Exclusive: Ld Entertainment will partner with Variance Films on the theatrical release for National Anthem, the queer ranching drama marking the feature directorial debut of Luke Gilford, which debuted at last year’s SXSW. Pic starring Charlie Plummer, Eve Lindley, Mason Alexander Park, Rene Rosado and Robyn Lively will be released in the U.S. on July 12.
Immersed in the world of a rural queer ranching community, and set against the exuberant, real-life International Gay Rodeo Association, National Anthem is billed as a celebration of first love and chosen family. The protagonist of the film is Dylan (Plummer), a 21-year-old working in construction in New Mexico who joins a community of queer rodeo performers in search of their own version of the American dream.
CAA Media Finance is repping worldwide rights, with Decal Releasing handling home entertainment for the film.
Said Variance’s Dylan Marchetti and Kristen Osborne: “Variance...
Immersed in the world of a rural queer ranching community, and set against the exuberant, real-life International Gay Rodeo Association, National Anthem is billed as a celebration of first love and chosen family. The protagonist of the film is Dylan (Plummer), a 21-year-old working in construction in New Mexico who joins a community of queer rodeo performers in search of their own version of the American dream.
CAA Media Finance is repping worldwide rights, with Decal Releasing handling home entertainment for the film.
Said Variance’s Dylan Marchetti and Kristen Osborne: “Variance...
- 2/7/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s a cool indie weekend when the new album by André 3000, New Blue Sun, has morphed into a “cinematic listening experience.” Variance Films is putting the experience, directed by Terence Nance, into three theaters in NYC (IFC Center), LA (Cinepolis Inglewood) and Atlanta (Tara).
Right now, it’s just those locations but after this weekend, “We will see what happens, where the wind takes us,” said Variance CEO Dylan Marchetti. “I swear, I wanted to make a ‘visual album’ but this is literally the way the wind blew me this time,” André has said.
Asked what’s is on the screen, Marchetti said, “Vibes.”
New Blue Sun, out today, is André’s debut solo album, his first full-length LP since his group Outkast released its last record 17 years ago. He described it as “an entirely instrumental album centered around woodwinds; a celebratory piece of work in the form of a living,...
Right now, it’s just those locations but after this weekend, “We will see what happens, where the wind takes us,” said Variance CEO Dylan Marchetti. “I swear, I wanted to make a ‘visual album’ but this is literally the way the wind blew me this time,” André has said.
Asked what’s is on the screen, Marchetti said, “Vibes.”
New Blue Sun, out today, is André’s debut solo album, his first full-length LP since his group Outkast released its last record 17 years ago. He described it as “an entirely instrumental album centered around woodwinds; a celebratory piece of work in the form of a living,...
- 11/18/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Indie distributor Variance Films has snapped up North American rights to the period drama Amerikatsi, written and directed by and starring Michael A. Goorjian, slating it for an exclusive theatrical release in New York and L.A. on Friday, September 8, with a national rollout to follow.
Shot in Armenia by People of Ar Productions, Amerikatsi centers on Charlie (Goorjian), who returns to the country in 1948 — decades after fleeing to the U.S. as a child, due to persecution by the Ottoman Empire. What he finds in doing so is a country crushed under Soviet rule. And after being unjustly imprisoned, Charlie falls into despair, until he discovers that he can see into a nearby apartment from his cell window — the home of a prison guard. As his life unexpectedly becomes entwined with the man’s, he begins to see that the true spirit of his homeland is alive in its passionate people.
Shot in Armenia by People of Ar Productions, Amerikatsi centers on Charlie (Goorjian), who returns to the country in 1948 — decades after fleeing to the U.S. as a child, due to persecution by the Ottoman Empire. What he finds in doing so is a country crushed under Soviet rule. And after being unjustly imprisoned, Charlie falls into despair, until he discovers that he can see into a nearby apartment from his cell window — the home of a prison guard. As his life unexpectedly becomes entwined with the man’s, he begins to see that the true spirit of his homeland is alive in its passionate people.
- 8/8/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Distribution executive Jasper Basch is returning to Variance Films, this time as its new Head of Distribution. He will be departing his role as IFC Films’ as its’ Director of Sales and Distribution toward the end of this week, marking the third senior staff departure for the company in two weeks.
Basch originally started his career at Variance rising to become Manager of Distribution. Basch will work with Variance Films Founder and President Dylan Marchetti, partner Kristen Osborne, and distribution executive Ryan Markowitz.
“I’m thrilled to be rejoining Dylan and Kristen at Variance Films. Variance was my first employer after graduating college, and growing with them was a wonderful experience. To get to do so for a second time is a privilege beyond anything I could have hoped for,” said Basch.
“The industry is increasingly realizing how critical proper theatrical distribution is to the success of a film,...
Basch originally started his career at Variance rising to become Manager of Distribution. Basch will work with Variance Films Founder and President Dylan Marchetti, partner Kristen Osborne, and distribution executive Ryan Markowitz.
“I’m thrilled to be rejoining Dylan and Kristen at Variance Films. Variance was my first employer after graduating college, and growing with them was a wonderful experience. To get to do so for a second time is a privilege beyond anything I could have hoped for,” said Basch.
“The industry is increasingly realizing how critical proper theatrical distribution is to the success of a film,...
- 4/11/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman and Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
TollywoodThe singer of this year’s Oscar winner for best original song was forced to apologise for his “choice of words” and clarify his intent in another post.Twitter/KaalaBhairavaMusic composer and singer Kaala Bhairava, who sang the Academy Award-winning song ‘Naatu Naatu’ from Rrr, has been heavily trolled by fans of actors Junior Ntr and Ram Charan for leaving their names out in a thank you note. After performing the song live on the Oscars stage along with Rahul Sipligunj, Kaala Bhairava shared a note on Thursday, March 16, thanking several people who helped him land the opportunity. After being trolled by the actors’ fans, Kaala Bhairava has now apologised, clarifying that he was only naming people who helped him perform on the Academy Awards stage. In his note, Kaala Bhairava had said, "I want to share something with you all. I feel extremely grateful for having had the invaluable...
- 3/18/2023
- by RajeswariP
- The News Minute
Aniplex and Crunchyroll of America’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village grossed $10.1 million this weekend in 1,780 theaters. That’s a fourth place finish at the domestic box office but still half the opening of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train which opened to a smash $21 million U.S. in April of 2021, going head to head with Godzilla vs. Kong, Mortal Kombat.
It’s not apples to apples. The previous film was an original feature, this weekend’s is a mashup of episodes — specifically, Episodes 10 and 11 of the popular anime series’ ‘Entertainment District Arc’ as well as an extended Episode 1 of the anticipated ‘Swordsmith Village Arc’ combined into feature length and remastered in 4K.
The franchise is based on the serialized Japanese manga written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotouge and published between 2016 and 2020. After his family is viciously murdered, a kind-hearted boy...
It’s not apples to apples. The previous film was an original feature, this weekend’s is a mashup of episodes — specifically, Episodes 10 and 11 of the popular anime series’ ‘Entertainment District Arc’ as well as an extended Episode 1 of the anticipated ‘Swordsmith Village Arc’ combined into feature length and remastered in 4K.
The franchise is based on the serialized Japanese manga written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotouge and published between 2016 and 2020. After his family is viciously murdered, a kind-hearted boy...
- 3/5/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Many are wondering about the state of the specialty film theatrical marketplace and how to save it. Talk to people in the industry and you’ll hear the same issues: too few new films, little market research data and theatrical windows so short that, by the time indies get to many art houses, they’re out on PVOD, cutting into box office. Longtime indie film chain Landmark Theatres has a novel idea for how to improve things: half-naked male dancers!
“We want to celebrate new films when we see an opportunity to give guests something more than just the movie,” says Landmark president Kevin Holloway. And boy, did they ever. On Feb. 9 and 10, Landmark’s Scottsdale Quarter Theatre in Arizona presented the “’Magic Mike’s Last Dance’ Immersive Experience.” For $65 a head, moviegoers got a 75-minute “pre-screening party” at the theater’s bar, a DJ, two alcoholic “Mike-tails,” guns that made...
“We want to celebrate new films when we see an opportunity to give guests something more than just the movie,” says Landmark president Kevin Holloway. And boy, did they ever. On Feb. 9 and 10, Landmark’s Scottsdale Quarter Theatre in Arizona presented the “’Magic Mike’s Last Dance’ Immersive Experience.” For $65 a head, moviegoers got a 75-minute “pre-screening party” at the theater’s bar, a DJ, two alcoholic “Mike-tails,” guns that made...
- 2/28/2023
- by Gregg Goldstein
- Variety Film + TV
Streaming giants like Netflix and Prime Video have made it even easier for American movies to gross huge numbers globally, and they’ve made it easier for foreign films to garner more widespread attention in the United States. The hugely popular Indian film Rrr is the latest success story in that vein: It was a commercial hit in its home country and picked up steam when it was dubbed in English for distribution through Netflix in mid-2022.
The film, an adventure epic from Indian filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli, began drawing comparisons to Parasite for its ability to attract large worldwide audiences. It was a hit at the box office and on the streaming platform for months. Despite its large fan base and commercial success, Rrr hasn’t earned the attention from the Academy Awards that many think it deserves. There are a few potential reasons why, which fans and film critics have explored.
The film, an adventure epic from Indian filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli, began drawing comparisons to Parasite for its ability to attract large worldwide audiences. It was a hit at the box office and on the streaming platform for months. Despite its large fan base and commercial success, Rrr hasn’t earned the attention from the Academy Awards that many think it deserves. There are a few potential reasons why, which fans and film critics have explored.
- 2/18/2023
- by Nikelle Murphy
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
TheOscars'All That Breathes' and 'The Elephant Whisperers' were nominated in the best documentary feature and documentary short segments, respectively.Tnm StaffScreengrabThe song ‘Naatu Naatu’ from SS Rajamouli’s period drama Rrr is now officially in the race for the Oscars. The official nominations for the 95th Academy Awards were announced on Tuesday, January 24. The film has been nominated in Best Orignal Song category. Whether the song will win an Oscar or not will be known at the award presentation ceremony hosted by Jimmy Kemmel on March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles in the United States of America. The film did not however get nominated in the Best Picture category. Earlier, Rrr had made it to the list of 301 films eligible for Oscar nominations. Along with Rrr, the list also included 10 other Indian films like Kantara, Vikranth Rona, and Chhello Show, among others. The Gujarati film Chhello Show is...
- 1/24/2023
- by RajeswariP
- The News Minute
Global smash hit “Rrr” is returning to theaters.
IndieWire can exclusively reveal that stars N.T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan are set to join writer-director S.S. Rajamouli and composer M.M. Keeravaani at the Tcl Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles for a special IMAX screening event of “Rrr” on Monday, January 9.
Variance Films, Beyond Fest, and American Cinematheque jointly announce the presentation, which finds the film’s leads, director, and composer taking the stage together in North America for the first time.
India opted to submit “Chhello Show” over breakthrough Indian Telugu-language action-adventure epic “Rrr” as its representative for the 2023 Best International Feature Oscar — more on that here — but no matter: The awards-season journey for “Rrr” is just beginning. The film will receive Best Director from the New York Film Critics Circle next week, and the following week, “Rrr” will vie for Best Motion Picture in a Non-English Language at the Golden Globes,...
IndieWire can exclusively reveal that stars N.T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan are set to join writer-director S.S. Rajamouli and composer M.M. Keeravaani at the Tcl Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles for a special IMAX screening event of “Rrr” on Monday, January 9.
Variance Films, Beyond Fest, and American Cinematheque jointly announce the presentation, which finds the film’s leads, director, and composer taking the stage together in North America for the first time.
India opted to submit “Chhello Show” over breakthrough Indian Telugu-language action-adventure epic “Rrr” as its representative for the 2023 Best International Feature Oscar — more on that here — but no matter: The awards-season journey for “Rrr” is just beginning. The film will receive Best Director from the New York Film Critics Circle next week, and the following week, “Rrr” will vie for Best Motion Picture in a Non-English Language at the Golden Globes,...
- 12/30/2022
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has signed Indian filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli.
Rajamouli’s “Rrr,” starring Ntr Jr and Ram Charan, has been making waves around the world since it released in March and has collected some 150 million, making it the fourth highest grossing Indian film of all time.
The Hindi-language dubbed version of “Rrr,” a film originally made in the Telugu-language, is the only non-English-language film to trend globally for 10 consecutive weeks on Netflix.
Another film by Rajamouli, 2017’s “Baahubali 2: The Conclusion” is the second highest grossing film of all time in India with 278 million. Next up for Rajamouli is an as-yet-untitled film staring Mahesh Babu, which he has described as a globe-trotting action-adventure. The film will commence production in the spring of 2023.
Rajamouli’s credits also include “Magadheera,” “Eega” and “Maryada Ramanna.”
“Rrr” was recently snubbed as India’s entry in the Oscars’ international feature...
Rajamouli’s “Rrr,” starring Ntr Jr and Ram Charan, has been making waves around the world since it released in March and has collected some 150 million, making it the fourth highest grossing Indian film of all time.
The Hindi-language dubbed version of “Rrr,” a film originally made in the Telugu-language, is the only non-English-language film to trend globally for 10 consecutive weeks on Netflix.
Another film by Rajamouli, 2017’s “Baahubali 2: The Conclusion” is the second highest grossing film of all time in India with 278 million. Next up for Rajamouli is an as-yet-untitled film staring Mahesh Babu, which he has described as a globe-trotting action-adventure. The film will commence production in the spring of 2023.
Rajamouli’s credits also include “Magadheera,” “Eega” and “Maryada Ramanna.”
“Rrr” was recently snubbed as India’s entry in the Oscars’ international feature...
- 9/22/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
AwardDylan Marchetti of Variance Films, which was the official US distributor of Rrr, said that he will submit the film in all categories of Academy Awards. Tnm StaffScreengrab/YoutubeAfter the release of SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus Rrr earlier this year, there was speculation that it may make it to the Oscars as India’s official entry. However, though the Film Federation of India (Ffi) has chosen the Gujarati film Chhello Show as its official entry for the 95th Academy Awards, reports state that Dylan Marchetti — the US distributor of Rrr — has decided to submit Rrr for all categories and has launched a campaign seeking votes for the same. Rrr is a Telugu action drama film set in the pre-independence era in India in the 1920s, starring Junior Ntr and Ram Charan in the lead roles, along with Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn, Olivia Morris and others. The film tells an...
- 9/22/2022
- by AzeefaF
- The News Minute
India has selected Pan Nalin’s “Last Film Show” (“Chhello Show”) to represent the country in the best international feature category at the upcoming 95th Academy Awards, but it’s not going over well in social media circles. That’s due to the popularity and love for the historical epic, “Rrr” from S.S. Rajamouli, which has been a fan-favorite and box office hit stateside.
The good news is the U.S. distributor for the film has opted to launch a full awards campaign for the action drama and is calling on the 10,000 Academy members to consider voting for the film in all categories.
“Rrr” will be submitted for best picture, director (S.S. Rajamouli), original screenplay (Rajamouli and V. Vijayendra Prasad), lead actor (for both N.T. Rama Rao Jr and Ram Charan), supporting actor (Ajay Devgn), supporting actress (Alia Bhatt), original song (“Naatu Naatu”), original score (M.M. Keeravaani), cinematography,...
The good news is the U.S. distributor for the film has opted to launch a full awards campaign for the action drama and is calling on the 10,000 Academy members to consider voting for the film in all categories.
“Rrr” will be submitted for best picture, director (S.S. Rajamouli), original screenplay (Rajamouli and V. Vijayendra Prasad), lead actor (for both N.T. Rama Rao Jr and Ram Charan), supporting actor (Ajay Devgn), supporting actress (Alia Bhatt), original song (“Naatu Naatu”), original score (M.M. Keeravaani), cinematography,...
- 9/20/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
India has submitted Pan Nalin’s “Last Film Show” to the Oscars for consideration in the Best International Feature Film category, bypassing the worldwide sensation “Rrr” — the extravagant musical directed by S.S. Rajamouli that has grossed an impressive 11.3 million at the North American box office this year.
Instead, the country’s selection committee went with “Last Film Show,” a coming-of-age drama that was compared to “Cinema Paradiso” after its premiere at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. In the vein of Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans” and James Gray’s “Armageddon Time,” it is a semi-autobiographical work based on moments from its director’s childhood.
The decision was reminiscent of the choice in 2013 to send “The Good Road” to the Oscars over “The Lunchbox,” which had been considered an all-but-certain nominee if it had been chosen.
India has sent 54 films to the Oscars dating back to 1957, landing three nominations with no wins.
Instead, the country’s selection committee went with “Last Film Show,” a coming-of-age drama that was compared to “Cinema Paradiso” after its premiere at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. In the vein of Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans” and James Gray’s “Armageddon Time,” it is a semi-autobiographical work based on moments from its director’s childhood.
The decision was reminiscent of the choice in 2013 to send “The Good Road” to the Oscars over “The Lunchbox,” which had been considered an all-but-certain nominee if it had been chosen.
India has sent 54 films to the Oscars dating back to 1957, landing three nominations with no wins.
- 9/20/2022
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
S.S. Rajamouli was in the middle of his Oscar campaign when India threw a wrench into the process. The country announced this week that it will not submit “Rrr,” the breakthrough Indian Telugu-language action-adventure epic that has become a surprise hit in the U.S., as its official Oscar submission for Best International Feature. Instead, the Film Federation of India went with “Last Film Show,” an autobiographical coming-of-age drama about young boy’s burgeoning love of movies.
For many audiences who have embraced “Rrr” in recent months, the decision comes as a shock on many fronts. “Rrr” was the rare crossover event movie from India. The movie pulled in 65 million on opening weekend in India, then grossed 14 million in the U.S., thanks to a theatrical relaunch in arthouses that Variance Releasing dubbed “encoRRRe”; that overlapped with a Hindi-language dub surfacing on Netflix, where it became an even bigger phenomenon.
For many audiences who have embraced “Rrr” in recent months, the decision comes as a shock on many fronts. “Rrr” was the rare crossover event movie from India. The movie pulled in 65 million on opening weekend in India, then grossed 14 million in the U.S., thanks to a theatrical relaunch in arthouses that Variance Releasing dubbed “encoRRRe”; that overlapped with a Hindi-language dub surfacing on Netflix, where it became an even bigger phenomenon.
- 9/20/2022
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
S.S. Rajamouli’s Rrr, a huge hit when it opened in March, is dipping back into the U.S. market in a novel and, so far, successful bid by distributors to expand the reach of the Telugu period drama beyond the traditional audience for Indian film.
Originally out March 23 on 1,000 screens, wide for an Indian release Stateside, Rrr (Rise! Roar! Revolt!) grossed more than 14 million in North America, and over 140 million globally. In India, the epic story of two friends who discover they’re on opposite sides of India’s struggle for independence (Deadline review here), smashed records to set the best opening day for a local film ever. That was director Rajamouli topping his own previous record-holder in the market, 2017’s Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. See Rajamouli interview.
Indian films are a staple of the U.S. box office but rarely stick around for more than a week.
Originally out March 23 on 1,000 screens, wide for an Indian release Stateside, Rrr (Rise! Roar! Revolt!) grossed more than 14 million in North America, and over 140 million globally. In India, the epic story of two friends who discover they’re on opposite sides of India’s struggle for independence (Deadline review here), smashed records to set the best opening day for a local film ever. That was director Rajamouli topping his own previous record-holder in the market, 2017’s Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. See Rajamouli interview.
Indian films are a staple of the U.S. box office but rarely stick around for more than a week.
- 6/10/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
When “Drive My Car” received four Oscar nominations this week, it represented a triumph of arthouse cinema at a moment when it could really use the boost. The Academy might have wished that one of the 10 Best Picture slots went to James Bond or Spider-Man, but Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s three-hour adaptation of a Haruki Murakami short story has become a better case study for what it takes to keep the movie business alive.
Daring, non-English language cinema challenges even the bravest distributors. That was certainly the situation at Cannes last July, when more than one buyer told me they were having a hard time parsing the marketplace potential for several of the festival’s critical darlings. One of these was “Drive My Car,” which took 30 minutes to roll its opening credits and used a quiet, enigmatic approach to craft the world of a widowed theater director rediscovering his creative passion...
Daring, non-English language cinema challenges even the bravest distributors. That was certainly the situation at Cannes last July, when more than one buyer told me they were having a hard time parsing the marketplace potential for several of the festival’s critical darlings. One of these was “Drive My Car,” which took 30 minutes to roll its opening credits and used a quiet, enigmatic approach to craft the world of a widowed theater director rediscovering his creative passion...
- 2/13/2022
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Cinemas from Philly to New York State and Boston shuttered all or part of Sat., rattling but not routing the specialty box office. And a shout-out to theaters in NYC proper where all stayed open – sparse by day but picking up in the evening thanks to “younger people not afraid to trudge in the show,” said one distributor.
A separate weather pattern disrupted part of the Midwest. Storms “are the nature of the beast this time of year,” noted Variance Film president Dylan Marchetti, who reps Sideshow Janus/Films Drive My Car. Japan’s acclaimed Oscar entry shortlisted for best international feature reports an est. weekend gross of $103,488 on 114 screens (up by 18) for a PSA of $908 and a new cume of $807,010 in week 10. Marchetti said it’s the film’s best weekend to date despite the weather.
Special event flash first: Disney and IMAX said an exclusive one-day,...
A separate weather pattern disrupted part of the Midwest. Storms “are the nature of the beast this time of year,” noted Variance Film president Dylan Marchetti, who reps Sideshow Janus/Films Drive My Car. Japan’s acclaimed Oscar entry shortlisted for best international feature reports an est. weekend gross of $103,488 on 114 screens (up by 18) for a PSA of $908 and a new cume of $807,010 in week 10. Marchetti said it’s the film’s best weekend to date despite the weather.
Special event flash first: Disney and IMAX said an exclusive one-day,...
- 1/30/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Filmmakers Deon and Roxanne Avent Taylor are expanding their Hidden Empire Film Group (Hefg) production banner to include a new distribution company — Hidden Empire Releasing.
The new film distribution and content sales company specializes in monetizing films across all content platforms and joins the Hefg portfolio which already includes Hidden Empire Productions; the film and television production company, Hyper Engine; and a marketing & branding agency that specializes in reaching diverse audiences.
News of the endeavor comes after the Taylors self-distributed the comedy movie “The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2,” which debuted at the top of the speciality box office in June with a $2,408 per-theater average on 420 screens. Written and directed by Deon Taylor, the movie is a sequel to 2016’s cult hit “Meet the Blacks, staring Mike Epps, Katt Williams and Bresha Webb, and has earned $2.89 million worldwide.
Between that success and the industry’s need to adapt to the “new Hollywood,...
The new film distribution and content sales company specializes in monetizing films across all content platforms and joins the Hefg portfolio which already includes Hidden Empire Productions; the film and television production company, Hyper Engine; and a marketing & branding agency that specializes in reaching diverse audiences.
News of the endeavor comes after the Taylors self-distributed the comedy movie “The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2,” which debuted at the top of the speciality box office in June with a $2,408 per-theater average on 420 screens. Written and directed by Deon Taylor, the movie is a sequel to 2016’s cult hit “Meet the Blacks, staring Mike Epps, Katt Williams and Bresha Webb, and has earned $2.89 million worldwide.
Between that success and the industry’s need to adapt to the “new Hollywood,...
- 8/5/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Variance Films has acquired the North American theatrical rights to Shahad Ameen’s debut drama of magical realism Scales. the film, which comes from Image Nation Abu Dhabi will be released theatrically later this year.
Written and directed by Saudi Arabian filmmaker Ameen, the visually enticing Scales is described as a “feminist parable set in a dystopian landscape”. The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival’s Critics Week, where it won the Verona Film Club Award. It was also set to screen at this year’s SXSW Film Festival before it was canceled due to the pandemic.
Shot on location in Oman, the story follows a young girl by the name of Hayat. She lives in a poor fishing village which has a dark tradition where every family must give one daughter to the mermaid-like sea creatures who inhabit the waters, to ensure the village can continue their fishing expeditions.
Written and directed by Saudi Arabian filmmaker Ameen, the visually enticing Scales is described as a “feminist parable set in a dystopian landscape”. The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival’s Critics Week, where it won the Verona Film Club Award. It was also set to screen at this year’s SXSW Film Festival before it was canceled due to the pandemic.
Shot on location in Oman, the story follows a young girl by the name of Hayat. She lives in a poor fishing village which has a dark tradition where every family must give one daughter to the mermaid-like sea creatures who inhabit the waters, to ensure the village can continue their fishing expeditions.
- 4/29/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Following its buzzed-about world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky’s Freaks has been acquired by Well Go USA, with a theatrical release planned for later this year. We now have word of an official September 13th release date, along with a look at the brand new poster.
Previously: Toronto – September 10, 2018 – Well Go USA has closed a multi-territory deal for Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky’s sci-fi thriller “Freaks,” less than 36 hours after the film’s world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
In a negotiation that stretched until the early morning hours, Well Go ultimately nabbed rights to “Freaks” for North America, UK, Australia/New Zealand, and Latin America in a multi-seven figure deal, one of the biggest sales at this year's festival. Well Go plans a major theatrical release in 2019.
Freaks, which stars Emile Hirsch, Bruce Dern, Grace Park, Amanda Crew,...
Previously: Toronto – September 10, 2018 – Well Go USA has closed a multi-territory deal for Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky’s sci-fi thriller “Freaks,” less than 36 hours after the film’s world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
In a negotiation that stretched until the early morning hours, Well Go ultimately nabbed rights to “Freaks” for North America, UK, Australia/New Zealand, and Latin America in a multi-seven figure deal, one of the biggest sales at this year's festival. Well Go plans a major theatrical release in 2019.
Freaks, which stars Emile Hirsch, Bruce Dern, Grace Park, Amanda Crew,...
- 8/2/2019
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Luca Guadagnino had last year’s best opening per theater average with Call Me By Your Name, and he’s followed it up in 2018. Amazon Studios’ Suspiria, starring Tilda Swinton, Dakota Johnson, Mia Goth and Chloë Moretz, grossed an impressive $179,806 in its initial two runs this weekend, eclipsing the competition.
Well Go USA opened Korean mystery-drama Burning to a solid start, taking in $28,650, averaging $14,325. Scandinavian thriller Border ushered into seven locations, grossing $71,565 for a $10,224 average.
Searchlight took Can You Ever Forgive Me? with Melissa McCarthy to 25 theaters in its second frame, grossing $380K. Jonah Hill’s Mid90s went to over twelve hundred theaters in its second outing for $3M. Beautiful Boy expanded to 192 theaters in its third weekend with almost $593K. And Free Solo widened to 394 locations, climbing above $1M.
Suspiria took in the year’s best per theater average to date with a bow in two theaters over the weekend.
Well Go USA opened Korean mystery-drama Burning to a solid start, taking in $28,650, averaging $14,325. Scandinavian thriller Border ushered into seven locations, grossing $71,565 for a $10,224 average.
Searchlight took Can You Ever Forgive Me? with Melissa McCarthy to 25 theaters in its second frame, grossing $380K. Jonah Hill’s Mid90s went to over twelve hundred theaters in its second outing for $3M. Beautiful Boy expanded to 192 theaters in its third weekend with almost $593K. And Free Solo widened to 394 locations, climbing above $1M.
Suspiria took in the year’s best per theater average to date with a bow in two theaters over the weekend.
- 10/28/2018
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline Film + TV
Well Go USA has bought North American theatrical rights to Bill Oliver’s science-fiction drama “Jonathan,” starring Ansel Elgort, Suki Waterhouse and Patricia Clarkson.
The deal was announced Tuesday, prior the Sept. 26 West Coast premiere of “Jonathan” at the Los Angeles Film Festival. Well Go plans to release the film in theaters and on demand Nov. 16.
“Jonathan” was produced by Randy Manis and Ricky Tollman and executive produced by Jim Reeve, Robert Halmi and Neal Dodson. The deal was negotiated by Doris Pfardrescher and Dylan Marchetti for Well Go USA with CAA Media Finance on behalf of the filmmakers.
Elgort plays two brothers living very separate lives inside the same body. Previously content to live life in shifts with one another, their delicate balance is ruined when they become emotionally involved with the same woman, portrayed by Waterhouse. The film premiered at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival.
“It took a team...
The deal was announced Tuesday, prior the Sept. 26 West Coast premiere of “Jonathan” at the Los Angeles Film Festival. Well Go plans to release the film in theaters and on demand Nov. 16.
“Jonathan” was produced by Randy Manis and Ricky Tollman and executive produced by Jim Reeve, Robert Halmi and Neal Dodson. The deal was negotiated by Doris Pfardrescher and Dylan Marchetti for Well Go USA with CAA Media Finance on behalf of the filmmakers.
Elgort plays two brothers living very separate lives inside the same body. Previously content to live life in shifts with one another, their delicate balance is ruined when they become emotionally involved with the same woman, portrayed by Waterhouse. The film premiered at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival.
“It took a team...
- 9/25/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Well Go USA pounces on ’Freaks’, Magnolia takes ‘Aniara’.
The Toronto deal flow continued to trickle in after the busy first weekend as Well Go USA picked up multiple territories on Freaks and Magnolia pounced on Aniara.
Well Go USA closed a deal in the early hours of Monday (10) for North America, the UK, Australia/New Zealand, and Latin America on Tiff selection Freaks in a seven-figure deal.
Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky’s sci-fi thriller premiered in the Discovery section on Saturday and Well Go plans a theatrical release in 2019. It screens to the public on Monday night.
Emile Hirsch,...
The Toronto deal flow continued to trickle in after the busy first weekend as Well Go USA picked up multiple territories on Freaks and Magnolia pounced on Aniara.
Well Go USA closed a deal in the early hours of Monday (10) for North America, the UK, Australia/New Zealand, and Latin America on Tiff selection Freaks in a seven-figure deal.
Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky’s sci-fi thriller premiered in the Discovery section on Saturday and Well Go plans a theatrical release in 2019. It screens to the public on Monday night.
Emile Hirsch,...
- 9/10/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Sci-fi screens again to public on Monday night.
Well Go USA has closed a deal in the early hours of Monday (10) for North America, the UK, Australia/New Zealand, and Latin America on Tiff selection Freaks in a seven-figure deal.
Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky’s sci-fi thriller premiered in the Discovery section on Saturday and Well Go plans a theatrical release in 2019. It screens to the public on Monday night, and again on
Emile Hirsch, Bruce Dern, Grace Park, Amanda Crew, and Lexy Kolker star in the story of a disturbed father who locks his seven-year-old daughter in a house,...
Well Go USA has closed a deal in the early hours of Monday (10) for North America, the UK, Australia/New Zealand, and Latin America on Tiff selection Freaks in a seven-figure deal.
Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky’s sci-fi thriller premiered in the Discovery section on Saturday and Well Go plans a theatrical release in 2019. It screens to the public on Monday night, and again on
Emile Hirsch, Bruce Dern, Grace Park, Amanda Crew, and Lexy Kolker star in the story of a disturbed father who locks his seven-year-old daughter in a house,...
- 9/10/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Well Go USA has nabbed North America, UK, and Australia/New Zealand rights to Zhang Yimou’s action-epic Shadow ahead of its world premiere in Venice and its North American premiere at Toronto.
The deal was negotiated by Dylan Marchetti for Well Go USA. Endeavor Content and Bloom handled the deal. Pic will get a theatrical release in 2019, according to the distributor.
Mandarin-language film Shadow is set in Pei, a kingdom ruled by a young and unpredictable king, where the military commander faces peril both inside and outside the palace walls. But he has a secret weapon: a ‘shadow’, a look-alike who can fool both Pei’s enemies and the King himself. In his obsessive quest for a long-sought victory over a rival kingdom, the commander must execute an intricate plan involving his wife, the Shadow, and the kings of both kingdoms, leading up to a major invasion.
Cast includes Chao Deng,...
The deal was negotiated by Dylan Marchetti for Well Go USA. Endeavor Content and Bloom handled the deal. Pic will get a theatrical release in 2019, according to the distributor.
Mandarin-language film Shadow is set in Pei, a kingdom ruled by a young and unpredictable king, where the military commander faces peril both inside and outside the palace walls. But he has a secret weapon: a ‘shadow’, a look-alike who can fool both Pei’s enemies and the King himself. In his obsessive quest for a long-sought victory over a rival kingdom, the commander must execute an intricate plan involving his wife, the Shadow, and the kings of both kingdoms, leading up to a major invasion.
Cast includes Chao Deng,...
- 9/5/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Feature marks South Korean auteur Lee’s first film in eight years since Poetry.
Well Go USA has picked up North American rights to Lee Chang-dong’s acclaimed Cannes selection Burning.
The film earned the Fipresci Prize in Cannes and marks Lee’s first film in eight years after Poetry. It is produced by Pinehouse Film, Nhk and Now Film Co.
Japanese broadcaster Nhk invited Lee to adapt a short story by Murakami and he chose Barn Burning, about an alienated young man whose world is turned inside-out by the arrival of a spirited woman and her male trip companion.
Well Go USA has picked up North American rights to Lee Chang-dong’s acclaimed Cannes selection Burning.
The film earned the Fipresci Prize in Cannes and marks Lee’s first film in eight years after Poetry. It is produced by Pinehouse Film, Nhk and Now Film Co.
Japanese broadcaster Nhk invited Lee to adapt a short story by Murakami and he chose Barn Burning, about an alienated young man whose world is turned inside-out by the arrival of a spirited woman and her male trip companion.
- 6/28/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Well Go USA has acquired all North American rights to Lee Chang-dong’s Korean drama “Burning,” which won the Fipresci Prize last month at the Cannes Film Festival.
Well Go USA will release “Burning” to theaters across the nation beginning Oct. 26 in New York City, with expansion to follow throughout November. Based on a story by Haruki Murakami, “Burning” centers on an alienated young man, played by Ah-in Yoo as a frustrated introvert whose already difficult life is complicated by the appearance of two people into his orbit: a spirited young woman (Jong-seo Jun) who offers romantic possibility, and a wealthy young man (Steven Yeun of “The Walking Dead”) she returns from a trip with.
Art director Shin Jeom-hui won the Vulcan Award of the Technical Artist at Cannes, an independent prize given to the best technical artist in filming, editing, art, and sound.
Peter Debruge of Variety called the...
Well Go USA will release “Burning” to theaters across the nation beginning Oct. 26 in New York City, with expansion to follow throughout November. Based on a story by Haruki Murakami, “Burning” centers on an alienated young man, played by Ah-in Yoo as a frustrated introvert whose already difficult life is complicated by the appearance of two people into his orbit: a spirited young woman (Jong-seo Jun) who offers romantic possibility, and a wealthy young man (Steven Yeun of “The Walking Dead”) she returns from a trip with.
Art director Shin Jeom-hui won the Vulcan Award of the Technical Artist at Cannes, an independent prize given to the best technical artist in filming, editing, art, and sound.
Peter Debruge of Variety called the...
- 6/28/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Well Go USA has secured all North American rights to the New Orleans-set heist drama Cut Throat City Cut Throat City, directed Wu-Tang Clan’s by RZA, with plans for a 2019 theatrical release. The film stars Terrence Howard, Wesley Snipes, Eiza González (Baby Driver), Tip “T.I.” Harris (Ant-Man), Rob Morgan (Mudbound), Kat Graham (The Vampire Diaries), Demetrius Shipp Jr. (All Eyez on Me), Denzel Whitaker (Black Panther), and Shameik Moore (Dope) as production is slated to wrap later this summer.
Written by P.G. Cuscheri, the plot follows four boyhood friends in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward who return after Hurricane Katrina to find their homes decimated, no jobs, and no help from Fema. Reluctantly turning to a local gangster for work, the friends are hired to pull off a daring heist in the heart of the city. While being hunted by two idealistic detectives and a neighborhood warlord,...
Written by P.G. Cuscheri, the plot follows four boyhood friends in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward who return after Hurricane Katrina to find their homes decimated, no jobs, and no help from Fema. Reluctantly turning to a local gangster for work, the friends are hired to pull off a daring heist in the heart of the city. While being hunted by two idealistic detectives and a neighborhood warlord,...
- 6/25/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated at 12Pm Pt with more numbers and analysis. Three-day numbers were being reported sporadically in the early part of Sunday ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. Tops among specialty newcomers based on these early returns is Magnolia’s new documentary, The Gospel According to André, which posted the best per-theater average.
The Kate Novack-directed portrait of André Leon Talley, who is known for his long tenure as a Vogue editor and fashion-world tastemaker, grossed an estimated $44,500 in four New York and La theaters Friday to Sunday, for an average of $11,125. Well Go USA’s Mandarin-language romance How Long Will I Love U followed close behind with a three-day average of $9,130 from a comparatively wider debut in 23 locations, and a total gross of $210K.
IFC Films opened Elle Fanning starrer Mary Shelley, taking in $12,016 from two runs, while Oscilloscope bowed Venice award-winner Summer 1993 in four locations, grossing $21,500 Friday to Sunday.
The Kate Novack-directed portrait of André Leon Talley, who is known for his long tenure as a Vogue editor and fashion-world tastemaker, grossed an estimated $44,500 in four New York and La theaters Friday to Sunday, for an average of $11,125. Well Go USA’s Mandarin-language romance How Long Will I Love U followed close behind with a three-day average of $9,130 from a comparatively wider debut in 23 locations, and a total gross of $210K.
IFC Films opened Elle Fanning starrer Mary Shelley, taking in $12,016 from two runs, while Oscilloscope bowed Venice award-winner Summer 1993 in four locations, grossing $21,500 Friday to Sunday.
- 5/27/2018
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated at 11:45Am Pt with more numbers and analysis. Lynne Ramsay’s You Were Never Really Here, the first feature from the director since 2011, rocketed to a strong launch in its debut, grossing $129,911 in three theaters.
Searchlight’s Isle of Dogs added hundreds of runs for its third frame, taking in $4.6M to boost its cume to $12M. The weekend gross was enough to land it in the overall top 10 as of Sunday morning.
Released by Amazon Studios, You Were Never Really Here put up a hefty average of $43,304. The per-theater tally places it just behind the 2018 opening averages of Isle of Dogs ($60,011), Black Panther ($50,250) and The Death of Stalin ($46,201) for the year and well above the debut of her last feature, We Need To Talk About Kevin. That Tilda Swinton squirm-fest opened in a single location in 2011, grossing a healthy $24,587 en route to a $1.73M cume.
Ramsay and star Joaquin Phoenix,...
Searchlight’s Isle of Dogs added hundreds of runs for its third frame, taking in $4.6M to boost its cume to $12M. The weekend gross was enough to land it in the overall top 10 as of Sunday morning.
Released by Amazon Studios, You Were Never Really Here put up a hefty average of $43,304. The per-theater tally places it just behind the 2018 opening averages of Isle of Dogs ($60,011), Black Panther ($50,250) and The Death of Stalin ($46,201) for the year and well above the debut of her last feature, We Need To Talk About Kevin. That Tilda Swinton squirm-fest opened in a single location in 2011, grossing a healthy $24,587 en route to a $1.73M cume.
Ramsay and star Joaquin Phoenix,...
- 4/8/2018
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline Film + TV
Xyz Films holds international rights to sci-fi horror.
Well Go USA Entertainment has acquired North American rights to Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson’s The Endless.
The sci-fi-horror film is written, directed and stars Moorhead and Benson as two brothers who return to the death cult they fled a decade ago, only to find that there might be some truth to the group’s otherworldly beliefs.
The Endless is the third feature from the duo, following Resolution and Spring. The film premiered in Tribeca’s narrative feature competition last month.
“The Endless is a film made hand-over-fist with an incredible crew, and ourselves wearing many hats, out of a conviction that audiences truly do want left-of-center, meaningful independent films,” Moorhead and Benson said.
“Well Go throwing their theatrical support behind us shows a shared belief that the box office is more than just superheroes. Audiences will be able to see The Endless at its best: sound cranked...
Well Go USA Entertainment has acquired North American rights to Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson’s The Endless.
The sci-fi-horror film is written, directed and stars Moorhead and Benson as two brothers who return to the death cult they fled a decade ago, only to find that there might be some truth to the group’s otherworldly beliefs.
The Endless is the third feature from the duo, following Resolution and Spring. The film premiered in Tribeca’s narrative feature competition last month.
“The Endless is a film made hand-over-fist with an incredible crew, and ourselves wearing many hats, out of a conviction that audiences truly do want left-of-center, meaningful independent films,” Moorhead and Benson said.
“Well Go throwing their theatrical support behind us shows a shared belief that the box office is more than just superheroes. Audiences will be able to see The Endless at its best: sound cranked...
- 5/1/2017
- ScreenDaily
Following its well-received (and shocking) world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival (in case you missed it, check out Heather's interview), Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson’s The Endless has been acquired for North American distribution by Well Go USA, with a theatrical and home media release planned for early 2018:
Press Release: Plano, TX (May 1, 2017) – Well Go USA Entertainment announced its acquisition of all North American rights for Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson’s The Endless, a chilling sci-fi/horror hybrid which premiered to rave reviews in the Narrative Feature competition section of the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. The film will receive a traditional platform theatrical release in early 2018, with a digital and home video release afterwards.
Following their acclaimed debut Resolution and their follow-up, the Lovecraftian modern cult classic Spring, writer/directors Moorhead and Benson star as two brothers who return to the death cult from which they fled a decade ago,...
Press Release: Plano, TX (May 1, 2017) – Well Go USA Entertainment announced its acquisition of all North American rights for Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson’s The Endless, a chilling sci-fi/horror hybrid which premiered to rave reviews in the Narrative Feature competition section of the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. The film will receive a traditional platform theatrical release in early 2018, with a digital and home video release afterwards.
Following their acclaimed debut Resolution and their follow-up, the Lovecraftian modern cult classic Spring, writer/directors Moorhead and Benson star as two brothers who return to the death cult from which they fled a decade ago,...
- 5/1/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
The distributor has picked up North American and select international rights to Sarah Adina Smith’s recent Toronto premiere.
Rami Malek of TV hit Mr. Robot stars in the story of a troubled man on the run from fate seeking solace from his past and future.
DJ Qualls, Kate Lyn Sheil, Toby Huss and Lin Shaye also star. Well Go plans a theatrical release in early 2017 followed by digital roll-out.
Andrew Herwitz of The Film Sales Company brokered the deal behalf of the filmmakers with Dylan Marchetti for Well Go USA Entertainment.
Lin Oeding is confirmed to direct genre title Office Uprising starring Brenton Thwaites, Jane Levy and Ian Harding, which The Exchange will continue to discuss with buyers at the Afm next week. CEO Brian O’Shea made the announcement on Wednesday. Production is set to commence in Alabama at the end of November.The Academy has announced the shortlist of ten films competing for the...
Rami Malek of TV hit Mr. Robot stars in the story of a troubled man on the run from fate seeking solace from his past and future.
DJ Qualls, Kate Lyn Sheil, Toby Huss and Lin Shaye also star. Well Go plans a theatrical release in early 2017 followed by digital roll-out.
Andrew Herwitz of The Film Sales Company brokered the deal behalf of the filmmakers with Dylan Marchetti for Well Go USA Entertainment.
Lin Oeding is confirmed to direct genre title Office Uprising starring Brenton Thwaites, Jane Levy and Ian Harding, which The Exchange will continue to discuss with buyers at the Afm next week. CEO Brian O’Shea made the announcement on Wednesday. Production is set to commence in Alabama at the end of November.The Academy has announced the shortlist of ten films competing for the...
- 10/26/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
*Updated with the official press release.* Those who dared to face the Tall Man have played a good game, but that game is not quite finished. Well Go USA Entertainment has acquired North American distribution rights to the remastered first entry and the anticipated last movie in the Phantasm franchise, and they will release both films in theaters this fall.
Press Release: Dallas, TX (July 28, 2016) – Well Go USA Entertainment announced its acquisition of North American rights for Don Coscarelli’s legendary Phantasm series, including an all-new 4K restoration of the original 1979 cult classic Phantasm: Remastered, never-before-seen HD restorations of 1994’s Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead and 1998’s Phantasm IV: Oblivion, and the long-anticipated debut of the fifth and final film in the series, 2016’s Phantasm: Ravager.
On October 7th, for the first time ever, the Phantasm series will be available in remastered, high-definition versions across all cable and digital platforms.
Press Release: Dallas, TX (July 28, 2016) – Well Go USA Entertainment announced its acquisition of North American rights for Don Coscarelli’s legendary Phantasm series, including an all-new 4K restoration of the original 1979 cult classic Phantasm: Remastered, never-before-seen HD restorations of 1994’s Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead and 1998’s Phantasm IV: Oblivion, and the long-anticipated debut of the fifth and final film in the series, 2016’s Phantasm: Ravager.
On October 7th, for the first time ever, the Phantasm series will be available in remastered, high-definition versions across all cable and digital platforms.
- 7/28/2016
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
The Safran Company military thriller starring Armie Hammer will get an autumn North American release.
Well Go USA has acquired North American rights to military thriller Mine, written and directed by Fabio Guaglione and Fabio Resinaro and starring Armie Hammer.
Well Go says the film, produced by The Safran Company in association with Roxbury, Poznan Film Group and Sun Film, will play on the festival circuit this autumn and subsequently get a theatrical, digital and home video release throughout the Us and Canada.
Hammer stars as a Us soldier who is stranded after a mission goes awry and must fight for survival against his enemies and an unforgiving desert environment. Annabelle Wallis and Tom Cullen co-star and Peter Safran produces. Executive producers are Hammer, Miguel Angel Faura, Natalia Safran, Guaglione and Resinaro.
Well Go USA Entertainment president and CEO Doris Pfardrescher said: “An excellent thriller can surprise and shock audiences, and [link=tt...
Well Go USA has acquired North American rights to military thriller Mine, written and directed by Fabio Guaglione and Fabio Resinaro and starring Armie Hammer.
Well Go says the film, produced by The Safran Company in association with Roxbury, Poznan Film Group and Sun Film, will play on the festival circuit this autumn and subsequently get a theatrical, digital and home video release throughout the Us and Canada.
Hammer stars as a Us soldier who is stranded after a mission goes awry and must fight for survival against his enemies and an unforgiving desert environment. Annabelle Wallis and Tom Cullen co-star and Peter Safran produces. Executive producers are Hammer, Miguel Angel Faura, Natalia Safran, Guaglione and Resinaro.
Well Go USA Entertainment president and CEO Doris Pfardrescher said: “An excellent thriller can surprise and shock audiences, and [link=tt...
- 7/7/2016
- ScreenDaily
Xavier Dolan’s psychosexual thriller has found a Us home and will open on August 14.
Dolan wrote, directed and stars in Tom At The Farm, about a gay man who attends his lover’s funeral and tries to keep his sexuality hidden despite the suspicions of the deceased’s aggressive brother.
Caleb Landry Jones and Pierre-Yves Cardinal also star in the film, which is based on the stage play by Michel-Marc Bouchard.
Dylan Marchetti brokered the deal with MK2’s Victoire Thevenin acting on behalf the filmmakers.
New York-based Amplify’s next release is Felt on June 26.
Dolan wrote, directed and stars in Tom At The Farm, about a gay man who attends his lover’s funeral and tries to keep his sexuality hidden despite the suspicions of the deceased’s aggressive brother.
Caleb Landry Jones and Pierre-Yves Cardinal also star in the film, which is based on the stage play by Michel-Marc Bouchard.
Dylan Marchetti brokered the deal with MK2’s Victoire Thevenin acting on behalf the filmmakers.
New York-based Amplify’s next release is Felt on June 26.
- 6/2/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The weekend is chalk full of new Specialty releases, though most will likely be low performers in terms of dollars at the box office. Entertainment One is opening Nicolas Cage and Hayden Christensen starrer Outcast with limited runs and will likely find tepid returns at the theatrical box office, though it may shine in the digital/on-demand space where it will also bow this weekend. Documentary Ballet 422 (Magnolia Pictures), meanwhile, has had solid buzz heading into the weekend and should score well in its niche market. Monterey Media is hoping to have traction with stars Wes Bentley, Vincent Piazza and Amber Tamblyn as it opens 3 Nights In The Desert in theaters and on-demand, while Freestyle Releasing is targeting the rom-com crowd for its debut, One Small Hitch. Other Specialty openers this weekend include First Run Features’ doc The Other Man: F.W. de Klerk And The End Of Apartheid In South Africa,...
- 2/6/2015
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline
Millennium Entertainment has made its first buy since the management take-over earlier this year led by Bill Lee and acquired the La operations of Amplify in a move that demonstrates its digital ambitions.
Amplify’s Logan Mulvey will serve as Millennium svp of digital distribution, effective immediately.
Amplify’s Los Angeles-based employees will join Millennium Entertainment in various roles within marketing and digital distribution.
Amplify, financed by Preferred Ventures and digital media investor Chris Kelly, will continue to operate exclusively from New York as a theatrical and digital content distribution company under Dylan Marchetti. That company is expected to announce separate details of a restructure in the coming months.
Preferred Ventures managing partner Kevin Iwashina brokered the deal on behalf of Amplify with Millennium Entertainment CEO Lee (pictured).
“Acquiring Amplify’s Los Angeles operation allows us to further enhance our premiere digital service which will maximise digital opportunities for Millennium,” said Lee. “We...
Amplify’s Logan Mulvey will serve as Millennium svp of digital distribution, effective immediately.
Amplify’s Los Angeles-based employees will join Millennium Entertainment in various roles within marketing and digital distribution.
Amplify, financed by Preferred Ventures and digital media investor Chris Kelly, will continue to operate exclusively from New York as a theatrical and digital content distribution company under Dylan Marchetti. That company is expected to announce separate details of a restructure in the coming months.
Preferred Ventures managing partner Kevin Iwashina brokered the deal on behalf of Amplify with Millennium Entertainment CEO Lee (pictured).
“Acquiring Amplify’s Los Angeles operation allows us to further enhance our premiere digital service which will maximise digital opportunities for Millennium,” said Lee. “We...
- 11/21/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The distributor has taken North American rights to Jason Banker’s AFI Fest selection and genre-bending film based on the life experiences of co-writer and star Amy Everson.
Felt premiered at Fantastic Fest and will open in April both theatrically and across ancillary platforms.
The story centres on an artist who uses a particular form of her work to help herself recover from a rape.
Banker produced the film and directed from a story he devised with Everson.
Amplify’s Dylan Marchetti brokered the deal with Nate Bolotin and Mette-Marie Katz of Xyz Films on behalf of the filmmakers.
Video Services Corp has acquired Canadian rights to Patch Town. Craig Goodwill directed the comedy adventure based on his short of the same name about an orphan, a mother and a child-catcher.
Felt premiered at Fantastic Fest and will open in April both theatrically and across ancillary platforms.
The story centres on an artist who uses a particular form of her work to help herself recover from a rape.
Banker produced the film and directed from a story he devised with Everson.
Amplify’s Dylan Marchetti brokered the deal with Nate Bolotin and Mette-Marie Katz of Xyz Films on behalf of the filmmakers.
Video Services Corp has acquired Canadian rights to Patch Town. Craig Goodwill directed the comedy adventure based on his short of the same name about an orphan, a mother and a child-catcher.
- 11/11/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Films from notables Nick Cave, Kevin Smith and Terry Gilliam, and another featuring Downton Abbey vet Dan Stevens are helping fill this weekend’s box office, despite studio blockbuster debuts for The Maze Runner and This Is Where I Leave You.
In all, 14 specialty films are debuting this weekend, at the front edge of awards season and the time of year when “serious” films hit the screens left and right. We have The Guest, with Stevens; The Zero Theorem by Gilliam; Smith’s Tusk; Tracks, the latest from the producers of The King’s Speech; and Cave’s doc 20,000 Days On Earth.
And, like a TV informercial, there’s more: the doc Pump, boundary-jumper Stop The Pounding Heart; and Swim Little Fish Swim. Just to fill out the marquees, we also have Tribeca-winning doc Keep On Keepin’ On; Flamenco, Flamenco; Hector And The Search For Happiness; Iceman; Hollidaysburg; and Not Cool.
In all, 14 specialty films are debuting this weekend, at the front edge of awards season and the time of year when “serious” films hit the screens left and right. We have The Guest, with Stevens; The Zero Theorem by Gilliam; Smith’s Tusk; Tracks, the latest from the producers of The King’s Speech; and Cave’s doc 20,000 Days On Earth.
And, like a TV informercial, there’s more: the doc Pump, boundary-jumper Stop The Pounding Heart; and Swim Little Fish Swim. Just to fill out the marquees, we also have Tribeca-winning doc Keep On Keepin’ On; Flamenco, Flamenco; Hector And The Search For Happiness; Iceman; Hollidaysburg; and Not Cool.
- 9/19/2014
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline
As the Toronto International Film Festival gets underway with North American and World debuts of films that will hit Awards Season and beyond,a good number of seasoned films that have traveled the festival circuit are finally making their way into the Specialty Box Office. Drafthouse Films will open Cannes ’13 title The Congress starring Robin Wright and Harvey Keitel in a dozen locations this weekend, while SXSW’s Juliette Lewis starrer Kelly & Cal will open exclusively in NYC. Sundance’s Last Days In Vietnam will have a theatrical run before heading to PBS next fall and the Guadalajara Film Festival’s Frontera is taking advantage of a timely topic in the U.S. Venice financed its 2013 premiere Memphis, opening exclusively this weekend in NYC. And China Lion hopes to take a successful template for romantic dramas and apply that to But Always.
The Congress
Director-writer: Ari Folman
Writer: Stanislaw Lem (novel)
Cast: Robin Wright,...
The Congress
Director-writer: Ari Folman
Writer: Stanislaw Lem (novel)
Cast: Robin Wright,...
- 9/5/2014
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline
Amplify has acquired the U.S. rights to Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter, a stunning folk tale of a lonely, isolated Japanese woman (Rinko Kikuchi) who unearths a warped VHS tape of Fargo and takes it for truth, putting her on an epic, continent-spanning quest to find the money that Steve Buscemi’s Carl Showalter buries in the Minnesota snow in the Coen brothers’ 1996 masterpiece.
A release date has yet to be announced for the film, which premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and is loosely inspired by an urban legend. “We’re incredibly proud of Kumiko, it has been a...
A release date has yet to be announced for the film, which premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and is loosely inspired by an urban legend. “We’re incredibly proud of Kumiko, it has been a...
- 7/1/2014
- by Lindsey Bahr
- EW - Inside Movies
Zach Braff produced a documentary feature film called Video Games: The Movie, and today we bring you the trailer for it. The movie chronicles "the meteoric rise of video games from nerd niche to multi-billion dollar industry."
It was directed by Jeremy Snead and narrated by Sean Astin. The doc features "in-depth interviews with the godfathers who started it all, the icons of game design, and the geek gurus who are leading us into the future." It's a tribute to the history of gaming from Atari to Xbox and and it will also give us a look at what's in store for us in the future. I remember playing the Atari as a kid, and I seriously can't believe how far video games have come since then.
The film is being distributed by Variance Films, and producer Dylan Marchetti had this to say in a statement:
"Everyone loves a great video game,...
It was directed by Jeremy Snead and narrated by Sean Astin. The doc features "in-depth interviews with the godfathers who started it all, the icons of game design, and the geek gurus who are leading us into the future." It's a tribute to the history of gaming from Atari to Xbox and and it will also give us a look at what's in store for us in the future. I remember playing the Atari as a kid, and I seriously can't believe how far video games have come since then.
The film is being distributed by Variance Films, and producer Dylan Marchetti had this to say in a statement:
"Everyone loves a great video game,...
- 6/18/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Video Games: The Movie has released a trailer.
The video features Zach Braff and Wil Wheaton discussing classic video games for the documentary.
Lord of the Rings' Sean Astin narrates the Kickstarter-funded film, which was directed by Jeremy Snead with Braff as executive producer.
The film charts the rise of gaming from the early days of Pong and Atari to the latest generation of consoles.
"Everyone loves a great video game, but in recent years, they've evolved into something way beyond what any of us who grew up playing an 8-bit system could imagine," said Dylan Marchetti of Variance Films.
"But regardless of whether you're up gaming until 3am or haven't played a video game in decades, there's something for you in this film, and we think audiences will be delighted."
Video Games: The Movie will be released in Us cinemas, through iTunes and on demand on July 15.
The video features Zach Braff and Wil Wheaton discussing classic video games for the documentary.
Lord of the Rings' Sean Astin narrates the Kickstarter-funded film, which was directed by Jeremy Snead with Braff as executive producer.
The film charts the rise of gaming from the early days of Pong and Atari to the latest generation of consoles.
"Everyone loves a great video game, but in recent years, they've evolved into something way beyond what any of us who grew up playing an 8-bit system could imagine," said Dylan Marchetti of Variance Films.
"But regardless of whether you're up gaming until 3am or haven't played a video game in decades, there's something for you in this film, and we think audiences will be delighted."
Video Games: The Movie will be released in Us cinemas, through iTunes and on demand on July 15.
- 6/18/2014
- Digital Spy
Here is the trailer for the documentary feature Video Games: The Movie from Variance Films which chronicles the meteoric rise of video games from nerd niche to multi-billion dollar industry. The movie is narrated by Sean Astin and features in-depth interviews with the people who started it all from the icons of game design to the geeks who are leading us into the future.
“Everyone loves a great video game, but in recent years, they’ve evolved into something way beyond what any of us who grew up playing an 8-bit system could imagine,” said Dylan Marchetti of Variance Films. “But regardless of whether you’re up gaming until 3 a.m. or haven’t played a video game in decades, there’s something for you in this film, and we think audiences will be delighted.”
“Games are a part of the human experience and permeate our culture now more than ever before,...
“Everyone loves a great video game, but in recent years, they’ve evolved into something way beyond what any of us who grew up playing an 8-bit system could imagine,” said Dylan Marchetti of Variance Films. “But regardless of whether you’re up gaming until 3 a.m. or haven’t played a video game in decades, there’s something for you in this film, and we think audiences will be delighted.”
“Games are a part of the human experience and permeate our culture now more than ever before,...
- 6/17/2014
- by Graham McMorrow
- City of Films
Variance Films has acquired the North American distribution rights to Jafar Panahi's "Closed Curtain." One of Iran's most celebrated filmmakers, Panahi has been under house arrest since 2011 after the Iranian government banned him from making any films for 20 years. "Closed Curtain" marks Panahi's second time defying the ban placed upon him by the government - the first was with the 2011 documentary "This is Not a Film." With "Closed Curtain," Panahi returns to the narrative feature form. The film centers on a screenwriter living in seclusion with his dog. His life is turned upside down when a young woman fleeing from the authorities arrives on his doorstep. Read More: Berlin Review: Haunted By His Characters, Jafar Panahi Defies Iranian Government Again With Cryptically Self-Referential 'Closed Curtain' "Jafar Panahi's bravery is surpassed only by his artistry," said Variance Films' Dylan Marchetti. "It's our ultimate hope that we can continue to bring attention to.
- 6/10/2014
- by Shipra Gupta
- Indiewire
It feels like work on Terry Gilliam’s existential sci-fi flick The Zero Theorem has been underway for ages now, so fans of the director will likely be relieved to learn that the film will finally hit theaters this summer after being acquired by Amplify.
For a while, it was uncertain whether the odd, high-concept flick would find a company brave enough to handle its distribution. Following confirmation of the deal, Gilliam stated:
“The Zero Theorem is a very unique film that I’m especially proud of, so it is a relief to be distributed by a company that is not afraid to push the boundaries.”
Amplify was formed earlier this year when digital distribution company Go Digital, Inc. and Variance Films decided to merge. GoDigital CEO Logan Mulvey and Variance Films President Dylan Marchetti have been working with Kent Sanderson, formerly of Focus Features, since January to acquire films for Amplify,...
For a while, it was uncertain whether the odd, high-concept flick would find a company brave enough to handle its distribution. Following confirmation of the deal, Gilliam stated:
“The Zero Theorem is a very unique film that I’m especially proud of, so it is a relief to be distributed by a company that is not afraid to push the boundaries.”
Amplify was formed earlier this year when digital distribution company Go Digital, Inc. and Variance Films decided to merge. GoDigital CEO Logan Mulvey and Variance Films President Dylan Marchetti have been working with Kent Sanderson, formerly of Focus Features, since January to acquire films for Amplify,...
- 3/6/2014
- by Isaac Feldberg
- We Got This Covered
Amplify and Well Go USA Entertainment have teamed up to acquire the U.S. rights to acclaimed director Terry Gilliam’s science-fiction opus,The Zero Theorem. The partners will release the film to theaters across the Us in late summer, with a home video release to follow. Amplify will handle theatrical and digital distribution rights, with Well Go USA releasing the film on DVD and Blu-ray.
Directed by Gilliam (Brazil, Twelve Monkeys, Monty Python and the Holy Grail), The Zero Theorem stars two-time Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained, Inglorious Basterds) as Qohen Leth, an eccentric and reclusive computer genius plagued with existential angst. Living in isolation in a burnt-out church, Qohen is obsessively working on a mysterious project personally delegated to him by Management (Matt Damon) aimed at discovering the meaning of life – or the lack thereof – once and for all. Increasingly disturbed by unwanted visits from people he doesn’t fully trust,...
Directed by Gilliam (Brazil, Twelve Monkeys, Monty Python and the Holy Grail), The Zero Theorem stars two-time Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained, Inglorious Basterds) as Qohen Leth, an eccentric and reclusive computer genius plagued with existential angst. Living in isolation in a burnt-out church, Qohen is obsessively working on a mysterious project personally delegated to him by Management (Matt Damon) aimed at discovering the meaning of life – or the lack thereof – once and for all. Increasingly disturbed by unwanted visits from people he doesn’t fully trust,...
- 3/5/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The partners have picked up Us rights to Terry Gilliam’s sci-fi starring Christoph Waltz.
Amplify and Well Go USA will release the film in theatres across the Us in late summer with home video release to follow.
Amplify, the the all-rights distribution venture founded by GoDigital And Variance in January, will handle theatrical and digital distribution rights. Well Go USA releases the film on DVD and Blu-ray.
The Zero Theorem stars Waltz as a reclusive computer genius plagued with existential angst. Matt Damon, Mélanie Thierry, Lucas Hedges, David Thewlis and Tilda Swinton round out the cast.
Voltage Pictures handled international sales and company head Nicolas Chartier arranged financing and produced alongside Dean Zanuck.
Elisabeth Costa de Beauregard Rose of Voltage negotiated the deal for the filmmakers with Kent Sanderson, Dylan Marchetti and Logan Mulvey on behalf of Amplify and Doris Pfardrescher for Well Go USA.
Amplify and Well Go USA will release the film in theatres across the Us in late summer with home video release to follow.
Amplify, the the all-rights distribution venture founded by GoDigital And Variance in January, will handle theatrical and digital distribution rights. Well Go USA releases the film on DVD and Blu-ray.
The Zero Theorem stars Waltz as a reclusive computer genius plagued with existential angst. Matt Damon, Mélanie Thierry, Lucas Hedges, David Thewlis and Tilda Swinton round out the cast.
Voltage Pictures handled international sales and company head Nicolas Chartier arranged financing and produced alongside Dean Zanuck.
Elisabeth Costa de Beauregard Rose of Voltage negotiated the deal for the filmmakers with Kent Sanderson, Dylan Marchetti and Logan Mulvey on behalf of Amplify and Doris Pfardrescher for Well Go USA.
- 3/5/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.