Slovakian political drama Our People has won the €50,000 Series Mania Forum best project sward.
Our People was one of 15 projects pitched at the Co-Pro Pitching Sessions on the first day of the Forum, the industry arm of the Series Mania Festival.
The six-part drama focuses on the murder of a journalist which overthrows the balance of power in Slovakia. It is produced by Jakub Viktorín and Tomáš Hrubý for nutprodukcia and is written by Tereza Nvotová and Miro Sifra and directed by Tereza Nvotová.
It was selected by a jury led by Nina Lederman, evp global scripted development & programming, Sony Pictures Television.
Our People was one of 15 projects pitched at the Co-Pro Pitching Sessions on the first day of the Forum, the industry arm of the Series Mania Festival.
The six-part drama focuses on the murder of a journalist which overthrows the balance of power in Slovakia. It is produced by Jakub Viktorín and Tomáš Hrubý for nutprodukcia and is written by Tereza Nvotová and Miro Sifra and directed by Tereza Nvotová.
It was selected by a jury led by Nina Lederman, evp global scripted development & programming, Sony Pictures Television.
- 3/20/2024
- ScreenDaily
Slovakian drama series Our People has won the Series Mania Co-Pro Pitch and taken home a €50,000 development prize.
The pitch beat out competition from 14 other titles to win the Series Mania Forum Best Project Award following a day of pitching against projects from the likes of Japan, France, Germany and Eastern Europe.
The pitching team — Jakub Viktorín, Tomáš Hrubý and Miro Sifra — drew an impromptu round of applause from the audience following their presentation, which intrigued the audience by describing their eureka moment while researching the crime drama story, saying, it “Felt like the world of Fargo.”
The six-part political drama series, from Nutprodukcia, is based on the grim true-life tale about the killing of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová, in 2018. “These are stupid criminals. They were getting advice [to commit murder] from fortune tellers,” said Hrubý.
Kuciak has been investigating tax fraud among top Slovakian criminals and several people...
The pitch beat out competition from 14 other titles to win the Series Mania Forum Best Project Award following a day of pitching against projects from the likes of Japan, France, Germany and Eastern Europe.
The pitching team — Jakub Viktorín, Tomáš Hrubý and Miro Sifra — drew an impromptu round of applause from the audience following their presentation, which intrigued the audience by describing their eureka moment while researching the crime drama story, saying, it “Felt like the world of Fargo.”
The six-part political drama series, from Nutprodukcia, is based on the grim true-life tale about the killing of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová, in 2018. “These are stupid criminals. They were getting advice [to commit murder] from fortune tellers,” said Hrubý.
Kuciak has been investigating tax fraud among top Slovakian criminals and several people...
- 3/20/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
An explosive political drama retracing the 2018 murders of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, “Our People” claimed the best project award at this year’s Series Mania Forum.
Winning €50,000 in prize money and earning an enhanced international stature, the unflinching miniseries should now see an easier path forward – particularly given the chilly reception it found with funding authorities in native Slovakia.
“We thought it impossible,” said director Tereza Nvotova as she claimed the Series Mania prize. “We thought it was dead, because the government in Slovakia really doesn’t want this story told. And we think this story is so important not just because of what is happening in Slovakia, and not just because Jan and Martina were murdered.”
“We just want to tell the truth,” Nvotova continued. “The world is turning very dark, and I think we all can feel it. We are all scared and...
Winning €50,000 in prize money and earning an enhanced international stature, the unflinching miniseries should now see an easier path forward – particularly given the chilly reception it found with funding authorities in native Slovakia.
“We thought it impossible,” said director Tereza Nvotova as she claimed the Series Mania prize. “We thought it was dead, because the government in Slovakia really doesn’t want this story told. And we think this story is so important not just because of what is happening in Slovakia, and not just because Jan and Martina were murdered.”
“We just want to tell the truth,” Nvotova continued. “The world is turning very dark, and I think we all can feel it. We are all scared and...
- 3/19/2024
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Drama series set in the worlds of Eurovision and the Vatican are among the selected projects for Series Mania’s Co-Pro Pitching Sessions next month.
Among the 16 titles are European six-parter Eurovision Murder Mystery, which is from France’s Apc Stories and Germany’s Friday Film. Plot details were thin, but synopsis reads: “When you have 72 hours to solve a murder, save Eurovision and the fate of Europe. Fabienne Hurst and Bertrand Soulier are writing.
Vatican, from Italy’s Fabula Pictures, follows a father investigating the suspicious death of his only son. he discovers his child was involved in a prostitution ring inside the church used by unscrupulous bishops to control the Vatican policy. Flavio Bernard, Ciro Di Maso and Marcello Olivieri are attached to write.
Fifteen of the 16 Series Mania titles were previously unannounced for the event, which takes place on March 19 as part of the Series Mania Forum.
Among the 16 titles are European six-parter Eurovision Murder Mystery, which is from France’s Apc Stories and Germany’s Friday Film. Plot details were thin, but synopsis reads: “When you have 72 hours to solve a murder, save Eurovision and the fate of Europe. Fabienne Hurst and Bertrand Soulier are writing.
Vatican, from Italy’s Fabula Pictures, follows a father investigating the suspicious death of his only son. he discovers his child was involved in a prostitution ring inside the church used by unscrupulous bishops to control the Vatican policy. Flavio Bernard, Ciro Di Maso and Marcello Olivieri are attached to write.
Fifteen of the 16 Series Mania titles were previously unannounced for the event, which takes place on March 19 as part of the Series Mania Forum.
- 2/23/2024
- by Jesse Whittock and Sara Merican
- Deadline Film + TV
Federation Studios, the Paris-based indie production and sales outfit behind popular French series “The Bureau,” is preparing to hit the sales block, Variety has confirmed.
Federation Studios has started discussions with investment banks in recent weeks for an advisor role, according to Reuters, which was first to report the news and said the banner could be valued at over €500 million ($535 million).
The company, which was founded by industry veteran Pascal Breton, indeed started these preliminary talks with financial advisors months ago and is looking sell to large chunk of the outfit, if not a majority stake, according to sources. The sales process could be launched during the first half of 2024. Federation Studios declined to comment on the reports.
Federation Studios previously ramped up its international business with the backing of Montefiore Investment, a French private equity firm which invested €50 million into the outfit in 2021. Several companies are already potentially interested in the asset.
Federation Studios has started discussions with investment banks in recent weeks for an advisor role, according to Reuters, which was first to report the news and said the banner could be valued at over €500 million ($535 million).
The company, which was founded by industry veteran Pascal Breton, indeed started these preliminary talks with financial advisors months ago and is looking sell to large chunk of the outfit, if not a majority stake, according to sources. The sales process could be launched during the first half of 2024. Federation Studios declined to comment on the reports.
Federation Studios previously ramped up its international business with the backing of Montefiore Investment, a French private equity firm which invested €50 million into the outfit in 2021. Several companies are already potentially interested in the asset.
- 11/9/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
First slate to include Rachel’s Game, Oldies But Goodies, Survive.
Powerhouse Paris-based media group Federation Studios has joined forces with veteran sales executive Sabine Chemaly to launch international film sales company Ginger & Fed.
The new venture, a partnership between Federation and Chemaly’s Ginger Films, will take on acquisitions and international sales for both in-house and third party films.
The feature-focused foray is an extension of Federation’s existing distribution of fiction, documentary and children’s programming and presence in production via global companies like Bonne Pioche, Cheyenne and Monkey Pack (Robin & Co) in France, Vertigo in the UK,...
Powerhouse Paris-based media group Federation Studios has joined forces with veteran sales executive Sabine Chemaly to launch international film sales company Ginger & Fed.
The new venture, a partnership between Federation and Chemaly’s Ginger Films, will take on acquisitions and international sales for both in-house and third party films.
The feature-focused foray is an extension of Federation’s existing distribution of fiction, documentary and children’s programming and presence in production via global companies like Bonne Pioche, Cheyenne and Monkey Pack (Robin & Co) in France, Vertigo in the UK,...
- 10/26/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Company is readying theatrical feature ’Everything We Ever Wanted’ directed by Francesca Comencini.
Cattleya, the Italian film and TV outfit company backed by ITV Studios, has teamed with writers Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli to launch a new outfit called Dedalus.
Cattleya has previously worked with Fasoli and Ravagli on series such as Gomorrah, ZeroZeroZero, The Immortal and Django.
Dedalus, which will develop and produce films and television series, is working on Francesca Comencini’s feature Everything We Ever Wanted, billed as a a story of love and friendship within the Neapolitan mob, set during two different time periods.
Comencini...
Cattleya, the Italian film and TV outfit company backed by ITV Studios, has teamed with writers Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli to launch a new outfit called Dedalus.
Cattleya has previously worked with Fasoli and Ravagli on series such as Gomorrah, ZeroZeroZero, The Immortal and Django.
Dedalus, which will develop and produce films and television series, is working on Francesca Comencini’s feature Everything We Ever Wanted, billed as a a story of love and friendship within the Neapolitan mob, set during two different time periods.
Comencini...
- 10/16/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Company is readying theatrical feature ’Everything We Ever Wanted’ directed by Francesca Comencini.
ITV Studios-backed Italian production outfit Cattleya has teamed with writers Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli to co-found Dedalus.
Rome-based Cattleya has previously worked with Fasoli and Ravagli on shows such as Gomorrah, ZeroZeroZero, The Immortal and Django.
Dedalus, which will develop and produce films and television series, is working on theatrical feature Everything We Ever Wanted, billed as a a story of love and friendship amidst a mid-seventies Neapolitan mob, set during two different time periods and directed by Francesca Comencini, whose credits include 2012 Venice competition...
ITV Studios-backed Italian production outfit Cattleya has teamed with writers Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli to co-found Dedalus.
Rome-based Cattleya has previously worked with Fasoli and Ravagli on shows such as Gomorrah, ZeroZeroZero, The Immortal and Django.
Dedalus, which will develop and produce films and television series, is working on theatrical feature Everything We Ever Wanted, billed as a a story of love and friendship amidst a mid-seventies Neapolitan mob, set during two different time periods and directed by Francesca Comencini, whose credits include 2012 Venice competition...
- 10/16/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
”“September is always low,” said Fncf’s Marc-Olivier Sebbag, “People have other things to do.”
Despite a promising summer blockbuster boost and August upswing, France’s September box office struggled with just 8.8m ticket sales and a total gross of approximately €63.2m, based on an average ticket price of €7.
The September slump was down 21.1% compared to the pre-pandemic 2017-2019 average and the lowest since 2005 (8.4m).
However it was up 16.1% from last year’s abysmal 7.6m admissions. Last September’s record low marked the worst month at the French box office since 1980, excluding the pandemic-ridden 2020 when cinemas were closed for most of the year.
Despite a promising summer blockbuster boost and August upswing, France’s September box office struggled with just 8.8m ticket sales and a total gross of approximately €63.2m, based on an average ticket price of €7.
The September slump was down 21.1% compared to the pre-pandemic 2017-2019 average and the lowest since 2005 (8.4m).
However it was up 16.1% from last year’s abysmal 7.6m admissions. Last September’s record low marked the worst month at the French box office since 1980, excluding the pandemic-ridden 2020 when cinemas were closed for most of the year.
- 10/4/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Exec’s credits at ITV Studios owned Italian production company include ’ZeroZeroZero’, ’Gomorrah’ and ’Django.’
Marco Chimenz, the co-ceo of leading Italian producer Cattleya, is to join French group Federation Studios as co-managing director.
At Federation, Chimenz will work with founder and CEO Pascal Breton alongside co-managing director Lionel Uzan.
Chimenz will be joined at Federation by Joshua Berman, currently head of business and legal affairs at Cattleya, as international business affairs advisor. Both join on January 1, 2024.
One of Chimenz’s key focuses at Federation will be in setting up international co-productions.
Founded in 2013, production, financing and distribution group Federation has bases in Paris,...
Marco Chimenz, the co-ceo of leading Italian producer Cattleya, is to join French group Federation Studios as co-managing director.
At Federation, Chimenz will work with founder and CEO Pascal Breton alongside co-managing director Lionel Uzan.
Chimenz will be joined at Federation by Joshua Berman, currently head of business and legal affairs at Cattleya, as international business affairs advisor. Both join on January 1, 2024.
One of Chimenz’s key focuses at Federation will be in setting up international co-productions.
Founded in 2013, production, financing and distribution group Federation has bases in Paris,...
- 10/4/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
‘Big Brother’ Unveils Duty Of Care Protocols
Big Brother housemates will have to abide by the same social media blackout as Love Island contestants while those working on the show will be regularly reminded of Banijay’s Bullying and Harassment, Grievance and Whistleblowing Policies, as ITV shares its duty of care protocols for the reboot. Kicking off Sunday, Big Brother returns to British TV screens after five years off air and ITV and Banijay label Initial have been stringent in their approach to duty of care, given that conflict shows such as the Jeremy Kyle Show have been axed while Big Brother has been off air. ITV’s welfare package includes the social media blackout that means housemates’ family and friends will not be asked not to post content on individual social media accounts for the duration of their time in the house. Housemates will also undergo psychological and medical...
Big Brother housemates will have to abide by the same social media blackout as Love Island contestants while those working on the show will be regularly reminded of Banijay’s Bullying and Harassment, Grievance and Whistleblowing Policies, as ITV shares its duty of care protocols for the reboot. Kicking off Sunday, Big Brother returns to British TV screens after five years off air and ITV and Banijay label Initial have been stringent in their approach to duty of care, given that conflict shows such as the Jeremy Kyle Show have been axed while Big Brother has been off air. ITV’s welfare package includes the social media blackout that means housemates’ family and friends will not be asked not to post content on individual social media accounts for the duration of their time in the house. Housemates will also undergo psychological and medical...
- 10/4/2023
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Marco Chimenz, Co-CEO of Italy’s Cattleya the prominent ITV-owned outfit behind “Gomorrah” and “ZeroZeroZero,” will be leaving the company in January to join pan-European powerhouse Federation Studios.
At Federation Chimenz will serve as group co-managing director of the expanding production and distribution studio that currently comprises 35 production companies, working closely with founder and CEO Pascal Breton and Federation co-director Lionel Uzan.
Founded in 2013, Federation is a production, financing and distribution studio with subsidiaries and associate production companies based in Paris, Los Angeles, Rome, Madrid, Berlin, Cologne, London, Brussels and Tel Aviv. The group’s best-known titles include “The Bureau,” “In Treatment,” “Baby,” “Hostages,” “Marseille,” “Bad Banks,” “Your Honor,” and “Around the World in 80 Days.”
Chimenz will continue to work with Cattleya’s Spanish affiliate on several productions until 2025. He will also continue to operate with longtime collaborator Joshua Berman, who is currently head of business affairs at Cattleya.
At Federation Chimenz will serve as group co-managing director of the expanding production and distribution studio that currently comprises 35 production companies, working closely with founder and CEO Pascal Breton and Federation co-director Lionel Uzan.
Founded in 2013, Federation is a production, financing and distribution studio with subsidiaries and associate production companies based in Paris, Los Angeles, Rome, Madrid, Berlin, Cologne, London, Brussels and Tel Aviv. The group’s best-known titles include “The Bureau,” “In Treatment,” “Baby,” “Hostages,” “Marseille,” “Bad Banks,” “Your Honor,” and “Around the World in 80 Days.”
Chimenz will continue to work with Cattleya’s Spanish affiliate on several productions until 2025. He will also continue to operate with longtime collaborator Joshua Berman, who is currently head of business affairs at Cattleya.
- 10/4/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Innovative methods of getting projects into production was the subject of discussion for a group of top U.S. and European producers, networks and streamers during a debate at the Avp Summit in Trieste.
The panel brought together the likes of Amplify Pictures Cco Rachel Eggebeen, Media Res International head Lars Blomgren, Cattleya Co-CEO Marco Chimenz, Nicola Serra from Palomar, Prime Video’s Davide Nardini and France Télévisions’ Head of International Scripted Series Morad Koufane, who each outlined how their operations could help projects get financed and into production.
Kicking off the session, Eggebeen talked up Amplify’s model of “enhanced acquisitions.” This means independently financing, developing and green light a project for production before selling it to a buyer, who will still be able to “have their fingerprints on it and be involved.”
To date, Amplify, which former Amazon Studios boss Joe Lewis founded last year as an indie,...
The panel brought together the likes of Amplify Pictures Cco Rachel Eggebeen, Media Res International head Lars Blomgren, Cattleya Co-CEO Marco Chimenz, Nicola Serra from Palomar, Prime Video’s Davide Nardini and France Télévisions’ Head of International Scripted Series Morad Koufane, who each outlined how their operations could help projects get financed and into production.
Kicking off the session, Eggebeen talked up Amplify’s model of “enhanced acquisitions.” This means independently financing, developing and green light a project for production before selling it to a buyer, who will still be able to “have their fingerprints on it and be involved.”
To date, Amplify, which former Amazon Studios boss Joe Lewis founded last year as an indie,...
- 7/21/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
The next chapter in the Russo Brothers’ global spy thriller Citadel now has an official title and a first-look photo of its lead, Matilda de Angelis.
Citadel: Diana was locally created, produced, and filmed in Italy, with production wrapping earlier this year.
Plot details are not being revealed, but a tease of the new installment in the Citadel Spyverse franchise is featured at the end of the Season 1 finale of the mothership series, which drops today on Prime Video.
Along with De Angelis, cast of Citadel: Diana includes Lorenzo Cervasio, Maurizio Lombardi, Julia Piaton, Thekla Reuten, Daniele Paoloni, Bernhard Schütz, and Filippo Nigro.
The series comes from ITV Studios’ Cattleya (ZeroZeroZero) and showrunner and executive producer Gina Gardini, with Riccardo Tozzi, Marco Chimenz, and Giovanni Stabilini also serving as executive producers and Emanuele Savoini as co-executive producer. Agbo’s Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Mike Larocca, Angela Russo-Ostot, Scott Nemes, and...
Citadel: Diana was locally created, produced, and filmed in Italy, with production wrapping earlier this year.
Plot details are not being revealed, but a tease of the new installment in the Citadel Spyverse franchise is featured at the end of the Season 1 finale of the mothership series, which drops today on Prime Video.
Along with De Angelis, cast of Citadel: Diana includes Lorenzo Cervasio, Maurizio Lombardi, Julia Piaton, Thekla Reuten, Daniele Paoloni, Bernhard Schütz, and Filippo Nigro.
The series comes from ITV Studios’ Cattleya (ZeroZeroZero) and showrunner and executive producer Gina Gardini, with Riccardo Tozzi, Marco Chimenz, and Giovanni Stabilini also serving as executive producers and Emanuele Savoini as co-executive producer. Agbo’s Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Mike Larocca, Angela Russo-Ostot, Scott Nemes, and...
- 5/26/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
As reported recently, Citadel has garnered the second-largest international audience for Prime Video (while The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is the streamer’s biggest) and has enthusiastically been renewed for a second season with Joe Russo on board to direct all the episodes. As veterans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Russos are no strangers to expanded universes. Today, Prime Video has given us the first peek at a new chapter of the Citadel spy universe with the spin-off Citadel: Diana.
Matilda De Angelis (The Undoing) will be starring in Citadel: Diana as the central character in the forthcoming series. According to Prime Video, “following the finale episode, a post-credits teaser of Citadel: Diana reveals an exciting look at what’s to come as the Citadel Spyverse expands with the next chapter. Citadel: Diana was locally created, produced, and filmed in Italy, with production wrapping earlier this year.
Matilda De Angelis (The Undoing) will be starring in Citadel: Diana as the central character in the forthcoming series. According to Prime Video, “following the finale episode, a post-credits teaser of Citadel: Diana reveals an exciting look at what’s to come as the Citadel Spyverse expands with the next chapter. Citadel: Diana was locally created, produced, and filmed in Italy, with production wrapping earlier this year.
- 5/26/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Prime Video has sent the Italian instalment of the Russo Brothers’ global sci-fi event series Citadel into production and cast Matilda de Angelis as its lead, as Amazon Italy execs today touted the streamer’s local growth here at the Mia Market in Rome.
De Angelis recently made her international breakthrough in Susanne Bier’s limited series The Undoing, alongside Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant. It won her the Grandi Serie Silver Ribbon Award for the International Performance of the Year in 2021.
The Italian Citadel, currently untitled and part of Prime Video and Agbo’s expansive spy series, is being produced in Italy by ITV Studios-owned Cattleya.
Additional cast includes Lorenzo Cervasio, Maurizio Lombardi, Thekla Reuten, Julian Piaton, Filippo Nigro and Bernhard Schütz. Arnaldo Catinari (Suburra: Blood on Rome) is directing and Alessandro Fabbri is head writer. Gina Gardini is showrunner.
Cattleya’s Riccardo Tozzi,...
De Angelis recently made her international breakthrough in Susanne Bier’s limited series The Undoing, alongside Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant. It won her the Grandi Serie Silver Ribbon Award for the International Performance of the Year in 2021.
The Italian Citadel, currently untitled and part of Prime Video and Agbo’s expansive spy series, is being produced in Italy by ITV Studios-owned Cattleya.
Additional cast includes Lorenzo Cervasio, Maurizio Lombardi, Thekla Reuten, Julian Piaton, Filippo Nigro and Bernhard Schütz. Arnaldo Catinari (Suburra: Blood on Rome) is directing and Alessandro Fabbri is head writer. Gina Gardini is showrunner.
Cattleya’s Riccardo Tozzi,...
- 10/12/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Production is underway in Italy on the Italian instalment of Prime Video’s global “Citadel” spy thriller franchise, produced by the Russo Brothers, with Matilda De Angelis cast as the lead.
De Angelis, a rising Italian star, made her international breakthrough in Susanne Bier’s “The Undoing,” alongside Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant. She more recently appeared with Liev Schrieber in the Ernest Hemingway adaptation “Across The River and Into The Trees,” directed by Paula Ortiz.
The “Citadel” start-of-production in Italy and casting announcement was made at Rome’s Mia content market during an Amazon Studios panel.
The previously announced Italian leg of the Amazon event series — which has a U.S.-based “mothership” show as well as offshoot instalments in India, Mexico and Italy — is being directed by Arnaldo Catinari (“Suburra: Blood on Rome”) and written by Alessandro Fabbri who is also the head writer.
Prominent Italian shingle Cattleya,...
De Angelis, a rising Italian star, made her international breakthrough in Susanne Bier’s “The Undoing,” alongside Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant. She more recently appeared with Liev Schrieber in the Ernest Hemingway adaptation “Across The River and Into The Trees,” directed by Paula Ortiz.
The “Citadel” start-of-production in Italy and casting announcement was made at Rome’s Mia content market during an Amazon Studios panel.
The previously announced Italian leg of the Amazon event series — which has a U.S.-based “mothership” show as well as offshoot instalments in India, Mexico and Italy — is being directed by Arnaldo Catinari (“Suburra: Blood on Rome”) and written by Alessandro Fabbri who is also the head writer.
Prominent Italian shingle Cattleya,...
- 10/12/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Events include the inaugural Creative Investors’ Conference, a panel on crisis in streaming and a focus on Serbia.
The 70th San Sebastian International Film Festival (September 16-24) will mark a return to full form for its industry programme, with a higher industry attendance expected than ever before and the inaugural edition of the much-anticipated Creative Investors’ conference.
Some 2,009 industry delegates will attend in-person, with 1,956 on site, and just 53 participating online as the festival continues to offer an online-only industry accreditation.
Last year, 1,625 delegates from industry attended, with 140 participating online – a time when strict Covid restrictions were in-place, including mandatory mask wearing,...
The 70th San Sebastian International Film Festival (September 16-24) will mark a return to full form for its industry programme, with a higher industry attendance expected than ever before and the inaugural edition of the much-anticipated Creative Investors’ conference.
Some 2,009 industry delegates will attend in-person, with 1,956 on site, and just 53 participating online as the festival continues to offer an online-only industry accreditation.
Last year, 1,625 delegates from industry attended, with 140 participating online – a time when strict Covid restrictions were in-place, including mandatory mask wearing,...
- 9/16/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
The fourth season of HBO Max’s “Gomorrah” will premiere in the United States on Thursday, May 20. IndieWire is exclusively revealing the trailer for the upcoming season, which can be viewed below.
The Season 4 synopsis reads:
The new season clearly turns the spotlight on Genny (Salvatore Esposito), the lone Savastano dynasty survivor: a character who has shed countless skins in the process of morphing from Don Pietro’s spoiled brat into family boss, husband, and father. In fact, the new season sees him on his best behavior precisely for the sake of Azzurra (Ivana Lotito) and little Pietro: with his own family to protect and an activity to reboot, he feels the need for a major life change, committing to legit business while sneaking out, as best he can, from the world his father had him grow up in.
His interests in Naples are now entrusted to Patrizia (Cristiana Dell’Anna) who,...
The Season 4 synopsis reads:
The new season clearly turns the spotlight on Genny (Salvatore Esposito), the lone Savastano dynasty survivor: a character who has shed countless skins in the process of morphing from Don Pietro’s spoiled brat into family boss, husband, and father. In fact, the new season sees him on his best behavior precisely for the sake of Azzurra (Ivana Lotito) and little Pietro: with his own family to protect and an activity to reboot, he feels the need for a major life change, committing to legit business while sneaking out, as best he can, from the world his father had him grow up in.
His interests in Naples are now entrusted to Patrizia (Cristiana Dell’Anna) who,...
- 5/4/2021
- by Tyler Hersko
- Indiewire
HBO Max released a trailer for Season 4 of “Gomorrah,” which launches on May 20.
The new season focuses on Genny, who, in order to protect his family, commits to legit business and tries to escape the world in which his father raised him.
“Gomorrah” stars Salvatore Esposito, Ivana Lotito, Cristiana Dell’Anna, Arturo Muselli and Loris De Luna.
Based on the book by Roberto Saviano, “Gomorrah” is executive produced by Riccardo Tozzi, Gina Gardini, Giovanni Stabilini, Marco Chimenz, Nils Hartman and Sonia Rovai. The series is developed by Saviano and Stefano Bises, alongside Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli, who also serve as writers with Enrico Audenino and Monica Zapelli. The fourth season is directed by Claudio Cupellini, Marco D’Amore, Enrico Rosati, Ciro Visco and Francesca Comencini, who is also the artistic supervisor.
Also in today’s TV news roundup:
First Looks
PBS released a trailer for “Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten,...
The new season focuses on Genny, who, in order to protect his family, commits to legit business and tries to escape the world in which his father raised him.
“Gomorrah” stars Salvatore Esposito, Ivana Lotito, Cristiana Dell’Anna, Arturo Muselli and Loris De Luna.
Based on the book by Roberto Saviano, “Gomorrah” is executive produced by Riccardo Tozzi, Gina Gardini, Giovanni Stabilini, Marco Chimenz, Nils Hartman and Sonia Rovai. The series is developed by Saviano and Stefano Bises, alongside Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli, who also serve as writers with Enrico Audenino and Monica Zapelli. The fourth season is directed by Claudio Cupellini, Marco D’Amore, Enrico Rosati, Ciro Visco and Francesca Comencini, who is also the artistic supervisor.
Also in today’s TV news roundup:
First Looks
PBS released a trailer for “Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten,...
- 5/4/2021
- by Antonio Ferme and Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
ITV Studios Sets Up Shop In Spain With Netflix Exec
Cattleya, the ITV Studios-backed Italian producer behind Gomorrah, is launching Spanish subsidiary Cattleya Producciones and has hired Netflix’s Arturo Díaz as managing director. The company will be ITV Studios’ first scripted producer in Spain. Díaz was a director of local language originals at Netflix, working on shows including Las Chicas de Cable, the streamer’s longest-running non-u.S. series. Cattleya Producciones will be overseen by Cattleya founder and co-ceo Riccardo Tozzi, alongside his co-CEOs Giovanni Stabilini and Marco Chimenz. Lisa Perrin, managing director of international production at ITV Studios, will also have oversight of the outfit. ITV Studios will distribute its drama series internationally.
Sky Sets Cast For ‘The Midwich Cuckoos’
Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard), and Max Beesley (The Outsider) are to lead the cast of Sky’s modern-day adaptation of John Wyndham’s sci-fi novel The Midwich Cuckoos. The...
Cattleya, the ITV Studios-backed Italian producer behind Gomorrah, is launching Spanish subsidiary Cattleya Producciones and has hired Netflix’s Arturo Díaz as managing director. The company will be ITV Studios’ first scripted producer in Spain. Díaz was a director of local language originals at Netflix, working on shows including Las Chicas de Cable, the streamer’s longest-running non-u.S. series. Cattleya Producciones will be overseen by Cattleya founder and co-ceo Riccardo Tozzi, alongside his co-CEOs Giovanni Stabilini and Marco Chimenz. Lisa Perrin, managing director of international production at ITV Studios, will also have oversight of the outfit. ITV Studios will distribute its drama series internationally.
Sky Sets Cast For ‘The Midwich Cuckoos’
Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard), and Max Beesley (The Outsider) are to lead the cast of Sky’s modern-day adaptation of John Wyndham’s sci-fi novel The Midwich Cuckoos. The...
- 4/28/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV Studios is growing its sizeable global footprint with a new Spanish scripted production company that extends one of the super-indie’s most recognizable banners.
Leading Italian producer Cattleya, the makers of “Gomorrah,” “Suburra” and “ZeroZeroZero,” will expand into Spain with Cattleya Producciones. Led by former Netflix executive Arturo Díaz — in a rare instance of streaming talent rejoining the production ranks — the company will specialize in high-end drama for Spain and the global market.
Díaz, who will serve as managing director, was recently director of original content at Netflix, overseeing series in Spain and Latin America, and based out of Los Angeles for five years. His executive producer credits include the smash hit “Las Chicas de Cable,” the streamer’s longest-running non-u.S. series. He also oversaw the development of “Elite” and the recent “Rebelde” reboot.
Cattleya Producciones will be overseen by Cattleya founder and co-ceo Riccardo Tozzi alongside co-CEOs Giovanni Stabilini and Marco Chimenz,...
Leading Italian producer Cattleya, the makers of “Gomorrah,” “Suburra” and “ZeroZeroZero,” will expand into Spain with Cattleya Producciones. Led by former Netflix executive Arturo Díaz — in a rare instance of streaming talent rejoining the production ranks — the company will specialize in high-end drama for Spain and the global market.
Díaz, who will serve as managing director, was recently director of original content at Netflix, overseeing series in Spain and Latin America, and based out of Los Angeles for five years. His executive producer credits include the smash hit “Las Chicas de Cable,” the streamer’s longest-running non-u.S. series. He also oversaw the development of “Elite” and the recent “Rebelde” reboot.
Cattleya Producciones will be overseen by Cattleya founder and co-ceo Riccardo Tozzi alongside co-CEOs Giovanni Stabilini and Marco Chimenz,...
- 4/28/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
As part of the Cannes Virtual Market’s kick-off today, a group of leading European executives sat down for a panel on the post-covid future with optimism and opporunity among the keywords,. A call for regulatory measures from the European Commission was met with somewhat mixed response, but all agreed that retaining IP rights in the face of streaming dominance — as exacerbated by the last several months of lockdown — is another major issue.
The Favourite producer Ed Guiney, of Element Films, suggested the EC must “really reexamine their whole approach to develoment, and to properly resouce that because I think if we can own the IP, we can build companies. We’re in the position do to better and better deals. I think at the moment, we’re not really independent producers, we’re dependent producers.”
Still, he was sanguine on the future. “I feel there is a real opportunity in cinema now,...
The Favourite producer Ed Guiney, of Element Films, suggested the EC must “really reexamine their whole approach to develoment, and to properly resouce that because I think if we can own the IP, we can build companies. We’re in the position do to better and better deals. I think at the moment, we’re not really independent producers, we’re dependent producers.”
Still, he was sanguine on the future. “I feel there is a real opportunity in cinema now,...
- 6/22/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
On-Set Injury, Political Tensions Disrupt Amazon’s ‘ZeroZeroZero,’ Push Premiere to 2020 (Exclusive)
Production of “Zero Zero Zero” has been delayed by several months as a result of an on-set injury to star Andrea Riseborough, and political tensions in Mexico that disrupted the cocaine drama’s location schedule, Variety has learned exclusively.
Riseborough was injured while shooting last year in Morocco, according to Riccardo Tozzi, founder of Cattleya, the Italian production company behind the show. He declined to comment more specifically on the nature of her injuries or how she sustained them, calling the cause of the injury “something that could happen to you or me,” but said that filming was halted around November of last year and further paused for the holidays before resuming in mid-January.
While a source close to the production told Variety that Riseborough broke parts of both legs, Cattleya’s co-ceo Marco Chimenz calls that description “meritless.” When asked about the nature of Riseborough’s injuries and whether...
Riseborough was injured while shooting last year in Morocco, according to Riccardo Tozzi, founder of Cattleya, the Italian production company behind the show. He declined to comment more specifically on the nature of her injuries or how she sustained them, calling the cause of the injury “something that could happen to you or me,” but said that filming was halted around November of last year and further paused for the holidays before resuming in mid-January.
While a source close to the production told Variety that Riseborough broke parts of both legs, Cattleya’s co-ceo Marco Chimenz calls that description “meritless.” When asked about the nature of Riseborough’s injuries and whether...
- 2/27/2019
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Constantin CEO Martin Moszkowicz called the fast and far-reaching changes sweeping across the film and TV industries an “El Dorado” for producers, as increasing competition from new and established players creates soaring demand for fresh content.
“There’s going to be more competition from the buyers’ side. There’s going to be more product needed,” he said. “In today’s environment, there are plenty of opportunities. I’ve never seen so many opportunities in our business.”
Moszkowicz spoke Monday at the Ritz-Carlton in Berlin, where he appeared in conversation with Cattleya co-ceo Marco Chimenz at a European Producers Club event to discuss the future of film and TV production.
While reflecting on how the landscape of film sales and distribution has changed dramatically in recent years, with the business model of pre-sales across different territories “very much under pressure, if at all existing these days,” the Constantin topper said that...
“There’s going to be more competition from the buyers’ side. There’s going to be more product needed,” he said. “In today’s environment, there are plenty of opportunities. I’ve never seen so many opportunities in our business.”
Moszkowicz spoke Monday at the Ritz-Carlton in Berlin, where he appeared in conversation with Cattleya co-ceo Marco Chimenz at a European Producers Club event to discuss the future of film and TV production.
While reflecting on how the landscape of film sales and distribution has changed dramatically in recent years, with the business model of pre-sales across different territories “very much under pressure, if at all existing these days,” the Constantin topper said that...
- 2/12/2019
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
More than 360 international delegates are expected at Göteborg’s 13th Nordic TV Drama Vision (Jan. 30-31) described by head of industry Cia Edström as a ‘boutique event’, where top Nordic and international drama professionals gather each year to gauge the state of the Nordic market and hot content.
For the first time, to comply with the growing demand from international drama execs, a new venue – the historical theater building ‘Stora teatern’ – will host this year’s expanded Nordic TV confab.
Keynote speakers set to inspire attendees comprise seasoned U.K. TV writer Sally Wainwright, BAFTA award-winning comedy producer Jon Plowman and Netflix’s director of co-production & acquisition, Northern and Central Europe, Lina Brounéus.
Nordic professionals will be eager to discover Brounéus’ commissioning plans in the region beyond the three Originals already announced: “The Rain Season 2” from Denmark, “Quicksand” from Sweden, selected for the Berlinale Series, and “Ragnarok” from Norway, penned...
For the first time, to comply with the growing demand from international drama execs, a new venue – the historical theater building ‘Stora teatern’ – will host this year’s expanded Nordic TV confab.
Keynote speakers set to inspire attendees comprise seasoned U.K. TV writer Sally Wainwright, BAFTA award-winning comedy producer Jon Plowman and Netflix’s director of co-production & acquisition, Northern and Central Europe, Lina Brounéus.
Nordic professionals will be eager to discover Brounéus’ commissioning plans in the region beyond the three Originals already announced: “The Rain Season 2” from Denmark, “Quicksand” from Sweden, selected for the Berlinale Series, and “Ragnarok” from Norway, penned...
- 1/22/2019
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
The impact of the Us streaming giants were the hot topic at South Tyrol’s Incontri meetings.
The arrival of Us streaming giants Netflix and Amazon has encouraged many broadcasters and producers to completely rethink the way they do business.
They were speaking at this year’s Incontri meetings, a series of talks organised by the Idm South Tyrol Film Fund & Commission in the South Tyrol for an invited audience of producers and distributors from March 22-24.
Among the transformations taking place are distributors and broadcasters who are becoming producers of their own original drama, an increase in investment in...
The arrival of Us streaming giants Netflix and Amazon has encouraged many broadcasters and producers to completely rethink the way they do business.
They were speaking at this year’s Incontri meetings, a series of talks organised by the Idm South Tyrol Film Fund & Commission in the South Tyrol for an invited audience of producers and distributors from March 22-24.
Among the transformations taking place are distributors and broadcasters who are becoming producers of their own original drama, an increase in investment in...
- 4/13/2018
- by Gabriele Niola
- ScreenDaily
In its latest acquisition, ITV Studios has taken a majority stake in Italian indie Cattleya, the production company behind Gomorrah and Romanzo Criminale. Based in Rome, Cattleya was launched in 1997 by founder Riccardo Tozzi who was joined by President and Co-ceo Giovanni Stabilini and Co-ceo Marco Chimenz. Cattleya will retain full creative and production autonomy with ITV Studios Global Entertainment distributing its series where rights are available. Financial details…...
- 10/10/2017
- Deadline TV
Former Cinecittà exec Cristina Giubbetti to lead department aimed at luring foreign productions to Italy.
Former Cinecittà Studios executive Cristina Giubbetti has been appointed by Gomorrah - La Serie producer Cattleya to lead a department dedicated to attracting, servicing, and potentially partnering with, international productions looking to shoot in Italy.
Giubbetti started out as sales manager for international productions at Cinecittà Studios. She then became responsible for the studio’s executive production services in 2011, working with international clients including MGM, Paramount, Universal, Canal+, HBO, Warner Bros and Disney.
Cattleya’s president and a managing director Marco Chimenz commented: “We are glad to have added Cristina to our team because of her experience managing international productions shooting in Italy and her large network of contacts, first among which is Cinecittà Studios. We already have a strong relationship with them and thanks to Cristina we will collaborate even more tightly with them, especially in the...
Former Cinecittà Studios executive Cristina Giubbetti has been appointed by Gomorrah - La Serie producer Cattleya to lead a department dedicated to attracting, servicing, and potentially partnering with, international productions looking to shoot in Italy.
Giubbetti started out as sales manager for international productions at Cinecittà Studios. She then became responsible for the studio’s executive production services in 2011, working with international clients including MGM, Paramount, Universal, Canal+, HBO, Warner Bros and Disney.
Cattleya’s president and a managing director Marco Chimenz commented: “We are glad to have added Cristina to our team because of her experience managing international productions shooting in Italy and her large network of contacts, first among which is Cinecittà Studios. We already have a strong relationship with them and thanks to Cristina we will collaborate even more tightly with them, especially in the...
- 7/6/2016
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Film to market premiere at Toronto.
Paris-based Indie Sales has secured sales on Stefano Sollima’s Rome-set organised crime thriller Suburra.
The film has sold to Benelux (Lumiere), Germany and Austria (Koch Films) and Switzerland (Praesens Films).
Sollima previously directed most of the episodes of hit TV series Gomorrah, which sold to more than 100 territories including the Us, where it was acquired by The Weinstein Company.
Other credits include the 2012 film A.C.A.B., about a squad of riot police in Rome, and TV series Romanzo Criminale.
Indie Sales, which will market premiere the high-octane Suburra at a private screening today (Sept 12), is also reporting strong interest from Australia and the UK.
“Stefano Sollima is an amazing director and the actors are great” said Indie Sales chief Nicolas Eschbach.
The film is based on a novel of the same name by Giancarlo De Cataldo and Carlo Bonini, painting a nebulous web of corruption interlinking politicians, the Vatican...
Paris-based Indie Sales has secured sales on Stefano Sollima’s Rome-set organised crime thriller Suburra.
The film has sold to Benelux (Lumiere), Germany and Austria (Koch Films) and Switzerland (Praesens Films).
Sollima previously directed most of the episodes of hit TV series Gomorrah, which sold to more than 100 territories including the Us, where it was acquired by The Weinstein Company.
Other credits include the 2012 film A.C.A.B., about a squad of riot police in Rome, and TV series Romanzo Criminale.
Indie Sales, which will market premiere the high-octane Suburra at a private screening today (Sept 12), is also reporting strong interest from Australia and the UK.
“Stefano Sollima is an amazing director and the actors are great” said Indie Sales chief Nicolas Eschbach.
The film is based on a novel of the same name by Giancarlo De Cataldo and Carlo Bonini, painting a nebulous web of corruption interlinking politicians, the Vatican...
- 9/12/2015
- ScreenDaily
European Commissioner spoke with the film industry in Cannes.
The debate on the European Commission’s Digital Single Market (Dsm) strategy moved from Brussels to Cannes on Sunday (May 17), with the arrival of Gunther Oettinger on the Croisette.
The European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society flew to the South of France for a whirlwind schedule of meetings with European directors and producers, most of them eager to convey their anxieties over his plans for a Dsm and related changes to copyright law.
Speaking at a conference on culture and the Dsm, organised by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication, Oettinger warned Europe risked being left behind if it did not find a way to unify its digital markets.
Click here for video of Oettinger in Cannes
“It’s Google, it’s Amazon and Microsoft, which will be taking the decisions, with a clearly American strategy, the aim being to dominate Europe,” he said.
“The...
The debate on the European Commission’s Digital Single Market (Dsm) strategy moved from Brussels to Cannes on Sunday (May 17), with the arrival of Gunther Oettinger on the Croisette.
The European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society flew to the South of France for a whirlwind schedule of meetings with European directors and producers, most of them eager to convey their anxieties over his plans for a Dsm and related changes to copyright law.
Speaking at a conference on culture and the Dsm, organised by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication, Oettinger warned Europe risked being left behind if it did not find a way to unify its digital markets.
Click here for video of Oettinger in Cannes
“It’s Google, it’s Amazon and Microsoft, which will be taking the decisions, with a clearly American strategy, the aim being to dominate Europe,” he said.
“The...
- 5/17/2015
- ScreenDaily
France’s Atlantique Productions and Italy’s Cattleya enter into two-title co-development and production deal
French drama producer Atlantique Productions and Italian outfit Cattleya have secured a co-development and co-production agreement to turn 1960s Western Django and Dario Argento’s Suspiria into TV series.
The first, Django, will be a re-imagining of the cult 1966 Western. Atlantique Productions acquired the rights to develop and produce an English-language television series based on Sergio Corbucci’s iconic Western.
The film, which made a star out of Franco Nero, was the story of a coffin-dragging gunslinger’s feud with a bandit chief. It has spawned sequels and homages, most notably Quentin Tarantino’s 2012 blockbuster Django Unchained.
The second, Suspiria De Profundis, is inspired by the 19th century English writer Thomas De Quincey’s eponymous book, which was made into the classic Italian horror film Suspiria in 1977 by Dario Argento. Argento will serve as the series’ artistic supervisor.
Suspiria De Profundis...
French drama producer Atlantique Productions and Italian outfit Cattleya have secured a co-development and co-production agreement to turn 1960s Western Django and Dario Argento’s Suspiria into TV series.
The first, Django, will be a re-imagining of the cult 1966 Western. Atlantique Productions acquired the rights to develop and produce an English-language television series based on Sergio Corbucci’s iconic Western.
The film, which made a star out of Franco Nero, was the story of a coffin-dragging gunslinger’s feud with a bandit chief. It has spawned sequels and homages, most notably Quentin Tarantino’s 2012 blockbuster Django Unchained.
The second, Suspiria De Profundis, is inspired by the 19th century English writer Thomas De Quincey’s eponymous book, which was made into the classic Italian horror film Suspiria in 1977 by Dario Argento. Argento will serve as the series’ artistic supervisor.
Suspiria De Profundis...
- 4/8/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
France’s Atlantique Productions and Italy’s Cattleya enter into two-title co-development and production deal
French drama producer Atlantique Productions and Italian outfit Cattleya have secured a co-development and co-production agreement to turn 1960s Western Django and Dario Argento’s Suspiria into TV series.
The first, Django, will be a re-imagining of the cult 1966 Western. Atlantique Productions acquired the rights to develop and produce an English-language television series based on Sergio Corbucci’s iconic Western.
The film, which made a star out of Franco Nero, was the story of a coffin-dragging gunslinger’s feud with a bandit chief. It has spawned sequels and homages, most notably Quentin Tarantino’s 2012 blockbuster Django Unchained.
The second, Suspiria De Profundis, is inspired by the 19th century English writer Thomas De Quincey’s eponymous book, which was made into the classic Italian horror film Suspiria in 1977 by Dario Argento. Argento will serve as the series’ artistic supervisor.
Suspiria De Profundis...
French drama producer Atlantique Productions and Italian outfit Cattleya have secured a co-development and co-production agreement to turn 1960s Western Django and Dario Argento’s Suspiria into TV series.
The first, Django, will be a re-imagining of the cult 1966 Western. Atlantique Productions acquired the rights to develop and produce an English-language television series based on Sergio Corbucci’s iconic Western.
The film, which made a star out of Franco Nero, was the story of a coffin-dragging gunslinger’s feud with a bandit chief. It has spawned sequels and homages, most notably Quentin Tarantino’s 2012 blockbuster Django Unchained.
The second, Suspiria De Profundis, is inspired by the 19th century English writer Thomas De Quincey’s eponymous book, which was made into the classic Italian horror film Suspiria in 1977 by Dario Argento. Argento will serve as the series’ artistic supervisor.
Suspiria De Profundis...
- 4/8/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
The Weinstein Company has acquired rights to the Sky Italia crime drama series Gomorra, directed by Stefano Sollima (Romanzo Criminale). Marco D’Amore, Fortunato Cerlino, Maria Pia Calzone, Salvatore Esposito, Marco Palvetti star in the series based on Roberto Saviano’s bestselling novel, the inside story of the fierce Neapolitan crime organization Camorra. It tells the story of 30-year-old Ciro (d’Amore), the right hand of the Savastano clan’s godfather Pietro (Cerlino), and the ruthless war to take over “The System”. The series consist of 12 one-hour installments and in addition to Sky Italia is produced by Cattley, Fandango La 7 and Beta Film. Negotiations began at the 2013 Mipcom market. The deal is for the original series and no remake is planned as of now. “This is a project that caught our eye a while back for its world-class acting talent, as well as Stefano Sollima’s phenomenal abilities to craft a thriller like none other.
- 4/8/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Emerging Pictures recently announced “Cinema Made In Italy,” a major new initiative between Istituto Luce- Cinecittà, the Italian Trade Commission and Emerging Pictures that will pro-vide distribution and marketing support to five major Italian films with the goal of broadening the audience for Italian cinema in the United States. Emerging will oversee the initiative and distribute Gianni Amelio’s L’Intrepido, Marco Bellocchio’s Dormant Beauty, Bernardo Bertolucci’s Me And You and Valeria Golino’s Honey in 2014.
These four recent Italian works will receive marketing and distribution support from a fund created by Istituto Luce- Cinecittà and the Italian Trade Commission. The first film in the series was Paolo Sorrentino’s masterful Academy Award nominated The Great Beauty. Since it was released by Janus Films with support from the Cinema Made In Italy program, it has become one of the most acclaimed foreign language films of the year. It also won the Golden Globe, European Film Award and is nominated for the BAFTA and Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film.
All five films will receive a nationwide release. Theaters will be announced shortly. Each of the films will have a full marketing and publicity campaign overseen by Emerging Pictures and supported by Istituto Luce-Cinecittà and the Italian Trade Commission.
Ira Deutchman, Managing Partner of Emerging Pictures, said, “Italian cine- ma has always captured the imagination of American audiences since the hey-day of Fellini, Pasolini, Visconti, De Sica and Rossellini. Our goal is to create a marketing and distribution initiative that will allow new Italian films to regularly enter the marketplace with a presence and to help create an ongoing new audience. We’re thrilled to be working with Istituto Luce-Cinecittà and the Italian Trade Commission to create this truly groundbreaking program.”
“Luce Cinecitta' is proud to test this new way to promote Italian cinema abroad,” said Istituto Luce-Cinecitta’ Chief Executive Officer Roberto Cicut- to. “Thanks to the funds provided by the Ministry of Economic Development and The Italian Trade Commission (Agenzia Ice) in addition to those provid- ed by the Ministry of Culture in partnership with Emerging Pictures, we will be able to give the largest theatrical distribution to recent Italian titles direct- ed by very prestigious auteurs. Italian cinema is well known worldwide for its glorious past and for such great contemporary directors as Bertolucci, Bellocchio, Moretti, Sorrentino, Garrone, Amelio and others. This new platform will give our movies the chance to be seen in a wide array of theaters throughout the U.S., and not just in specialized art houses in a few big cities. The recent outstanding success of Sorrentino's ‘Great Beauty,’ a Janus release, with our support, shows there is great potential here for Italian cinema. We look for- ward to increasing the availability of Italian films to our American friends.”
Dr. Carlo Angelo Bocchi, Trade Commissioner, Italian Trade Commission, said, "We have been working in the past two years with all the institutions mentioned by Roberto with two main goals: to get the Italian movie industry as the most important made-in-Italy tool for the commercial promotion of our country in the U.S., to try to reach the widest possible audience for viewing Italian movies. The support of different public institutions was central to building a project that was from the outset commercial: the movie industry is quintessentially important to promoting wine, food, fashion, design, technology, tourism and Italian style, together with the expression of our cultural values, trends and innovations. Italian cinema provides a single, comprehensive tool for achieving that meaningful goal. With ‘The Great Beauty,’ our first film, Cinema Made in Italy makes its debut in 25 cities, in more than 100 theaters in 15 states. This far-reaching exposure is exactly what we were searching for in our partnership with Emerging Pictures, and we are very happy that this first film in our Italian movie series is already appearing throughout the United States.”
About Emerging Pictures
Emerging Pictures, managed by Barry Rebo and Ira Deutchman, is the pre- mier all-digital Specialty Film and Alternative Content network of theaters in the United States. The company delivers independent films, cultural pro- grams and special events to a network of approximately 400 North American venues encompassing traditional art houses, museums and performing arts centers as well as commercial multiplexes including Allen Theatres, Angelika/ Reading Theatres, Big Cinemas, Bow Tie Cinemas, Marcus Theatres, Carmike Cinemas, Digiplex Destination Cinemas, Harkins Theatres, Laemmle Theaters, Muvico Theaters, Regency Theatres and others. The company also distributes live and captured live performances worldwide of the Bolshoi Ballet and some of the world’s foremost opera houses, including Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, under its Ballet in Cinema and Opera in Cinema brands.
About Istituto Luce-Cinecitta
Istituto Luce - Cinecittà (www.cinecittaluce.it) is the state-owned company whose main shareholder is the Italian Ministry for Culture. Istituto Luce - Cinecittà’s institutional work includes promoting Italian cinema both at home and abroad by means of projects dedicated to the great directors of the past and their classic films, as well contemporary ones. During the main In- ternational Film Festivals Istituto Luce - Cinecittà prepares multifunctional spaces that help to the promotion of our cinematography and it is the refer- ence place for all Italian and foreign operators Istituto Luce - Cinecittà holds one of the most important film and photographic archive both of its own pro- ductions, and private collections and acquisitions from a variety of sources. Istituto Luce - Cinecittà also distributes films made by Italian and European directors and guarantees they are given an adequate release on the national market. The team for the promotion of contemporary cinema continues to col- laborate with all of the major film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Shanghai, Tokyo, Locarno, New York , London, etc, by orga- nizing the national selections, the presence of Italian films and artists in the various festivals, and providing an expository and promotional space within all the major International film markets. We are also involved with the orga- nization of numerous events which take place in countries with strong com- mercial potential such as : The Italian cinema festival in Tokyo, Open Roads – New Italian cinema in New York, Cinema Italian Style in Los Angeles, The Festival of Italian cinema of Barcelona and The Mittelcinemafest. Istituto
Luce - Cinecittà also owns a film library, Cineteca, which contains around 3000 titles of the most significant Italian film productions, subtitled in foreign languages, which serve in promoting Italian culture at major national and in- ternational Institutes around the world. Istituto Luce - Cinecittà is also re- sponsible for editing a daily news magazine on-line: CinecittàNews (news.cinecitta.com) which delivers the latest breaking news on the principal activities involving Italian cinema as well as its developing legislative and in- stitutional aspects.
About The Italian Trade Commission The Ice-Italian Trade Promotion Agency is the government organization which promotes the internationalization of the Italian companies, in line with the strategies of the Ministry for Economic Development. Ice provides in- formation, support and advice to Italian and foreign companies. In addition to its Rome headquarters, Ice operates worldwide from a large network of Trade Promotion Offices linked to Italian embassies and consulates and work- ing closely with local authorities and businesses. Ice provides a wide range of services overseas helping Italian and foreign businesses to connect with each other
About The Films
Dormant Beauty (Bella Addormentata)
Release Date: Tbc Director: Marco Bellocchio Producer: Riccardo Tozzi, Fabio Conversi, Marco Chimenz, Giovanni Sta- bilini
Screenplay: Marco Bellocchio, Veronica Raimo, Stefano Rulli Cast: Toni Servillo, Isabelle Huppert, Alba Rohrwacher Festivals: Venice 2012, Toronto 2012
Three stories, taking place over the course of a few days, involving a con- science-stricken politician, an obsessive mother and two young protestors on different sides, are skillfully interwoven in this gripping, beautifully realized film. Set against the background of the emotional and controversial real-life 2008 euthanasia case of Eluana Englaro, Dormant Beauty is a subtle and complex depiction of recent Italian history.
The Great Beauty
(released by Janus Films) - In Release Director: Paolo Sorrentino (Il Divo) Producer: Nicola Giuliano, Francesca Cima Screenwriter: Paolo Sorrentino, Umberto Contarello Cast: Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone, Sabrina Ferrili, Carlo Buccirosso, Iaia Forte, Pamela Villoresi, Galatea Ranzi with Massimo de Francovich, Roberto Herlitzka, and with Isabella Ferrari Festivals: Cannes (Competition) 2013, Toronto 2013, AFI 2013, Italy’s Official Entry to the 2014 Academy Awards Awards: 4 European Film Award nominations (Picture, Director, Screenplay, Actor and winner for Best Editing), Best Foreign Film nominee for British In- dependent Film Awards
Journalist Jep Gambardella (the dazzling Toni Servillo, Il Divo and Go- Morrah) has charmed and seduced his way through the lavish nightlife of Rome for decades. Since the legendary success of his one and only novel, he has been a permanent fixture in the city's literary and social circles, but when his sixty-fifth birthday coincides with a shock from the past, Jep finds himself unexpectedly taking stock of his life, turning his cutting wit on himself and his contemporaries, and looking past the extravagant nightclubs, parties, and cafés to find Rome in all its glory: a timeless landscape of absurd, exquisite beauty.
Honey (Miele)
Release Date: March 7, 2014 Director: Valeria Golino Producer: Viola Prestieri, Riccardo Scamarcio, Anne-Dominique Toussaint, Raphael Berdugo Screenplay: Valeria Golino, Valia Santella, Francesca Marciano, from the novel by Angela Del Fabbro with the same title Cast: Jasmine Trinca, Carlo Cecchi, Libero De Rienzo, Vinicio Marchioni, Iaia Forte, Roberto De Francesco, Barbara Ronchi, Claudio Guain, Teresa Acerbis, Valeria Bilello, Massimiliano Iacolucci Festivals: Cannes (Un Certain Regard) 2013, Toronto 2013 Prizes: Winner Special Mention from the Ecumenical Jury, Cannes 2013 Nominated for European Discovery at the European Film Awards 2013
Actress Valeria Golino makes her directing debut with Honey. Irene lives alone on the coastline outside Rome. To her father and her married lover, she’s a student. In reality, she often travels to Mexico where she can legally buy a powerful barbiturate. Working under the name of Miele ("Honey"), her clandestine job is to help terminally-ill people to die with dignity by giving them the drug. One day she supplies a new “client” with a fatal dose, only to find out he’s perfectly healthy but tired of life. Irene is determined not to be responsible for his suicide. From this point on, Irene and Grimaldi are unwill- ingly locked in an intense and moving relationship which will change Irene’s life forever.
L’Intrepido
Release Date - To Be Confirmed Director: Gianni Amelio Producer: Carlo Degli Esposti Screenplay: Gianni Amelio, Davide Lantieri Cast: Antonio Albanese, Sandra Ceccarelli, Livia Rossi, Gabriele Rendina, Alfonso Santagata
Festivals: Venice 2013, Toronto 2013
Set in modern day Milan, this is a Chaplinesque odyssey through the world of work – every type of work, but primarily unskilled manual labor – seen through the eyes of a kind, middle-aged man who takes on every conceivable temporary job in order to be useful and have self respect. This really is a por- trait of the highs and lows of modern life. At its heart is a sympathetic man (Antonio Albanese) who, despite loneliness and personal family problems, es- pecially around his gifted but troubled musician son, remains defiantly opti- mistic even when terrible things happen to him and the people he meets.
Me And You (Io E Te)
Release Date: To Be Confirmed
Director: Bernardo Bertolucci Screenplay: Bernardo Bertolucci, Niccolo Ammaniti, Umberto Contarello Producer: Mario Gianani Cast: Tea Falco, Jacopo Olmo Antinori Festivals: Cannes, Toronto
Lorenzo, a solitary 14-year-old with difficulties relating to his daily life and the world around him, chooses to spend a week hidden in the basement of his house. But Lorenzo’s fragile and rebellious stepsister, Olivia, appears at her brother’s place of refuge and disturbs the quiet.
These four recent Italian works will receive marketing and distribution support from a fund created by Istituto Luce- Cinecittà and the Italian Trade Commission. The first film in the series was Paolo Sorrentino’s masterful Academy Award nominated The Great Beauty. Since it was released by Janus Films with support from the Cinema Made In Italy program, it has become one of the most acclaimed foreign language films of the year. It also won the Golden Globe, European Film Award and is nominated for the BAFTA and Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film.
All five films will receive a nationwide release. Theaters will be announced shortly. Each of the films will have a full marketing and publicity campaign overseen by Emerging Pictures and supported by Istituto Luce-Cinecittà and the Italian Trade Commission.
Ira Deutchman, Managing Partner of Emerging Pictures, said, “Italian cine- ma has always captured the imagination of American audiences since the hey-day of Fellini, Pasolini, Visconti, De Sica and Rossellini. Our goal is to create a marketing and distribution initiative that will allow new Italian films to regularly enter the marketplace with a presence and to help create an ongoing new audience. We’re thrilled to be working with Istituto Luce-Cinecittà and the Italian Trade Commission to create this truly groundbreaking program.”
“Luce Cinecitta' is proud to test this new way to promote Italian cinema abroad,” said Istituto Luce-Cinecitta’ Chief Executive Officer Roberto Cicut- to. “Thanks to the funds provided by the Ministry of Economic Development and The Italian Trade Commission (Agenzia Ice) in addition to those provid- ed by the Ministry of Culture in partnership with Emerging Pictures, we will be able to give the largest theatrical distribution to recent Italian titles direct- ed by very prestigious auteurs. Italian cinema is well known worldwide for its glorious past and for such great contemporary directors as Bertolucci, Bellocchio, Moretti, Sorrentino, Garrone, Amelio and others. This new platform will give our movies the chance to be seen in a wide array of theaters throughout the U.S., and not just in specialized art houses in a few big cities. The recent outstanding success of Sorrentino's ‘Great Beauty,’ a Janus release, with our support, shows there is great potential here for Italian cinema. We look for- ward to increasing the availability of Italian films to our American friends.”
Dr. Carlo Angelo Bocchi, Trade Commissioner, Italian Trade Commission, said, "We have been working in the past two years with all the institutions mentioned by Roberto with two main goals: to get the Italian movie industry as the most important made-in-Italy tool for the commercial promotion of our country in the U.S., to try to reach the widest possible audience for viewing Italian movies. The support of different public institutions was central to building a project that was from the outset commercial: the movie industry is quintessentially important to promoting wine, food, fashion, design, technology, tourism and Italian style, together with the expression of our cultural values, trends and innovations. Italian cinema provides a single, comprehensive tool for achieving that meaningful goal. With ‘The Great Beauty,’ our first film, Cinema Made in Italy makes its debut in 25 cities, in more than 100 theaters in 15 states. This far-reaching exposure is exactly what we were searching for in our partnership with Emerging Pictures, and we are very happy that this first film in our Italian movie series is already appearing throughout the United States.”
About Emerging Pictures
Emerging Pictures, managed by Barry Rebo and Ira Deutchman, is the pre- mier all-digital Specialty Film and Alternative Content network of theaters in the United States. The company delivers independent films, cultural pro- grams and special events to a network of approximately 400 North American venues encompassing traditional art houses, museums and performing arts centers as well as commercial multiplexes including Allen Theatres, Angelika/ Reading Theatres, Big Cinemas, Bow Tie Cinemas, Marcus Theatres, Carmike Cinemas, Digiplex Destination Cinemas, Harkins Theatres, Laemmle Theaters, Muvico Theaters, Regency Theatres and others. The company also distributes live and captured live performances worldwide of the Bolshoi Ballet and some of the world’s foremost opera houses, including Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, under its Ballet in Cinema and Opera in Cinema brands.
About Istituto Luce-Cinecitta
Istituto Luce - Cinecittà (www.cinecittaluce.it) is the state-owned company whose main shareholder is the Italian Ministry for Culture. Istituto Luce - Cinecittà’s institutional work includes promoting Italian cinema both at home and abroad by means of projects dedicated to the great directors of the past and their classic films, as well contemporary ones. During the main In- ternational Film Festivals Istituto Luce - Cinecittà prepares multifunctional spaces that help to the promotion of our cinematography and it is the refer- ence place for all Italian and foreign operators Istituto Luce - Cinecittà holds one of the most important film and photographic archive both of its own pro- ductions, and private collections and acquisitions from a variety of sources. Istituto Luce - Cinecittà also distributes films made by Italian and European directors and guarantees they are given an adequate release on the national market. The team for the promotion of contemporary cinema continues to col- laborate with all of the major film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Shanghai, Tokyo, Locarno, New York , London, etc, by orga- nizing the national selections, the presence of Italian films and artists in the various festivals, and providing an expository and promotional space within all the major International film markets. We are also involved with the orga- nization of numerous events which take place in countries with strong com- mercial potential such as : The Italian cinema festival in Tokyo, Open Roads – New Italian cinema in New York, Cinema Italian Style in Los Angeles, The Festival of Italian cinema of Barcelona and The Mittelcinemafest. Istituto
Luce - Cinecittà also owns a film library, Cineteca, which contains around 3000 titles of the most significant Italian film productions, subtitled in foreign languages, which serve in promoting Italian culture at major national and in- ternational Institutes around the world. Istituto Luce - Cinecittà is also re- sponsible for editing a daily news magazine on-line: CinecittàNews (news.cinecitta.com) which delivers the latest breaking news on the principal activities involving Italian cinema as well as its developing legislative and in- stitutional aspects.
About The Italian Trade Commission The Ice-Italian Trade Promotion Agency is the government organization which promotes the internationalization of the Italian companies, in line with the strategies of the Ministry for Economic Development. Ice provides in- formation, support and advice to Italian and foreign companies. In addition to its Rome headquarters, Ice operates worldwide from a large network of Trade Promotion Offices linked to Italian embassies and consulates and work- ing closely with local authorities and businesses. Ice provides a wide range of services overseas helping Italian and foreign businesses to connect with each other
About The Films
Dormant Beauty (Bella Addormentata)
Release Date: Tbc Director: Marco Bellocchio Producer: Riccardo Tozzi, Fabio Conversi, Marco Chimenz, Giovanni Sta- bilini
Screenplay: Marco Bellocchio, Veronica Raimo, Stefano Rulli Cast: Toni Servillo, Isabelle Huppert, Alba Rohrwacher Festivals: Venice 2012, Toronto 2012
Three stories, taking place over the course of a few days, involving a con- science-stricken politician, an obsessive mother and two young protestors on different sides, are skillfully interwoven in this gripping, beautifully realized film. Set against the background of the emotional and controversial real-life 2008 euthanasia case of Eluana Englaro, Dormant Beauty is a subtle and complex depiction of recent Italian history.
The Great Beauty
(released by Janus Films) - In Release Director: Paolo Sorrentino (Il Divo) Producer: Nicola Giuliano, Francesca Cima Screenwriter: Paolo Sorrentino, Umberto Contarello Cast: Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone, Sabrina Ferrili, Carlo Buccirosso, Iaia Forte, Pamela Villoresi, Galatea Ranzi with Massimo de Francovich, Roberto Herlitzka, and with Isabella Ferrari Festivals: Cannes (Competition) 2013, Toronto 2013, AFI 2013, Italy’s Official Entry to the 2014 Academy Awards Awards: 4 European Film Award nominations (Picture, Director, Screenplay, Actor and winner for Best Editing), Best Foreign Film nominee for British In- dependent Film Awards
Journalist Jep Gambardella (the dazzling Toni Servillo, Il Divo and Go- Morrah) has charmed and seduced his way through the lavish nightlife of Rome for decades. Since the legendary success of his one and only novel, he has been a permanent fixture in the city's literary and social circles, but when his sixty-fifth birthday coincides with a shock from the past, Jep finds himself unexpectedly taking stock of his life, turning his cutting wit on himself and his contemporaries, and looking past the extravagant nightclubs, parties, and cafés to find Rome in all its glory: a timeless landscape of absurd, exquisite beauty.
Honey (Miele)
Release Date: March 7, 2014 Director: Valeria Golino Producer: Viola Prestieri, Riccardo Scamarcio, Anne-Dominique Toussaint, Raphael Berdugo Screenplay: Valeria Golino, Valia Santella, Francesca Marciano, from the novel by Angela Del Fabbro with the same title Cast: Jasmine Trinca, Carlo Cecchi, Libero De Rienzo, Vinicio Marchioni, Iaia Forte, Roberto De Francesco, Barbara Ronchi, Claudio Guain, Teresa Acerbis, Valeria Bilello, Massimiliano Iacolucci Festivals: Cannes (Un Certain Regard) 2013, Toronto 2013 Prizes: Winner Special Mention from the Ecumenical Jury, Cannes 2013 Nominated for European Discovery at the European Film Awards 2013
Actress Valeria Golino makes her directing debut with Honey. Irene lives alone on the coastline outside Rome. To her father and her married lover, she’s a student. In reality, she often travels to Mexico where she can legally buy a powerful barbiturate. Working under the name of Miele ("Honey"), her clandestine job is to help terminally-ill people to die with dignity by giving them the drug. One day she supplies a new “client” with a fatal dose, only to find out he’s perfectly healthy but tired of life. Irene is determined not to be responsible for his suicide. From this point on, Irene and Grimaldi are unwill- ingly locked in an intense and moving relationship which will change Irene’s life forever.
L’Intrepido
Release Date - To Be Confirmed Director: Gianni Amelio Producer: Carlo Degli Esposti Screenplay: Gianni Amelio, Davide Lantieri Cast: Antonio Albanese, Sandra Ceccarelli, Livia Rossi, Gabriele Rendina, Alfonso Santagata
Festivals: Venice 2013, Toronto 2013
Set in modern day Milan, this is a Chaplinesque odyssey through the world of work – every type of work, but primarily unskilled manual labor – seen through the eyes of a kind, middle-aged man who takes on every conceivable temporary job in order to be useful and have self respect. This really is a por- trait of the highs and lows of modern life. At its heart is a sympathetic man (Antonio Albanese) who, despite loneliness and personal family problems, es- pecially around his gifted but troubled musician son, remains defiantly opti- mistic even when terrible things happen to him and the people he meets.
Me And You (Io E Te)
Release Date: To Be Confirmed
Director: Bernardo Bertolucci Screenplay: Bernardo Bertolucci, Niccolo Ammaniti, Umberto Contarello Producer: Mario Gianani Cast: Tea Falco, Jacopo Olmo Antinori Festivals: Cannes, Toronto
Lorenzo, a solitary 14-year-old with difficulties relating to his daily life and the world around him, chooses to spend a week hidden in the basement of his house. But Lorenzo’s fragile and rebellious stepsister, Olivia, appears at her brother’s place of refuge and disturbs the quiet.
- 2/10/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Wrekin Hill Entertainment acquired U.S. rights to Gabriele Salvatores’ Siberian Education. Based on the novel by Nicolai Lilin, with a screenplay by Sandro Petraglia, Stefano Rulli and Salvatores, the film stars John Malkovich, Arnas Feravicius, Vilius Tumalavicius, Eleanor Tomlinson, Peter Stormare, Jonas Trukanas and Vitalji Porsnev. Set in the ghetto of Soviet Russia, Siberian Education follows the path of two boys who are members of a gang of exiled Siberians. The best friends grow up together, mastering a unique education focused on illegal arts such as theft, banditry and weaponry. Their clan has its very own stringent code of honor, which, while criminal, sometimes actually coincides with what is generally considered ethical and moral. It is a code that must never be broken, no matter what. As the boys turn to men, everything they have come to know and learn is tested. The film’s produced by Catteya’s Riccardo Tozzi,...
- 5/19/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Rome-based Cattleya, which Universal Pictures owns 20% of, is sifting through the studio’s library looking for titles to remake in Italian. Cattleya’s remake of French comedy Welcome to the Sticks, Benvenuti Al Sud, opens on October 1 in Italy. It’s moved the action to Naples, associated in most Italian minds with the Mafia. The original French film was about a man posted from Paris to the drab Calais region. Welcome to the Sticks generated 500,000 admissions in Italy. Marco Chimenz, executive vice-president of Cattleya, tells me that remaking titles from Universal’s library is easier than trying to remake something from scratch. “Remaking movies becomes difficult and expensive when there are lots of rights holders,” Chimenz says. “That’s less of an issue when it comes to movies Universal wholly owns.” Remaking Uni movies in Italian is part of Cattleya’s push into more international production. It’s developing two news English-language movies into production.
- 9/10/2010
- by TIM ADLER
- Deadline London
London -- Universal Pictures has taken a minority stake in Italian production banner Cattleya, while Focus Features International, Uni's recently realigned international sales unit, will partner with the shingle to develop, co-produce and distribute its films.
Universal Pictures International will distribute a minimum of two films a year in Italy as a result of the two pacts, the parties said Monday. The deal marks the first time that a major U.S. studio has invested directly in a local production company in Italy, according to Universal.
Rome-based Cattleya is headed by Riccardo Tozzi, Giovanni Stabilini and Marco Chimenz, with producer Francesca Longardi leading development. Recent output includes last year's Donatello winner "Mio Fratello E Figlio Unico" (My Brother Is an Only Child) and the Oscar-nominated "La Bestia nel Cuore" (Don't Tell).
The first film released through the Universal/Cattleya deal will be Umberto Carteni's "Diverso da Chi," starring Luca Argentero and Claudia Gerini,...
Universal Pictures International will distribute a minimum of two films a year in Italy as a result of the two pacts, the parties said Monday. The deal marks the first time that a major U.S. studio has invested directly in a local production company in Italy, according to Universal.
Rome-based Cattleya is headed by Riccardo Tozzi, Giovanni Stabilini and Marco Chimenz, with producer Francesca Longardi leading development. Recent output includes last year's Donatello winner "Mio Fratello E Figlio Unico" (My Brother Is an Only Child) and the Oscar-nominated "La Bestia nel Cuore" (Don't Tell).
The first film released through the Universal/Cattleya deal will be Umberto Carteni's "Diverso da Chi," starring Luca Argentero and Claudia Gerini,...
- 1/19/2009
- by By Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
An Italian remake of the 1993 U.S. comedy "Groundhog Day" will be produced by Rome-based indie Cattleya thanks to a unique agreement with Sony Entertainment, Cattleya co-chief Marco Chimenz said. Retitled "Il Giorno della cicogna" (Stork Day), the Italian adaptation of the surreal Harold Ramis-directed romantic comedy about a TV weatherman in a time warp will be directed by Giulio Manfredonia ("Se fossi in te") with local A-list actor Antonio Albanese ("Freshwater Man") attached to star. Set in Rome and the Canary Islands, the $4.5 million remake will be co-produced by Cattleya in collaboration with Spanish indie Flamenco and Estudios Picasso, the production arm of Spanish broadcaster Telecinco. Flamenco will hold Spanish theatrical rights.
- 11/16/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A boxoffice hit in Italy when it opened in April, five months later The Best Day of My Life is the surprise winner of the Grand Prix of Americas, top prize at the Montreal World Film Festival. While a crowd-pleaser and obviously appealing to the jury, Life was one of three Italian films in competition and was hardly universally loved. Most likely its win here will not increase the drama's lackluster commercial destiny beyond southern Europe.
Centered around a family struggling to cope with itself, with much of the action taking place in the villa of the domineering widowed grandmother, Life is talky, overloaded with narration and mostly so overlit it's distracting. Three grown-up siblings are messily working through life issues, with lovers, hapless husbands and children caught in the shifting currents.
Alas, it's possible to not develop a burning interest in Rita (Sandra Ceccarelli), who hasn't had sex with her husband (Marco Baliani) since she had a second daughter. Rita starts to fall for a younger man (Jean Hughes Anglade). Then there's her older sister Sara (Margherita Buy), who compensates for being a depressed widow by fretting over her son (Francesco Scianna).
Of primary concern is whether the young man will turn out to be another Claudio Luigi Lo Cascio), Rita and Sara's gay brother, who has not come out to the entire family. The sisters are not heartless, just typically self-absorbed. There's one scene that vibrantly captures the milieu. In a dog-related case of kismet, Claudio's lover (Marco Quaglia) wanders onto the villa and is discovered by Irene (Virna Lisi), the aging matriarch who spends a lot of time remembering the glories of the past, when the family was together all the time.
Irene insists that the young man stay for dinner, with Claudio put in the awkward position of having to treat him like a stranger, until Irene's opinions about gays and just about everything else causes the meal to break up. From then on, things get better for Claudio, but there's little beyond good acting, some situational comedy and occasional snappy dialogue to keep one's attention focused.
Directed with minimal flair by Cristina Comencini, also a novelist, and co-written by her with Giulia Calenda and Lucilla Schiaffino, Life weirdly turns arty with several sex scenes near the conclusion that practically insert the camera between participants. It's hardly a joyful release.
Ultimately, the film becomes a predictable, heady melodrama fixated on Italian family values that tries to win approval with its universal themes. But for some, it will be a fruitless task to sit through.
THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE
Cattleya, Rai Cinema
Credits:
Director: Cristina Comencini
Screenwriters: Cristina Comencini, Giulia Calenda, Lucilla Schiaffino
Producers: Riccardo Tozzi, Marco Chimenz, Giovanni Stabilini
Director of photography: Fabio Cianchetti
Production designer: Paola Comencini
Editor: Cecilia Zanuso
Costume designer: Antonella Berardi
Music: Franco Piersanti
Cast:
Irene: Virna Lisi
Sara: Margherita Buy
Carlo: Marco Baliani
Claudio: Luigi Lo Cascio
Rita: Sandra Ceccarelli
Marco: Francesco Scianna
Davide: Jean Hughes Anglade
Sandro: Ricky Tognazzi
Luca: Marco Quaglia
Running time -- 102 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Centered around a family struggling to cope with itself, with much of the action taking place in the villa of the domineering widowed grandmother, Life is talky, overloaded with narration and mostly so overlit it's distracting. Three grown-up siblings are messily working through life issues, with lovers, hapless husbands and children caught in the shifting currents.
Alas, it's possible to not develop a burning interest in Rita (Sandra Ceccarelli), who hasn't had sex with her husband (Marco Baliani) since she had a second daughter. Rita starts to fall for a younger man (Jean Hughes Anglade). Then there's her older sister Sara (Margherita Buy), who compensates for being a depressed widow by fretting over her son (Francesco Scianna).
Of primary concern is whether the young man will turn out to be another Claudio Luigi Lo Cascio), Rita and Sara's gay brother, who has not come out to the entire family. The sisters are not heartless, just typically self-absorbed. There's one scene that vibrantly captures the milieu. In a dog-related case of kismet, Claudio's lover (Marco Quaglia) wanders onto the villa and is discovered by Irene (Virna Lisi), the aging matriarch who spends a lot of time remembering the glories of the past, when the family was together all the time.
Irene insists that the young man stay for dinner, with Claudio put in the awkward position of having to treat him like a stranger, until Irene's opinions about gays and just about everything else causes the meal to break up. From then on, things get better for Claudio, but there's little beyond good acting, some situational comedy and occasional snappy dialogue to keep one's attention focused.
Directed with minimal flair by Cristina Comencini, also a novelist, and co-written by her with Giulia Calenda and Lucilla Schiaffino, Life weirdly turns arty with several sex scenes near the conclusion that practically insert the camera between participants. It's hardly a joyful release.
Ultimately, the film becomes a predictable, heady melodrama fixated on Italian family values that tries to win approval with its universal themes. But for some, it will be a fruitless task to sit through.
THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE
Cattleya, Rai Cinema
Credits:
Director: Cristina Comencini
Screenwriters: Cristina Comencini, Giulia Calenda, Lucilla Schiaffino
Producers: Riccardo Tozzi, Marco Chimenz, Giovanni Stabilini
Director of photography: Fabio Cianchetti
Production designer: Paola Comencini
Editor: Cecilia Zanuso
Costume designer: Antonella Berardi
Music: Franco Piersanti
Cast:
Irene: Virna Lisi
Sara: Margherita Buy
Carlo: Marco Baliani
Claudio: Luigi Lo Cascio
Rita: Sandra Ceccarelli
Marco: Francesco Scianna
Davide: Jean Hughes Anglade
Sandro: Ricky Tognazzi
Luca: Marco Quaglia
Running time -- 102 minutes
No MPAA rating...
A boxoffice hit in Italy when it opened in April, five months later "The Best Day of My Life" is the surprise winner of the Grand Prix of Americas, top prize at the Montreal World Film Festival. While a crowd-pleaser and obviously appealing to the jury, "Life" was one of three Italian films in competition and was hardly universally loved. Most likely its win here will not increase the drama's lackluster commercial destiny beyond southern Europe.
Centered around a family struggling to cope with itself, with much of the action taking place in the villa of the domineering widowed grandmother, "Life" is talky, overloaded with narration and mostly so overlit it's distracting. Three grown-up siblings are messily working through life issues, with lovers, hapless husbands and children caught in the shifting currents.
Alas, it's possible to not develop a burning interest in Rita (Sandra Ceccarelli), who hasn't had sex with her husband (Marco Baliani) since she had a second daughter. Rita starts to fall for a younger man (Jean Hughes Anglade). Then there's her older sister Sara (Margherita Buy), who compensates for being a depressed widow by fretting over her son (Francesco Scianna).
Of primary concern is whether the young man will turn out to be another Claudio Luigi Lo Cascio), Rita and Sara's gay brother, who has not come out to the entire family. The sisters are not heartless, just typically self-absorbed. There's one scene that vibrantly captures the milieu. In a dog-related case of kismet, Claudio's lover (Marco Quaglia) wanders onto the villa and is discovered by Irene (Virna Lisi), the aging matriarch who spends a lot of time remembering the glories of the past, when the family was together all the time.
Irene insists that the young man stay for dinner, with Claudio put in the awkward position of having to treat him like a stranger, until Irene's opinions about gays and just about everything else causes the meal to break up. From then on, things get better for Claudio, but there's little beyond good acting, some situational comedy and occasional snappy dialogue to keep one's attention focused.
Directed with minimal flair by Cristina Comencini, also a novelist, and co-written by her with Giulia Calenda and Lucilla Schiaffino, "Life" weirdly turns arty with several sex scenes near the conclusion that practically insert the camera between participants. It's hardly a joyful release.
Ultimately, the film becomes a predictable, heady melodrama fixated on Italian family values that tries to win approval with its universal themes. But for some, it will be a fruitless task to sit through.
THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE
Cattleya, Rai Cinema
Credits:
Director: Cristina Comencini
Screenwriters: Cristina Comencini, Giulia Calenda, Lucilla Schiaffino
Producers: Riccardo Tozzi, Marco Chimenz, Giovanni Stabilini
Director of photography: Fabio Cianchetti
Production designer: Paola Comencini
Editor: Cecilia Zanuso
Costume designer: Antonella Berardi
Music: Franco Piersanti
Cast:
Irene: Virna Lisi
Sara: Margherita Buy
Carlo: Marco Baliani
Claudio: Luigi Lo Cascio
Rita: Sandra Ceccarelli
Marco: Francesco Scianna
Davide: Jean Hughes Anglade
Sandro: Ricky Tognazzi
Luca: Marco Quaglia
Running time -- 102 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Centered around a family struggling to cope with itself, with much of the action taking place in the villa of the domineering widowed grandmother, "Life" is talky, overloaded with narration and mostly so overlit it's distracting. Three grown-up siblings are messily working through life issues, with lovers, hapless husbands and children caught in the shifting currents.
Alas, it's possible to not develop a burning interest in Rita (Sandra Ceccarelli), who hasn't had sex with her husband (Marco Baliani) since she had a second daughter. Rita starts to fall for a younger man (Jean Hughes Anglade). Then there's her older sister Sara (Margherita Buy), who compensates for being a depressed widow by fretting over her son (Francesco Scianna).
Of primary concern is whether the young man will turn out to be another Claudio Luigi Lo Cascio), Rita and Sara's gay brother, who has not come out to the entire family. The sisters are not heartless, just typically self-absorbed. There's one scene that vibrantly captures the milieu. In a dog-related case of kismet, Claudio's lover (Marco Quaglia) wanders onto the villa and is discovered by Irene (Virna Lisi), the aging matriarch who spends a lot of time remembering the glories of the past, when the family was together all the time.
Irene insists that the young man stay for dinner, with Claudio put in the awkward position of having to treat him like a stranger, until Irene's opinions about gays and just about everything else causes the meal to break up. From then on, things get better for Claudio, but there's little beyond good acting, some situational comedy and occasional snappy dialogue to keep one's attention focused.
Directed with minimal flair by Cristina Comencini, also a novelist, and co-written by her with Giulia Calenda and Lucilla Schiaffino, "Life" weirdly turns arty with several sex scenes near the conclusion that practically insert the camera between participants. It's hardly a joyful release.
Ultimately, the film becomes a predictable, heady melodrama fixated on Italian family values that tries to win approval with its universal themes. But for some, it will be a fruitless task to sit through.
THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE
Cattleya, Rai Cinema
Credits:
Director: Cristina Comencini
Screenwriters: Cristina Comencini, Giulia Calenda, Lucilla Schiaffino
Producers: Riccardo Tozzi, Marco Chimenz, Giovanni Stabilini
Director of photography: Fabio Cianchetti
Production designer: Paola Comencini
Editor: Cecilia Zanuso
Costume designer: Antonella Berardi
Music: Franco Piersanti
Cast:
Irene: Virna Lisi
Sara: Margherita Buy
Carlo: Marco Baliani
Claudio: Luigi Lo Cascio
Rita: Sandra Ceccarelli
Marco: Francesco Scianna
Davide: Jean Hughes Anglade
Sandro: Ricky Tognazzi
Luca: Marco Quaglia
Running time -- 102 minutes
No MPAA rating...
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