I am happy to see more people vocalize demand for Latina representation onscreen and the resurging interest in solving this messed up disparity issue (Thank you Gina Rodriguez Golden Globes acceptance speech ). However, the representation issue I find ten times more urgent to address is the anguishing miniscule percentage of Latina Content Creators in film and television.
I give you 5 bomb Latina Directors who are are at the helm of brand new feature films coming out this year, women who are striking through the hostile mass media industry to escape the rule of homogeneity (white male perspective). Now that is something to celebrate. It’s not surprising that three of these are documentaries. The percentage of women directed films in documentaries is higher than in fiction. Now I can’t say with total certainty these 2 Latina directed U.S. fiction feature length films are the only ones out there this year…actually yes I can…..until someone reaches out to correct me ….and I really do hope to be corrected because only two???????
"Los 33"
Director : Patricia Riggen
Writers : Mikko Alanne, Michael John Bell, Craig Borten, Jose Rivera
Producers : Robert Katz, Edward McGurn, Mike Medavoy
Cinematographer : Checco Varese
Music : James Horner
U.S. Distributor : Tba
Cast : Rodrigo Santoro, Antonio Banderas, Cote de Pablo, James Brolin, Juliette Binoche, Gabriel Byrne, Lou Diamond Phillips, Kate del Castillo, Tenoch Huerta
Social Media: @The33Pelicula
Logline: Based on the incredible real-life story of the 33 survivors of a copper-gold mine in Chile that collapsed and trapping them 700 meters underground for 69 days until their rescue.
Add Riggen to the exclusive ranks of women who fought for and have proved they got the chops to direct big action, Hollywood type genre movies like Katheryn Bigelow, Mimi Leder. The trailer for Los 33 that dropped last week reveals an epic dramatization of the intensely emotional struggle to survive the Chilean mine disaster. The English language film carries a sweeping score by none other than James Horner (and naturally you can hear Violetta Parra’s classic song, Gracias Por La Vida). Add to that a big hero performance by Antonio Banderas who leads an ensemble cast of well known international actors (including hottie Mexican star of Güeros, Tenoch Huerta!!). Riggen, who was born in Guadalajara but moved to the states after graduating Columbia’s film school in NY, made a splash with her 2007 film, Under the Same Moon starring a back-then-virtually-unknown-in-the-u.S. Eugenio Derbez, and Kate del Castillo. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival then was picked up by Pantelion, the studio she later worked with on the Eva Mendes starrer Girl in Progress.
Domestic distribution and release stateside is yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile Twentieth Century Fox will be releasing the film in Chile in August, marking the fifth anniversary of the incident, before rolling out the film throughout Latin America including Mexico. For an in-depth account of Los 33, check out current best-seller, “Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine and the Miracle That Set Them Free” by Hector Tobar.
"Endgame"
Director: Carmen Marron
Writers : Hector Salinas, Carmen Marron
Producers : Sandra Avila, Carmen Marron
Executive Producers : Hector Salinas, Betty Sullivan
Associate Producer : Bonnie Emerson
Cinematographer: Francisco Bulgarelli
Music: Brian Standefer
Cinematographer: Francisco Bulgarelli
U.S. Distributor : Tba
Cast : Rico Rodriguez, Efren Ramirez, Justina Machado, Jon Gries
Social Media: @GoForIt_Carmen
Facebook
Logline: Shot in Brownsville and inspired by true events, Endgame is a coming-of-age story about a young boy who joins the school chess team, and with the help of his coach, embarks on a journey of self-discovery, team spirit and the importance of family.
Another talented genre director (and fellow Chicana from Chicago, Heyyy) whose tenacity and talent make her primed to be our Latina Ava Duvernay success story (of course that depends on whether the public (and gatekeepers) support her to make the change to the system to demand her spot in the national mainstream). I wrote about Carmen’s tireless spirit before , mentioning her first film which she shot, wrote, directed and produced in Chicago called Go For It (which incidentally was Gina Rodriguez’s first feature role). Her latest film is Endgame starring the precocious Manny from Modern Family, Rico Rodriguez, and Efren Ramirez from cult classic Napoleon Dynamite, Endgame is one of those irresistible competition, underdog, against-all-odds stories. Ramirez portrays the galvanizing Brownsville public elementary school teacher and chess afficionado, J.J. Guajardo, who in 1989, upon seeing his 6th grade class take an interest in his chess board, began to teach them on the regular. The class excelled and entered regional competitions, going on to enter and win state championships against schools with far more resources. Echoing the positives of disrupting a broke educational status quo with simply offering access to advanced mental cognition building tools, the film echoes another real life story and seminal Chicano film, Stand & Deliver. Big difference; that movie was not directed by a Latino/a.
The film is world premiering at the Dallas International Film Festival April 12 &13. Distribution is yet to be confirmed for theatrical/VOD but stay tuned via the Facebook page.
"No Mas Bebes"
Director: Renee Tajima-Peña
Producers : Virginia Espino
Associate Producer : Kate Trumbull-Valle
Executive Producers : Julie Parker Benello, Wendy Ettinger, Judith Helfland, Sally Jo Fiefer and Sandra Pedlow
U.S. Distributor : Itvs/Latino Public Broadcasting
Cinematographer: Claudio Rocha
Music: Bronwen Jones, additional music by Quetzal
Cast : Antonia Hernandez, Gloria Molina, Dolores Madrigal, Jovita Rivera, Consuelo Hermosillo
Social Media: Facebook
Logline : An investigation of the sterilization of Mexican-American women at Los Angeles County-usc Medical Center during the 1960s and 70s
Sadly, there is an appalling history in the United States of laws and policies authorizing sterilizations of poor women without their knowledge or consent for the “benefit of society”; Buck v. Bell (low-income white women in Virginia), Relf v. Weinberger (young African-American women in Alabama), and female inmates in California. This film focuses on the case of Latinas of Mexican origin in California in Madrigal v. Quilligan . Shedding light on this horrific human rights violation, the film includes interviews with women who suffered this terrible ordeal and locked the memory away, along with former medical staff and the incredible lawyer who filed this suit forty years ago, Antonia Hernandez. A long-time coming, supremely valuable and eye opening contextualization of the Chicano rights movement from the late 60s/70s as well as the current reproductive justice movement.
So kind of cheating here, Renee is not Latina per se, but a sister in the struggle to document the Latino community. Her producer is Latina, Virginia Espino, La born-and-raised historian, plus I really want to rally support for this film because it is one of those Latina stories that really needed to be told and remembered this year which marks the 40th anniversary of the lawsuit (June 19). It is ready to be unveiled and seen by as wide an audience as possible. Stay tuned to hear when the film will have its world premiere before its broadcast in the Fall on Voces, Latino Public Broadcasting’s arts and culture series on PBS.
"Now en Español"
Director: Andrea Meller
Producers : Aaron Woolf, Andrea Meller
Music: Camara Kambon
Cinematographer: Charlie Gruet
U.S. Distributor : PBS/Latino Public Broadcasting
Cast : Marabina Jaimes, Marcela Bordes, Gabriela Lopetegui, Ivette Gonzalez, Natasha Perez
Social Media: @NowenEspanol, website
Logline: Follows the trials and triumphs of the small group of Latina actresses who dub “Desperate Housewives” into Spanish.
Currently hitting the festival circuit in such reputable festivals as Santa Barbara, Chicago Latino Film Festival, CineFestival, ahead of its showing on PBS Voces, "Now en Español" is such an effective and distinct balance of humor, seriousness and insider look by Chilean-American Andrea Meller.
Profiling Marcela Bordes, Ivette Gonzalez, Marabina Jaimes, Gabriela Lopetegui and Natasha Perez, the film is quite plainspoken and sympathetic about the struggle of the actor in Hollywood. Like the comedy fiction film (also directed by a woman!) "In a World," by Lake Bell, the film offers a rare behind the scenes and insight into the voice acting industry. Few actors make make careers out of this, others pick it up for income, but in the end it is a highly distinct skill to dub millions of shows. It’s really fascinating perspective on the representation of Latinas onscreen and off. What I love most about this film on top of it being an important tool for dialogue and change, is that the filmmaker injects a whimsy tone (apropos Wisteria Lane) which makes sparking this conversation and call to action so much more effective. You have no reason to miss this as it premieres on Friday, April 24, 2015, 10:00-11:00 p.m. (check local listings) as part of Voces, Latino Public Broadcasting’s arts and culture series on PBS. To get a taste of the ladies’ charm and humor check out the trailer:
"Ovarian Psycos"
Director: Kate Trumbull-lavalle & Joanna Sokolowski
Producers :Kate Trumbull-lavalle & Joanna Sokolowski
U.S. Distributor : Itvs (broadcast)
Cinematographer: Michael Raines
Music: Jimmy Lavalle
Cast : Ovarian Psycos Cycle Brigade
Social Media: Facebook
Logline: Follows the story of an all woman of color bicycle brigade, the Ovarian Psycos Cycle Brigade. Based in Boyle Heights, a neighborhood in Eastside Los Angeles, the Ova’s are a collective of unapologetic, politicized, young Latina women who host monthly bike rides every full moon for women and women-identified riders.
Ever since I interviewed Kate during her film’s Kickstarter , I’ve been madly anticipating this, so I’m pleased to scoop that it will be ready late Fall thanks to Itvs coming in with finishing funds. Protegees of esteemed film ladies like Renee Tajima Peña and B. Ruby Rich, the ladies have spent more than two years riding with the Ovas for this documentary. Says Joanna, “There are lots of bike groups in La, but what’s unique about the Ova’s is each ride has a sociopolitical theme and ends with a group discussion. They dialogue about everything from violence against women to the gentrification of Boyle Heights”.
The Ova’s s leadership is run by the collective who work “To Serve, not to Self Serve. Credited as founder is activist and music artist, Xela de la X who formed this rad collective in 2011 with the mission to cycle for the purpose of healing, reclaim neighborhoods, and create safer streets for women on the Eastside. Currently being edited the film should be ready for the Fall if not early next year.
In case you are wondering Trumbull-lavalle is two generations apart from family in Northern Mexico. Which I only add as proof that last names and color of skin are not indicators for knowing whether someone identifies as Latino/a or not.
Which leads me to reiterate, I really hope these 5 are not the only Latina directors with films coming out this year. Calling out an A.P.B. to Latina directors with a feature length film (fiction especially) in production or post, holler at your girl...
I give you 5 bomb Latina Directors who are are at the helm of brand new feature films coming out this year, women who are striking through the hostile mass media industry to escape the rule of homogeneity (white male perspective). Now that is something to celebrate. It’s not surprising that three of these are documentaries. The percentage of women directed films in documentaries is higher than in fiction. Now I can’t say with total certainty these 2 Latina directed U.S. fiction feature length films are the only ones out there this year…actually yes I can…..until someone reaches out to correct me ….and I really do hope to be corrected because only two???????
"Los 33"
Director : Patricia Riggen
Writers : Mikko Alanne, Michael John Bell, Craig Borten, Jose Rivera
Producers : Robert Katz, Edward McGurn, Mike Medavoy
Cinematographer : Checco Varese
Music : James Horner
U.S. Distributor : Tba
Cast : Rodrigo Santoro, Antonio Banderas, Cote de Pablo, James Brolin, Juliette Binoche, Gabriel Byrne, Lou Diamond Phillips, Kate del Castillo, Tenoch Huerta
Social Media: @The33Pelicula
Logline: Based on the incredible real-life story of the 33 survivors of a copper-gold mine in Chile that collapsed and trapping them 700 meters underground for 69 days until their rescue.
Add Riggen to the exclusive ranks of women who fought for and have proved they got the chops to direct big action, Hollywood type genre movies like Katheryn Bigelow, Mimi Leder. The trailer for Los 33 that dropped last week reveals an epic dramatization of the intensely emotional struggle to survive the Chilean mine disaster. The English language film carries a sweeping score by none other than James Horner (and naturally you can hear Violetta Parra’s classic song, Gracias Por La Vida). Add to that a big hero performance by Antonio Banderas who leads an ensemble cast of well known international actors (including hottie Mexican star of Güeros, Tenoch Huerta!!). Riggen, who was born in Guadalajara but moved to the states after graduating Columbia’s film school in NY, made a splash with her 2007 film, Under the Same Moon starring a back-then-virtually-unknown-in-the-u.S. Eugenio Derbez, and Kate del Castillo. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival then was picked up by Pantelion, the studio she later worked with on the Eva Mendes starrer Girl in Progress.
Domestic distribution and release stateside is yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile Twentieth Century Fox will be releasing the film in Chile in August, marking the fifth anniversary of the incident, before rolling out the film throughout Latin America including Mexico. For an in-depth account of Los 33, check out current best-seller, “Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine and the Miracle That Set Them Free” by Hector Tobar.
"Endgame"
Director: Carmen Marron
Writers : Hector Salinas, Carmen Marron
Producers : Sandra Avila, Carmen Marron
Executive Producers : Hector Salinas, Betty Sullivan
Associate Producer : Bonnie Emerson
Cinematographer: Francisco Bulgarelli
Music: Brian Standefer
Cinematographer: Francisco Bulgarelli
U.S. Distributor : Tba
Cast : Rico Rodriguez, Efren Ramirez, Justina Machado, Jon Gries
Social Media: @GoForIt_Carmen
Logline: Shot in Brownsville and inspired by true events, Endgame is a coming-of-age story about a young boy who joins the school chess team, and with the help of his coach, embarks on a journey of self-discovery, team spirit and the importance of family.
Another talented genre director (and fellow Chicana from Chicago, Heyyy) whose tenacity and talent make her primed to be our Latina Ava Duvernay success story (of course that depends on whether the public (and gatekeepers) support her to make the change to the system to demand her spot in the national mainstream). I wrote about Carmen’s tireless spirit before , mentioning her first film which she shot, wrote, directed and produced in Chicago called Go For It (which incidentally was Gina Rodriguez’s first feature role). Her latest film is Endgame starring the precocious Manny from Modern Family, Rico Rodriguez, and Efren Ramirez from cult classic Napoleon Dynamite, Endgame is one of those irresistible competition, underdog, against-all-odds stories. Ramirez portrays the galvanizing Brownsville public elementary school teacher and chess afficionado, J.J. Guajardo, who in 1989, upon seeing his 6th grade class take an interest in his chess board, began to teach them on the regular. The class excelled and entered regional competitions, going on to enter and win state championships against schools with far more resources. Echoing the positives of disrupting a broke educational status quo with simply offering access to advanced mental cognition building tools, the film echoes another real life story and seminal Chicano film, Stand & Deliver. Big difference; that movie was not directed by a Latino/a.
The film is world premiering at the Dallas International Film Festival April 12 &13. Distribution is yet to be confirmed for theatrical/VOD but stay tuned via the Facebook page.
"No Mas Bebes"
Director: Renee Tajima-Peña
Producers : Virginia Espino
Associate Producer : Kate Trumbull-Valle
Executive Producers : Julie Parker Benello, Wendy Ettinger, Judith Helfland, Sally Jo Fiefer and Sandra Pedlow
U.S. Distributor : Itvs/Latino Public Broadcasting
Cinematographer: Claudio Rocha
Music: Bronwen Jones, additional music by Quetzal
Cast : Antonia Hernandez, Gloria Molina, Dolores Madrigal, Jovita Rivera, Consuelo Hermosillo
Social Media: Facebook
Logline : An investigation of the sterilization of Mexican-American women at Los Angeles County-usc Medical Center during the 1960s and 70s
Sadly, there is an appalling history in the United States of laws and policies authorizing sterilizations of poor women without their knowledge or consent for the “benefit of society”; Buck v. Bell (low-income white women in Virginia), Relf v. Weinberger (young African-American women in Alabama), and female inmates in California. This film focuses on the case of Latinas of Mexican origin in California in Madrigal v. Quilligan . Shedding light on this horrific human rights violation, the film includes interviews with women who suffered this terrible ordeal and locked the memory away, along with former medical staff and the incredible lawyer who filed this suit forty years ago, Antonia Hernandez. A long-time coming, supremely valuable and eye opening contextualization of the Chicano rights movement from the late 60s/70s as well as the current reproductive justice movement.
So kind of cheating here, Renee is not Latina per se, but a sister in the struggle to document the Latino community. Her producer is Latina, Virginia Espino, La born-and-raised historian, plus I really want to rally support for this film because it is one of those Latina stories that really needed to be told and remembered this year which marks the 40th anniversary of the lawsuit (June 19). It is ready to be unveiled and seen by as wide an audience as possible. Stay tuned to hear when the film will have its world premiere before its broadcast in the Fall on Voces, Latino Public Broadcasting’s arts and culture series on PBS.
"Now en Español"
Director: Andrea Meller
Producers : Aaron Woolf, Andrea Meller
Music: Camara Kambon
Cinematographer: Charlie Gruet
U.S. Distributor : PBS/Latino Public Broadcasting
Cast : Marabina Jaimes, Marcela Bordes, Gabriela Lopetegui, Ivette Gonzalez, Natasha Perez
Social Media: @NowenEspanol, website
Logline: Follows the trials and triumphs of the small group of Latina actresses who dub “Desperate Housewives” into Spanish.
Currently hitting the festival circuit in such reputable festivals as Santa Barbara, Chicago Latino Film Festival, CineFestival, ahead of its showing on PBS Voces, "Now en Español" is such an effective and distinct balance of humor, seriousness and insider look by Chilean-American Andrea Meller.
Profiling Marcela Bordes, Ivette Gonzalez, Marabina Jaimes, Gabriela Lopetegui and Natasha Perez, the film is quite plainspoken and sympathetic about the struggle of the actor in Hollywood. Like the comedy fiction film (also directed by a woman!) "In a World," by Lake Bell, the film offers a rare behind the scenes and insight into the voice acting industry. Few actors make make careers out of this, others pick it up for income, but in the end it is a highly distinct skill to dub millions of shows. It’s really fascinating perspective on the representation of Latinas onscreen and off. What I love most about this film on top of it being an important tool for dialogue and change, is that the filmmaker injects a whimsy tone (apropos Wisteria Lane) which makes sparking this conversation and call to action so much more effective. You have no reason to miss this as it premieres on Friday, April 24, 2015, 10:00-11:00 p.m. (check local listings) as part of Voces, Latino Public Broadcasting’s arts and culture series on PBS. To get a taste of the ladies’ charm and humor check out the trailer:
"Ovarian Psycos"
Director: Kate Trumbull-lavalle & Joanna Sokolowski
Producers :Kate Trumbull-lavalle & Joanna Sokolowski
U.S. Distributor : Itvs (broadcast)
Cinematographer: Michael Raines
Music: Jimmy Lavalle
Cast : Ovarian Psycos Cycle Brigade
Social Media: Facebook
Logline: Follows the story of an all woman of color bicycle brigade, the Ovarian Psycos Cycle Brigade. Based in Boyle Heights, a neighborhood in Eastside Los Angeles, the Ova’s are a collective of unapologetic, politicized, young Latina women who host monthly bike rides every full moon for women and women-identified riders.
Ever since I interviewed Kate during her film’s Kickstarter , I’ve been madly anticipating this, so I’m pleased to scoop that it will be ready late Fall thanks to Itvs coming in with finishing funds. Protegees of esteemed film ladies like Renee Tajima Peña and B. Ruby Rich, the ladies have spent more than two years riding with the Ovas for this documentary. Says Joanna, “There are lots of bike groups in La, but what’s unique about the Ova’s is each ride has a sociopolitical theme and ends with a group discussion. They dialogue about everything from violence against women to the gentrification of Boyle Heights”.
The Ova’s s leadership is run by the collective who work “To Serve, not to Self Serve. Credited as founder is activist and music artist, Xela de la X who formed this rad collective in 2011 with the mission to cycle for the purpose of healing, reclaim neighborhoods, and create safer streets for women on the Eastside. Currently being edited the film should be ready for the Fall if not early next year.
In case you are wondering Trumbull-lavalle is two generations apart from family in Northern Mexico. Which I only add as proof that last names and color of skin are not indicators for knowing whether someone identifies as Latino/a or not.
Which leads me to reiterate, I really hope these 5 are not the only Latina directors with films coming out this year. Calling out an A.P.B. to Latina directors with a feature length film (fiction especially) in production or post, holler at your girl...
- 4/15/2015
- by Christine Davila
- Sydney's Buzz
Amy Adams' name has long been attached to a Janis Joplin biopic titled Get It While You Can . Today, The Hollywood Reporter brings word that the feature is moving forward and that Lee Daniels ( Precious , The Paperboy ) is in talks to direct. Joplin, an iconic young singer-songwriter of the 1960's, had her life tragically cut short at age 27 due to a heroin overdose. "Get It While You Can" was one of three hit singles the following year, alongside "Cry Baby" and "Me and Bobby McGee." Daniels is currently filming The Butler while Adams can next be seen in On the Road and next summer as Lois Lane in Zack Snyder's Superman reboot Man of Steel . Robert Katz, Andrew Sugerman and Ron Terry will produce Get It While You Can with Jay Tobin...
- 10/17/2012
- Comingsoon.net
Lee Daniels is in talks to direct the independently-financed Janis Joplin biopic "Get It While You Can" which has Amy Adams attached to star says The Hollywood Reporter.
A hard-living singer, Joplin created numerous rock classics like "Piece of My Heart" and became one of the faces of 1960's counterculture. She died of a heroin overdose in 1970.
Robert Katz, Andrew Sugerman and Ron Terry are producing. Terry wrote the screenplay with his wife, Theresa Kounin-Terry, and shooting aims to begin early next year.
Fernando Meirelles and Catherine Hardwicke have previously been attached as directors.
A hard-living singer, Joplin created numerous rock classics like "Piece of My Heart" and became one of the faces of 1960's counterculture. She died of a heroin overdose in 1970.
Robert Katz, Andrew Sugerman and Ron Terry are producing. Terry wrote the screenplay with his wife, Theresa Kounin-Terry, and shooting aims to begin early next year.
Fernando Meirelles and Catherine Hardwicke have previously been attached as directors.
- 10/17/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Lee Daniels is in talks to direct Get It While You Can, a Janis Joplin biopic that has Amy Adams attached to star as the queen of rock 'n' roll. Robert Katz and Andrew Sugerman are producing along with Ron Terry, who wrote the screenplay with his wife, Theresa Kounin-Terry. Jay Tobin is exec producing. Photos: The 27 Club: 6 Artists Who Were Gone Too Soon Joplin was the hard-living singer behind such rock classics as "Piece of My Heart" and "Me and Bobby McGee." She crested on the wave of the 1960s counterculture as one of
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- 10/16/2012
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
German actor best known for his roles in the films of Fassbinder
Filmgoers familiar with the work of Rainer Werner Fassbinder will certainly know Günther Kaufmann, who has died of a heart attack aged 64. Kaufmann had parts great and small in more than a dozen of the prolific German director's movies. He was what the Germans call a "Besatzungskind", one of the many children born between 1945 and 1949 as a result of relationships between German women and American soldiers. Kaufmann's black GI father, whom he never knew, returned to the Us before he was born in Munich. According to Fassbinder: "Günther thinks Bavarian, feels Bavarian and speaks Bavarian. And that's why he gets a shock every morning when he looks in the mirror." Kaufmann, whom Fassbinder always called "my Bavarian negro", played an important role in his life.
They first met in the autumn of 1969 on the set of Volker Schlöndorff's television film of Baal,...
Filmgoers familiar with the work of Rainer Werner Fassbinder will certainly know Günther Kaufmann, who has died of a heart attack aged 64. Kaufmann had parts great and small in more than a dozen of the prolific German director's movies. He was what the Germans call a "Besatzungskind", one of the many children born between 1945 and 1949 as a result of relationships between German women and American soldiers. Kaufmann's black GI father, whom he never knew, returned to the Us before he was born in Munich. According to Fassbinder: "Günther thinks Bavarian, feels Bavarian and speaks Bavarian. And that's why he gets a shock every morning when he looks in the mirror." Kaufmann, whom Fassbinder always called "my Bavarian negro", played an important role in his life.
They first met in the autumn of 1969 on the set of Volker Schlöndorff's television film of Baal,...
- 5/15/2012
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
The Film Department has picked up Jeff Morris's Black List-nominated action-comedy spec script "True Memoirs of an International Assassin" says The Hollywood Reporter.
The story focuses on an accountant who writes a novel about the life he wishes he had, that of a fearless assassin. He sells the book, the publisher labels it a memoir, and the world comes to believe he is his alter ego.
When he goes on vacation to Belize, he finds himself coerced into killing the country's prime minister and must now become the hero he's always written about but never dreamed he'd be.
Michael De Luca, Alissa Phillips, Mark Gill and Robert Katz will produce.
The story focuses on an accountant who writes a novel about the life he wishes he had, that of a fearless assassin. He sells the book, the publisher labels it a memoir, and the world comes to believe he is his alter ego.
When he goes on vacation to Belize, he finds himself coerced into killing the country's prime minister and must now become the hero he's always written about but never dreamed he'd be.
Michael De Luca, Alissa Phillips, Mark Gill and Robert Katz will produce.
- 1/20/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
The Film Department has picked up "True Memoirs of an International Assassin," an action-comedy spec written by Jeff Morris.
Michael De Luca, Alissa Phillips, Mark Gill and Robert Katz will produce. Neil Sacker and Michael Goguen are executive producing, and Scott Nemes acts as co-producer.
"Memoirs" focuses on an accountant who writes a novel about the life he wishes he had, that of a fearless assassin. He sells the book, the publisher labels it a memoir, and the world comes to believe he is his alter ego. When he goes on vacation to Belize, he finds himself coerced into killing the country's prime minister and must now become the hero he's always written about but never dreamed he'd be.
"Memoirs" landed on Franklin Leonard's Black List in December. Morris, repped by Wme and Art/Work Entertainment, also has "Dork Recess" set up with Davis Entertainment for Fox.
Michael De Luca, Alissa Phillips, Mark Gill and Robert Katz will produce. Neil Sacker and Michael Goguen are executive producing, and Scott Nemes acts as co-producer.
"Memoirs" focuses on an accountant who writes a novel about the life he wishes he had, that of a fearless assassin. He sells the book, the publisher labels it a memoir, and the world comes to believe he is his alter ego. When he goes on vacation to Belize, he finds himself coerced into killing the country's prime minister and must now become the hero he's always written about but never dreamed he'd be.
"Memoirs" landed on Franklin Leonard's Black List in December. Morris, repped by Wme and Art/Work Entertainment, also has "Dork Recess" set up with Davis Entertainment for Fox.
- 1/19/2010
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Film Department and Anonymous Content are developing Murder, Inc. , signing Ericson Core ( Invincible ) to direct the crime thriller, reports Variety . The Film Department is financing, with Steve Golin, Mark Gill and Robert Katz as producers. Neil Sacker, Michael Goguen and Matt DeRoss will executive produce, with Alix Madigan co-producing. The script, formerly titled "American Way," was written by Brian Kistler as his first out of AFI Film School. The story centers on two estranged brothers whose parents were brutally murdered when they were young. One becomes an FBI agent who decides to get his long-lost brother out of jail to take out the man who killed their parents.
- 4/2/2009
- Comingsoon.net
Spider-Man is interested in good people, you know, the ones worth saving from certain death. But Tobey Maguire is interested in Good People, a novel by Marcus Sakey about a couple that steals money from the apartment belonging to a dead tenant. Maguire will produce the film through his Maguire Entertainment, according to Variety, and may take the lead male role for himself as well. Kelly Masterson, the screenwriter who broke out big time with Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, will pen this one, while Mark Gill and Robert Katz will produce alongside Maguire.
- 1/22/2009
- cinemablend.com
The Film Department has appointed former James Mangold collaborator Scott Nemes as vp of production and development, reporting to president of production Robert Katz.
Nemes most recently served as head of the film division at production banner Adelstein Prods., where he exec produced the Dimension holiday-horror title "Black Christmas," among other projects.
Nemes, a former child actor, previously worked with Mangold to develop biopic "Walk the Line" and also worked on the development of films such as Universal's "Cinderella Man."
The Film Department is ramping up under Mark Gill and Neil Sacker, most recently signing on F. Gary Gray to helm the Jamie Foxx crime drama "Law-Abiding Citizen."...
Nemes most recently served as head of the film division at production banner Adelstein Prods., where he exec produced the Dimension holiday-horror title "Black Christmas," among other projects.
Nemes, a former child actor, previously worked with Mangold to develop biopic "Walk the Line" and also worked on the development of films such as Universal's "Cinderella Man."
The Film Department is ramping up under Mark Gill and Neil Sacker, most recently signing on F. Gary Gray to helm the Jamie Foxx crime drama "Law-Abiding Citizen."...
- 10/21/2008
- by By Steven Zeitchik
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Director F. Gary Gray is the winner in the sweepstakes to replace Frank Darabont on the legal thriller "Law-Abiding Citizen."
Darabont recently fell off the film, setting off a scurrying among agents and directors to sign on to "Citizen," which will star Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler and is a priority for startup shingle the Film Department. John Singleton was interested, but Gray landed the gig.
Darabont co-wrote the script, but creative differences with producers led to a parting of the ways.
"Citizen" centers on a man who is enraged by a plea bargain to set his family's killers free and in a fit of vigilante justice pursues the district attorney who made the deal. Butler, Alan Siegel, Lucas Foster and Mark Gill are producing, with Neil Sacker and Robert Katz executive producing.
The Wma-repped Gray is best known for helming "The Italian Job," which earned nearly $170 million worldwide for...
Darabont recently fell off the film, setting off a scurrying among agents and directors to sign on to "Citizen," which will star Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler and is a priority for startup shingle the Film Department. John Singleton was interested, but Gray landed the gig.
Darabont co-wrote the script, but creative differences with producers led to a parting of the ways.
"Citizen" centers on a man who is enraged by a plea bargain to set his family's killers free and in a fit of vigilante justice pursues the district attorney who made the deal. Butler, Alan Siegel, Lucas Foster and Mark Gill are producing, with Neil Sacker and Robert Katz executive producing.
The Wma-repped Gray is best known for helming "The Italian Job," which earned nearly $170 million worldwide for...
- 10/17/2008
- by By Steven Zeitchik and Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jamie Foxx is in final negotiations to star opposite Gerard Butler in "Law Abiding Citizen," a psychological thriller that Frank Darabont is directing for the Film Department.
Written by Kurt Wimmer and Darabont, the script follows a successful assistant D.A. (Butler) who finds himself at the center of a vigilante plot hatched by a traumatized victim of the legal system (Foxx). Foxx's character is devastated to learn that, because of a plea bargain, one of his wife and daughter's murderers will be set free. So he unleashes revenge on the killers and those who made the deal.
Butler and his Evil Twin shingle partner Alan Siegel are producing along with Warp Films' Lucas Foster. Film Department's Mark Gill also is producing.
Executive producing are Film Department's Robert Katz and Neil Sacker.
Foxx, repped by CAA and King Management, next stars opposite Robert Downey Jr. in "The Soloist," directed by...
Written by Kurt Wimmer and Darabont, the script follows a successful assistant D.A. (Butler) who finds himself at the center of a vigilante plot hatched by a traumatized victim of the legal system (Foxx). Foxx's character is devastated to learn that, because of a plea bargain, one of his wife and daughter's murderers will be set free. So he unleashes revenge on the killers and those who made the deal.
Butler and his Evil Twin shingle partner Alan Siegel are producing along with Warp Films' Lucas Foster. Film Department's Mark Gill also is producing.
Executive producing are Film Department's Robert Katz and Neil Sacker.
Foxx, repped by CAA and King Management, next stars opposite Robert Downey Jr. in "The Soloist," directed by...
- 10/9/2008
- by By Borys Kit and Gregg Goldstein
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nick Cassavetes has signed on to direct "The Beautiful and the Damned," the Film Department's period love story about F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayme. The helmer already has circled his Zelda: Keira Knightley is in discussions to play the tempestuous lover.
"Damned" revolves around Zelda Sayre (Knightley) and F. Scott Fitzgerald, who became Jazz Age icons known for living large, soaring high and crashing hard. Although toasts of town in the 1920s, their courtship and marriage was festooned with jealousy and acrimony. Fitzgerald used their relationship as material for his novels, and Sayre -- who tried hard to find an artistic identity of her own and ended up being admitted to a sanitarium -- did the same.
Hanna Weg wrote the screenplay.
Lance Sloane and Devin Sloane producing with Film Department's Mark Gill and Robert Katz.
Neil Sacker of the Film Department and Michael Goguen are exec producing,...
"Damned" revolves around Zelda Sayre (Knightley) and F. Scott Fitzgerald, who became Jazz Age icons known for living large, soaring high and crashing hard. Although toasts of town in the 1920s, their courtship and marriage was festooned with jealousy and acrimony. Fitzgerald used their relationship as material for his novels, and Sayre -- who tried hard to find an artistic identity of her own and ended up being admitted to a sanitarium -- did the same.
Hanna Weg wrote the screenplay.
Lance Sloane and Devin Sloane producing with Film Department's Mark Gill and Robert Katz.
Neil Sacker of the Film Department and Michael Goguen are exec producing,...
- 9/23/2008
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Film Department, the indie production outfit run by Mark Gill and Neil Sacker, has won a bidding war for Galahad, a revisionist King Arthur spec from newcomer Ryan Condal.
Gill and the company's Robert Katz will produce with Energy Entertainment's Brooklyn Weaver.
Galahad retells the classic story by portraying King Arthur as an aging coward whose young, ambitious Queen Guinevere murders him, then blames the crime on Sir Galahad. Galahad must escape near-certain death, vanquish the forces of evil and return Camelot to its rightful glory.
Gill and Sacker liked that it was based on the well-known legend.
"Our business is so dependent on international sales, and something like this is known around the globe," Gill said. "It's also a phenomenally well-written script. It was a nice one to get."
The deal was in the mid-six figures. The Film Department's international division will handle foreign sales.
Sacker, Michael Goguen and Adam Marshall are executive producing. Amanda Coplan will co-produce.
Film Department launched in the summer with the plan to make from four to six movies a year.
Gill and the company's Robert Katz will produce with Energy Entertainment's Brooklyn Weaver.
Galahad retells the classic story by portraying King Arthur as an aging coward whose young, ambitious Queen Guinevere murders him, then blames the crime on Sir Galahad. Galahad must escape near-certain death, vanquish the forces of evil and return Camelot to its rightful glory.
Gill and Sacker liked that it was based on the well-known legend.
"Our business is so dependent on international sales, and something like this is known around the globe," Gill said. "It's also a phenomenally well-written script. It was a nice one to get."
The deal was in the mid-six figures. The Film Department's international division will handle foreign sales.
Sacker, Michael Goguen and Adam Marshall are executive producing. Amanda Coplan will co-produce.
Film Department launched in the summer with the plan to make from four to six movies a year.
- 3/11/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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