What is it about Leighton Meester that makes her so incredibly pair-able with others? Whether she’s standing beside Chuck or Dan (or Minka Kelly, for that matter), she simply oozes chemistry. Well, whatever “it” is, it makes for great TV (and perhaps also movies that you really want to see despite a fear of losing self respect). This week, I talked chemistry and more with Blair Waldorf’s amazing puppetmasters, Stephanie Savage and Josh Safran, who dish about what we can expect next from our favorite schemer and the rest of the gang. I also spoke with Matt Czuchry...
- 1/28/2011
- by Sandra Gonzalez
- EW - Inside TV
Berlin -- Diana Elbaum and Jani Thiltges -- veteran producers from two of Europe's tiniest countries -- are the joint winners of this year's Prix Eurimages.
The prize, now in its third year, honors excellence in European co-production and takes its name from the European Council's Euroimages co-production subsidy fund.
Through her Entre Chein et Loup production house in Belgium Elbaum has co-produced European art house fare ranging from Marina de Van's psychodrama "Don't Look Back" starring Sophie Marceau and Monica Bellucci to the Pierre Paul Renders' comedy "Mr. Average" (2006) to the period drama "Saint-Cyr" (2000) featuring Isabelle Huppert. From his base in Luxembourg, Thiltges and his Samsa Film operation have delivered some 40 features, among them Ben Sombogaart's Oscar-nominee "Twin Sisters" (2002) and action comedy "Jcvd" starring Mr. Muscles from Brussels himself, Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Elbaum and Thiltges also helped form, together with Patrick Quinet, Sebastien Delloye and Claude Waringo,...
The prize, now in its third year, honors excellence in European co-production and takes its name from the European Council's Euroimages co-production subsidy fund.
Through her Entre Chein et Loup production house in Belgium Elbaum has co-produced European art house fare ranging from Marina de Van's psychodrama "Don't Look Back" starring Sophie Marceau and Monica Bellucci to the Pierre Paul Renders' comedy "Mr. Average" (2006) to the period drama "Saint-Cyr" (2000) featuring Isabelle Huppert. From his base in Luxembourg, Thiltges and his Samsa Film operation have delivered some 40 features, among them Ben Sombogaart's Oscar-nominee "Twin Sisters" (2002) and action comedy "Jcvd" starring Mr. Muscles from Brussels himself, Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Elbaum and Thiltges also helped form, together with Patrick Quinet, Sebastien Delloye and Claude Waringo,...
- 10/19/2009
- by By Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Rights RoundUP Toronto, Pusan and other Fall Festivals
Toronto International Film Festival acquisitions this year were sparse which was no surprise given the recent closings of the well funded specialty arms of the studios. The noticeable slowdown in the business at these large festival cum market events (e.g., Toronto) has continued since Cannes although Locarno was happily surprised at the increased number of acquisitions which took place there albeit by international sales agents rather than by distributors. At least it attests to some enthusiasm in what seems to be a lackluster low energy year for the film business. Venice[/link] also created some sales in spite of its never quite becoming the market it might be. Pusan was disappointing leaving buyers and sellers looking toward the upcoming Tokyo International Film Festival and AFM as the place where deals will close. The European sales agents did better selling to the Asian distributors than the Asian sales agents. Bavaria sold 'Into the Great Silence' to Jin Jin of South Korea. Celsius sold 'Vivaldi' to Mirovision for South Korea, and new international sales agent M-Appeal's Maren Kroymann sold 'Trick' to Coral for South Korea.
This is a sample of the Rights Roundup Reports available from sales-filmfinders@imdb.com. For more information on acquisitions in the future you can purchase the Fall Festival and Market RightsRoundup and Rights Roundup Reports for AFM/ American Film Market, Berlin Film Festival and EFM/ European Film Market and Cannes Film Festival and Marche du Film after those events.
In Toronto, Fox Searchlight remained the strong buyer, picking up 'The Wrestler' for the highest sales figure of the market, but still less than $4,000,000 and ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, the other hit of the festival. Summit, an A list international sales agent who entered the domestic distribution business this year also acquired ‘Hurt Locker' for U.S.. Both 'The Wrestler' and 'Hurt Locker' were packaged, financed and represented by CAA and both were significant in that only U.S. rights were acquired (without Canada) at a good high price. IFC Films continued its acquisitions activities for IFC in Theaters, its day and date distribution platform making independent films available to a national audience in theaters and on demand simultaneously, buying ‘Flame & Citron’, ‘Fear Me Not’, ‘Everlasting Moments’ and ‘Che’. Sony Pictures Classics was also active acquiring distribution rights to ‘Every Little Step: The Journey of a Chorus Line’, ‘Faubourg 36’ (aka ‘Paris 36’). The micro distributors such as Strand, Kino, Zeitgeist, Panorama, etc. continued business as usual, which generally means hanging back until there are no obvious offers for a film and then coming in with a modest proposal.
Here are the international sales agents whose sales (licensing of distribution rights on behalf of the producers) have been reported thus far:
Bavaria Film International licensed ‘Krabat’ to SPI for Poland and Romania and to Film Depot for Russia ahead of the first public screening. Strong interest is also reported from Spain, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latin America, Japan and USA. ‘The Window’ (aka ‘La Ventana’) sold to Cinemien for Benelux, Imovison for Brazil. A deal with France is expected to close. ‘Cherry Blossoms’ went to Against Gravity for Poland. ‘Empty Nest’ has interest from U.S. as does ‘Restless’.
Celluloid Dreams has acquired all international sales rights to ‘Soul Power’ from Submarine Entertainment who was repping the film. There are offers in major territories soon to close. It also acquired ‘Youssou NDour: I Bring What I Love’ for world sales. Oscilloscope acquired it for U.S. ‘Birdwatchers’ sold to Artificial Eye for the U.K., Filmladen for Austria, Trigon for Switzerland, Pandora for Germany, Cinemien for Benelux, Hopscotch for Australia and New Zealand. ‘Mark Of An Angel’ has sold to Metrodome for the UK, Odeon for Greece, Seville for Canada, Xenix for Switzerland. Diaphana is about to gross $5m with its French theatrical release and Lumiere released in Belgium. ‘Achilles and the Tortoise’ sold to Odeon for France and Maywin for Russia.
Cinema Management Group has closed several territories on ‘The People Speak’ which screened 20 minutes in Toronto FF Special Screening. ‘Zambezia’, ‘Killer Bean Forever’ and ‘The People Speak’ went to Vision Film for Poland and to Film Pop for Turkey.
Elle Driver licensed ’35 Rhums’ to New Wave Films for the U.K.
Fandango Portobello licensed ‘Mid August Lunch' (aka'Pranzo di ferragosto’) to Le Pacte for France, Pandora for Germany, Cinemien for Benelux, Xenix for Switzerland, Filmladen for Austria.
Films Distribution licensed ‘Sea Wall’ to Axiom for the U.K.
Finecut licensed 'Daytime Drinking' to Japan's Eleven Arts who will release it in 30 North American cities. Fortissimo Films signed a six picture deal with Canadian distributor Maximum Films for ‘$9.99’, ‘Laila's Birthday’, ‘Country Wedding’, ‘Serbis’, ‘Native Dancer’, and ‘Tokyo Sonata’. ‘Disgrace’ also went to Maximum. ‘Every Little Step: The Journey of A Chorus Line’ went to Sony Pictures Classics for North America and Australia and New Zealand. ‘Serbis’ and 'Tokyo Sonata' went to Regent for North America.
Hanway Films licensed ‘Of Time and City’ to Strand Releasing for all U.S. rights. ‘Genova’ went to ThinkFilm for North America just before Toronto. Wanda acquired all rights for Spain.
Maximum licensed ‘Sugar‘ to Axiom for the U.K.
Momento licensed ‘Goodbye Solo’ to Imagine for Benelux, Axiom for the U.K. and Xenix for Switzerland. It also has offers from France, Portugal, Greece and Italy among others.
MK2 licensed ‘24 City’ to The Cinema Guild for U.S.
Pathe licensed ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ to Warner Bros. and Fox Searchlight for North America. ‘Faubourg 36’ (aka ‘Paris 36’) went to Sony Pictures Classics for U.S., Australasia, and Scandinavia just before Toronto.
Rai Trade licensed ‘Il Papa di Giovanna’ to Paradis for France, ABC for Benelux, Palace of Australia and New Zealand, MFD for Switzerland.
Roissy has licensed 'Seraphine' to Metrodome for U.K. and Ireland and to Rialto for Australia and New Zealand.
Sahamonkol licensed 'Chocolate' to Magnet for North America.
The Match Factory licensed ‘Flame & Citron’ to IFC Films for U.S. ‘Teza’ went to Trigon for Switzerland and Ripley’s Film for Italy.
TrustNordisk licensed ‘Fear Me Not’ and ‘Everlasting Moments’ and 'Heaven's Heart' to IFC Films for North America. Visit Films licensed five titles including ‘Hannah Takes The Stairs’, ‘LOL’, and ‘Kissing on The Mouth’, ‘Dance Party USA’ and ‘Quiet City’ to Beyond Entertainment for Australia/ New Zealand.
Voltage licensed ‘The Hurt Locker’ to Summit for U.S.
Wild Bunch licensed ‘Che’ to IFC Films. ‘Ponyo’ went to Lucky Red for Italy.
This is a sample of the Rights Roundup Reports available from sales-filmfinders@imdb.com. For more information on acquisitions in the future you can purchase the Fall Festival and Market RightsRoundup and Rights Roundup Reports for AFM/ American Film Market, Berlin Film Festival and EFM/ European Film Market and Cannes Film Festival and Marche du Film after those events.
In Toronto, Fox Searchlight remained the strong buyer, picking up 'The Wrestler' for the highest sales figure of the market, but still less than $4,000,000 and ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, the other hit of the festival. Summit, an A list international sales agent who entered the domestic distribution business this year also acquired ‘Hurt Locker' for U.S.. Both 'The Wrestler' and 'Hurt Locker' were packaged, financed and represented by CAA and both were significant in that only U.S. rights were acquired (without Canada) at a good high price. IFC Films continued its acquisitions activities for IFC in Theaters, its day and date distribution platform making independent films available to a national audience in theaters and on demand simultaneously, buying ‘Flame & Citron’, ‘Fear Me Not’, ‘Everlasting Moments’ and ‘Che’. Sony Pictures Classics was also active acquiring distribution rights to ‘Every Little Step: The Journey of a Chorus Line’, ‘Faubourg 36’ (aka ‘Paris 36’). The micro distributors such as Strand, Kino, Zeitgeist, Panorama, etc. continued business as usual, which generally means hanging back until there are no obvious offers for a film and then coming in with a modest proposal.
Here are the international sales agents whose sales (licensing of distribution rights on behalf of the producers) have been reported thus far:
Bavaria Film International licensed ‘Krabat’ to SPI for Poland and Romania and to Film Depot for Russia ahead of the first public screening. Strong interest is also reported from Spain, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latin America, Japan and USA. ‘The Window’ (aka ‘La Ventana’) sold to Cinemien for Benelux, Imovison for Brazil. A deal with France is expected to close. ‘Cherry Blossoms’ went to Against Gravity for Poland. ‘Empty Nest’ has interest from U.S. as does ‘Restless’.
Celluloid Dreams has acquired all international sales rights to ‘Soul Power’ from Submarine Entertainment who was repping the film. There are offers in major territories soon to close. It also acquired ‘Youssou NDour: I Bring What I Love’ for world sales. Oscilloscope acquired it for U.S. ‘Birdwatchers’ sold to Artificial Eye for the U.K., Filmladen for Austria, Trigon for Switzerland, Pandora for Germany, Cinemien for Benelux, Hopscotch for Australia and New Zealand. ‘Mark Of An Angel’ has sold to Metrodome for the UK, Odeon for Greece, Seville for Canada, Xenix for Switzerland. Diaphana is about to gross $5m with its French theatrical release and Lumiere released in Belgium. ‘Achilles and the Tortoise’ sold to Odeon for France and Maywin for Russia.
Cinema Management Group has closed several territories on ‘The People Speak’ which screened 20 minutes in Toronto FF Special Screening. ‘Zambezia’, ‘Killer Bean Forever’ and ‘The People Speak’ went to Vision Film for Poland and to Film Pop for Turkey.
Elle Driver licensed ’35 Rhums’ to New Wave Films for the U.K.
Fandango Portobello licensed ‘Mid August Lunch' (aka'Pranzo di ferragosto’) to Le Pacte for France, Pandora for Germany, Cinemien for Benelux, Xenix for Switzerland, Filmladen for Austria.
Films Distribution licensed ‘Sea Wall’ to Axiom for the U.K.
Finecut licensed 'Daytime Drinking' to Japan's Eleven Arts who will release it in 30 North American cities. Fortissimo Films signed a six picture deal with Canadian distributor Maximum Films for ‘$9.99’, ‘Laila's Birthday’, ‘Country Wedding’, ‘Serbis’, ‘Native Dancer’, and ‘Tokyo Sonata’. ‘Disgrace’ also went to Maximum. ‘Every Little Step: The Journey of A Chorus Line’ went to Sony Pictures Classics for North America and Australia and New Zealand. ‘Serbis’ and 'Tokyo Sonata' went to Regent for North America.
Hanway Films licensed ‘Of Time and City’ to Strand Releasing for all U.S. rights. ‘Genova’ went to ThinkFilm for North America just before Toronto. Wanda acquired all rights for Spain.
Maximum licensed ‘Sugar‘ to Axiom for the U.K.
Momento licensed ‘Goodbye Solo’ to Imagine for Benelux, Axiom for the U.K. and Xenix for Switzerland. It also has offers from France, Portugal, Greece and Italy among others.
MK2 licensed ‘24 City’ to The Cinema Guild for U.S.
Pathe licensed ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ to Warner Bros. and Fox Searchlight for North America. ‘Faubourg 36’ (aka ‘Paris 36’) went to Sony Pictures Classics for U.S., Australasia, and Scandinavia just before Toronto.
Rai Trade licensed ‘Il Papa di Giovanna’ to Paradis for France, ABC for Benelux, Palace of Australia and New Zealand, MFD for Switzerland.
Roissy has licensed 'Seraphine' to Metrodome for U.K. and Ireland and to Rialto for Australia and New Zealand.
Sahamonkol licensed 'Chocolate' to Magnet for North America.
The Match Factory licensed ‘Flame & Citron’ to IFC Films for U.S. ‘Teza’ went to Trigon for Switzerland and Ripley’s Film for Italy.
TrustNordisk licensed ‘Fear Me Not’ and ‘Everlasting Moments’ and 'Heaven's Heart' to IFC Films for North America. Visit Films licensed five titles including ‘Hannah Takes The Stairs’, ‘LOL’, and ‘Kissing on The Mouth’, ‘Dance Party USA’ and ‘Quiet City’ to Beyond Entertainment for Australia/ New Zealand.
Voltage licensed ‘The Hurt Locker’ to Summit for U.S.
Wild Bunch licensed ‘Che’ to IFC Films. ‘Ponyo’ went to Lucky Red for Italy.
- 9/16/2008
- Sydney's Buzz
Give Amos Kollek’s Restless this much: it may be the most aptly titled film at the Toronto International Film Festival, inspiring more than one viewer to furtively check their watch. Restless aims to be the sort of big, important film that thrives on the festival circuit, the sort of film with limited theatrical prospects that nevertheless deserves support because it addresses important issues. And Kollek has a history of producing exactly that sort of film, winning awards around the globe for his earlier work, but this time out it just feels as though he is trying far too hard and the film ends up crippled by a clumsy script and far too many mediocre performances.
- 8/28/2008
- by Todd Brown
- Screen Anarchy
Toronto film festival follows Cannes' lead
TORONTO -- The Toronto International Film Festival made way for some Cannes heavyweights Thursday, unveiling Special Presentation slots for Laurent Cantet's Palme d'Or winner The Class and Matteo Garrone's Grand Prix winner Gomorrah among a group of about two dozen North American premieres.
Arnaud Desplechin's Un conte de Noel and Canadian helmer Atom Egoyan's Adoration -- both Cannes Competition titles -- also will get the red-carpet treatment in Toronto, alongside South Korean filmmaker Kim Jee-woon's Out of Competition "The Good, the Bad and the Weird."
Other Cannes entries making their Canadian splash include the Dardennes brothers' Lorna's Silence, best screenplay winner in Cannes; Jerzy Skolimowksi's Four Nights With Anna; Terence Davies' Of Time and the City; Jia Zhang-ke's 24 City; and Three Monkeys, which earned director Nuri Bilge Ceylan the best director trophy.
The quintet has been programmed as part of Toronto's Masters sidebar.
On the documentary side, films headed for Toronto include Blind Loves, from Slovakian director Juraj Lehotsky, Lisandro Alonso's Liverpool and Service, by Brillante Mendoza.
Cannes Competition titles from Brazil -- Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas' Linha de Passe and Pablo Trapero's Lion's Den -- headline a Contemporary World Cinema sidebar that includes Federico Veiroj's Acne, Bent Hamer's O'Horten, Amos Kollek's Restless and Gotz Spielmann's Revanche.
The Discovery program will feature Steve McQueen's Hunger, which earned the Camera d'Or in Cannes, U.S.
Arnaud Desplechin's Un conte de Noel and Canadian helmer Atom Egoyan's Adoration -- both Cannes Competition titles -- also will get the red-carpet treatment in Toronto, alongside South Korean filmmaker Kim Jee-woon's Out of Competition "The Good, the Bad and the Weird."
Other Cannes entries making their Canadian splash include the Dardennes brothers' Lorna's Silence, best screenplay winner in Cannes; Jerzy Skolimowksi's Four Nights With Anna; Terence Davies' Of Time and the City; Jia Zhang-ke's 24 City; and Three Monkeys, which earned director Nuri Bilge Ceylan the best director trophy.
The quintet has been programmed as part of Toronto's Masters sidebar.
On the documentary side, films headed for Toronto include Blind Loves, from Slovakian director Juraj Lehotsky, Lisandro Alonso's Liverpool and Service, by Brillante Mendoza.
Cannes Competition titles from Brazil -- Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas' Linha de Passe and Pablo Trapero's Lion's Den -- headline a Contemporary World Cinema sidebar that includes Federico Veiroj's Acne, Bent Hamer's O'Horten, Amos Kollek's Restless and Gotz Spielmann's Revanche.
The Discovery program will feature Steve McQueen's Hunger, which earned the Camera d'Or in Cannes, U.S.
- 6/26/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
- Today's nine title announcement for the Berlin Festival’s main competition section (the 58th edition runs between Feb. 7-17.) is an early sign that the 2008 year in film is rich in international film from all corners of the globe and that the upcoming Cannes film festival is going to be loaded once again with heavyweight titles. Out of the titles I'm most looking forward to seeing are the little known Mike Leigh project called Happy-Go-Lucky and Erick Zonca’s French thriller Julia starring Tilda Swinton, and the postponed domestic release of Isabel Coixet’s Elegy. Here is the 9-list:Feuerherz (Heart of Fire) Germany/Austria (adapted from the bestseller by Senait Mehari) by Luigi Falorni (The Story of the Weeping Camel) with Letekidan Micael Julia France by Erick Zonca (The Dreamlife of Angels) with Tilda Swinton, Aidan Gould, Saúl Rubinek Lady Jane France By Robert Guédiguian (Le Promeneur du champ de Mars,
- 1/9/2008
- IONCINEMA.com
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