisian bon vivant, WWII Resistance fighter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, philandering husband, recluse. But despite all the adulation that came his way, he was a man acutely aware of his own failings. Titled after Beckett’s famous ethos ‘Dance first, think later,’ the film is a sweeping account of the life of this 20th-century icon.”
Beckett lived from 1906 to 1989, and was best known for his plays “Waiting for Godot” and “Endgame.”
“Dance First” co-stars Aidan Gillen and was written by Neil Forsyth. The film is distributed by Magnolia Pictures; it previously debuted during...
Marsh is now directing “Dance First,” an adaptation of literary icon Samuel Beckett’s life story. Gabriel Byrne portrays Beckett in the biopic that centers on his decades-spanning legacy. The film’s synopsis reads: “Literary genius Samuel Beckett lived a life of many parts: Parisian bon vivant, WWII Resistance fighter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, philandering husband, recluse. But despite all the adulation that came his way, he was a man acutely aware of his own failings. Titled after Beckett’s famous ethos ‘Dance first, think later,’ the film is a sweeping account of the life of this 20th-century icon.”
Beckett lived from 1906 to 1989, and was best known for his plays “Waiting for Godot” and “Endgame.”
“Dance First” co-stars Aidan Gillen and was written by Neil Forsyth. The film is distributed by Magnolia Pictures; it previously debuted during...
- 7/16/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
While binge-watching Netflix may be the last thing you want to do this summer, streaming a few movies on a cozy movie night can never hurt. And thanks to the steamer's extensive library, you won't be left out of options.
If you already have your subscription active for the rest of July, you might as well take your last chance and check out these 8 movies that are leaving the platform this month.
The Beguiled (2017)
If you enjoyed Sofia Coppola's recent hit Priscilla, which tells the story of the disastrous love and abuse in Priscilla Presley's marriage to Elvis, chances are you'll find 2017's The Beguiled just as exciting.
Set in the mid-1800s, the movie follows Martha Farnsworth, who runs a school for girls in Virginia during the American Civil War. Starring Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman and Kirsten Dunst, this period thriller has no chance of leaving anyone indifferent.
If you already have your subscription active for the rest of July, you might as well take your last chance and check out these 8 movies that are leaving the platform this month.
The Beguiled (2017)
If you enjoyed Sofia Coppola's recent hit Priscilla, which tells the story of the disastrous love and abuse in Priscilla Presley's marriage to Elvis, chances are you'll find 2017's The Beguiled just as exciting.
Set in the mid-1800s, the movie follows Martha Farnsworth, who runs a school for girls in Virginia during the American Civil War. Starring Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman and Kirsten Dunst, this period thriller has no chance of leaving anyone indifferent.
- 7/8/2024
- by virginia-singh@startefact.com (Virginia Singh)
- STartefacts.com
While binge-watching Netflix may be the last thing you want to do this summer, streaming a few movies on a cozy movie night can never hurt. And thanks to the steamer's extensive library, you won't be left out of options.
If you already have your subscription active for the rest of July, you might as well take your last chance and check out these 8 movies that are leaving the platform this month.
The Beguiled (2017)
If you enjoyed Sofia Coppola's recent hit Priscilla, which tells the story of the disastrous love and abuse in Priscilla Presley's marriage to Elvis, chances are you'll find 2017's The Beguiled just as exciting.
Set in the mid-1800s, the movie follows Martha Farnsworth, who runs a school for girls in Virginia during the American Civil War. Starring Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman and Kirsten Dunst, this period thriller has no chance of leaving anyone indifferent.
If you already have your subscription active for the rest of July, you might as well take your last chance and check out these 8 movies that are leaving the platform this month.
The Beguiled (2017)
If you enjoyed Sofia Coppola's recent hit Priscilla, which tells the story of the disastrous love and abuse in Priscilla Presley's marriage to Elvis, chances are you'll find 2017's The Beguiled just as exciting.
Set in the mid-1800s, the movie follows Martha Farnsworth, who runs a school for girls in Virginia during the American Civil War. Starring Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman and Kirsten Dunst, this period thriller has no chance of leaving anyone indifferent.
- 7/8/2024
- by virginia-singh@startefacts.com (Virginia Singh)
- STartefacts.com
‘Genuine scares, a fitting cast and a strong adherence to verisimilitude from Bum-sik’s direction… a haunting experience that’s bound to spook a few frights’
Eastern Kicks
‘If I wanted to define the perfect horror movie, it would have to be this one… I’ve never been more scared in my whole life’
Korea.net
A reality show becomes all too real in Jung Bum-shik’s Korean found-footage fear-fest Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum. Now you can discover what really happened at the haunted hospital as Second Sight Films brings the acclaimed horror to Limited Edition and Standard Edition Blu-ray on 24th June 2024.
The new collector’s edition is presented in a rigid slipcase with brand new artwork by Luke Headland and comes complete with a 70-page book with new essays and a fantastic haul of special features including: a new audio commentary and a slew of archive featurettes and more.
Eastern Kicks
‘If I wanted to define the perfect horror movie, it would have to be this one… I’ve never been more scared in my whole life’
Korea.net
A reality show becomes all too real in Jung Bum-shik’s Korean found-footage fear-fest Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum. Now you can discover what really happened at the haunted hospital as Second Sight Films brings the acclaimed horror to Limited Edition and Standard Edition Blu-ray on 24th June 2024.
The new collector’s edition is presented in a rigid slipcase with brand new artwork by Luke Headland and comes complete with a 70-page book with new essays and a fantastic haul of special features including: a new audio commentary and a slew of archive featurettes and more.
- 6/12/2024
- by Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins
- Horror Asylum
From May 14-25, 2024, the center of our genre-film loving world moved to the south of France, where the Cannes Festival unveiled a broad and diverse selection of films from around the world. Our own contributors Martin Tsai, Eric Ortiz Garcia, and Martin Kudlac attended the festival in person, while James Marsh, Mel Valentin, Ankit Jhunjhunwala, and Dustin Chang provided supplemental review coverage from officially-authorized off-site locations. Andrew Mack and Kurt Halfyard contributed news and a feature. Now that the festival has concluded -- with the jury awarding various films presented in competition -- here's a recap of our Cannes 2024 coverage so far, listed alphabetically by (English) film title. More reviews will be forthcoming, and will be added as they are published. Reviews: All...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 5/28/2024
- Screen Anarchy
Eddie Redmayne had one of the best moments in his career when he won the Oscar for his performance as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything. The actor did immense research and training to portray the late theoretical physicist accurately and received widespread acclaim.
However, despite such training, the British actor found himself suffering from intense anxiety and lack of sleep before filming the 2014 biopic. Recently in an interview, Eddie Redmayne confessed that he could not sleep for the entire night worrying if he could do justice to the role.
Eddie Redmayne in The Theory of Everything | Working Title Films
The late Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with a motor neurone disease at the age of 21 that slowly paralyzed him. Redmayne was burdened with the responsibility of playing the different phases of the personality’s life with utmost care.
Eddie Redmayne was not sure if he was perfect for The Theory of Everything...
However, despite such training, the British actor found himself suffering from intense anxiety and lack of sleep before filming the 2014 biopic. Recently in an interview, Eddie Redmayne confessed that he could not sleep for the entire night worrying if he could do justice to the role.
Eddie Redmayne in The Theory of Everything | Working Title Films
The late Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with a motor neurone disease at the age of 21 that slowly paralyzed him. Redmayne was burdened with the responsibility of playing the different phases of the personality’s life with utmost care.
Eddie Redmayne was not sure if he was perfect for The Theory of Everything...
- 5/26/2024
- by Subham Mandal
- FandomWire
Lives of historical figures often get cinematic treatment to tell sweeping tales of real life events. From United States Presidents to their wives and First Ladies, to Supreme Court Justices to scientists and brilliant minds, nobody is off limits, especially if the stories are triumphant. Others have more tragic endings.
The 2024 Academy Awards showed just how popular a biopic can be amongst voters with Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer netting Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. Actors and actresses do almost anything to become the real-life person they portray in a biopic, from working with movement coaches to wearing prosthetics and makeup to enhance their facial features.
Those looking to learn about influential men and women over the years can find a list of historical biopics can read on for an immersive selection.
Photo : Weinstein Company Courtesy Everett Collection
The Imitation Game (2014)
Based on Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges,...
The 2024 Academy Awards showed just how popular a biopic can be amongst voters with Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer netting Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. Actors and actresses do almost anything to become the real-life person they portray in a biopic, from working with movement coaches to wearing prosthetics and makeup to enhance their facial features.
Those looking to learn about influential men and women over the years can find a list of historical biopics can read on for an immersive selection.
Photo : Weinstein Company Courtesy Everett Collection
The Imitation Game (2014)
Based on Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges,...
- 5/25/2024
- by Dessi Gomez
- Deadline Film + TV
Among the new productions on Broadway this spring is a revival of the classic musical “Cabaret,” starring Eddie Redmayne. In 2014 he starred as Stephen Hawking in director James Marsh‘s biopic “The Theory of Everything.” His performance won him an Oscar for Best Actor (making him the eighth youngest winner in that category at age 33), overcoming stiff competition from Michael Keaton, the star of the Best Picture winner of that year, “Birdman.” How did Redmayne pull through? Here are five reasons.
1. The industry felt he came into his own
Prior to “The Theory of Everything,” Redmayne was a rising star. In 2010 he won a Tony for his Broadway debut starring opposite Alfred Molina in John Logan‘s play “Red.” He went on to get more prominent film roles where critics, audiences and the industry started to take notice of him. Among them were Simon Curtis‘s 2011 Oscar-nominated biopic “My Week with Marilyn...
1. The industry felt he came into his own
Prior to “The Theory of Everything,” Redmayne was a rising star. In 2010 he won a Tony for his Broadway debut starring opposite Alfred Molina in John Logan‘s play “Red.” He went on to get more prominent film roles where critics, audiences and the industry started to take notice of him. Among them were Simon Curtis‘s 2011 Oscar-nominated biopic “My Week with Marilyn...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jeffrey Kare
- Gold Derby
Felicity Jones To Star In Michael Showalter’s Holiday Comedy ‘Oh. What. Fun.’ For Amazon MGM Studios
Exclusive: Felicity Jones is set to star in Michael Showalter’s holiday comedy Oh. What. Fun. for Amazon MGM Studios, joining Michelle Pfeiffer, Chloë Grace Moretz and Dominic Sessa.
Showalter, who co-wrote the script with Chandler Baker, is producing via Semi-Formal Productions alongside Jordana Mollick; Tribeca’s Berry Welsh and Jane Rosenthal; and Kate Churchill. The script is based on a short story by Baker, who is also executive producing, that was originally published by Amazon Original Stories.
In the film, Claire Clauster (Pfeiffer) organizes a special Christmas outing when her family forgets her in the shuffle. By the time they realize their mistake, she’s gone missing. Their Christmas is in jeopardy, but Claire has other plans. The pic will be available to stream on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Jones is best known for her Oscar-nominated starring role opposite Eddie Redmayne in James Marsh’s The Theory of Everything.
Showalter, who co-wrote the script with Chandler Baker, is producing via Semi-Formal Productions alongside Jordana Mollick; Tribeca’s Berry Welsh and Jane Rosenthal; and Kate Churchill. The script is based on a short story by Baker, who is also executive producing, that was originally published by Amazon Original Stories.
In the film, Claire Clauster (Pfeiffer) organizes a special Christmas outing when her family forgets her in the shuffle. By the time they realize their mistake, she’s gone missing. Their Christmas is in jeopardy, but Claire has other plans. The pic will be available to stream on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Jones is best known for her Oscar-nominated starring role opposite Eddie Redmayne in James Marsh’s The Theory of Everything.
- 4/15/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Magnolia Pictures has acquired Samuel Beckett biopic Dance First for North America, to be released later this year.
The San Sebastian premiere is helmed by The Theory of Everything filmmaker James Marsh, with London and Paris-based outfit Film Constellation representing sales on the title. Studiocanal released in the UK and Ireland last year.
Irish actor Gabriel Byrne plays the Irish literary great, with the film exploring the many parts of his life: Second World War resistance fighter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, and recluse.
Aidan Gillen, Sandrine Bonnaire, Maxine Peake and Fionn O’Shea star.
Dance First was developed and packaged by 2Le Media,...
The San Sebastian premiere is helmed by The Theory of Everything filmmaker James Marsh, with London and Paris-based outfit Film Constellation representing sales on the title. Studiocanal released in the UK and Ireland last year.
Irish actor Gabriel Byrne plays the Irish literary great, with the film exploring the many parts of his life: Second World War resistance fighter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, and recluse.
Aidan Gillen, Sandrine Bonnaire, Maxine Peake and Fionn O’Shea star.
Dance First was developed and packaged by 2Le Media,...
- 2/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
In director Roger Ross Williams’ Cassandro, we first meet Saúl Armendáriz — the real-life luchador portrayed by Gael García Bernal — when he’s still scraping his way through the amateur circuit. He’s got an uphill battle ahead: Not only is he smaller and lighter than most of his brawny opponents, he’s also openly gay and the subject of taunts and jeers from his leotard-clad colleagues.
And then, about 20 minutes in, Cassandro arrives. Armendáriz decides to embrace a new identity as one of lucha libre’s exoticos, extravagant male fighters...
And then, about 20 minutes in, Cassandro arrives. Armendáriz decides to embrace a new identity as one of lucha libre’s exoticos, extravagant male fighters...
- 1/5/2024
- by Julyssa Lopez
- Rollingstone.com
Though the Red Sea Film Festival will feature a slew of films from the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region – including 11 feature films from Saudi Arabia – there is a rich roster of international fare set to launch locally from Jeddah.
Kaleem Aftab, the festival’s director of international programming, says they received lots more submissions for this year’s third edition. He is particularly proud of the presence in competition of Indian-born auteur Tarsem Singh’s romancer “Dear Jassi,” the first film set in India by the flamboyant director of “The Cell,” and of Japanese master Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Venice prizewinner “Evil Does Not Exist.”
Peppered through various Red Sea sections are the Mena region premieres of other high-profile titles such as Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla”; Belgian-based Moroccan duo Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah flashy third feature “Gangsta”; British director James Marsh’s biographical film about Irish playwright Samuel Beckett...
Kaleem Aftab, the festival’s director of international programming, says they received lots more submissions for this year’s third edition. He is particularly proud of the presence in competition of Indian-born auteur Tarsem Singh’s romancer “Dear Jassi,” the first film set in India by the flamboyant director of “The Cell,” and of Japanese master Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Venice prizewinner “Evil Does Not Exist.”
Peppered through various Red Sea sections are the Mena region premieres of other high-profile titles such as Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla”; Belgian-based Moroccan duo Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah flashy third feature “Gangsta”; British director James Marsh’s biographical film about Irish playwright Samuel Beckett...
- 11/30/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut Woman Of The Hour and family drama Mother Couch, starring Ewan McGregor and Ellen Burstyn, are headed to the third edition of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival, running from November 30 to December 9 in the port city of Jeddah.
The titles will play in the Festival Favorites sidebar which was announced on Thursday alongside the event’s Red Sea: Treasures strand.
Kendrick directs and stars in Netflix-acquired drama Woman Of The Hour as a woman whose path crosses notorious serial killer Rodney Alcala, whilst in Niclas Larsson’s first film Mother Couch, McGregor plays a man whose mother squats the family furniture store.
Further films in the line-up – showcasing 21 buzzy festival titles from the last 12 months – include the David Oyelowo produced documentary Allihopa: The Dalkurd Story; Women’s World Cup doc Copa 71, executive produced by Serena and Venus Williams, Jennifer Esposito’s Fresh Kills,...
The titles will play in the Festival Favorites sidebar which was announced on Thursday alongside the event’s Red Sea: Treasures strand.
Kendrick directs and stars in Netflix-acquired drama Woman Of The Hour as a woman whose path crosses notorious serial killer Rodney Alcala, whilst in Niclas Larsson’s first film Mother Couch, McGregor plays a man whose mother squats the family furniture store.
Further films in the line-up – showcasing 21 buzzy festival titles from the last 12 months – include the David Oyelowo produced documentary Allihopa: The Dalkurd Story; Women’s World Cup doc Copa 71, executive produced by Serena and Venus Williams, Jennifer Esposito’s Fresh Kills,...
- 11/9/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Studiocanal has Samuel Beckett biopic ‘Dance First’.
Molly Manning Walker’s How To Have Sex, Emma Seligman’s Bottoms and Kitty Green’s The Royal Hotel are all opening in UK-Ireland cinemas, on a weekend with several well-reviewed films by and about women.
Starting in 150 cinemas through Mubi, How To Have Sex is the debut feature of Screen 2021 Star of Tomorrow Walker. The film follows three British teenage girls on a clubbing holiday in Malia, where one of the group has her first experiences with sex. The cast includes fellow Screen Stars Mia McKenna-Bruce and Samuel Bottomley, with casting director...
Molly Manning Walker’s How To Have Sex, Emma Seligman’s Bottoms and Kitty Green’s The Royal Hotel are all opening in UK-Ireland cinemas, on a weekend with several well-reviewed films by and about women.
Starting in 150 cinemas through Mubi, How To Have Sex is the debut feature of Screen 2021 Star of Tomorrow Walker. The film follows three British teenage girls on a clubbing holiday in Malia, where one of the group has her first experiences with sex. The cast includes fellow Screen Stars Mia McKenna-Bruce and Samuel Bottomley, with casting director...
- 11/3/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Vivid portrait of the great playwright of inertia points up the contrast with his real-life romantic entanglements and daring work for the French resistance
Director James Marsh has boldly, maybe even sacrilegiously, given us a Hollywoodised biopic of Samuel Beckett. It starts with Beckett surreally escaping the Nobel ceremony to talk in private with a doppelganger confessor – a breezier, more worldly self in a rollneck sweater and jacket – and glumly wondering to whom in his life he should penitentially give the prize money, a guilt list which ushers in the flashbacks.
It isn’t hard to imagine what the man himself would have said about this movie, but though a little hammy, it is well acted and tells the story with verve, tackling the paradox of Beckett’s bleak fictional universe of stymied inaction and his dramatic real life of service in the French resistance and romantic intrigue. There’s a very thoughtful,...
Director James Marsh has boldly, maybe even sacrilegiously, given us a Hollywoodised biopic of Samuel Beckett. It starts with Beckett surreally escaping the Nobel ceremony to talk in private with a doppelganger confessor – a breezier, more worldly self in a rollneck sweater and jacket – and glumly wondering to whom in his life he should penitentially give the prize money, a guilt list which ushers in the flashbacks.
It isn’t hard to imagine what the man himself would have said about this movie, but though a little hammy, it is well acted and tells the story with verve, tackling the paradox of Beckett’s bleak fictional universe of stymied inaction and his dramatic real life of service in the French resistance and romantic intrigue. There’s a very thoughtful,...
- 11/1/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Spanish distributors will present their international titles to exhibitors, broadcasters and platforms st the Merci market.
Seminci, the Valladolid International Film Week, will host an expanded third edition of Spain’s Independent Film Market for the first time from October 25-27.
Known as Merci Valladolid, the market is jointly organised by Seminci and the Association of Independent Film Distributors (Adicine).
The market used to be held at the Seville European Film Festival, which was previously run by Seminici’s new director José Luis Cienfuegos.
Sixteen Spanish independent distributors will present their international titles to exhibitors, television networks and platforms at Merci Valladolid.
Seminci, the Valladolid International Film Week, will host an expanded third edition of Spain’s Independent Film Market for the first time from October 25-27.
Known as Merci Valladolid, the market is jointly organised by Seminci and the Association of Independent Film Distributors (Adicine).
The market used to be held at the Seville European Film Festival, which was previously run by Seminici’s new director José Luis Cienfuegos.
Sixteen Spanish independent distributors will present their international titles to exhibitors, television networks and platforms at Merci Valladolid.
- 10/24/2023
- by Emilio Mayorga
- ScreenDaily
In a genre not traditionally given to brevity, James Marsh’s literary biopic “Dance First” at least has that on its side: In 100 minutes, it races through the key events and alliances in the life of Irish author and dramatist Samuel Beckett, even finding time for some metaphysical musings alongside the cradle-to-grave checklist. But Beckett’s characteristic terseness — or radical “lessness,” to borrow a title from one of his stories — isn’t a feature of this creditable but ponderous film, which ultimately achieves its efficient runtime by skirting any meaningful engagement with Beckett’s work and literary legacy. What’s left is an anatomy of his unhappiness via a procession of stymied or soured relationships: shot with grace, acted with intelligence, but short on Beckettian daring or wit.
It’s another biopic from Marsh, following 2014’s popular “The Theory of Everything” and 2017’s less-seen “The Mercy,” that resists bringing his...
It’s another biopic from Marsh, following 2014’s popular “The Theory of Everything” and 2017’s less-seen “The Mercy,” that resists bringing his...
- 10/1/2023
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Spanish director becomes the fourth consecutive woman director to win the festival’s top prize
The Rye Horn (O Corno), the second feature by Jaione Camborda, has won the top prize, the Golden Shell, at the 2023 San Sebastian Film Festival.
Set on an island off the coast of Galicia in 1971, the film tells the story of a woman who earns a living harvesting shellfish. She is also known on the island for helping other women in childbirth but has to flee and try to cross the border into Portugal after an unexpected event.
Camborda, who was born in San Sebastian,...
The Rye Horn (O Corno), the second feature by Jaione Camborda, has won the top prize, the Golden Shell, at the 2023 San Sebastian Film Festival.
Set on an island off the coast of Galicia in 1971, the film tells the story of a woman who earns a living harvesting shellfish. She is also known on the island for helping other women in childbirth but has to flee and try to cross the border into Portugal after an unexpected event.
Camborda, who was born in San Sebastian,...
- 9/30/2023
- by Elisabet Cabeza
- ScreenDaily
Fionn O'Shea, Gabriel Byrne and James Marsh at the press conference Photo: Courtesy of San Sebastian Film Festival/Jorge Fuembuena The life of Samuel Beckett, although very little of the work, is explored in James Marsh’s Dance First, written by Neil Forsyth. The film, which is the closing night selection at San Sebastian Film Festival dips into the Waiting For Godot author’s life from childhood to death, featuring key performances from Gabriel Byrne and Fionn O’Shea as the author, alongside Sandrine Bonnaire and Léonie Lojkine as his wife Suzanne, with support from the likes of Aidan Gillen and Maxine Peake.
Speaking at the press conference in San Sebastian Gabriel Byrne said that “talking to himself” as the writer interrogates a second version of himself of the film was quite tricky.#
“Technically, it was difficult," he explains, “because usually when you're doing drama, you're talking to somebody else...
Speaking at the press conference in San Sebastian Gabriel Byrne said that “talking to himself” as the writer interrogates a second version of himself of the film was quite tricky.#
“Technically, it was difficult," he explains, “because usually when you're doing drama, you're talking to somebody else...
- 9/30/2023
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
It’s always tricky to bring the lives of literary greats to the big screen. There’s a balance to be struck between the evocation of their domestic existence and their work. Irish writer Samuel Beckett is perhaps an even more difficult challenge than most since his works were largely absurdist and with a particularly strong authorial voice.
There’s some indication that writer Neil Forsyth, who has previously written TV series including Bob Servant and Guilt, is trying to avoid a straightforward biopic, largely by a device which sees Beckett have conversations with a version of himself, but nevertheless the end result feels distinctly staid and traditional. This is especially surprising given that the director is James Marsh, who has shown a nimble aptitude for embracing experimental and edgy elements in his films, including Man On Wire and The King. Dance First is the closing night movie of San.
There’s some indication that writer Neil Forsyth, who has previously written TV series including Bob Servant and Guilt, is trying to avoid a straightforward biopic, largely by a device which sees Beckett have conversations with a version of himself, but nevertheless the end result feels distinctly staid and traditional. This is especially surprising given that the director is James Marsh, who has shown a nimble aptitude for embracing experimental and edgy elements in his films, including Man On Wire and The King. Dance First is the closing night movie of San.
- 9/29/2023
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Neo Sora’s concert documentary “Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus,” a standout at the Venice Film Festival, has sold for theatrical distribution in North America to Janus Films ahead of its North American premiere at the New York Film Festival.
The theatrical release will be followed by a Blu-ray Disc release on the “Janus Contemporaries” label.
This is the latest deal inked by London and Paris-based production, finance and sales outfit Film Constellation, following a slew of sales to Spain (Filmin), Portugal (Midas Filmes), Germany and Austria (Rapid Eye), Scandinavia (NjutaFilms), Baltics (Kino Pavasaris), South Korea (Media Castle), China (Jl Vision Films), Hong Kong and Macau (Edko Films), Taiwan (Cai Chang) and Singapore (Anticipate Pictures). Bitters End will release the film in Japan in 2024.
On March 28, 2023, legendary composer Sakamoto Ryuichi died after his struggle against cancer. In the years leading up to his death, Sakamoto could no longer perform live. Single concerts,...
The theatrical release will be followed by a Blu-ray Disc release on the “Janus Contemporaries” label.
This is the latest deal inked by London and Paris-based production, finance and sales outfit Film Constellation, following a slew of sales to Spain (Filmin), Portugal (Midas Filmes), Germany and Austria (Rapid Eye), Scandinavia (NjutaFilms), Baltics (Kino Pavasaris), South Korea (Media Castle), China (Jl Vision Films), Hong Kong and Macau (Edko Films), Taiwan (Cai Chang) and Singapore (Anticipate Pictures). Bitters End will release the film in Japan in 2024.
On March 28, 2023, legendary composer Sakamoto Ryuichi died after his struggle against cancer. In the years leading up to his death, Sakamoto could no longer perform live. Single concerts,...
- 9/25/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
”I adore his cinema,” said festival director José Luis Rebordinos of Hayao Miyazaki. ”He is in my list of all-time favourite directors.”
The 71st edition of the San Sebastián Film Festival opened September 22 with the Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki’s latest feature: The Boy And The Heron. The film screened in the official section out of competition at the Spanish festival, which has registered a 10% increase in industry professionals in its growing market activities.
At the ceremony, conducted mainly in Spanish and Basque, festival director José Luis Rebordinos paid homage to Miyazaki, recipient of one of the two Donostia...
The 71st edition of the San Sebastián Film Festival opened September 22 with the Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki’s latest feature: The Boy And The Heron. The film screened in the official section out of competition at the Spanish festival, which has registered a 10% increase in industry professionals in its growing market activities.
At the ceremony, conducted mainly in Spanish and Basque, festival director José Luis Rebordinos paid homage to Miyazaki, recipient of one of the two Donostia...
- 9/23/2023
- by Elisabet Cabeza
- ScreenDaily
European pay TV platform Sky has released the trailer for Sky Original film “Dance First,” ahead of its world premiere at San Sebastian Film Festival on Sept. 30. Film Constellation is handling international sales on the film.
The film is directed by BAFTA and Academy Award winner James Marsh (“The Theory of Everything”) and written by BAFTA winner Neil Forsyth (“Guilt”). “Dance First” will be released in movie theaters in the U.K. and Ireland in November, on Sky Cinema in those countries in December and on Sky Arts and Freeview next year.
In “Dance First,” Golden Globe winner Gabriel Byrne (“The Usual Suspects”) plays Samuel Beckett with young Beckett played by Fionn O’Shea (“Normal People”) in a sweeping account of the life of this 20th century literary icon. Parisian bon vivant, World War II resistance fighter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, philandering husband and recluse, Beckett lived a life of many parts.
The film is directed by BAFTA and Academy Award winner James Marsh (“The Theory of Everything”) and written by BAFTA winner Neil Forsyth (“Guilt”). “Dance First” will be released in movie theaters in the U.K. and Ireland in November, on Sky Cinema in those countries in December and on Sky Arts and Freeview next year.
In “Dance First,” Golden Globe winner Gabriel Byrne (“The Usual Suspects”) plays Samuel Beckett with young Beckett played by Fionn O’Shea (“Normal People”) in a sweeping account of the life of this 20th century literary icon. Parisian bon vivant, World War II resistance fighter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, philandering husband and recluse, Beckett lived a life of many parts.
- 9/21/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The San Sebastian International Film Festival has long been considered the most intimate of the A-list festivals, neatly wrapping up a hectic fall festival season as delegates descend on the enchanting seaside city in Northern Spain. But in the last few years, the event has cemented itself into a festival reputed for championing new talent and emerging voices across all sections of its programming.
Indeed, in the last four years, San Sebastian has awarded its top prize, the Golden Shell, to either directorial debut titles or second features, a sure sign that it takes its role as a promoter of rising talent seriously.
This year’s edition, which takes place September 22-30, is no different, with the official competition having 11 films from first or second-time directors including: Raven Jackson’s debut All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt, which premiered in Sundance; Isabel Herguera’s animation Sultana’s Dream; Noah Pritzker’s second feature Ex-Husbands,...
Indeed, in the last four years, San Sebastian has awarded its top prize, the Golden Shell, to either directorial debut titles or second features, a sure sign that it takes its role as a promoter of rising talent seriously.
This year’s edition, which takes place September 22-30, is no different, with the official competition having 11 films from first or second-time directors including: Raven Jackson’s debut All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt, which premiered in Sundance; Isabel Herguera’s animation Sultana’s Dream; Noah Pritzker’s second feature Ex-Husbands,...
- 9/19/2023
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Javier Bardem, winner of a San Sebastian 2023 Donostia Award for career achievement, is putting back his on-stage acceptance of the distinction until the 2024 San Sebastian Film Festival.
The postponement is due to the “limits imposed under the strike called by the U.S. Actors Union (SAG-AFTRA),” the San Sebastian Festival announced Friday.
It deprives this year’s Festival of its biggest on-stage major star moment this year.
The fest will, however, enjoy its customary bullish presence of world-class auteurs, led this year by Claire Denis, main competition jury chair, and Victor Erice, will accept his Donostia Award on Sept. 29. San Sebastian announced Friday that Hayao Miyazaki will also accept a Donostia Award online.
Gabriel Byrne, François Cluzet, Emmanuelle Devos, Griffin Dunne, Aidan Gillen, Mads Mikkelsen, James Norton and Dominic West have confirmed their attendance, Byrne and Gillen for one of the festival’s biggest tickets, James Marsh’s official selection closing film “Dance First.
The postponement is due to the “limits imposed under the strike called by the U.S. Actors Union (SAG-AFTRA),” the San Sebastian Festival announced Friday.
It deprives this year’s Festival of its biggest on-stage major star moment this year.
The fest will, however, enjoy its customary bullish presence of world-class auteurs, led this year by Claire Denis, main competition jury chair, and Victor Erice, will accept his Donostia Award on Sept. 29. San Sebastian announced Friday that Hayao Miyazaki will also accept a Donostia Award online.
Gabriel Byrne, François Cluzet, Emmanuelle Devos, Griffin Dunne, Aidan Gillen, Mads Mikkelsen, James Norton and Dominic West have confirmed their attendance, Byrne and Gillen for one of the festival’s biggest tickets, James Marsh’s official selection closing film “Dance First.
- 9/8/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Hayao Miyazaki will receive a Donostia Award Photo: Courtesy of San Sebastian Film Festival French filmmaker Claire Denis will chair San Sebastian Film Festival's official during this year.
The 35 Shots Of Rum director will be joined by Chinese actress Fan Bingbing (The Lady In The Portrait), Colombian filmmaker and producer Cristina Gallego (Birds Of Passage), French photographer Brigitte Lacombe, Hungarian producer Robert Lantos (Eastern Promises), Spanish star Vicky Luengo (Cork) and German director Christian Petzold, whose Afire is screening in the festival's Pearls section.
The festival has also announced that Hayao Miyazaki, whose The Boy And The Heron is this year's opening film, will receive a Donostia Award for lifetie achievement in a virtual ceremony.
Among the other filmmakers in attendance will be Maite Alberdi, Ja Bayona, Robin Campillo, Isabel Coixet, Víctor Erice, Michel Franco, Matteo Garrone, Craig Gillespie, Jonathan Glazer, Kitty Green, Todd Haynes, Tran Anh Hung, Ladj Ly,...
The 35 Shots Of Rum director will be joined by Chinese actress Fan Bingbing (The Lady In The Portrait), Colombian filmmaker and producer Cristina Gallego (Birds Of Passage), French photographer Brigitte Lacombe, Hungarian producer Robert Lantos (Eastern Promises), Spanish star Vicky Luengo (Cork) and German director Christian Petzold, whose Afire is screening in the festival's Pearls section.
The festival has also announced that Hayao Miyazaki, whose The Boy And The Heron is this year's opening film, will receive a Donostia Award for lifetie achievement in a virtual ceremony.
Among the other filmmakers in attendance will be Maite Alberdi, Ja Bayona, Robin Campillo, Isabel Coixet, Víctor Erice, Michel Franco, Matteo Garrone, Craig Gillespie, Jonathan Glazer, Kitty Green, Todd Haynes, Tran Anh Hung, Ladj Ly,...
- 9/8/2023
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
French filmmaker Claire Denis has been announced as the jury president for the Official Section of the 71st San Sebastian Film Festival, running from September 22-30.
Denis will be joined by the German director Christian Petzold; Chinese actress Fan Bingbing; Colombian producer, director, and writer Cristina Gallego; French photographer Brigitte Lacombe; Hungarian producer Robert Lantos; and Spanish actress Vicky Luengo.
The jury awards the Golden Shell for Best Film and the Silver Shell awards for Best Director, Best Leading Performance, and Best Supporting Performance, as well as jury prizes for Cinematography and Screenplay. The Official Awards will be announced and presented at the festival’s Closing Gala on September 30.
The festival also announced today that it will hand Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki an honorary Donostia Award for career achievement. Miyazaki will receive the award virtually during the opening ceremony on September 22.
Filmmakers also set to attend San Seb include Maite Alberdi,...
Denis will be joined by the German director Christian Petzold; Chinese actress Fan Bingbing; Colombian producer, director, and writer Cristina Gallego; French photographer Brigitte Lacombe; Hungarian producer Robert Lantos; and Spanish actress Vicky Luengo.
The jury awards the Golden Shell for Best Film and the Silver Shell awards for Best Director, Best Leading Performance, and Best Supporting Performance, as well as jury prizes for Cinematography and Screenplay. The Official Awards will be announced and presented at the festival’s Closing Gala on September 30.
The festival also announced today that it will hand Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki an honorary Donostia Award for career achievement. Miyazaki will receive the award virtually during the opening ceremony on September 22.
Filmmakers also set to attend San Seb include Maite Alberdi,...
- 9/8/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Aussie filmmaker Kitty Green’s latest pic, The Royal Hotel, starring Julia Garner, and Fingernails, the latest film from Christos Nikou, with Riz Ahmed and Jessie Buckley, have been added to San Sebastian’s competition lineup.
Overall, six films have been announced as late additions to proceedings in San Seb. The other titles are Kalak (Isabella Eklöf), The Successor (Xavier Legrand), Great Absence (Kei Chika-Ura), and the debut from Tzu-Hui Peng and Ping-Wen Wang, A Journey in Spring. Additionally, the French pic A Real Job, directed by Thomas Lilti, will play the fest’s special screenings section.
The Royal Hotel is Kitty Green’s first feature since her 2019 breakout, The Assistant. The film tells the tale of two backpackers (Garner and Jessica Henwick) who take a job in a pub in the remote Australian Outback. Neon has acquired North American rights to the film. Following his debut Apples, which played Telluride,...
Overall, six films have been announced as late additions to proceedings in San Seb. The other titles are Kalak (Isabella Eklöf), The Successor (Xavier Legrand), Great Absence (Kei Chika-Ura), and the debut from Tzu-Hui Peng and Ping-Wen Wang, A Journey in Spring. Additionally, the French pic A Real Job, directed by Thomas Lilti, will play the fest’s special screenings section.
The Royal Hotel is Kitty Green’s first feature since her 2019 breakout, The Assistant. The film tells the tale of two backpackers (Garner and Jessica Henwick) who take a job in a pub in the remote Australian Outback. Neon has acquired North American rights to the film. Following his debut Apples, which played Telluride,...
- 8/25/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
The Toronto Film Festival has unveiled its lineup for the Industry Selects program of films beyond the official fest lineup and available for worldwide acquisition as each gets an in-person screening for film buyers and industry execs.
Leading the selection is director James Marsh’s Dance First, a biopic with Gabriel Byrne playing the literary giant Samuel Beckett and Sandrine Bonnaire, Maxine Peake, Aidan Gillen and Fionn O’Shea also starring; and director Neil Burger’s Inheritance, a thriller that has a woman played by Phoebe Dynevor learning her father Sam (Rhys Ifans) was once a spy, which puts her at the center of an international conspiracy.
Also picked for market screenings in Toronto is Jimmy Warden’s Borderline, set in 1996 Los Angeles and starring Eric Dane, Ray Nicholson and Samara Weaving as a pop star taken hostage; The Home, a horror pic from Purge series creator James DeMonaco, and starring...
Leading the selection is director James Marsh’s Dance First, a biopic with Gabriel Byrne playing the literary giant Samuel Beckett and Sandrine Bonnaire, Maxine Peake, Aidan Gillen and Fionn O’Shea also starring; and director Neil Burger’s Inheritance, a thriller that has a woman played by Phoebe Dynevor learning her father Sam (Rhys Ifans) was once a spy, which puts her at the center of an international conspiracy.
Also picked for market screenings in Toronto is Jimmy Warden’s Borderline, set in 1996 Los Angeles and starring Eric Dane, Ray Nicholson and Samara Weaving as a pop star taken hostage; The Home, a horror pic from Purge series creator James DeMonaco, and starring...
- 8/21/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fest also announces Connections, Microsessions, and Spotlight sessions.
TIFF has announced the Industry Selects acquisition titles available to buyers during the festival, a 12-strong roster featuring new work from James Marsh, Rebecca Snow, and Neil Burger.
Gabriel Byrne plays literary giant Samuel Beckett in Marsh’s Dance First alongside Sandrine Bonnaire, Maxine Peake, Aidan Gillen, and Fionn O’Shea. Film Constellation represents worldwide rights and the film will close San Sebastian.
Phoebe Dynevor stars with Rhys Ifans for Burger in Inheritance, a thriller about a woman who uncovers her father’s espionage past. CAA Media Finance handles sales.
Snow (Cheating Hitler:...
TIFF has announced the Industry Selects acquisition titles available to buyers during the festival, a 12-strong roster featuring new work from James Marsh, Rebecca Snow, and Neil Burger.
Gabriel Byrne plays literary giant Samuel Beckett in Marsh’s Dance First alongside Sandrine Bonnaire, Maxine Peake, Aidan Gillen, and Fionn O’Shea. Film Constellation represents worldwide rights and the film will close San Sebastian.
Phoebe Dynevor stars with Rhys Ifans for Burger in Inheritance, a thriller about a woman who uncovers her father’s espionage past. CAA Media Finance handles sales.
Snow (Cheating Hitler:...
- 8/21/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The Samuel Beckett biopic stars Gabriel Byrne, Aidan Gillan, Maxine Peake and Bronagh Gallagher.
The 71st San Sebastian International Film Festival will close with the world premiere of James Marsh’s Samuel Beckett biopic Dance First, playing out of competition.
Gabriel Byrne stars as the famous Irish playwright with Aidan Gillen playing James Joyce. Maxine Peake and Bronagh Gallagher co-star.
The film is the feature debut of UK TV writer Neil Forsyth whose series credits includeThe Gold and Guilt.
Dance First is produced by the UK’s 2Le, with Hungary’s Proton Cinema, Belgium’s Umedia and Constellation Productions. Film...
The 71st San Sebastian International Film Festival will close with the world premiere of James Marsh’s Samuel Beckett biopic Dance First, playing out of competition.
Gabriel Byrne stars as the famous Irish playwright with Aidan Gillen playing James Joyce. Maxine Peake and Bronagh Gallagher co-star.
The film is the feature debut of UK TV writer Neil Forsyth whose series credits includeThe Gold and Guilt.
Dance First is produced by the UK’s 2Le, with Hungary’s Proton Cinema, Belgium’s Umedia and Constellation Productions. Film...
- 8/21/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Dance First, a biographical drama from The Theory of Everything director James Marsh about the life of Irish Nobel prize-winning playwright Samuel Beckett, will close the 71st San Sebastian Festival.
The feature, which stars Gabriel Byrne as Beckett alongside Sandrine Bonnaire as his longtime partner, and eventual wife, Suzanne Deschevaux-Dumesnil, will close the 2023 San Sebastian festival on Sept. 30. Dance First will screen out of competition at San Sebastian.
Dance First follows Beckett’s life from his time as a fighter for the French Resistance during the Second World War, through his friendship with fellow Irish literary luminary James Joyce, his rise with such groundbreaking plays as Waiting for Godot, Endgame and Happy Days — which established the Theater of the Absurd movement — to his receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969, and his later life as a recluse. Written by Neil Forsyth, the film also features Aidan Gillen as James Joyce...
The feature, which stars Gabriel Byrne as Beckett alongside Sandrine Bonnaire as his longtime partner, and eventual wife, Suzanne Deschevaux-Dumesnil, will close the 2023 San Sebastian festival on Sept. 30. Dance First will screen out of competition at San Sebastian.
Dance First follows Beckett’s life from his time as a fighter for the French Resistance during the Second World War, through his friendship with fellow Irish literary luminary James Joyce, his rise with such groundbreaking plays as Waiting for Godot, Endgame and Happy Days — which established the Theater of the Absurd movement — to his receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969, and his later life as a recluse. Written by Neil Forsyth, the film also features Aidan Gillen as James Joyce...
- 8/21/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
UK director James Marsh’s literary biopic Dance First, starring Gabriel Byrne as iconic Irish writer Samuel Beckett, will close the 71st San Sebastian Film Festival.
The film is sold by London and Paris-based Film Constellation.
As per its synopsis, the biopic touches on various phases in Beckett’s life from “Parisian bon vivant, to World War II Resistance fighter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, philandering husband and recluse.”
Its focus, however, is on Beckett’s reaction to winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969, which was a turning point in his life as he grappled with his own inner demons.
Byrne is joined in the cast by French actress Sandrine Bonnaire as Beckett’s wife.
Marsh has a long relationship with San Sebastian.
His Academy Award-winning documentary for Man on Wire (2009), directed with Simon Chinn, played at the festival in 2008.
Prior to that his early work Wisconsin Death Trip screened in...
The film is sold by London and Paris-based Film Constellation.
As per its synopsis, the biopic touches on various phases in Beckett’s life from “Parisian bon vivant, to World War II Resistance fighter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, philandering husband and recluse.”
Its focus, however, is on Beckett’s reaction to winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969, which was a turning point in his life as he grappled with his own inner demons.
Byrne is joined in the cast by French actress Sandrine Bonnaire as Beckett’s wife.
Marsh has a long relationship with San Sebastian.
His Academy Award-winning documentary for Man on Wire (2009), directed with Simon Chinn, played at the festival in 2008.
Prior to that his early work Wisconsin Death Trip screened in...
- 8/21/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
“Dance First,” a portrait of Irish writer Samuel Beckett starring Gabriel Byrne and directed by Oscar winner James Marsh, will close this year’s San Sebastian Film Festival, playing out of competition.
The closing film screening, on Sept. 30, will mark the film’s world premiere.
Byrne, a memorable lead in “The Usual Suspects” and “Miller’s Crossing” who also won a Golden Globe for his performance in “In Treatment,” plays Beckett. The Nobel Prize-winning playwright was a Parisian bon vivant and WWII resistance fighter who became a recluse, living the last years of his life in a single room in a nursing home, ashamed of past actions and convinced that for much of his life he had been a failure.
U.K. director Marsh won an Academy Award for best documentary feature in 2009 with “Man on Wire.” He also directed the Stephen Hawking biopic “The Theory of Everything,” which earned five nominations at the 2015 Oscars,...
The closing film screening, on Sept. 30, will mark the film’s world premiere.
Byrne, a memorable lead in “The Usual Suspects” and “Miller’s Crossing” who also won a Golden Globe for his performance in “In Treatment,” plays Beckett. The Nobel Prize-winning playwright was a Parisian bon vivant and WWII resistance fighter who became a recluse, living the last years of his life in a single room in a nursing home, ashamed of past actions and convinced that for much of his life he had been a failure.
U.K. director Marsh won an Academy Award for best documentary feature in 2009 with “Man on Wire.” He also directed the Stephen Hawking biopic “The Theory of Everything,” which earned five nominations at the 2015 Oscars,...
- 8/21/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The rain in Cannes managed to stop for a few hours on Saturday when Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park International hosted an exclusive event for buyers on the Croisette for its upcoming project Night Boat to Tangier, with Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, director James Marsh and producers Andrew Eaton and Conor McCaughan all in attendance for the intimate event.
The project, which also stars Domhnall Gleeson and Ruth Negga, follows Maurice (Fassbender) and Charlie (Gleeson), a colorful pair of gangsters from Ireland who are drug smugglers and partners with a long history of violence and intertwined personal lives. They’re back in southern Spain revisiting old haunts, old flames and dangerous local criminals all the while searching for Maurice’s estranged daughter Dilly.
Marsh told Deadline that it’s “a film driven by the female characters and their choices and decisions and the relationships they have with the men...
The project, which also stars Domhnall Gleeson and Ruth Negga, follows Maurice (Fassbender) and Charlie (Gleeson), a colorful pair of gangsters from Ireland who are drug smugglers and partners with a long history of violence and intertwined personal lives. They’re back in southern Spain revisiting old haunts, old flames and dangerous local criminals all the while searching for Maurice’s estranged daughter Dilly.
Marsh told Deadline that it’s “a film driven by the female characters and their choices and decisions and the relationships they have with the men...
- 5/21/2023
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
An Oscar winner for his documentary Man on Wire and the filmmaker behind 2014’s awards juggernaut The Theory of Everything, James Marsh has been away from the big screen for a few years (his last project was the 2018 heist film King of Thieves). But he comes to Cannes with two buzzy projects in the market. In Night Boat to Tangier, he takes on Kevin Barry’s New York Times best-seller with a cast including Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson and Ruth Negga.
That film hasn’t shot yet, but Marsh has already completed a rather different feature, Dance First. A sweeping account of the life of literary icon Samuel Beckett (the title is taken from his ethos, “Dance first, think later”), the film sees Gabriel Byrne as the Nobel Prize winner in a story that covers the many aspects of his younger years: from Parisian bon vivant to WWII resistance fighter and philandering husband.
That film hasn’t shot yet, but Marsh has already completed a rather different feature, Dance First. A sweeping account of the life of literary icon Samuel Beckett (the title is taken from his ethos, “Dance first, think later”), the film sees Gabriel Byrne as the Nobel Prize winner in a story that covers the many aspects of his younger years: from Parisian bon vivant to WWII resistance fighter and philandering husband.
- 5/18/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cannes is ready to party again with the likes of Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, Alicia Vikander, Jude Law and Cate Blanchett all set for a Côte d’Azur hoedown. Here’s a (non-exhaustive) look at some of festival festivities on deck at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, which kicks off Tuesday and runs through May 27.
The return of the Carlton Hotel following a whopping $380 million renovation is perhaps symbolic of the reemergence of shindigs at the festival following the pandemic. ”We were closed for 26 months,” sighed the Carlton’s general manager Carlo Stragiotto as he welcomed us in the opulent lobby.
“We have created new spaces and renovated old ones,” Stragiotto proclaimed, then boasted that the hotel has space enough “to host four or five parties at the same time each night, if needed.”
The A-list after-party on Tuesday for Cannes’ opening-night film Jeanne du Barry, a period costume drama starring Depp,...
The return of the Carlton Hotel following a whopping $380 million renovation is perhaps symbolic of the reemergence of shindigs at the festival following the pandemic. ”We were closed for 26 months,” sighed the Carlton’s general manager Carlo Stragiotto as he welcomed us in the opulent lobby.
“We have created new spaces and renovated old ones,” Stragiotto proclaimed, then boasted that the hotel has space enough “to host four or five parties at the same time each night, if needed.”
The A-list after-party on Tuesday for Cannes’ opening-night film Jeanne du Barry, a period costume drama starring Depp,...
- 5/16/2023
- by Baz Bamigboye and Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Patricia Highsmith‘s novels have been the source of several incredible film adaptations over the years, including “Strangers On A Train,” “The American Friend,” and “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” among others. Now it’s time for the novelist’s life to get the big-screen treatment. Deadline reports that a biopic about Highsmith has hit the Cannes market on the Croisette, and Shailene Woodley will star as the “poet of apprehension.”
Read More: ‘Night Boat To Tangier’: Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson & Ruth Negga To Star In James Marsh’s Adaptation Of Kevin Barry’s Lauded 2019 Novel
“The Murderous Ms.
Continue reading ‘The Murderous Ms. Highsmith’: Shailene Woodley, Cara Delevingne & Noémie Merlant To Star In Patricia Highsmith Biopic On The Cannes Market at The Playlist.
Read More: ‘Night Boat To Tangier’: Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson & Ruth Negga To Star In James Marsh’s Adaptation Of Kevin Barry’s Lauded 2019 Novel
“The Murderous Ms.
Continue reading ‘The Murderous Ms. Highsmith’: Shailene Woodley, Cara Delevingne & Noémie Merlant To Star In Patricia Highsmith Biopic On The Cannes Market at The Playlist.
- 5/11/2023
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
The Cannes market heats up even further with a new James Marsh movie on the scene. Deadline reports that Marsh will direct an adaptation of Kevin Barry‘s 2019 novel “Night Boat To Tangier” with Michael Fassbender and Domhnall Gleeson in the leads. Ruth Negga will also star in the film. That’s quite a catch for director Marsh, who already has his Samuel Beckett biopic on the way with Gabriel Byrne and Aidan Gillen leading the cast there.
Continue reading ‘Night Boat To Tangier’: Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson & Ruth Negga To Star In James Marsh’s Adaptation Of Kevin Barry’s Lauded 2019 Novel at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Night Boat To Tangier’: Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson & Ruth Negga To Star In James Marsh’s Adaptation Of Kevin Barry’s Lauded 2019 Novel at The Playlist.
- 5/11/2023
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
Exclusive: As all of the Cannes packages start to trickle through ahead of the big event on the Croisette next week, an early frontrunner in the hot package game is Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson and Ruth Negga starrer Night Boat to Tangier. Oscar-winning director James Marsh is directing the project, based on the novel of the same name from Kevin Barry’s New York Times Top 10 Book of the Year.
The story follows Maurice (Fassbender) and Charlie (Gleeson), a colorful pair of gangsters from Ireland who are drug smugglers and partners with a long history of violence and intertwined personal lives. They’re back in southern Spain revisiting old haunts, old flames and dangerous local criminals all the while searching for Maurice’s estranged daughter Dilly.
Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park Entertainment is shopping the package to buyers next week and in advance of that, Deadline spoke with Fassbender (who...
The story follows Maurice (Fassbender) and Charlie (Gleeson), a colorful pair of gangsters from Ireland who are drug smugglers and partners with a long history of violence and intertwined personal lives. They’re back in southern Spain revisiting old haunts, old flames and dangerous local criminals all the while searching for Maurice’s estranged daughter Dilly.
Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park Entertainment is shopping the package to buyers next week and in advance of that, Deadline spoke with Fassbender (who...
- 5/11/2023
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Hyde Park has a big package here heading into the Cannes Market: The feature take of Kevin Barry’s New York Times Top 10 Book of the Year, Night Boat to Tangier starring Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson and Ruth Negga. The Ashok Amritraj studio will be presenting the James Marsh-directed project to global buyers at the Cannes Marche Du Film next month, with the Oscar-winning filmmaker and Fassbender in tow. Barry is adapting the screenplay from his novel.
Set in Spain and Ireland, Night Boat to Tangier follows Maurice and Charlie, a colourful pair of gangsters from Ireland. Drug-smugglers, partners with a long history of violence and intertwined personal lives,
they’re back in southern Spain re-visiting old haunts, old flames and dangerous local criminals, searching for Maurice’s estranged daughter, Dilly…
Two-time Oscar nominee/3x Golden Golden nominee and 4x BAFTA nominee Fassbender plays Maurice Hearne and Gleeson...
Set in Spain and Ireland, Night Boat to Tangier follows Maurice and Charlie, a colourful pair of gangsters from Ireland. Drug-smugglers, partners with a long history of violence and intertwined personal lives,
they’re back in southern Spain re-visiting old haunts, old flames and dangerous local criminals, searching for Maurice’s estranged daughter, Dilly…
Two-time Oscar nominee/3x Golden Golden nominee and 4x BAFTA nominee Fassbender plays Maurice Hearne and Gleeson...
- 4/13/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Los Angeles, March 22 (Ians) Actor Eddie Redmayne has been cast in ‘The Day of the Jackal’, an upcoming reimagining of Frederick Forsyth’s novel and the film of the same name.
He will also executive produce the thriller series.
Redmayne will play the Jackal, who is hired by the Oas, a French dissident organisation, to kill then-president of France Charles de Gaulle, reports ‘Variety’.
Redmayne recently starred opposite Jessica Chastain in Netflix’s ‘The Good Nurse’.
He is also known for playing Stephen Hawking in James Marsh’s 2014 biopic ‘The Theory of Everything’, which earned him the Oscar for best actor.
Redmayne’s other prominent credits include ‘The Trial of The Chicago Seven’, ‘The Danish Girl’, ‘Les Miserables’ and the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ films.
Ronan Bennett serves as showrunner of ‘The Day of the Jackal’, which hails from Universal International’s Carnival Films and was commissioned by Sky Studios and Peacock.
He will also executive produce the thriller series.
Redmayne will play the Jackal, who is hired by the Oas, a French dissident organisation, to kill then-president of France Charles de Gaulle, reports ‘Variety’.
Redmayne recently starred opposite Jessica Chastain in Netflix’s ‘The Good Nurse’.
He is also known for playing Stephen Hawking in James Marsh’s 2014 biopic ‘The Theory of Everything’, which earned him the Oscar for best actor.
Redmayne’s other prominent credits include ‘The Trial of The Chicago Seven’, ‘The Danish Girl’, ‘Les Miserables’ and the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ films.
Ronan Bennett serves as showrunner of ‘The Day of the Jackal’, which hails from Universal International’s Carnival Films and was commissioned by Sky Studios and Peacock.
- 3/22/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
Eddie Redmayne has been cast in “The Day of the Jackal,” Peacock and Sky’s upcoming reimagining of Frederick Forsyth’s novel and Universal’s film of the same name. He will also executive produce the thriller series.
Redmayne will play the Jackal, who is hired by the Oas, a French dissident organization, to kill then-president of France Charles de Gaulle.
Redmayne recently starred opposite Jessica Chastain in Netflix’s “The Good Nurse.” He is also known for playing Stephen Hawking in James Marsh’s 2014 biopic “The Theory of Everything,” which earned him the Oscar for best actor. Redmayne’s other prominent credits include “The Trial of The Chicago Seven,” “The Danish Girl,” “Les Miserables” and the “Fantastic Beasts” films.
He is repped by CAA, United Agents and Jackoway Tyerman Wertheimer Austen Mandelbaum Morris & Klein.
Ronan Bennett serves as showrunner of “The Day of the Jackal,” which hails from Universal International...
Redmayne will play the Jackal, who is hired by the Oas, a French dissident organization, to kill then-president of France Charles de Gaulle.
Redmayne recently starred opposite Jessica Chastain in Netflix’s “The Good Nurse.” He is also known for playing Stephen Hawking in James Marsh’s 2014 biopic “The Theory of Everything,” which earned him the Oscar for best actor. Redmayne’s other prominent credits include “The Trial of The Chicago Seven,” “The Danish Girl,” “Les Miserables” and the “Fantastic Beasts” films.
He is repped by CAA, United Agents and Jackoway Tyerman Wertheimer Austen Mandelbaum Morris & Klein.
Ronan Bennett serves as showrunner of “The Day of the Jackal,” which hails from Universal International...
- 3/21/2023
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Silent film director F.W. Murnau is probably best known for his work on the classic macabre film Nosferatu. Just to be clear, that may be his best film, as I almost assumed that he directed Metropolis in 1927. That was Fritz Lang. Anyway, there is another film that pops up in Murnau's filmography, Faust. [Editor's note: our own James Marsh considered the film in an excellent article, Learning From the Masters of Cinema, back in 2014. The 1926 silent film centered around an elderly alchemist named Faust, who comes in contact with the evil Mephisto, who makes him a bargain to give the alchemist his youth. Once granted his youth, he falls in love with a woman named Gretchen and the two make love. However,...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 1/10/2023
- Screen Anarchy
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