Erik Larsson previously of Partners in Stories to lead new division; ICM invested in Albatros last year.
Stockholm-based agency Albatros, which is part-owned by ICM, has launched a publishing division.
Albatros has hired Erik Larsson to lead the division, and he brings with him Maria Åhlin and Nora El Sharif, all three previously of literary agency Partners in Stories.
The new division kicks off already representing several top authors such as Jonas Jonasson (The Hundred-Year-Old Man), Denise Rudberg and Sofie Sarenbrant (the Emma Sköld series).
Albatros founders Elin Sandström Lundh and Martina Österling said: “The fact that some of Sweden...
Stockholm-based agency Albatros, which is part-owned by ICM, has launched a publishing division.
Albatros has hired Erik Larsson to lead the division, and he brings with him Maria Åhlin and Nora El Sharif, all three previously of literary agency Partners in Stories.
The new division kicks off already representing several top authors such as Jonas Jonasson (The Hundred-Year-Old Man), Denise Rudberg and Sofie Sarenbrant (the Emma Sköld series).
Albatros founders Elin Sandström Lundh and Martina Österling said: “The fact that some of Sweden...
- 4/21/2021
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Early in HBO’s Swedish-language adaptation “Beartown,” two people are running desperately through the snow. One is carrying a rifle, and the other is doing their best to avoid getting shot. Their faces are obscured, any telling identification avoided, but the chase ends with the hunter and prey isolated on a frozen lake, the latter kneeling in front of the former, before the image cuts to black just before a shot rings out.
Considering the audience learns both identities before the end of the second episode, this intense introductory scene isn’t meant to tease a mystery. “Beartown” is a blunt story, stocked with direct lessons. Still, it’s patient about revealing its thesis, and the life-or-death stakes set up from the get-go help to prepare the audience for when normal life in a small Swedish town turns very, very ugly. For a while, it may seem like “Beartown” will...
Considering the audience learns both identities before the end of the second episode, this intense introductory scene isn’t meant to tease a mystery. “Beartown” is a blunt story, stocked with direct lessons. Still, it’s patient about revealing its thesis, and the life-or-death stakes set up from the get-go help to prepare the audience for when normal life in a small Swedish town turns very, very ugly. For a while, it may seem like “Beartown” will...
- 2/22/2021
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
After a year filled with production delays and shutdowns, Hollywood has persevered, and HBO — still the premiere destination for prestigious new shows and returning favorites — has a full slate of confirmed 2021 TV releases in the offing. Though the pandemic is still causing mayhem when it comes to any kind of long-term scheduling, some series have managed to wrap, others are in the middle of shooting, and still more have a plan to finish in time for audiences to appreciate them this very year.
Below, IndieWire has compiled a list of upcoming programs either already scheduled or fully expected to premiere this year, so you can rest assured in what’s coming. In the list below, learn all about HBO’s 2021 dramas, comedies, limited series, and more, from plot descriptions and cast lists to production timelines and possible premiere dates.
To be clear, this is a 2021 preview for HBO, not HBO Max.
Below, IndieWire has compiled a list of upcoming programs either already scheduled or fully expected to premiere this year, so you can rest assured in what’s coming. In the list below, learn all about HBO’s 2021 dramas, comedies, limited series, and more, from plot descriptions and cast lists to production timelines and possible premiere dates.
To be clear, this is a 2021 preview for HBO, not HBO Max.
- 1/1/2021
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
In today’s Global Bulletin, Iceland lays out plans to grow its film and TV industries over the next decade, HBO Europe announces two major premiere dates, Cineflix Rights hires former Miramax and BBC exec Tom Misselbrook and the Smithsonian Channel and Terra Mater Studios co-commission a new U.K. wildlife special.
Policy
Iceland’s minister of education and culture Lilja D. Alfreðsdóttir has outlined a new 10-point action plan to create and maintain a sustainable film and TV sector for the island nation over the next decade.
The paper, titled “Film Policy Until 2030 – An Art Form at a Crossroads,” was organized with input from local industry professionals with four specific goals in mind: create a film culture, offer a more diverse film education, strengthen competitiveness, and strengthen Iceland’s brand as a filmmaking nation.
In the paper, plans to further develop existing tax incentive and reimbursement systems are laid out,...
Policy
Iceland’s minister of education and culture Lilja D. Alfreðsdóttir has outlined a new 10-point action plan to create and maintain a sustainable film and TV sector for the island nation over the next decade.
The paper, titled “Film Policy Until 2030 – An Art Form at a Crossroads,” was organized with input from local industry professionals with four specific goals in mind: create a film culture, offer a more diverse film education, strengthen competitiveness, and strengthen Iceland’s brand as a filmmaking nation.
In the paper, plans to further develop existing tax incentive and reimbursement systems are laid out,...
- 10/16/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
For the first time ever, a record number of 13 talent scouts -including U.S. reps from Wiip, CAA, Gersh- will set foot at Göteborg’s sold-out Nordic TV Drama Vision (Jan.29-30), where around 50 series in progress and in development will play to 420 industry delegates.
“This is the first time ever we have such a large presence of talent agents in Göteborg, but mirrors the worldwide trend of people trying to uncover and snap up the next big talent and stories, of which the Nordics abound,” said head of industry Cia Edström.
Heading the works in progress is HBO’s Swedish original “Beartown,” to be discussed by HBO Nordic’s commissioning editor & VP Original Programming, Hanne Palmquist, director Peter Grönlund, and Filmlance International’s producers Bonnie Skoog Feeney and Mattias Arehn. The adaptation of Fredrik Backman’s best-selling novel will bow on HBO later this year.
The dramedy “Dreaming of England,...
“This is the first time ever we have such a large presence of talent agents in Göteborg, but mirrors the worldwide trend of people trying to uncover and snap up the next big talent and stories, of which the Nordics abound,” said head of industry Cia Edström.
Heading the works in progress is HBO’s Swedish original “Beartown,” to be discussed by HBO Nordic’s commissioning editor & VP Original Programming, Hanne Palmquist, director Peter Grönlund, and Filmlance International’s producers Bonnie Skoog Feeney and Mattias Arehn. The adaptation of Fredrik Backman’s best-selling novel will bow on HBO later this year.
The dramedy “Dreaming of England,...
- 1/20/2020
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
Kim Fupz Aakeson, writer of Liam Neeson feature Cold Pursuit, has created a quirky Norwegian comedy for HBO Europe. The premium broadcaster has commissioned eight-part series Utmark/Wilderness, which will be directed by Dagur Kári, director of Paul Dano’s The Good Heart.
Aakeson is also behind AMC’s David Schwimmer drama Feed The Beast, which was based on his Danish series Bankerot. It is produced by Finn Gjerdrum and Stein Kvae at Paradox.
Utmark/Wilderness is a quirky comedy drama set in a small Norwegian town a little north of the middle of nowhere. A sheep lies savaged. A dog runs free. A wife leaves her husband. So begins a chain of revenge that entangles a whole town. Corrupt sheriff, alcoholic shepherd, nature-loving bootlegger, God-hating pastor, grieving pimp…everyone knows everyone in this secluded corner of the Nordic North. Now an optimistic new school teacher rolls in, hopeful for a fresh start.
Aakeson is also behind AMC’s David Schwimmer drama Feed The Beast, which was based on his Danish series Bankerot. It is produced by Finn Gjerdrum and Stein Kvae at Paradox.
Utmark/Wilderness is a quirky comedy drama set in a small Norwegian town a little north of the middle of nowhere. A sheep lies savaged. A dog runs free. A wife leaves her husband. So begins a chain of revenge that entangles a whole town. Corrupt sheriff, alcoholic shepherd, nature-loving bootlegger, God-hating pastor, grieving pimp…everyone knows everyone in this secluded corner of the Nordic North. Now an optimistic new school teacher rolls in, hopeful for a fresh start.
- 7/5/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Winter is coming to Portugal. In a bid to further expand its footprint in Europe, Time Warner has launched its premium content streaming service HBO in Portugal. Acclaimed HBO original shows led by “Game of Thrones,” “Big Little Lies,” “Westworld” and “True Detective” will be available in Portugal starting Feb. 11.
HBO Portugal went live Monday as a Svod platform providing premium content directly to consumers via their smartphones, tablets and other devices including PC, PlayStation 4, Android TV, Chromecast and Apple TV.
In addition, Vodafone Portugal serves as the exclusive operator partner for local distribution, allowing Vodafone Portugal customers access to the streaming service via TV Vodafone or on their smartphones, computers and other devices.
HBO Europe’s programming offer encompasses five services covering twenty-one countries, including Spain as well as Scandinavian, Baltic, and Central European territories.
HBO Portugal offers more than 4,500 episodes of HBO original content, including every season of...
HBO Portugal went live Monday as a Svod platform providing premium content directly to consumers via their smartphones, tablets and other devices including PC, PlayStation 4, Android TV, Chromecast and Apple TV.
In addition, Vodafone Portugal serves as the exclusive operator partner for local distribution, allowing Vodafone Portugal customers access to the streaming service via TV Vodafone or on their smartphones, computers and other devices.
HBO Europe’s programming offer encompasses five services covering twenty-one countries, including Spain as well as Scandinavian, Baltic, and Central European territories.
HBO Portugal offers more than 4,500 episodes of HBO original content, including every season of...
- 2/11/2019
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
High-end TV production is booming in Spain.
Leading Spanish director Alex de la Iglesia, whose credits include genre hits The Day Of The Beast, 800 Bullets, Witching And Bitching and The Last Circus, is making an original Spanish-language horror series for HBO Europe called 30 Coins.
De la Iglesia is co-writing the eight-part series with Jorge Guerricaechevarría, best known for Cell 211.
30 Coins is about a priest and exorcist exiled to a small town in the hope his criminal past will be forgotten. But when he is linked to a serious of paranormal events the importance of an ancient silver coin...
Leading Spanish director Alex de la Iglesia, whose credits include genre hits The Day Of The Beast, 800 Bullets, Witching And Bitching and The Last Circus, is making an original Spanish-language horror series for HBO Europe called 30 Coins.
De la Iglesia is co-writing the eight-part series with Jorge Guerricaechevarría, best known for Cell 211.
30 Coins is about a priest and exorcist exiled to a small town in the hope his criminal past will be forgotten. But when he is linked to a serious of paranormal events the importance of an ancient silver coin...
- 2/11/2019
- by Louise Tutt
- ScreenDaily
Other winners include Goliath and Reconstructing Utøya.
Ali Abbasi’s Border (Gräns) was the big winner at Sweden’s Guldbagge Awards, which were announced last night (Jan 29) in Stockholm.
The film, which also won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard strand at Cannes last year, scooped six awards in total, including best film and best actress for Eva Melander.
Peter Grönlund’s Goliath won four awards including best actor for Joakim Sällquist and best screenplay.
Reconstructing Utøya won best director for Carl Javér and best Documentary.
Full list of winners
Best Film
Border (Gräns)
Best Director
Carl Javér...
Ali Abbasi’s Border (Gräns) was the big winner at Sweden’s Guldbagge Awards, which were announced last night (Jan 29) in Stockholm.
The film, which also won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard strand at Cannes last year, scooped six awards in total, including best film and best actress for Eva Melander.
Peter Grönlund’s Goliath won four awards including best actor for Joakim Sällquist and best screenplay.
Reconstructing Utøya won best director for Carl Javér and best Documentary.
Full list of winners
Best Film
Border (Gräns)
Best Director
Carl Javér...
- 1/29/2019
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
HBO Europe has greenlit Swedish original drama Beartown, an adaptation of Fredrik Backman’s novel of the same name, to be directed by Peter Grönlund (Goliath). Series will be produced by Filmlance International, which is part of Endemol Shine Group. The five-part one-hour series, written by Anders Weidemann, Antonia Pyk and Linn Gottfridsson, will star Ulf Stenberg and Aliette Opheim. The story follows the goings on in the small town of Beartown, which is slowly losing ground to the ever-encroaching trees surrounding it, but with the junior ice-hockey team having a shot at winning the national semi-finals, all the dreams of the town rest on the shoulders of a handful of teenage boys. It’s heavy burden that becomes the catalyst for a violent act that will leave a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil.
Mark Young has been appointed chairman of Synchronicity Films. Effective immediately, Young, who...
Mark Young has been appointed chairman of Synchronicity Films. Effective immediately, Young, who...
- 1/28/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO Europe has greenlit the Swedish original miniseries “Beartown,” which will be directed by Peter Grönlund and is adapted from Fredrik Backman’s (“A Man Called Ove”) bestselling novel of the same name.
The series, five episodes of an hour each, is being produced by Filmlance International, a company owned by Endemol Shine Group.
Written by Anders Weidemann, Antonia Pyk and Linn Gottfridsson, “Beartown” revolves around a Swedish forest town and its people who have put all their hopes in the junior ice-hockey team competing in the national semifinals.
The heavy burden resting on the shoulders of a handful of teenage boys culminates in a violent act which leaves a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil. “Accusations are made and, like ripples on a pond, they travel through Beartown, leaving no resident unaffected,” HBO Europe said in a statement.
Ulf Stenberg and Aliette Opheim will star in the miniseries,...
The series, five episodes of an hour each, is being produced by Filmlance International, a company owned by Endemol Shine Group.
Written by Anders Weidemann, Antonia Pyk and Linn Gottfridsson, “Beartown” revolves around a Swedish forest town and its people who have put all their hopes in the junior ice-hockey team competing in the national semifinals.
The heavy burden resting on the shoulders of a handful of teenage boys culminates in a violent act which leaves a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil. “Accusations are made and, like ripples on a pond, they travel through Beartown, leaving no resident unaffected,” HBO Europe said in a statement.
Ulf Stenberg and Aliette Opheim will star in the miniseries,...
- 1/28/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Lenke was previously the legal counsel at the Writers Guild of Sweden
Albatros Agency, the Stockholm-based agency founded in November 2017 by Elin Sandström Lundh and Martina Österling, has added Pontus Lenke as a partner in the company and its legal counsel.
Lenke was previously the legal counsel at the Writers Guild of Sweden and worked for Time Law Firm.
He joins as Albatros has signed a raft of new clients including directors Peter Grönlund (Goliath), Iram Haq (What Will People Say) and Isabella Carbonell (Boys); and screenwriters Inger Scharis (Black Widows), Bjørn Ekeberg (Borderland), Jörgen Hjerdt (Blue Eyes) and Johanna Ginstmark...
Albatros Agency, the Stockholm-based agency founded in November 2017 by Elin Sandström Lundh and Martina Österling, has added Pontus Lenke as a partner in the company and its legal counsel.
Lenke was previously the legal counsel at the Writers Guild of Sweden and worked for Time Law Firm.
He joins as Albatros has signed a raft of new clients including directors Peter Grönlund (Goliath), Iram Haq (What Will People Say) and Isabella Carbonell (Boys); and screenwriters Inger Scharis (Black Widows), Bjørn Ekeberg (Borderland), Jörgen Hjerdt (Blue Eyes) and Johanna Ginstmark...
- 9/3/2018
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Wild Bunch Efm slate also includes Peter Grönlund’s drama Goliath and Hirokazu Kore-eda’s newly-titled drama Shoplifters.
Wild Bunch will launch sales on Louis Garrel’s second feature A Faithful Man, in which he will also co-star opposite Laetitia Casta and Lily-Rose Depp, at the Efm this week.
The film revolves around the complex relationship between Abel, his former partner Marianne, who left him for his best-friend Paul but returns following the latter man’s death, and Paul’s sister who is secretly in love with Abel.
Garrel wrote the screenplay with Oscar-winning screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière. Paris-based Why Not Productions is producing. Arnaud Desplechin collaborator Irina Lubtchansky is attached as cinematographer.
The actor-director’s debut film Two Friends premiered in Cannes Critics’ Week in 2015. It is one of two second features from buzzy filmmakers on Wild Bunch’s Efm slate.
Goliath
The company has also acquired Swedish director Peter Grönlund’s drama Goliath about the son of...
Wild Bunch will launch sales on Louis Garrel’s second feature A Faithful Man, in which he will also co-star opposite Laetitia Casta and Lily-Rose Depp, at the Efm this week.
The film revolves around the complex relationship between Abel, his former partner Marianne, who left him for his best-friend Paul but returns following the latter man’s death, and Paul’s sister who is secretly in love with Abel.
Garrel wrote the screenplay with Oscar-winning screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière. Paris-based Why Not Productions is producing. Arnaud Desplechin collaborator Irina Lubtchansky is attached as cinematographer.
The actor-director’s debut film Two Friends premiered in Cannes Critics’ Week in 2015. It is one of two second features from buzzy filmmakers on Wild Bunch’s Efm slate.
Goliath
The company has also acquired Swedish director Peter Grönlund’s drama Goliath about the son of...
- 2/14/2018
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Wild Bunch Efm slate also includes Peter Grönlund’s drama Goliath and Hirokazu Kore-eda’s newly-titled drama Shoplifters.
Wild Bunch will launch sales on Louis Garrel’s second feature A Faithful Man, in which he will also co-star opposite Laetitia Casta and Lily-Rose Depp, at the Efm this week.
The film revolves around the complex relationship between Abel, his former partner Marianne, who left him for his best-friend Paul but returns following the latter man’s death, and Paul’s sister who is secretly in love with Abel.
Garrel wrote the screenplay with Oscar-winning screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière. Paris-based Why Not Productions is producing. Arnaud Desplechin collaborator Irina Lubtchansky is attached as cinematographer.
The actor-director’s debut film Two Friends premiered in Cannes Critics’ Week in 2015. It is one of two second features from buzzy filmmakers on Wild Bunch’s Efm slate.
Goliath
The company has also acquired Swedish director Peter Grönlund’s drama Goliath about the son of...
Wild Bunch will launch sales on Louis Garrel’s second feature A Faithful Man, in which he will also co-star opposite Laetitia Casta and Lily-Rose Depp, at the Efm this week.
The film revolves around the complex relationship between Abel, his former partner Marianne, who left him for his best-friend Paul but returns following the latter man’s death, and Paul’s sister who is secretly in love with Abel.
Garrel wrote the screenplay with Oscar-winning screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière. Paris-based Why Not Productions is producing. Arnaud Desplechin collaborator Irina Lubtchansky is attached as cinematographer.
The actor-director’s debut film Two Friends premiered in Cannes Critics’ Week in 2015. It is one of two second features from buzzy filmmakers on Wild Bunch’s Efm slate.
Goliath
The company has also acquired Swedish director Peter Grönlund’s drama Goliath about the son of...
- 2/14/2018
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
17 projects selected for festival showcase.
A strong crop of works in progress projects are set to be presented at Goteborg’s Nordic Film Market, which runs Feb 1-4.
Source: Maipo Film
Queen Of Ice
The selection includes new films from Benedikt Erlingsson (Of Horses and Men), Michael Noer (R), and Anne Sewitsky (Happy Happy).
Presentations of clips by the directors/producers will be made to the industry attendees in Goteborg.
Erlingsson will present his new film Woman At War, an “arthouse action film” about an Icelandic woman on an environmental mission. Noer will discuss his new Danish period drama A Better Life starring Jesper Christensen as an 1850s farmer. Sewitsky will unveil footage of her Sonja Henie biopic Queen Of Ice.
The 17 projects are:
Swoon, dir Mans Marlind and Björn Stein, prod Kristina Aberg (Swe) Bergman, dir Jane Magnusson, prods Mattias Nohrborg, Fredrik Heinig, Cecilia Nessen (Swe) Happy People, dir Samanou Acheche Sahlstrøm, prod Jakob Høgel (Den...
A strong crop of works in progress projects are set to be presented at Goteborg’s Nordic Film Market, which runs Feb 1-4.
Source: Maipo Film
Queen Of Ice
The selection includes new films from Benedikt Erlingsson (Of Horses and Men), Michael Noer (R), and Anne Sewitsky (Happy Happy).
Presentations of clips by the directors/producers will be made to the industry attendees in Goteborg.
Erlingsson will present his new film Woman At War, an “arthouse action film” about an Icelandic woman on an environmental mission. Noer will discuss his new Danish period drama A Better Life starring Jesper Christensen as an 1850s farmer. Sewitsky will unveil footage of her Sonja Henie biopic Queen Of Ice.
The 17 projects are:
Swoon, dir Mans Marlind and Björn Stein, prod Kristina Aberg (Swe) Bergman, dir Jane Magnusson, prods Mattias Nohrborg, Fredrik Heinig, Cecilia Nessen (Swe) Happy People, dir Samanou Acheche Sahlstrøm, prod Jakob Høgel (Den...
- 1/18/2018
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Laszlo Nemes wins best director for Son of Saul; Mediterranea wins best first film.
The Stockholm International Film Festival awarded its Bronze Horse award for best film to Joachim Trier’s Louder Than Bombs.
The jury – comprised of producer Mimmi Spång, director Peter Grönlund, director Christian Zübert, director Di Phan Dang, and director Arab Nasser – said the film was an “aesthetic masterpiece, a film that innovatively uses all cinematic components to move freely between present, past, dream and imagination. With this tightly woven family drama, the director gradually patches together our broken inner places and makes us visible to ourselves – and to each other.”
The other prize winners were:
Best first film: Mediterranea by Jonas Carpignano
Best director: László Nemes, Son of Saul
Best script: Deniz Gamze Ergüven and Alice Winocour, Mustang
Best cinematography: Manuel Dacosse, Evolution
Best actress: Julija Steponaityte, The Summer of Sangaile
Best actor: Koudous Seihon, Mediterranea
Best...
The Stockholm International Film Festival awarded its Bronze Horse award for best film to Joachim Trier’s Louder Than Bombs.
The jury – comprised of producer Mimmi Spång, director Peter Grönlund, director Christian Zübert, director Di Phan Dang, and director Arab Nasser – said the film was an “aesthetic masterpiece, a film that innovatively uses all cinematic components to move freely between present, past, dream and imagination. With this tightly woven family drama, the director gradually patches together our broken inner places and makes us visible to ourselves – and to each other.”
The other prize winners were:
Best first film: Mediterranea by Jonas Carpignano
Best director: László Nemes, Son of Saul
Best script: Deniz Gamze Ergüven and Alice Winocour, Mustang
Best cinematography: Manuel Dacosse, Evolution
Best actress: Julija Steponaityte, The Summer of Sangaile
Best actor: Koudous Seihon, Mediterranea
Best...
- 11/22/2015
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Lucile Hadzihalilovic’s Evolution wins special jury prize; Joachim Lafosse’s The White Knights wins Silver Shell.Scroll down for full list of winners
Rúnar Rúnarsson’s Sparrows has won the Golden Shell for best film at the 63rd San Sebastian International Film Festival (Sept 18-26).
Runarsson’s second film, following Volcano (2011), follows 16-year-old Ari, who has to leave his mother’s home in Reykjavik and move back to his former hometown in the isolated Westfjords of Iceland where he navigates a rocky relationship with his father.
Lucile Hadzihalilovic’s surreal horror film Evolution picked up the Special Jury Prize. The French director’s first feature in more than a decade follows a young boy living in a mysterious, isolated seaside clinic who uncovers the sinister purposes of his keepers.
The film also saw Manu Dacosse pick up the Jury Prize for best cinematography.
The Silver Shell for best director went to Joachim Lafosse for The White...
Rúnar Rúnarsson’s Sparrows has won the Golden Shell for best film at the 63rd San Sebastian International Film Festival (Sept 18-26).
Runarsson’s second film, following Volcano (2011), follows 16-year-old Ari, who has to leave his mother’s home in Reykjavik and move back to his former hometown in the isolated Westfjords of Iceland where he navigates a rocky relationship with his father.
Lucile Hadzihalilovic’s surreal horror film Evolution picked up the Special Jury Prize. The French director’s first feature in more than a decade follows a young boy living in a mysterious, isolated seaside clinic who uncovers the sinister purposes of his keepers.
The film also saw Manu Dacosse pick up the Jury Prize for best cinematography.
The Silver Shell for best director went to Joachim Lafosse for The White...
- 9/26/2015
- ScreenDaily
The San Sebastian Festival is almost here and three new competing titles have recently joined those previously announced for the Official Selection. Chinese director Liu Hao returns to San Sebastian with "Back to the North," five years after competing in the Official Selection with "Addicted to Love;" the Belgian moviemaker Joachim Lafosse will present his new film, "The White Knights;" and Peter Sollett will bring to the Festival the film "Freeheld," starring Julianne Moore, Ellen Page, Michael Shannon, Josh Charles and Steve Carrell.
For its part, the New Directors section closes with inclusion of the Swedish production, directed by Peter Grönlund, "Thieves Honor."
Official Selection
"The White Knight" Joachim Lafosse (Belgium - France)
Joachim Lafosse brings to the screen the Zoe’s Ark controversy which made headlines in 2007: a story about the limits of the right of interference. Jacques Arnault, head of Sud Secours Ngo, is planning a high impact operation: he and his team are going to exfiltrate 300 orphans victims of Chadian civil war and bring them to French adoption applicants. Françoise Dubois, a journalist, is invited to come along with them and handle the media coverage for this operation. Completely immersed in the brutal reality of a country at war, the Ngo members start losing their convictions and are faced with the limits of humanitarian intervention.
"Freeheld" Peter Sollett (U.S.A)
Julianne Moore, Ellen Page, Michael Shannon, Steve Carrell and Josh Charles star in this film based on true events. The true love story of Laurel Hester and Stacie Andree and their fight for justice. A decorated New Jersey police detective, Laurel is diagnosed with cancer and wants to leave her hard earned pension to her domestic partner, Stacie. However the county officials, Freeholders, conspire to prevent Laurel from doing this. Hard-nosed detective Dane Wells, and activist Steven Goldstein, unite in Laurel and Stacie’s defence, rallying police officers and ordinary citizens to support their struggle for equality.
"Back to the North" Liu Hao (China)
Xiao Ai is diagnosed with a terminal illness and does not have long to live. She is concerned that her parents will become a "lost family" and have no one to take care of them after her death, so she decides to persuade them to have another child... The latest film by Liu Hao, who competed at San Sebastian in 2010 with "Addicted to Love."
New Directors
"Thieves Honor" Peter Grönlund (Sweden)
An intense social drama about a woman's struggle for survival on the margins of society. When street pusher Minna can't pay her rent she cheats a few young criminals on a drug deal and takes the money. She happens to meet Katja, the mother of a child who has been taken from her by the social authorities.
For its part, the New Directors section closes with inclusion of the Swedish production, directed by Peter Grönlund, "Thieves Honor."
Official Selection
"The White Knight" Joachim Lafosse (Belgium - France)
Joachim Lafosse brings to the screen the Zoe’s Ark controversy which made headlines in 2007: a story about the limits of the right of interference. Jacques Arnault, head of Sud Secours Ngo, is planning a high impact operation: he and his team are going to exfiltrate 300 orphans victims of Chadian civil war and bring them to French adoption applicants. Françoise Dubois, a journalist, is invited to come along with them and handle the media coverage for this operation. Completely immersed in the brutal reality of a country at war, the Ngo members start losing their convictions and are faced with the limits of humanitarian intervention.
"Freeheld" Peter Sollett (U.S.A)
Julianne Moore, Ellen Page, Michael Shannon, Steve Carrell and Josh Charles star in this film based on true events. The true love story of Laurel Hester and Stacie Andree and their fight for justice. A decorated New Jersey police detective, Laurel is diagnosed with cancer and wants to leave her hard earned pension to her domestic partner, Stacie. However the county officials, Freeholders, conspire to prevent Laurel from doing this. Hard-nosed detective Dane Wells, and activist Steven Goldstein, unite in Laurel and Stacie’s defence, rallying police officers and ordinary citizens to support their struggle for equality.
"Back to the North" Liu Hao (China)
Xiao Ai is diagnosed with a terminal illness and does not have long to live. She is concerned that her parents will become a "lost family" and have no one to take care of them after her death, so she decides to persuade them to have another child... The latest film by Liu Hao, who competed at San Sebastian in 2010 with "Addicted to Love."
New Directors
"Thieves Honor" Peter Grönlund (Sweden)
An intense social drama about a woman's struggle for survival on the margins of society. When street pusher Minna can't pay her rent she cheats a few young criminals on a drug deal and takes the money. She happens to meet Katja, the mother of a child who has been taken from her by the social authorities.
- 8/23/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
New films by Liu Hao, Joachim Lafosse and Peter Sollett join line-up.
Peter Sollett’s Freeheld, starring Julianne Moore and Ellen Page, is one of three new titles to join the Official Selection competition at the upcoming San Sebastian Film Festival (Sept 18-26).
Based on true events, the film centres on Us police lieutenant Laurel Hester (Moore) and her registered domestic partner Stacie Andree (Page) who battle to secure Hester’s pension benefits when she is diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The film, set to world premiere at Toronto (Sept 10-20), is one of several features announced in Official Selection that will compete for San Sebastian’s Golden Shell.
Other new titles in competition include Back to the North (Xiang bei fang), which will see Chinese director Liu Hao return to Seb Sebastian five years after Addicted To Love played in Official Selection in 2010.
The film is about a woman diagnosed with a terminal illness who is concerned...
Peter Sollett’s Freeheld, starring Julianne Moore and Ellen Page, is one of three new titles to join the Official Selection competition at the upcoming San Sebastian Film Festival (Sept 18-26).
Based on true events, the film centres on Us police lieutenant Laurel Hester (Moore) and her registered domestic partner Stacie Andree (Page) who battle to secure Hester’s pension benefits when she is diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The film, set to world premiere at Toronto (Sept 10-20), is one of several features announced in Official Selection that will compete for San Sebastian’s Golden Shell.
Other new titles in competition include Back to the North (Xiang bei fang), which will see Chinese director Liu Hao return to Seb Sebastian five years after Addicted To Love played in Official Selection in 2010.
The film is about a woman diagnosed with a terminal illness who is concerned...
- 8/18/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
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