Update: Haile Gerima's campaign to fund his latest film, "Yetut Lij," has launched. Find the details below, followed by the campaign video and a link to the film's page on Indiegogo. Wonderfully uncompromising, revered, veteran Ethiopian filmmaker, and member of the Los Angeles School of Black Film Makers 1970's movement (a collective that also included the likes of Charles Burnett & Julie Dash), as well as professor of film at Howard University, Haile Gerima, will be launching an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign next week Monday, to produce his new feature film - the first since 2008's critically-acclaimed "Teza"....
- 6/1/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
The latest issue of Black Camera black cinema journal is now available, and, as always, you're strongly encourage to pick up a copy/subscribe online. In it, you'll find an extensive close-up on Haile Gerima’s examination of the displacement of African intellectuals - Teza - from Guest Editor Greg Thomas. Other scintillating essays include The “Black Man's Vision of the World”: Rediscovering Black Arts Filmmaking and the Struggle for a Black Cinematic Aesthetic; Black Glamour and the Hip-Hop Renaissance: Idlewild's Debt to Cabin in the Sky; and more. This issue is now available online via Jstor. Looking ahead to the next...
- 6/18/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
The fourth in the ongoing series of the Chicago screenings of the L.A. Rebellion touring film series will continue on Thursday May 9 with a screening of Haile Gerima’s powerful 1979 film Bush Mama. The film, which stars Barbara O. Jones, was made by Gerima (Sankofa, Teza, Adwa) as his thesis project when he was a graduate film student at UCLA; one of the cinematographers on the project was future film director Charles Burnett, whose film, My Brother’s Wedding, was screened last week. The film deals with a young wife who increasingly becomes radicalized by the obstacles she faces when her Army veteran husband is arrested and imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. The film...
- 5/6/2013
- by Sergio
- ShadowAndAct
Amitabh Bachchan
The 18th edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival will host a special section in the honour of Amitabh Bachchan. The festival will be inaugurated by Bachchan along with Shahrukh Khan.
Six of Bachchan starrer films: Saath Hindustani, Abhiman, Saudagar, Deewar, Black, and Cheeni Kum will be screened under the special section “Big Story” (Amitabh Bachchan).
The festival will run from 10th to 17th November, 2012. The eight day festival will host 170 films from 62 countries.
This year the festival will hold various special sections. Some of them are:
Centenary Tribute
This section will screen 13 films of Michelangelo Antonioni.
The Adventure (1960)
The Night (1961)
The Eclipse (1962)
The Red Desert (1964)
Identification of a Woman (1982)
People of the Po Valley (1947)
Lies of Love (1949)
Superstitions (1949)
Dustmen (1948)
Kumbha Mela (1989)
Roma 90 (1990)
Sicilia (1997)
Michelangelo Eye to Eye (2004)
200 Years Birth Anniversary Charles Dickens
Nicholas Nickleby by Douglas McGrath
The Pickwick Papers by Noel Langley
100 Years Of Indian Cinema
Raja Harishchandra by D.
The 18th edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival will host a special section in the honour of Amitabh Bachchan. The festival will be inaugurated by Bachchan along with Shahrukh Khan.
Six of Bachchan starrer films: Saath Hindustani, Abhiman, Saudagar, Deewar, Black, and Cheeni Kum will be screened under the special section “Big Story” (Amitabh Bachchan).
The festival will run from 10th to 17th November, 2012. The eight day festival will host 170 films from 62 countries.
This year the festival will hold various special sections. Some of them are:
Centenary Tribute
This section will screen 13 films of Michelangelo Antonioni.
The Adventure (1960)
The Night (1961)
The Eclipse (1962)
The Red Desert (1964)
Identification of a Woman (1982)
People of the Po Valley (1947)
Lies of Love (1949)
Superstitions (1949)
Dustmen (1948)
Kumbha Mela (1989)
Roma 90 (1990)
Sicilia (1997)
Michelangelo Eye to Eye (2004)
200 Years Birth Anniversary Charles Dickens
Nicholas Nickleby by Douglas McGrath
The Pickwick Papers by Noel Langley
100 Years Of Indian Cinema
Raja Harishchandra by D.
- 11/3/2012
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Esteemed director Haile Gerima’s latest film Teza will make its belated Los Angeles premiere opening next Friday Sept. 24 at the Laemmle’s Santa Monica 4 Plex with three screenings daily.
The film which won the Best Film award at the Fespaco Pan African Film Festival last year and the Best Screenplay Award at the 2008 Venice Film Festival deals with ”the personal narrative of Anberber, who after leaving Ethiopia for Germany to become a doctor, is led to return to his home village by lingering spirits and haunting visions from his childhood. Using the power of memory as its primary device Ethiopia exists.”
In addition several special events including a Q & A with Gerima are planned for the opening weekend of the film’s L.A. premiere.
**Opening Weekend Events in Los Angeles 9/24/10-9/26/10
Friday, September 24, 2010: Following 8 Pm Screening of Teza
Q&A with Filmmaker Haile Gerima
Laemmle’s Santa Monica 4-Plex
1332 2nd Street,...
The film which won the Best Film award at the Fespaco Pan African Film Festival last year and the Best Screenplay Award at the 2008 Venice Film Festival deals with ”the personal narrative of Anberber, who after leaving Ethiopia for Germany to become a doctor, is led to return to his home village by lingering spirits and haunting visions from his childhood. Using the power of memory as its primary device Ethiopia exists.”
In addition several special events including a Q & A with Gerima are planned for the opening weekend of the film’s L.A. premiere.
**Opening Weekend Events in Los Angeles 9/24/10-9/26/10
Friday, September 24, 2010: Following 8 Pm Screening of Teza
Q&A with Filmmaker Haile Gerima
Laemmle’s Santa Monica 4-Plex
1332 2nd Street,...
- 9/21/2010
- by Sergio
- ShadowAndAct
Well… we’re just about halfway through the 2010 movie season, and seen at least 150 films reach theaters near you since January. How would you rate the year thus far? How have “black films” done critically and commercially?
The biggest box office hit so far this year? Alice In Wonderland. If you asked me at the beginning of the year, which film would be leading the money race by mid-year, Alice In Wonderland probably wouldn’t have been my first choice; it may not have even been in my top 5. And if you’d told me that the Smith family remake of The Karate Kid would be one of the year’s biggest hits, I would likely have scuffed. It’s the highest grossing film of 2010 with a black person starring – specifically Jaden Smith, who will likely quickly become a household name, and, dare I say, a real box office draw,...
The biggest box office hit so far this year? Alice In Wonderland. If you asked me at the beginning of the year, which film would be leading the money race by mid-year, Alice In Wonderland probably wouldn’t have been my first choice; it may not have even been in my top 5. And if you’d told me that the Smith family remake of The Karate Kid would be one of the year’s biggest hits, I would likely have scuffed. It’s the highest grossing film of 2010 with a black person starring – specifically Jaden Smith, who will likely quickly become a household name, and, dare I say, a real box office draw,...
- 7/2/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
A film we’ve covered quite a bit on this blog, so I won’t rehash. Click Here to catch up on all the previous posts.
Haile Gerima’s latest work Teza continues to travel, thankfully, playing for limited engagements in city after city, and I hope you’ve made the effort to see it if it has played (or will play) in your neck of the woods.
I just learned that it’s opening in Detroit, Michigan tomorrow, June 23rd, for a 1 1/2 week run, leaving July 3rd, so you won’t have long to see it.
It’ll play at the Burton Theatre, 3420 Cass Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201; go to www.burtontheatre.org or call 313-473-9238 for specifics… ya dig?...
Haile Gerima’s latest work Teza continues to travel, thankfully, playing for limited engagements in city after city, and I hope you’ve made the effort to see it if it has played (or will play) in your neck of the woods.
I just learned that it’s opening in Detroit, Michigan tomorrow, June 23rd, for a 1 1/2 week run, leaving July 3rd, so you won’t have long to see it.
It’ll play at the Burton Theatre, 3420 Cass Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201; go to www.burtontheatre.org or call 313-473-9238 for specifics… ya dig?...
- 6/22/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
Well… you’re in luck, because, Haile Gerima’s latest film has been given another full week run at Village East Cinema Theatres at 181-189 2nd Avenue @ 12th Street.
It’ll play there through Thursday the 13th of May – this Thursday, with 3 show-times daily, as follows: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 & 9:00; and on Thursday: 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 & 10:00.
So, run, skip, walk, drive, ride on over to Village East Cinema and see this rich, well worth film, if you haven’t already! This may be your last chance!
Set in Ethiopia and Germany, Teza examines the displacement of African intellectuals, both at home and abroad, through the story of a young, idealistic Ethiopian doctor – Anberber. The film chronicles Anberber’s internal struggle to stay true, both to himself and to his homeland, but above all, Teza explores the possession of memory – a right humanity mandates that each...
It’ll play there through Thursday the 13th of May – this Thursday, with 3 show-times daily, as follows: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 & 9:00; and on Thursday: 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 & 10:00.
So, run, skip, walk, drive, ride on over to Village East Cinema and see this rich, well worth film, if you haven’t already! This may be your last chance!
Set in Ethiopia and Germany, Teza examines the displacement of African intellectuals, both at home and abroad, through the story of a young, idealistic Ethiopian doctor – Anberber. The film chronicles Anberber’s internal struggle to stay true, both to himself and to his homeland, but above all, Teza explores the possession of memory – a right humanity mandates that each...
- 5/10/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
If you’re like me and you have little interest in seeing Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too? or The Clash Of The Titans remake, And you life in New York (sorry for the rest of you ), why don’t you instead head out to Lincoln Plaza Cinema, and see Haile Gerima’s latest, Teza, which opens in NYC today, April 2nd, for what will likely be a limited run. And it’ll be even more limited if it isn’t supported by you folks, so Please, go see Teza! You’ve seen Tyler Perry’s melodrama before, and you know The Clash Of The Titans will suck (3D or not) – currently, it’s rated at a low 35% on RottenTomatoes.com. 68 out of 105 critics say it’s not worth your $12.
So, head on over to Lincoln Plaza Cinema – 1886 Broadway (at 62nd Street), with 5 screenings daily: 11:05 Am,...
So, head on over to Lincoln Plaza Cinema – 1886 Broadway (at 62nd Street), with 5 screenings daily: 11:05 Am,...
- 4/2/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
The Medgar Evers College “Film & Culture Series” presents:
An Evening With Legendary Ethiopian Filmmaker Haile Gerima – a celebration of Gerima’s Work, including an advance Sneak Peek of his latest film, Teza (a film we’ve previously profiled on this blog). For more, go to http://www.tezathemovie.com/.
When: Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Where: Founders Auditorium – 1650 Bedford Avenue – Brooklyn, NY 11225
Take the #2, 3, 4 or 5 train to the Franklin Ave. stop.
The auditorium is between Crown & Montgomery Sts.
Doors Open At 6:15 P.M.
Open Mic At 6:30 P.M.
Film & Culture Series Begins At 7:00 P.M.
To RSVP miles @mec.cuny.edu...
An Evening With Legendary Ethiopian Filmmaker Haile Gerima – a celebration of Gerima’s Work, including an advance Sneak Peek of his latest film, Teza (a film we’ve previously profiled on this blog). For more, go to http://www.tezathemovie.com/.
When: Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Where: Founders Auditorium – 1650 Bedford Avenue – Brooklyn, NY 11225
Take the #2, 3, 4 or 5 train to the Franklin Ave. stop.
The auditorium is between Crown & Montgomery Sts.
Doors Open At 6:15 P.M.
Open Mic At 6:30 P.M.
Film & Culture Series Begins At 7:00 P.M.
To RSVP miles @mec.cuny.edu...
- 3/23/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
Shavar Ross is 39 today. Those who’ve been reading this blog for awhile will know that Shavar is also a reader and posts comments occasionally. Most will probably remember him as Dudley from Different Strokes in the 80s. But he’s done a lot of other TV work since then – notably parts in Magnum Pi, Designing Women, Amen, Growing Pains, The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air, Chicago Hope, and a few others. He also played a young Booker T Washington in the 1984 made-for-tv movie Booker, which Curtis recently profiled on this blog (read that post Here). Shavar has his own website which you can check out Here.
Mykelti Williamson is 53 today. He was last seen in Black Dynamite and The Final Destination, both in 2009; he also has a recurring role on Fox’s 24. He can next be seen in a WWII drama titled, Algona, currently listed as being in pre-production.
Mykelti Williamson is 53 today. He was last seen in Black Dynamite and The Final Destination, both in 2009; he also has a recurring role on Fox’s 24. He can next be seen in a WWII drama titled, Algona, currently listed as being in pre-production.
- 3/4/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
Well… it’s about that time of the year, with “Top Lists” abound. I’ve looked over quite a few of them in the last week, from critics and other bloggers, and figured it was about time that I posted mine. I’m guessing Sergio, MsWOO and others will post theirs.
Regardless, here’s mine.
Let me preface it by saying that there are still a few films that I haven’t seen, and likely won’t see in the next 9 days, until the year ends. I’ll catch them next year. I tried getting in as many as I could over the last month, alas, some will have to wait till 2010. Most other lists I’ve seen have 10 titles, but I couldn’t come up with a solid 10 that I felt strong enough about to put on the list, but the below 5 I’m mos def certain of.
With that said,...
Regardless, here’s mine.
Let me preface it by saying that there are still a few films that I haven’t seen, and likely won’t see in the next 9 days, until the year ends. I’ll catch them next year. I tried getting in as many as I could over the last month, alas, some will have to wait till 2010. Most other lists I’ve seen have 10 titles, but I couldn’t come up with a solid 10 that I felt strong enough about to put on the list, but the below 5 I’m mos def certain of.
With that said,...
- 12/22/2009
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
If you’re not already familiar with Al Jazeera English’s film programme, The Fabulous Picture Show, which you can catch online after episodes have aired, then I’d recommend it for its diverse coverage of independent film from around the world where both new and hot and established talent are exposed and explored.
Although the excerpt below was taken from an episode featuring Cary Fukunaga, director of the socio-political thriller Sin Nombre, the first part of the show has an interview with actor/producer Danny Glover, highlighting his political activism, from the documentary Soundtrack For A Revolution, which I’ve written about here before, and including his support for Hugo Chavez – who later went on to pledge funding for Glover to make a film about 18th century Haitian revolutionary Toussaint L’Overture – and the role of music and film in shaping fights for freedom. He also speaks about his...
Although the excerpt below was taken from an episode featuring Cary Fukunaga, director of the socio-political thriller Sin Nombre, the first part of the show has an interview with actor/producer Danny Glover, highlighting his political activism, from the documentary Soundtrack For A Revolution, which I’ve written about here before, and including his support for Hugo Chavez – who later went on to pledge funding for Glover to make a film about 18th century Haitian revolutionary Toussaint L’Overture – and the role of music and film in shaping fights for freedom. He also speaks about his...
- 12/11/2009
- by MsWOO
- ShadowAndAct
More than three decades after many Ethiopians left their country for exile, there is now a small but mighty handful of films exploring the experience of this diaspora
It is a truism that – agitprop and now tribunal plays aside – it takes quite some time for traumatic events, personal or political, to filter into a culture. Distance is key; time for healing, for perspective, for the discovery of an appropriate idiom. A few years, at least; 10 years. A lifetime.
But how much more complicated, how much slower the process, when it is combined with immigration across continents and languages. There are so often such great wounds – if the trauma was enough to cause people to flee across borders, leave family and friends, survive refugee camps, then healing will be a slow business. Add that to the basic facts of getting by: a new culture, a new language, the subsidiary damage of...
It is a truism that – agitprop and now tribunal plays aside – it takes quite some time for traumatic events, personal or political, to filter into a culture. Distance is key; time for healing, for perspective, for the discovery of an appropriate idiom. A few years, at least; 10 years. A lifetime.
But how much more complicated, how much slower the process, when it is combined with immigration across continents and languages. There are so often such great wounds – if the trauma was enough to cause people to flee across borders, leave family and friends, survive refugee camps, then healing will be a slow business. Add that to the basic facts of getting by: a new culture, a new language, the subsidiary damage of...
- 11/11/2009
- by Aida Edemariam
- The Guardian - Film News
- After a crazy year where they brought six or seven titles to Cannes (including Tulpan, Waltz with Bashir) in various competition categories, this year The Match Factory bring only a pair of titles in Ajami and Kinatay. Nonetheless, they also bring along their batch of well-performing films from Berlin. They aren't a production company, but highly selective sales company that work with producer's from all over the world. And that is why I'm including them in this producer's patch series. Update: they just included Aktan Arym Kubat’s next feature The Light to their stable. Contact High by Michael Glawogger - Completed The Dust Of Time by Theo Angelopoulos - Completed Ajami by Scandar Copti - Completed Dorfpunks by Lars Jessen - Completed Germany 09 (Deutschland 09) by Fatih Akin - CompletedGIGANTE by Adrián Biniez - Completed Kinatay by Brillante Mendoza - Completed The Milk Of Sorrow by Claudia Llosa -
- 5/14/2009
- IONCINEMA.com
Teza Claims Top African Film Prize
Teza has landed Africa's premiere film prize - taking the top honours at the 40th Fespaco film festival on Saturday night.
Haile Gerima's drama was awarded the Golden Yennenga Stallion prize for best movie at the event, which took place in the west African country of Burkina Faso.
The film, which focuses on the Marxist "Red Terror" raids in Ethiopia in the 1980s, has already garnered international critical acclaim - taking two awards at the Venice Film Festival last year.
South African film Nothing But The Truth won second prize at the event.
Haile Gerima's drama was awarded the Golden Yennenga Stallion prize for best movie at the event, which took place in the west African country of Burkina Faso.
The film, which focuses on the Marxist "Red Terror" raids in Ethiopia in the 1980s, has already garnered international critical acclaim - taking two awards at the Venice Film Festival last year.
South African film Nothing But The Truth won second prize at the event.
- 3/9/2009
- WENN
Dubai International Film Festival
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) drew to a close with a stunning award ceremony with fireworks, dervish dancing and a rich array of the most wonderful food for hundreds of guests.
The recognition of the best films in the festival and in the AsiaAfrica and Arab Muhr Competitions brought to an end an exciting event in which the crosswinds of Arab nations, Africa and Asia mixed and clarified issues of the film business which will be of great concern for the new cycle the film business is now entering.
The Muhr Awards included a new AsiaAfrica segment embracing films from such emerging markets as Afghanistan, Turkey, Cameroon and Kazakhstan. The Muhr Awards for Excellence in Arab Cinema made a strong show chosen from filmmakers all over the Middle East and around the world. DIFF's Artistic Director Masoud Amralla al Ali had good reason to be proud and the filmmakers will return with future films, judging on their reactions to the royal treatment they received in Dubai.
The prize for Best Emirati Talent went to Haydar Mohammed, Best Emirati Female Filmmaker was presented to Nujoom Al Ghanem and Best Emirati Filmmaker went to Saeed Salmeen Al-Murry. For the first time, the International Federation of Film Critics, or FIPRESCI, awarded a Best Arab Film prize to Masquerades by Lyes Salem.
Other prizes include the Arab Muhr Competition for Feature Film:
* Best Film: Masquerades by Lyes Salem
* Special Jury Prize: Adhen - Dernier Maquis by Rabah Ameur-Zaimeche
Documentary:
* First Prize: 'Thakirat L Sabbar: Hikayat Thalath Qura Falasteenia' ('Memory Of The Cactus: A Story Of Three Palestinian Villages') by Hanna Musleh
* Special Jury Prize: 'Samaan Bidiyaa' ('The One Man Village') by Simon El Habre
* Second Prize: Marina Of The Zabbaleen by Engi Wassef
Best Cinematographer: Luca Coassin for 'Casanegra'
Best Composer: Sylvain Rifflet for 'Adhen - Dernier Maquis'
Best Editor: Nicolas Bancilhon for 'Adhen - Dernier Maquis'
Best Screenplay: Annemarie Jacir for Milh Hadha Al-Bahr ('Salt Of This Sea')
Best Actress: Hafsia Herzi for Francaise
Best Actor: Anas Elbaz and Omar Lotfi for 'Casanegra'
Short Films:
* First Prize: La Route Du Nord ('The North Road') by Carlos Chahine
* Special Jury Prize: 'Bint Mariam' by Saeed Salmeen Al-Murry
* Second Prize: Sa et Asary ('At Day s End') by Sherif El Bendary
Muhr AsiaAfrica Awards
Feature Film:
* Best Film: Treeless Mountain by So Yong Kim
* Special Jury Prize: Kyuka ('Vacation') by Hajime Kadoi
Documentary:
* First Prize: Mental by Kazuhiro Soda
* Special Jury Prize: 'Xiao Li Zi' ('Survival Song') by Guangyi Yu
* Second Prize: Une Affarie De Negres ('Black Business') by Osvalde Lewat
Best Cinematographer: Reza Teymouri for 'Aram Bash Va Ta Haft Beshmar' ('Be Calm And Count To Seven')
Best Composer: Jorga Mesfin, Vijay Iyer for Teza
Best Editor: Sreekar Prasad for Firaaq
Best Screenplay: Deepa Mehta for Heaven On Earth
Best Actress: Anh Hong for Trang Noi Day Gieng ('Moon At The Bottom Of The Well')
Best Actor: Askhat Kuchinchirekov for Tulpan
Short Films:
* First Prize: 'Shao Nian Xue' ('Young Blood) by Haolun Shu
* Special Jury Prize: 'Expectations' by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun
* Second Prize: 'Kam Sanabanyz' ('Everything Is OK') by Akjoltoy Bekbolotov
The festival had previously announced the results of the second annual Dubai Film Connection (DFC), established to bring Arab and international film professionals together. DFC selected 18 projects from 108 submissions, of which three were awarded a US$25,000 Dubai International Film Festival Prize: 'This is my Picture When I Was Dead' by Mahmoud al Massad (Jordan-Netherlands); 'Barbershop Trinity' by Chadi Zeneddine (Lebanon); and 'Ouardia Once Had Sons' by Djamila Sahraoui (Algeria-Morocco). The three producers of the three projects will attend the prestigious 2009 Cannes Producers Network.
'Every Day is a Holiday' by Dima El-Hor (Lebanon-France) won the DIFF Desert Door Work in Progress Award, the 6,000 Euro ‘"International Relations" prize from French broadcaster Arte went to 'Death for Sale' by Faouzi Bensaiei (Morocco-France-Belgium); and the new Bahrain Film Production Company Works in Progress Award went to 'When I Saw You' by Annemarie Jacir (Palestine-Jordan). The new Young Journalist Award, instituted in 2008 to stimulate interest in film criticism as a career in the region, went to Melissa Khan of Mahe Manipal University in Dubai.
Winners of cash prizes from 21 competing projects in the Dubai Film Connection were chosen by a jury. Global film funds, sales companies and distributors will make deals with the winners of cash prizes, which total about $118,000. The Work In Progress Award of $25,000 from Kuwait company Desert Door went to 'Every Day Is A Holiday', a French/ Lebanese/ German co-production by Dima El-Horr and produced by Thierry Lenourvel. 'When I Saw You' by AnneMarie Jacir from Palestine won the $10,000 Bahrain Film Pfoduction Co. award for projects in development. 'Death For Sale' by Morroccan director Faouzi Bensaidi, on the 6,000 Euro prize from ARTE in France. Aside from the DIFF itself, there are numerous other activities all being ably managed by Shivani Pandya, Managing Director. These concurrent events have commanded great interest. The Co-Production Market run by Jane Williams, formerly with Binger Institut of Amsterdam, Hubert Bals Fund and the Rotterdam Cinemart is showing three works in progress including the Sundance FF 2009 Competition film 'Amreeka' by Cherien Dabis plus a list of other films in various stages of development. Working with Julie Bergeron of the Cannes Market Co-Production Market, the Co-Production Market is opening the doors between East and West in a notably winning style made possible to the warm hospitality of the people of Dubai. The Film Market where you can see every film in the festival plus more in a virtual on-demand video market has made its first deal with Alchemy Films picking up the South African feature ' Mr. Bones 2' for the Middle East. 'Mr Bones' producer, Anant Singh, also a favorite son of Los Angeles as well as of South Africa, is in Dubai with the international premiere of the documentary 'More Than Just a Game'. The Dubai Film Market, run by Zaid Yaghi is built on the model of IDFA's documentary market run by Fred De Haas who also manages the Documentary Market at IDFA. Tom Davia, Head of Programme Administration and Film Services also works with the Miami Film Festival. Other attendees here inlcude Thierry Lenouvel whose film 'Rachel' will be in the Berlinale 2009, Filmmaker Magazine and Forensic Films' Scott Maccaulay, Nadia Saah of New York, whose new company Boomgen Studios creates content and, most importantly, creates niche marketing and distribution for films with Middle Eastern content, Iran's M. Mehdi Yadegan of IRIM Media Trade, the largest TV station in the Middle East, producer Caroline Benjo of Haut et Court, international sales agents Pascal Diot of Onoma Films and Wouter Barendrecht of Fortissimo, Raphael Berdugo of Roissy, who is also a producer of 'Caramel', a Lebanese film which was in the Festival de Cannes and has been a great box office success in Lebanon. And, of course, FilmFinders is here seeing what new developments in the Middle East are being created in this time of great change in our film industry.
The recognition of the best films in the festival and in the AsiaAfrica and Arab Muhr Competitions brought to an end an exciting event in which the crosswinds of Arab nations, Africa and Asia mixed and clarified issues of the film business which will be of great concern for the new cycle the film business is now entering.
The Muhr Awards included a new AsiaAfrica segment embracing films from such emerging markets as Afghanistan, Turkey, Cameroon and Kazakhstan. The Muhr Awards for Excellence in Arab Cinema made a strong show chosen from filmmakers all over the Middle East and around the world. DIFF's Artistic Director Masoud Amralla al Ali had good reason to be proud and the filmmakers will return with future films, judging on their reactions to the royal treatment they received in Dubai.
The prize for Best Emirati Talent went to Haydar Mohammed, Best Emirati Female Filmmaker was presented to Nujoom Al Ghanem and Best Emirati Filmmaker went to Saeed Salmeen Al-Murry. For the first time, the International Federation of Film Critics, or FIPRESCI, awarded a Best Arab Film prize to Masquerades by Lyes Salem.
Other prizes include the Arab Muhr Competition for Feature Film:
* Best Film: Masquerades by Lyes Salem
* Special Jury Prize: Adhen - Dernier Maquis by Rabah Ameur-Zaimeche
Documentary:
* First Prize: 'Thakirat L Sabbar: Hikayat Thalath Qura Falasteenia' ('Memory Of The Cactus: A Story Of Three Palestinian Villages') by Hanna Musleh
* Special Jury Prize: 'Samaan Bidiyaa' ('The One Man Village') by Simon El Habre
* Second Prize: Marina Of The Zabbaleen by Engi Wassef
Best Cinematographer: Luca Coassin for 'Casanegra'
Best Composer: Sylvain Rifflet for 'Adhen - Dernier Maquis'
Best Editor: Nicolas Bancilhon for 'Adhen - Dernier Maquis'
Best Screenplay: Annemarie Jacir for Milh Hadha Al-Bahr ('Salt Of This Sea')
Best Actress: Hafsia Herzi for Francaise
Best Actor: Anas Elbaz and Omar Lotfi for 'Casanegra'
Short Films:
* First Prize: La Route Du Nord ('The North Road') by Carlos Chahine
* Special Jury Prize: 'Bint Mariam' by Saeed Salmeen Al-Murry
* Second Prize: Sa et Asary ('At Day s End') by Sherif El Bendary
Muhr AsiaAfrica Awards
Feature Film:
* Best Film: Treeless Mountain by So Yong Kim
* Special Jury Prize: Kyuka ('Vacation') by Hajime Kadoi
Documentary:
* First Prize: Mental by Kazuhiro Soda
* Special Jury Prize: 'Xiao Li Zi' ('Survival Song') by Guangyi Yu
* Second Prize: Une Affarie De Negres ('Black Business') by Osvalde Lewat
Best Cinematographer: Reza Teymouri for 'Aram Bash Va Ta Haft Beshmar' ('Be Calm And Count To Seven')
Best Composer: Jorga Mesfin, Vijay Iyer for Teza
Best Editor: Sreekar Prasad for Firaaq
Best Screenplay: Deepa Mehta for Heaven On Earth
Best Actress: Anh Hong for Trang Noi Day Gieng ('Moon At The Bottom Of The Well')
Best Actor: Askhat Kuchinchirekov for Tulpan
Short Films:
* First Prize: 'Shao Nian Xue' ('Young Blood) by Haolun Shu
* Special Jury Prize: 'Expectations' by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun
* Second Prize: 'Kam Sanabanyz' ('Everything Is OK') by Akjoltoy Bekbolotov
The festival had previously announced the results of the second annual Dubai Film Connection (DFC), established to bring Arab and international film professionals together. DFC selected 18 projects from 108 submissions, of which three were awarded a US$25,000 Dubai International Film Festival Prize: 'This is my Picture When I Was Dead' by Mahmoud al Massad (Jordan-Netherlands); 'Barbershop Trinity' by Chadi Zeneddine (Lebanon); and 'Ouardia Once Had Sons' by Djamila Sahraoui (Algeria-Morocco). The three producers of the three projects will attend the prestigious 2009 Cannes Producers Network.
'Every Day is a Holiday' by Dima El-Hor (Lebanon-France) won the DIFF Desert Door Work in Progress Award, the 6,000 Euro ‘"International Relations" prize from French broadcaster Arte went to 'Death for Sale' by Faouzi Bensaiei (Morocco-France-Belgium); and the new Bahrain Film Production Company Works in Progress Award went to 'When I Saw You' by Annemarie Jacir (Palestine-Jordan). The new Young Journalist Award, instituted in 2008 to stimulate interest in film criticism as a career in the region, went to Melissa Khan of Mahe Manipal University in Dubai.
Winners of cash prizes from 21 competing projects in the Dubai Film Connection were chosen by a jury. Global film funds, sales companies and distributors will make deals with the winners of cash prizes, which total about $118,000. The Work In Progress Award of $25,000 from Kuwait company Desert Door went to 'Every Day Is A Holiday', a French/ Lebanese/ German co-production by Dima El-Horr and produced by Thierry Lenourvel. 'When I Saw You' by AnneMarie Jacir from Palestine won the $10,000 Bahrain Film Pfoduction Co. award for projects in development. 'Death For Sale' by Morroccan director Faouzi Bensaidi, on the 6,000 Euro prize from ARTE in France. Aside from the DIFF itself, there are numerous other activities all being ably managed by Shivani Pandya, Managing Director. These concurrent events have commanded great interest. The Co-Production Market run by Jane Williams, formerly with Binger Institut of Amsterdam, Hubert Bals Fund and the Rotterdam Cinemart is showing three works in progress including the Sundance FF 2009 Competition film 'Amreeka' by Cherien Dabis plus a list of other films in various stages of development. Working with Julie Bergeron of the Cannes Market Co-Production Market, the Co-Production Market is opening the doors between East and West in a notably winning style made possible to the warm hospitality of the people of Dubai. The Film Market where you can see every film in the festival plus more in a virtual on-demand video market has made its first deal with Alchemy Films picking up the South African feature ' Mr. Bones 2' for the Middle East. 'Mr Bones' producer, Anant Singh, also a favorite son of Los Angeles as well as of South Africa, is in Dubai with the international premiere of the documentary 'More Than Just a Game'. The Dubai Film Market, run by Zaid Yaghi is built on the model of IDFA's documentary market run by Fred De Haas who also manages the Documentary Market at IDFA. Tom Davia, Head of Programme Administration and Film Services also works with the Miami Film Festival. Other attendees here inlcude Thierry Lenouvel whose film 'Rachel' will be in the Berlinale 2009, Filmmaker Magazine and Forensic Films' Scott Maccaulay, Nadia Saah of New York, whose new company Boomgen Studios creates content and, most importantly, creates niche marketing and distribution for films with Middle Eastern content, Iran's M. Mehdi Yadegan of IRIM Media Trade, the largest TV station in the Middle East, producer Caroline Benjo of Haut et Court, international sales agents Pascal Diot of Onoma Films and Wouter Barendrecht of Fortissimo, Raphael Berdugo of Roissy, who is also a producer of 'Caramel', a Lebanese film which was in the Festival de Cannes and has been a great box office success in Lebanon. And, of course, FilmFinders is here seeing what new developments in the Middle East are being created in this time of great change in our film industry.
- 12/27/2008
- Sydney's Buzz
Complete Dubai fest coverage
Dubai -- Independent international filmmaker? Want to break into the U.S. market? Start small, find your "tribe" and learn to think outside the Hollywood box. Oh, and don't even think about a theatrical deal. Think digital instead.
This was the advice from veteran indie filmmakers and distributors gathered from around the world Monday at the Dubai International Film Festival.
Hal Sadoff, chief of the indie division at Hollywood's Icm talent agency, said that flexibility is key. When he produced "Hotel Rwanda," he had an Italian priest squeezed into the script about genocide in Africa just so that the U.K.-South Africa co-production could tap Italian money.
"We're focused on films of $8 million and above that are mixing art and commerce," Sadoff said. "When you're going that route you have to consider the finances up front."
For those unwilling to compromise, focusing your passions on...
Dubai -- Independent international filmmaker? Want to break into the U.S. market? Start small, find your "tribe" and learn to think outside the Hollywood box. Oh, and don't even think about a theatrical deal. Think digital instead.
This was the advice from veteran indie filmmakers and distributors gathered from around the world Monday at the Dubai International Film Festival.
Hal Sadoff, chief of the indie division at Hollywood's Icm talent agency, said that flexibility is key. When he produced "Hotel Rwanda," he had an Italian priest squeezed into the script about genocide in Africa just so that the U.K.-South Africa co-production could tap Italian money.
"We're focused on films of $8 million and above that are mixing art and commerce," Sadoff said. "When you're going that route you have to consider the finances up front."
For those unwilling to compromise, focusing your passions on...
- 12/15/2008
- by By Jonathan Landreth
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Amsterdam -- The Hubert Bals Fund (Hbf), part of the International Film Festival of Rotterdam, announced Thursday financial contributions to 25 film projects in 19 countries for a total amount of 362,500 euros ($466,000).
The projects include new films by independent filmmakers Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Pablo Larrain, Rodrigo Moreno, Raya Martin, Tariq Teguia and Sinisa Dragin as well as many projects by first time filmmakers.
About thirty new films supported by the Hbf will be selected for the upcoming 38th International Film Festival Rotterdam, including those that picked up top prizes during the fall 2008 festival season. These have included: Venice, San Sebastian, Vancouver, Rio de Janeiro and Pusan, where Haile Gerima (“Teza”), Yesim Ustaoglu (“Pandora’s Box”), Emily Tang (“Perfect Life”), Matheus Nachtergaele (“The Dead Girl’s Feast”) and Yang Jin (“Er Dong”) took home awards or special mentions. All filmmakers are expected to present their works during the next Rotterdam edition.
The projects include new films by independent filmmakers Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Pablo Larrain, Rodrigo Moreno, Raya Martin, Tariq Teguia and Sinisa Dragin as well as many projects by first time filmmakers.
About thirty new films supported by the Hbf will be selected for the upcoming 38th International Film Festival Rotterdam, including those that picked up top prizes during the fall 2008 festival season. These have included: Venice, San Sebastian, Vancouver, Rio de Janeiro and Pusan, where Haile Gerima (“Teza”), Yesim Ustaoglu (“Pandora’s Box”), Emily Tang (“Perfect Life”), Matheus Nachtergaele (“The Dead Girl’s Feast”) and Yang Jin (“Er Dong”) took home awards or special mentions. All filmmakers are expected to present their works during the next Rotterdam edition.
- 11/6/2008
- by By Ab Zagt
- 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
Creating a buzz at the 65th Annual Venice International Film Festival which ran from August 27 to September 6, "The Wrestler" came out as champion by the end of the special event. On Saturday, September 6, the movie about the has-been professional wrestler has been awarded with the festival's top prize, the Golden Lion, by the Venezia 65 Jury chaired by German filmmaker Wim Wenders.
Taking the stage to receive the coveted prize alongside director Darren Aronofsky, the movie's star Mickey Rourke who dedicated the award to all the wrestlers they have met "who are making 200 dollars a night and are willing to sacrifice their bodies and their souls for it" said, "I'd like to really thank the jury for making the right decision." Meanwhile, Aronofsky threw his appreciation to the actor saying, "We need to thank Mickey Rourke for opening up his heart and soul for the camera...and reminding the world what a great talent he is.
Taking the stage to receive the coveted prize alongside director Darren Aronofsky, the movie's star Mickey Rourke who dedicated the award to all the wrestlers they have met "who are making 200 dollars a night and are willing to sacrifice their bodies and their souls for it" said, "I'd like to really thank the jury for making the right decision." Meanwhile, Aronofsky threw his appreciation to the actor saying, "We need to thank Mickey Rourke for opening up his heart and soul for the camera...and reminding the world what a great talent he is.
- 9/8/2008
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
- The Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) has added some highly anticipated pictures to its roster.Special Presentations will include Larry Charles's Religulous, a Lionsgate production. Last year's festival included clips from the then-unfinished piece, so it is only appropriate that the film's world premiere be at Tiff. This humorous documentary follows comedian Bill Maher on his journey to various religious sites across the world. Charles previously directed Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, which premiered at Tiff 2006. The Gala Presentations category includes the world premiere of Gina Prince-Bythewood's The Secret Life of Bees. The film, based upon the bestselling novel, details 14 year-old Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) and her quest to discover her deceased mother's secret past. Paul Bettany, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, and Queen Latifah also star in this Fox Searchlights Production.Acclaimed director Wong Kar-wai's latest work, Ashes of Time Redux,
- 7/10/2008
- IONCINEMA.com
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