From Jekyll and Hyde to the Wolfman, to much more recent twists on atavistic transformations, the concept of shape-shifting has always been a popular one in fiction — with storytellers turning the dial up or down on the potential social commentary therein, according to taste and preference. In “Animale,” the closing film of this year’s Cannes Critics’ Week section, director Emma Benestan is rather more interested in the interpersonal dynamics navigated by 22-year-old female bull-runner Nejma (Oulaya Amamra) than in really savouring some promising horror implications. She gives Dr. Jekyll center stage, as it were, rather than getting too involved with Mr. Hyde.
Nejma works at a ranch in Camargue, France, where bulls are raised to compete in the arena for baying crowds of exhilarated spectators. It is a traditionally masculine environment: From the bulls to the men who wrangle them, the emphasis is on displays of physical strength and ferocity.
Nejma works at a ranch in Camargue, France, where bulls are raised to compete in the arena for baying crowds of exhilarated spectators. It is a traditionally masculine environment: From the bulls to the men who wrangle them, the emphasis is on displays of physical strength and ferocity.
- 5/23/2024
- by Catherine Bray
- Variety Film + TV
Studiocanal ex-Orange Studio (sic), the sales company in transition following Canal+’s acquisition of Orange Studio and Ocs earlier this year, has taken on All For One, the anticipated second feature from Camera d’Or-winning Divines director Houda Benyamina.
The comedy drama reteams Beyamina with Divines actresses Oulaya Amamra and Déborah Lukumuena who star alongside Daphné Patakia and Sabrina Ouazani. Set in France in 1625, All For One is a feminist retelling of The Three Musketeers and follows four women tasked with protecting the Queen of France.
Orange Studio’s head of sales Charlotte Boucon will be at the market selling the film,...
The comedy drama reteams Beyamina with Divines actresses Oulaya Amamra and Déborah Lukumuena who star alongside Daphné Patakia and Sabrina Ouazani. Set in France in 1625, All For One is a feminist retelling of The Three Musketeers and follows four women tasked with protecting the Queen of France.
Orange Studio’s head of sales Charlotte Boucon will be at the market selling the film,...
- 5/14/2024
- ScreenDaily
Films Boutique will handle international sales on Filipino master Lav Díaz’s “Essential Truths of The Lake,” one of the highest-profile titles in the just announced main International Competition at this year’s Locarno Festival.
The Berlin and Lyon-based production-sales company’s fifth collaboration with Diaz following, among others, Venice Golden Bear Winner “The Woman Who Left” and Berlin Silver Bear Winner “Lullaby To A Sorrowful Mystery,” “Essential Truths of The Lake” marks a prequel to Diaz’s ‘When The Waves Are Gone’ that premiered out of competition at Venice last year.
It reprises the character of the ethically conflicted police lieutenant Hermes Papauran, one of the best investigators of the Philippines. When asked what drives a man to search for the truth, Papauran says dejectedly that maybe he just wants to keep inflicting pain on himself.
Faced with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody murders and brazen lies, he...
The Berlin and Lyon-based production-sales company’s fifth collaboration with Diaz following, among others, Venice Golden Bear Winner “The Woman Who Left” and Berlin Silver Bear Winner “Lullaby To A Sorrowful Mystery,” “Essential Truths of The Lake” marks a prequel to Diaz’s ‘When The Waves Are Gone’ that premiered out of competition at Venice last year.
It reprises the character of the ethically conflicted police lieutenant Hermes Papauran, one of the best investigators of the Philippines. When asked what drives a man to search for the truth, Papauran says dejectedly that maybe he just wants to keep inflicting pain on himself.
Faced with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody murders and brazen lies, he...
- 7/5/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Brut, the influential digital media publisher which became one of the main partners for the Cannes Film Festival last year, has just finalized its fourth funding round for approximately $40 million.
The company, founded by Guillaume Lacroix, Renaud Le Van Kim and Laurent Lucas six years ago, has enlisted a pair of powerful financial backers: CMA Cgm, the world’s third-largest container shipping company owned by billionaire businessman Rodolphe Saadé, which also recently nabbed 10% of France’s second biggest commercial network M6, and the daily newspaper La Provence; and MoonPay, a leading Miami-based financial service company for web3 whose investors include former tennis star Maria Sharapova, as well as Snoop Dogg, Drake and Justin Bieber, among others. Aryeh B. Bourkoff’s LionTree advised the deal with MoonPay.
With this fourth round, Brut has raised nearly $140 million since its launch, and has been able to keep its former investors on board, including James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems,...
The company, founded by Guillaume Lacroix, Renaud Le Van Kim and Laurent Lucas six years ago, has enlisted a pair of powerful financial backers: CMA Cgm, the world’s third-largest container shipping company owned by billionaire businessman Rodolphe Saadé, which also recently nabbed 10% of France’s second biggest commercial network M6, and the daily newspaper La Provence; and MoonPay, a leading Miami-based financial service company for web3 whose investors include former tennis star Maria Sharapova, as well as Snoop Dogg, Drake and Justin Bieber, among others. Aryeh B. Bourkoff’s LionTree advised the deal with MoonPay.
With this fourth round, Brut has raised nearly $140 million since its launch, and has been able to keep its former investors on board, including James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems,...
- 4/7/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Red Sea Souk Seeks to Become Key Film Market for Middle East, North Africa as Local Box Office Booms
The Red Sea Souk, the four-day industry market of the Red Sea Film Festival, is positioning itself as the principal film market for the Middle East and North Africa.
This year’s second edition includes two development competitions, a work-in-progress competition, and the Red Sea 360º event, held in association with Winston Baker, with 13 industry panels.
The projects selected for the development and pic-in-post competitions are competing for 400,000 in Red Sea Fund awards, plus sponsor awards worth 430,000 in cash and 126,000 in kind.
Last year’s first edition had over 3,500 accredited industry professionals and organizers expect an even larger turnout this year, with execs from 46 countries.
Attendees include international sales agents, distributors, festival programmers and a 30-person team from Netflix, with the streamer participating in two industry panels.
The Red Sea Souk is integrated within the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation’s wide strategy to create an eco-system for the development,...
This year’s second edition includes two development competitions, a work-in-progress competition, and the Red Sea 360º event, held in association with Winston Baker, with 13 industry panels.
The projects selected for the development and pic-in-post competitions are competing for 400,000 in Red Sea Fund awards, plus sponsor awards worth 430,000 in cash and 126,000 in kind.
Last year’s first edition had over 3,500 accredited industry professionals and organizers expect an even larger turnout this year, with execs from 46 countries.
Attendees include international sales agents, distributors, festival programmers and a 30-person team from Netflix, with the streamer participating in two industry panels.
The Red Sea Souk is integrated within the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation’s wide strategy to create an eco-system for the development,...
- 12/3/2022
- by Martin Dale
- Variety Film + TV
Japan, Greece, Benelux also secured.
Altitude Film Sales and Participant have secured key deals on Laura Poitras’ Venice Golden Lion winner All The Beauty And The Bloodshed.
The film has sold to France (Pyramide Films), Latin America (Sun Distribution Group), Australia-New Zealand (Madman), Benelux (Cineart), Japan (Klockworx), Greece (Strada), Portugal (Leopardes), Poland (Against Gravity), former Yugoslavia (McF), Scandinavia/Baltics (Nonstop), South Korea (Challan), Taiwan (Hooray Films), Czech Republic-Slovakia (Film Europe), Turkey (Filmarti) and the Middle East (Front Row Entertainment).
Altitude Film Distribution will release the film in the UK and Ireland on January 27 next year, with Neon distributing in the US at the same time.
Altitude Film Sales and Participant have secured key deals on Laura Poitras’ Venice Golden Lion winner All The Beauty And The Bloodshed.
The film has sold to France (Pyramide Films), Latin America (Sun Distribution Group), Australia-New Zealand (Madman), Benelux (Cineart), Japan (Klockworx), Greece (Strada), Portugal (Leopardes), Poland (Against Gravity), former Yugoslavia (McF), Scandinavia/Baltics (Nonstop), South Korea (Challan), Taiwan (Hooray Films), Czech Republic-Slovakia (Film Europe), Turkey (Filmarti) and the Middle East (Front Row Entertainment).
Altitude Film Distribution will release the film in the UK and Ireland on January 27 next year, with Neon distributing in the US at the same time.
- 11/10/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Six awards will be presented with two ‘in-kind’ prizes.
Filmmakers Houda Benyamina and Yasmine Benkiran, and Locarno Film Festival artistic director Giona Nazzaro are among the jurors for the industry programme of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival (December 1-10).
French director Benyamina, Moroccan filmmaker Benkiran and Nazzaro comprise the jury of the Work-In-Progress showcase, which selected six feature projects in post-production last month. The trio will award a 30,000 post-production prize.
Benyamina’s solo directorial debut Divines won the Camera d’Or for best debut feature at Cannes in 2016. She is in post-production on her next film Toutes Pour Une.
Filmmakers Houda Benyamina and Yasmine Benkiran, and Locarno Film Festival artistic director Giona Nazzaro are among the jurors for the industry programme of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival (December 1-10).
French director Benyamina, Moroccan filmmaker Benkiran and Nazzaro comprise the jury of the Work-In-Progress showcase, which selected six feature projects in post-production last month. The trio will award a 30,000 post-production prize.
Benyamina’s solo directorial debut Divines won the Camera d’Or for best debut feature at Cannes in 2016. She is in post-production on her next film Toutes Pour Une.
- 11/10/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
France’s broadcasting group, France Televisions, launched Slash, a niche platform skewing millennials, as part of its efforts to keep its brand relevant among younger viewers. In five years, the service has become one of France’s biggest showcases of daring scripted content created by and starring diverse talents.
Slash, which is accessible on the pubcaster’s streaming service France.tv and is headed by former screenwriter Sened Dhab, has been consistently delivering hit shows. Recent examples include Noé Debré’s Brexit-themed political satire “The Parliament,” Simon Bouisson’s “Stalk,” a thriller about cyber bullying, and “Skam,” the local adaptation of the Norwegian series about troubles teenagers.
Although the platform’s content is primarily aimed at adolescents and young adults, a number of shows have become popular among older demographics. Dhab told Variety that shows commissioned by Slash stand out because they tend to be “edgier, engaging and have a different...
Slash, which is accessible on the pubcaster’s streaming service France.tv and is headed by former screenwriter Sened Dhab, has been consistently delivering hit shows. Recent examples include Noé Debré’s Brexit-themed political satire “The Parliament,” Simon Bouisson’s “Stalk,” a thriller about cyber bullying, and “Skam,” the local adaptation of the Norwegian series about troubles teenagers.
Although the platform’s content is primarily aimed at adolescents and young adults, a number of shows have become popular among older demographics. Dhab told Variety that shows commissioned by Slash stand out because they tend to be “edgier, engaging and have a different...
- 9/16/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exploring Paris’ working-class suburbs with a fresh set of eyes while reframing the immigrant experience under a more incisive lens, a dynamic generation is blazing new trails in French cinema.
And if artists like “Saint Omer” filmmaker Alice Diop, “Athena” co-writer Ladj Ly, and “The Gravity” writer/director Cedric Ido share little in common but age – interestingly enough, all were born within one or two years of one another – the group’s shared spotlight in Venice and Toronto certainly reflects a rise in opportunity for diverse perspectives.
“Today, we do see renewal,” says Unifrance managing director Daniela Elstner. “There’s an altogether new breath, a young generation looking to change, to dare, and to propose new kinds of films, [and with that] a willingness on the part of festival programmers to welcome these filmmakers into main competitions a little bit faster than before.”
Of course, opportunities tend to compound and build, so before...
And if artists like “Saint Omer” filmmaker Alice Diop, “Athena” co-writer Ladj Ly, and “The Gravity” writer/director Cedric Ido share little in common but age – interestingly enough, all were born within one or two years of one another – the group’s shared spotlight in Venice and Toronto certainly reflects a rise in opportunity for diverse perspectives.
“Today, we do see renewal,” says Unifrance managing director Daniela Elstner. “There’s an altogether new breath, a young generation looking to change, to dare, and to propose new kinds of films, [and with that] a willingness on the part of festival programmers to welcome these filmmakers into main competitions a little bit faster than before.”
Of course, opportunities tend to compound and build, so before...
- 8/31/2022
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Premiering as a Special Screening at Cannes was a documentary co-directed by Houda Benyamina, Anne Cissé and subject Melanie Diam’s, the former French rapper and music sensation who stepped away from public life in the early 2010s after converting to Islam. “Salam,” meaning “peace” in Arabic, follows Diam’s new life as a philanthropist and mother, far from the chaos and fame of her past career.
Her new religious path in life was met with vast shock and criticism from the French media at the time, and pushed Diam’s further toward the realization that she needed to abandon her music for good.
Benyamina was reluctant to share the direction of the film at first because of a need to “have my own projects and my own voice,” she says.
“But when Melanie asked me to direct her movie by myself, I told her no. It’s her story...
Her new religious path in life was met with vast shock and criticism from the French media at the time, and pushed Diam’s further toward the realization that she needed to abandon her music for good.
Benyamina was reluctant to share the direction of the film at first because of a need to “have my own projects and my own voice,” she says.
“But when Melanie asked me to direct her movie by myself, I told her no. It’s her story...
- 5/27/2022
- by Caitlin Quinlan
- Variety Film + TV
Bio-documentary is co-directed by ex-rapper Melanie Diams, ‘Divines’ director Houda Benyamina and writer Anne Cissé.
Former French rapper Diam’s cut a swathe through France’s male-dominated underground rap scene of the 2000s with her feminist and social activist lyrics to become one of the country’s most popular mainstream artists.
She found herself in the eye of a media storm and public backlash in 2009 after weekly news magazine Paris Match ran images of her emerging from a mosque in full hijab and robe, following her decision to convert to Islam and withdraw from public life.
The ex-rapper, who was...
Former French rapper Diam’s cut a swathe through France’s male-dominated underground rap scene of the 2000s with her feminist and social activist lyrics to become one of the country’s most popular mainstream artists.
She found herself in the eye of a media storm and public backlash in 2009 after weekly news magazine Paris Match ran images of her emerging from a mosque in full hijab and robe, following her decision to convert to Islam and withdraw from public life.
The ex-rapper, who was...
- 5/27/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Bio-doc Salam tells the behind-the-scenes tale of once-famous French rapper who disappeared from the public view
Wild Bunch International (Wbi) has acquired worldwide rights to Salam, about former French rap star Diam’s, ahead of its world premiere as a special screening in Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival (May 17-28).
The festival announced the title as a late addition to the line-up at the end of April but released few details for the work apart from the fact that it is co-directed by Diam’s, 2016 Caméra d’Or winner Houda Benyamina (Divines) and Anne Cissé.
Diam’s (aka...
Wild Bunch International (Wbi) has acquired worldwide rights to Salam, about former French rap star Diam’s, ahead of its world premiere as a special screening in Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival (May 17-28).
The festival announced the title as a late addition to the line-up at the end of April but released few details for the work apart from the fact that it is co-directed by Diam’s, 2016 Caméra d’Or winner Houda Benyamina (Divines) and Anne Cissé.
Diam’s (aka...
- 5/11/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
The Cannes Film Festival has added two more titles to its lineup ahead of next month’s 75th edition, it was announced on Friday.
Spanish-French thriller As Bestas, from director Rodrigo Sorogoyen, has been added to the new Cannes Première section, which will feature more mainstream titles, while French documentary Salam, directed by Mélanie Diam’s, Houda Benyamina and Anne Cissé, has been added to the Special Screenings section.
Earlier this week, the festival set Vincent Lindon as its jury president for the Competition section. The French native, who won the 2015 Best Actor award at Cannes for The Measure Of A Man, starred in last year’s Palme d’Or winner Titane.
Rebecca Hall, Noomi Rapace, Jeff Nichols, Asghar Farhadi, Deepika Padukone, Jasmine Trinca, Ladj Ly and Joachim Trier round out the jury.
The Cannes Film Festival runs May 17-28.
Spanish-French thriller As Bestas, from director Rodrigo Sorogoyen, has been added to the new Cannes Première section, which will feature more mainstream titles, while French documentary Salam, directed by Mélanie Diam’s, Houda Benyamina and Anne Cissé, has been added to the Special Screenings section.
Earlier this week, the festival set Vincent Lindon as its jury president for the Competition section. The French native, who won the 2015 Best Actor award at Cannes for The Measure Of A Man, starred in last year’s Palme d’Or winner Titane.
Rebecca Hall, Noomi Rapace, Jeff Nichols, Asghar Farhadi, Deepika Padukone, Jasmine Trinca, Ladj Ly and Joachim Trier round out the jury.
The Cannes Film Festival runs May 17-28.
- 4/29/2022
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
The Cannes Film Festival has added two more films to the Official Selection of the 75th edition, which will kick off on May 17.
Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s “As Bestas,” a French-Spanish movie, has been added to Cannes Première, the new section dedicated to world premieres for movies that are slightly more mainstream, similarly to the out-of-competition strand. Sorogoyen previously earned an Oscar nomination with his 2017 short film “Madre.”
Denis Ménochet and Marina Foïs star as a middle-aged French couple moves to a local village, seeking closeness with nature and end up sparking outright hostility and shocking violence with the small community.
“Salam,” a documentary directed by Mélanie Georgiades aka Diam’s, Houda Benyamina (“The Eddy”) and Anne Cissé (“Buck”), is set to play in the Special Screenings section.
Following its April 14 presser, the festival also added three movies competition: Léonor Serraille’s “Un Petit Frere,” Albert Serra’s “Tourment sur les iles...
Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s “As Bestas,” a French-Spanish movie, has been added to Cannes Première, the new section dedicated to world premieres for movies that are slightly more mainstream, similarly to the out-of-competition strand. Sorogoyen previously earned an Oscar nomination with his 2017 short film “Madre.”
Denis Ménochet and Marina Foïs star as a middle-aged French couple moves to a local village, seeking closeness with nature and end up sparking outright hostility and shocking violence with the small community.
“Salam,” a documentary directed by Mélanie Georgiades aka Diam’s, Houda Benyamina (“The Eddy”) and Anne Cissé (“Buck”), is set to play in the Special Screenings section.
Following its April 14 presser, the festival also added three movies competition: Léonor Serraille’s “Un Petit Frere,” Albert Serra’s “Tourment sur les iles...
- 4/29/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The new additions bring the total number of films in Official Selection to 68.
The Cannes Film Festival has added two new titles to the Official Selection of its 75th edition running May 17 to 28.
Spanish director Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s Spanish-French rural thriller The Beasts (As Bestas) has joined the Cannes Première section and the documentary Salam will debut as a Special Screening.
The new additions bring the total number of films in Official Selection to 68.
Denis Ménochet and Marina Foïs star as a French couple who move to a village in the northern Spanish region of Galicia in a bid to be closer to nature,...
The Cannes Film Festival has added two new titles to the Official Selection of its 75th edition running May 17 to 28.
Spanish director Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s Spanish-French rural thriller The Beasts (As Bestas) has joined the Cannes Première section and the documentary Salam will debut as a Special Screening.
The new additions bring the total number of films in Official Selection to 68.
Denis Ménochet and Marina Foïs star as a French couple who move to a village in the northern Spanish region of Galicia in a bid to be closer to nature,...
- 4/29/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Danish documentary production company’s slate include Sundance-selected ‘The Territory’ and Eva Weber’s ‘Merkel’.
European production group Newen Studios and Oscar-nominated Danish producer Sigrid Dyekjaer have launched a new Denmark-based documentary production company, Real Lava.
Real Lava is owned by France-based Newen Studios (part of the TF1 group) and Dyekjaer, and will work on both documentary films and series for an international audience, “with a cinematic execution and high artistic value”.
The company’s first production, The Territory, has been confirmed for the world cinema documentary competition at Sundance. Alex Pritz’s film explores the Indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau community as...
European production group Newen Studios and Oscar-nominated Danish producer Sigrid Dyekjaer have launched a new Denmark-based documentary production company, Real Lava.
Real Lava is owned by France-based Newen Studios (part of the TF1 group) and Dyekjaer, and will work on both documentary films and series for an international audience, “with a cinematic execution and high artistic value”.
The company’s first production, The Territory, has been confirmed for the world cinema documentary competition at Sundance. Alex Pritz’s film explores the Indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau community as...
- 12/10/2021
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
New films from Cristian Mungiu, Abderrahmane Sissako, Bertrand Bonello and Nikolaj Arcel have also receieved funding.
French director Houda Benyamina’s All For One and Austrian Jessica Hausner’s Club Zero are two of the 37 European co-productions set to receive of a share of Eurimage’s latest round of funding, totalling €9.1m ($10.3).
Benyamina’s All For One will receive €500,000, the largest share of funding, The co-production between France and Belgium (Versus Production) is the second feature from from Benyamina, whose debut Divines won the Caméra d’Or in Cannes 2016. Her latest title is a Three Muskateers-style adventure, with a female focus.
French director Houda Benyamina’s All For One and Austrian Jessica Hausner’s Club Zero are two of the 37 European co-productions set to receive of a share of Eurimage’s latest round of funding, totalling €9.1m ($10.3).
Benyamina’s All For One will receive €500,000, the largest share of funding, The co-production between France and Belgium (Versus Production) is the second feature from from Benyamina, whose debut Divines won the Caméra d’Or in Cannes 2016. Her latest title is a Three Muskateers-style adventure, with a female focus.
- 12/10/2021
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
New films from Cristian Mungiu, Abderrahmane Sissako, Bertrand Bonello and Nikolaj Arcel have also receieved funding.
French director Houda Benyamina’s All For One and Austrian Jessica Hausner’s Club Zero are two of the 37 European co-productions set to receive of a share of Eurimage’s latest round of funding, totalling €9.1m ($10.3).
Benyamina’s All For One will receive €500,000, the largest share of funding, The co-production between France and Belgium (Versus Production) is the second feature from from Benyamina, whose debut Divines won the Caméra d’Or in Cannes 2016. Her latest title is a Three Muskateers-style adventure, with a female focus.
French director Houda Benyamina’s All For One and Austrian Jessica Hausner’s Club Zero are two of the 37 European co-productions set to receive of a share of Eurimage’s latest round of funding, totalling €9.1m ($10.3).
Benyamina’s All For One will receive €500,000, the largest share of funding, The co-production between France and Belgium (Versus Production) is the second feature from from Benyamina, whose debut Divines won the Caméra d’Or in Cannes 2016. Her latest title is a Three Muskateers-style adventure, with a female focus.
- 12/10/2021
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
While France has a deeply entrenched cinema tradition, drama series have been gaining tremendous ground within the country’s cultural landscape within the past few years, with some of the country’s biggest producers, stars and filmmakers venturing into ambitious television projects. The 3-month-old merger of UniFrance and TV France Intl., the country’s film and audiovisual promotion organizations, into a single entity is probably the best illustration of this blended world.
The growing presence of global streaming services, especially Netflix, in the TV space has played a key role in bolstering a talent drain, catapulting French stars, such as Omar Sy with the Gaumont-produced show “Lupin,” to international recognition. Although Sy broke through a decade ago with the smash hit French comedy “Intouchables,” “Lupin” allowed him to reach many more viewers around the world. Another example is Tahar Rahim, who became known around the world after starring in...
The growing presence of global streaming services, especially Netflix, in the TV space has played a key role in bolstering a talent drain, catapulting French stars, such as Omar Sy with the Gaumont-produced show “Lupin,” to international recognition. Although Sy broke through a decade ago with the smash hit French comedy “Intouchables,” “Lupin” allowed him to reach many more viewers around the world. Another example is Tahar Rahim, who became known around the world after starring in...
- 10/8/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s “I and the Stupid Boy,” the new title in the Prada-commissioned Miu Miu Women’s Tales short film series directed by women, was unveiled Sept. 4 at the Venice Film Festival’s independently run Venice Days section.
The short by Ben Hania, who directed the Oscar-nominated “The Man Who Sold His Skin,” is a tale of male-female power, sexuality and shame — with a biting, feminist twist.
In “I and the Stupid Boy,” the protagonist, Nora, is a striking young woman, newly in love. All dressed up, she takes a short cut through an abandoned building, on the way to her date, only to run into Kevin, her ex, who pulls up in a scooter and starts to harass her.
Nora is played by Oulaya Amamra, who won the 2017 César Award for best emerging actress for her role in the film “Divines” by Houda Benyamina, set in the Paris banlieu.
The short by Ben Hania, who directed the Oscar-nominated “The Man Who Sold His Skin,” is a tale of male-female power, sexuality and shame — with a biting, feminist twist.
In “I and the Stupid Boy,” the protagonist, Nora, is a striking young woman, newly in love. All dressed up, she takes a short cut through an abandoned building, on the way to her date, only to run into Kevin, her ex, who pulls up in a scooter and starts to harass her.
Nora is played by Oulaya Amamra, who won the 2017 César Award for best emerging actress for her role in the film “Divines” by Houda Benyamina, set in the Paris banlieu.
- 9/4/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
When we first meet Alma (Déborah Lukumuena) and Margot (Souheila Yacoub), they are at each other’s throats. They are onstage, two of a gang of young hopefuls trying out for a plum role in a semi-experimental Parisian theatre piece, but the fight is not part of their audition. It is real, and yet at the same time, unreal.
There is something unconvincing in Margot’s ginned-up outburst, in the way it gets physical but not really, in the high theatrics of squaring off and flouncing out. And if we immediately realize why — outside the two embrace, laughing, gasping at the audacity of their ruse to get the attention of the play’s director — this opening, with its themes of performativity, showmanship and friendship so ferocious it can look like conflict, is the exactly appropriate in media res introduction to Anaïs Volpé’s first feature “The Braves” — perhaps even in...
There is something unconvincing in Margot’s ginned-up outburst, in the way it gets physical but not really, in the high theatrics of squaring off and flouncing out. And if we immediately realize why — outside the two embrace, laughing, gasping at the audacity of their ruse to get the attention of the play’s director — this opening, with its themes of performativity, showmanship and friendship so ferocious it can look like conflict, is the exactly appropriate in media res introduction to Anaïs Volpé’s first feature “The Braves” — perhaps even in...
- 8/29/2021
- by Jessica Kiang
- Variety Film + TV
Writer-director Jonas Carpignano has scored at Cannes with “A Chiara,” winning the Europa Cinemas Cannes Label nod for best European film at Directors’ Fortnight, the festival’s biggest independent parallel section. Carpignano took the same prize for his previous film, “A Ciambra,” which was exec produced by Martin Scorsese, in 2017.
In the second big Directors’ Fortnight prize announcement, Vincent Maël Cardona’s feature debut “Magnetic Beats (“Les Magnétiques”) won the section’s Sacd Prize, awarded by France’s Writers’ Guild. Cardona’s short, “Anywhere Out of the World,” featured at the 2010’s Cannes Cinefondation student short competition.
“A Chiara” focuses on a family’s 16-year-old daughter and her growing realization that her beloved father may be part of the local criminal organization. Set in what the Variety review describes as the “hardscrabble underside” of the Calabrian city of Gioia Tauro, “A Chiara” delivers “a complex and ultimately realistic picture,” it said.
In the second big Directors’ Fortnight prize announcement, Vincent Maël Cardona’s feature debut “Magnetic Beats (“Les Magnétiques”) won the section’s Sacd Prize, awarded by France’s Writers’ Guild. Cardona’s short, “Anywhere Out of the World,” featured at the 2010’s Cannes Cinefondation student short competition.
“A Chiara” focuses on a family’s 16-year-old daughter and her growing realization that her beloved father may be part of the local criminal organization. Set in what the Variety review describes as the “hardscrabble underside” of the Calabrian city of Gioia Tauro, “A Chiara” delivers “a complex and ultimately realistic picture,” it said.
- 7/15/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Past winners of the first feature prize include Jim Jarmusch, Mira Nair, Naomi Kawase, Steve McQueen, Houda Benyamina and Lukas Dhont.
The Cannes Film Festival has named French actress Mélanie Thierry as jury president for the 2021 Caméra d’Or award reserved for all first features premiering across Official Selection and the parallel sections of Directors’ Fortnight and Critics’ Week.
”Nothing is as fragile or as miraculous as a first movie. This testifies to the courage and the faith of all the directors who, after such a long period of seclusion, succeeded in providing us with a window on the outside world,...
The Cannes Film Festival has named French actress Mélanie Thierry as jury president for the 2021 Caméra d’Or award reserved for all first features premiering across Official Selection and the parallel sections of Directors’ Fortnight and Critics’ Week.
”Nothing is as fragile or as miraculous as a first movie. This testifies to the courage and the faith of all the directors who, after such a long period of seclusion, succeeded in providing us with a window on the outside world,...
- 6/30/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Less Is More (Lim), a European development scheme for limited-budget feature films, has unveiled its selection of 16 projects, a majority of which are from women filmmakers and talents coming from theater, visual arts or documentary.
In spite of the pandemic, the 7th edition received as many as 350 applications from more than 70 countries. The final roster includes projects from territories that were not represented in previous editions, such as Uganda, Vietnam and South Africa.
Among the projects selected are “I Love My Guodoheaddji,” set in the Arctic Circle within Norway’s Sámi community; “I Matter,” about a Romany community in Romania, and “A Song That Slays,” set in a Pokot tribe in Kenya. Other projects explore a cult in Czech Republic (“Goddess), sex addiction in Lithuania (Sofia’s World), and Celtic tales (“Birds of a Feather…).
Lim, which develops first, second and third feature projects, is organized by the Groupe Ouest,...
In spite of the pandemic, the 7th edition received as many as 350 applications from more than 70 countries. The final roster includes projects from territories that were not represented in previous editions, such as Uganda, Vietnam and South Africa.
Among the projects selected are “I Love My Guodoheaddji,” set in the Arctic Circle within Norway’s Sámi community; “I Matter,” about a Romany community in Romania, and “A Song That Slays,” set in a Pokot tribe in Kenya. Other projects explore a cult in Czech Republic (“Goddess), sex addiction in Lithuania (Sofia’s World), and Celtic tales (“Birds of a Feather…).
Lim, which develops first, second and third feature projects, is organized by the Groupe Ouest,...
- 3/1/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Indie Sales has acquired Constance Meyer’s feature debut “Misfit,” a drama-comedy headlined by Gérard Depardieu and Déborah Lukumuena, the rising star of Houda Benyamina’s “Divines.”
Shot in Paris, the film revolves around George, an aging and lonely film star in decline, and Aïssa, a semi-pro wrestler earning a living as a security officer. When Aïssa is hired to temporarily replace George’s bodyguard, a singular bond between them takes hold. Despite their differences, George and Aïssa are more similar than they thought initially.
Indie Sales will launch international sales on “Misfit” at UniFrance’s Rendez-Vous With French Cinema, which kicks off Jan. 13.
Now in post, “Misfit” is produced by Isabelle Madelaine with her Paris-based outfit Dharamsala, whose credits include Alice Winocour’s “Proxima” and Claire Burger’s “Real Love.”
“Misfit” will be delivered this summer. Diaphana Distribution will distribute the film in France.
Nicolas Eschbach, Indie Sales CEO and co-founder,...
Shot in Paris, the film revolves around George, an aging and lonely film star in decline, and Aïssa, a semi-pro wrestler earning a living as a security officer. When Aïssa is hired to temporarily replace George’s bodyguard, a singular bond between them takes hold. Despite their differences, George and Aïssa are more similar than they thought initially.
Indie Sales will launch international sales on “Misfit” at UniFrance’s Rendez-Vous With French Cinema, which kicks off Jan. 13.
Now in post, “Misfit” is produced by Isabelle Madelaine with her Paris-based outfit Dharamsala, whose credits include Alice Winocour’s “Proxima” and Claire Burger’s “Real Love.”
“Misfit” will be delivered this summer. Diaphana Distribution will distribute the film in France.
Nicolas Eschbach, Indie Sales CEO and co-founder,...
- 1/12/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The writing mentoring and residency scheme for Francophone filmmakers is organising a Zoom call on 3 November, revealing details of its 2020 session and candidates’ prospects for selection next year. Every year, the Groupe Ouest’s Annual Selection lends its support to eight fiction projects proposed by Francophone screenwriters and filmmakers. The quality of the scheme has been widely demonstrated, as notably testified by the presence of the project Angel by Belgium’s Lukas Dhont and that of Paris 8 by Daouda Coulibaly within the scheme’s 2020 selection (read our article), not to mention the inclusion in previous years of Maïmouna Doucouré’s Cuties, Massoud Bakhshi’s Yalda, A Night For Forgiveness and Divines by Houda Benyamina,...
- 10/29/2020
- Cineuropa - The Best of European Cinema
New Emmy rules mandate only five nomination slots in most categories in which limited series and movies contend exclusively. The ballot for Best Movie/Limited Directing lists 95 submissions, which is enough to trigger a sixth slot. The nominees last year were:
Winner — “Chernobyl” (Johan Renck) “Escape at Dannemora” (Ben Stiller) “Fosse/Verdon” — “Glory” (Jessica Yu) “Fosse/Verdon” — “Who’s Got the Pain?” (Thomas Kail) “A Very English Scandal” (Stephen Frears) “When They See Us” (Ava DuVernay)
None of those programs contend again this year. Lisa Cholodenko won this award in 2015 for “Olive Kitteridge” and contends now for “Unbelievable.” Before winning the Emmy for the former, she won the equivalent award from the Directors Guild of America, which shares voters with the directors’ branch of the academy that votes on this Emmy. The DGA passed over her “Unbelievable” work for Vince Gilligan‘s “Breaking Bad” sequel “El Camino.” Gilligan is a four-time Best...
Winner — “Chernobyl” (Johan Renck) “Escape at Dannemora” (Ben Stiller) “Fosse/Verdon” — “Glory” (Jessica Yu) “Fosse/Verdon” — “Who’s Got the Pain?” (Thomas Kail) “A Very English Scandal” (Stephen Frears) “When They See Us” (Ava DuVernay)
None of those programs contend again this year. Lisa Cholodenko won this award in 2015 for “Olive Kitteridge” and contends now for “Unbelievable.” Before winning the Emmy for the former, she won the equivalent award from the Directors Guild of America, which shares voters with the directors’ branch of the academy that votes on this Emmy. The DGA passed over her “Unbelievable” work for Vince Gilligan‘s “Breaking Bad” sequel “El Camino.” Gilligan is a four-time Best...
- 7/24/2020
- by Riley Chow
- Gold Derby
Otta wide range of films from international filmmakers, including several Oscars winners, are available for streaming online.Tnm StaffTwitterStaying inside during the pandemic hasn’t been easy, but watching movies online through a host of streaming services has been a welcome distraction to our mounting boredom. But perhaps you’ve caught up with all the latest releases in Indian cinema, from Gulabo Sitabo to Ponmagal Vandhal. And you’ve finally finished those pending Hollywood classics you’ve always wanted to watch, like the Godfather trilogy or every Avengers movie in order of release. Fear not, because there’s much more to see. Indian cinema and Hollywood films in English generally dominate pop culture in our country, but there’s a wide range of films from international filmmakers that are finally getting the attention they deserve. Tnm has put together a list of films from international filmmakers to stream on your next movie night.
- 7/14/2020
- by Nikhita Venugopal
- The News Minute
Film was among 56 titles selected for the special Cannes 2020 label.
Paris-based sales company Totem Films has unveiled more than a dozen fresh deals on Cannes 2020 label title Gagarine, which was one of the buzziest arthouse titles in the virtual Cannes market, running June 22-26 last week.
In Europe, it has sold to Austria (Polyfilm), Benelux (Cinéart), Denmark (Angel Films), Officine Ubu (Italy), Finland (Cinemanse), Greece (Weird Wave), Norway (Selmer Media), Poland (Best Film), Spain (Karma Films), Sweden (Folkets Bio), Switzerland (Filmcoopi) and ex-Yugoslavia (Megacom).
In the rest of the world, it has sold to Australia (Madman), Brazil (Vitrine), Israel (Lev Cinemas...
Paris-based sales company Totem Films has unveiled more than a dozen fresh deals on Cannes 2020 label title Gagarine, which was one of the buzziest arthouse titles in the virtual Cannes market, running June 22-26 last week.
In Europe, it has sold to Austria (Polyfilm), Benelux (Cinéart), Denmark (Angel Films), Officine Ubu (Italy), Finland (Cinemanse), Greece (Weird Wave), Norway (Selmer Media), Poland (Best Film), Spain (Karma Films), Sweden (Folkets Bio), Switzerland (Filmcoopi) and ex-Yugoslavia (Megacom).
In the rest of the world, it has sold to Australia (Madman), Brazil (Vitrine), Israel (Lev Cinemas...
- 6/29/2020
- by 1100388¦Melanie Goodfellow¦69¦
- ScreenDaily
1. “Space Force” Season 1 (available May 29)
Why Should I Watch? After “The Office” announced its impending departure from Netflix, it was only a matter of time before the streamer came up with an original series to take its place. Enter “Space Force.” Co-created by “The Office” creator Greg Daniels and “The Office” star Steve Carell, this half-hour original series is even being billed as “a new kind of workplace comedy” by Netflix, returning Carell (who also stars) to workday drudgery, albeit with far more glamour than the paper game. As four-star general Mark R. Naird, Carell’s character is tasked with building a military base of operations on the moon in order to achieve “total space dominance,” as ordered by the White House.
Bonus Reason: Lisa Kudrow. The “Comeback” and “Friends” star had nothing to do with “The Office,” but a) who cares? — it’s worth putting on a party hat...
Why Should I Watch? After “The Office” announced its impending departure from Netflix, it was only a matter of time before the streamer came up with an original series to take its place. Enter “Space Force.” Co-created by “The Office” creator Greg Daniels and “The Office” star Steve Carell, this half-hour original series is even being billed as “a new kind of workplace comedy” by Netflix, returning Carell (who also stars) to workday drudgery, albeit with far more glamour than the paper game. As four-star general Mark R. Naird, Carell’s character is tasked with building a military base of operations on the moon in order to achieve “total space dominance,” as ordered by the White House.
Bonus Reason: Lisa Kudrow. The “Comeback” and “Friends” star had nothing to do with “The Office,” but a) who cares? — it’s worth putting on a party hat...
- 5/3/2020
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Netflix has debuted the full trailer for Damien Chazelle’s limited series ‘The Eddy’ featuring Andre Holland and Tahir Rahim.
The eight-episode drama that takes place in the vibrant multicultural neighbourhoods of modern-day Paris. Once a celebrated jazz pianist in New York, Elliot Udo (André Holland) is now the co-owner of struggling club The Eddy, where he manages the house band fronted by lead singer and on-again-off-again girlfriend Maja (Joanna Kulig).
As Elliot learns that his business partner Farid (Tahar Rahim) may be involved in some questionable practices at the club, secrets begin to come to light that have also been concealed from Farid’s wife Amira (Leïla Bekhti), and when Elliot’s troubled teenage daughter Julie (Amandla Stenberg) suddenly arrives in Paris to live Directed by Academy Award® winner Damien Chazelle (La La Land), Emmy Award® winner Alan Poul (Tales of the City), Houda Benyamina (Divines) and Laïla Marrakchi...
The eight-episode drama that takes place in the vibrant multicultural neighbourhoods of modern-day Paris. Once a celebrated jazz pianist in New York, Elliot Udo (André Holland) is now the co-owner of struggling club The Eddy, where he manages the house band fronted by lead singer and on-again-off-again girlfriend Maja (Joanna Kulig).
As Elliot learns that his business partner Farid (Tahar Rahim) may be involved in some questionable practices at the club, secrets begin to come to light that have also been concealed from Farid’s wife Amira (Leïla Bekhti), and when Elliot’s troubled teenage daughter Julie (Amandla Stenberg) suddenly arrives in Paris to live Directed by Academy Award® winner Damien Chazelle (La La Land), Emmy Award® winner Alan Poul (Tales of the City), Houda Benyamina (Divines) and Laïla Marrakchi...
- 4/15/2020
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
After his intense breakthrough drama Whiplash, Damien Chazelle stayed in the world of music with La La Land and now he’s set to return to it with The Eddy, a new limited series coming from Netflix next month. The first trailer has now arrived, previewing the first two episodes (out of eight total) directed by Chazelle himself.
Starring André Holland and Cold War break-out Joanna Kulig, the Paris-set drama follows a once-famous musician who now runs a small Jazz club, but his past comes back to haunt him. Created and scripted by Jack Thorne, it looks to have the energy we’ve come to know from Chazelle as he explores some familiar themes with hopefully a fresh spin.
Other directors helming episodes include Houda Benyamina (Divines), Laïla Marrakchi (Marock), and Alan Poul (The Newsroom). See the trailer below for the film also starring Amandla Stenberg, Leila Bekhti, and Tahar Rahim.
Starring André Holland and Cold War break-out Joanna Kulig, the Paris-set drama follows a once-famous musician who now runs a small Jazz club, but his past comes back to haunt him. Created and scripted by Jack Thorne, it looks to have the energy we’ve come to know from Chazelle as he explores some familiar themes with hopefully a fresh spin.
Other directors helming episodes include Houda Benyamina (Divines), Laïla Marrakchi (Marock), and Alan Poul (The Newsroom). See the trailer below for the film also starring Amandla Stenberg, Leila Bekhti, and Tahar Rahim.
- 4/14/2020
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
In today’s TV news roundup, Marla Gibbs and Reggie Watts have been cast in guest roles on “One Day at a Time” and Netflix released the premiere date and teaser for “The Eddy.”
Castings
Marla Gibbs and Reggie Watts have been cast in guest roles on PopTV’s “One Day at a Time.” The two actors will both be featured in the Halloween themed episode titled, “One Halloween at a Time” as new neighbors in the building whose apartments Elena and Syd visit for trick-or-treating. Gibbs will appear as “Mrs. Jones” and Watts as “Mr. Mann.”
Dates
The third and final season of “Future Man” will premiere on Hulu on April 3. In the forthcoming installment, the motley trio messes with time one last time to clear their names after being convicted of time crimes and sentenced to death by entertainment. Created and executive produced by Kyle Hunter and Ariel Shaffir,...
Castings
Marla Gibbs and Reggie Watts have been cast in guest roles on PopTV’s “One Day at a Time.” The two actors will both be featured in the Halloween themed episode titled, “One Halloween at a Time” as new neighbors in the building whose apartments Elena and Syd visit for trick-or-treating. Gibbs will appear as “Mrs. Jones” and Watts as “Mr. Mann.”
Dates
The third and final season of “Future Man” will premiere on Hulu on April 3. In the forthcoming installment, the motley trio messes with time one last time to clear their names after being convicted of time crimes and sentenced to death by entertainment. Created and executive produced by Kyle Hunter and Ariel Shaffir,...
- 2/28/2020
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
Streaming giant officially announces collaborations with Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Fanny Herrero and Julien Leclercq.
Steaming giant Netflix officially opened its new French headquarters in Paris on Friday in a move that Netflix chairman and CEO Reed Hastings said signalled a long-term commitment to the country.
Hastings, who flew into Paris to celebrate the official launch, said the new French office would enable Netflix ”to work even more closely with the French creative community on great shows and films that are made in France and watched all around the world.”
Some 40 staff are due to be based at the new French offices...
Steaming giant Netflix officially opened its new French headquarters in Paris on Friday in a move that Netflix chairman and CEO Reed Hastings said signalled a long-term commitment to the country.
Hastings, who flew into Paris to celebrate the official launch, said the new French office would enable Netflix ”to work even more closely with the French creative community on great shows and films that are made in France and watched all around the world.”
Some 40 staff are due to be based at the new French offices...
- 1/17/2020
- by 1100388¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings today officially opened Netflix’s vast new French headquarters in the center of Paris.
Currently home to 40 employees in film, TV and marketing, and with ample space for at least 100 more, the shiny new space is a major sign of intent for the streamer in one of Europe’s most important – and heavily regulated – markets.
Netflix announced today that it will significantly increase investment in France, with 20 new French productions, and partnerships with leading French creative institutions.
The streamer’s French content executives today unveiled a handful of original shows as well as a range of series and films made by production partners for the streamer. They include:
BigBug, the new film by César Award winner Jean-Pierre Jeunet, based on a script written by Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant — a comedy set in the future with a cast including César Award winner Elsa Zylberstein, César Award nominee Isabelle Nanty and Manu Payet.
Currently home to 40 employees in film, TV and marketing, and with ample space for at least 100 more, the shiny new space is a major sign of intent for the streamer in one of Europe’s most important – and heavily regulated – markets.
Netflix announced today that it will significantly increase investment in France, with 20 new French productions, and partnerships with leading French creative institutions.
The streamer’s French content executives today unveiled a handful of original shows as well as a range of series and films made by production partners for the streamer. They include:
BigBug, the new film by César Award winner Jean-Pierre Jeunet, based on a script written by Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant — a comedy set in the future with a cast including César Award winner Elsa Zylberstein, César Award nominee Isabelle Nanty and Manu Payet.
- 1/17/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix continued to make strides in its European expansion on Thursday, unveiling a swanky multi-floor Paris office and announcing 20 new French shows and movies in the pipeline.
Located in the heart of the city and staffed with 40 employees, Netflix’s office launch attracted French industry figures, including producers and filmmakers working with or looking to work with Netflix.
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, who was on hand at the event, said the service will be stepping up its investment locally and will target high-profile talent in 2020. New titles include the film “Big Bug,” directed by “Amelie” director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Penned by Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant, “Big Bug” is a comedy set in the future starring Elsa Zylberstein, Isabelle Nanty and Manu Payet.
Jeunet participated in the first roundtable organised for the event, along with the directors Julien Leclercq and Leïla Sy, as well as rapper-turned-actor Kery James, and Sara May, director...
Located in the heart of the city and staffed with 40 employees, Netflix’s office launch attracted French industry figures, including producers and filmmakers working with or looking to work with Netflix.
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, who was on hand at the event, said the service will be stepping up its investment locally and will target high-profile talent in 2020. New titles include the film “Big Bug,” directed by “Amelie” director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Penned by Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant, “Big Bug” is a comedy set in the future starring Elsa Zylberstein, Isabelle Nanty and Manu Payet.
Jeunet participated in the first roundtable organised for the event, along with the directors Julien Leclercq and Leïla Sy, as well as rapper-turned-actor Kery James, and Sara May, director...
- 1/17/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Cate Blanchett in ‘Stateless.’ (Photo: Ben King).
The first two episodes of Matchbox Pictures’ Stateless and the second series of Bunya Productions’ Mystery Road will have their world premieres at the sixth edition of the Berlin International Film Festival’s Berlinale Series.
In addition, Goalpost’s Dark Victory from writer-director Matthew Saville is among eight titles selected for the Co-Pro Series 2020, which seeks to link projects with international partners.
Adapted from the book by David Marr and Marian Wilkinson, Dark Victory is the story of the Howard government’s refusal to allow Norwegian frieghter Tampa, with hundreds of mainly Afghan refugees on board, to enter Christmas Island.
The Berlinale Series line-up consists of eight series from around the world including Damien Chazelle’s Paris-set musical-drama The Eddy for Netflix, Jason Segel’s AMC series Dispatches from Elswehere and the BBC-HBO Max’s Trigonometry.
“An abundance of topics and...
The first two episodes of Matchbox Pictures’ Stateless and the second series of Bunya Productions’ Mystery Road will have their world premieres at the sixth edition of the Berlin International Film Festival’s Berlinale Series.
In addition, Goalpost’s Dark Victory from writer-director Matthew Saville is among eight titles selected for the Co-Pro Series 2020, which seeks to link projects with international partners.
Adapted from the book by David Marr and Marian Wilkinson, Dark Victory is the story of the Howard government’s refusal to allow Norwegian frieghter Tampa, with hundreds of mainly Afghan refugees on board, to enter Christmas Island.
The Berlinale Series line-up consists of eight series from around the world including Damien Chazelle’s Paris-set musical-drama The Eddy for Netflix, Jason Segel’s AMC series Dispatches from Elswehere and the BBC-HBO Max’s Trigonometry.
“An abundance of topics and...
- 1/14/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
The late Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson is set to return posthumously at the 2020 Berlin Film Festival with the world premiere of a project he directed himself, “Last and First Men,” narrated by Tilda Swinton. The movie is one of several titles announced for Berlinale 2020 ahead of the full lineup reveal later this month. Additional titles heading to Berlin in February include Matteo Garrone’s “Pinocchio,” Nanette Burstein’s “Hillary,” Agnieszka Holland’s “Charlatan,” and Jia Zhang-ke’s “Swimming Out Till The Sea Turns Blue.” Television projects from Jason Segal and Damien Chazelle will also be screened in the Berlinale Series program.
Jóhannsson scored back to back Oscar nominations for Best Original Score in 2015 and 2016 thanks to his music for “The Theory of Everything” and “Sicario.” The latter was one of several collaborations between Jóhannsson and Denis Villeneuve. Jóhannsson’s other score credits include Villeneuve’s “Prisoners” and “Arrival,” plus “Mandy” and “The Mercy.
Jóhannsson scored back to back Oscar nominations for Best Original Score in 2015 and 2016 thanks to his music for “The Theory of Everything” and “Sicario.” The latter was one of several collaborations between Jóhannsson and Denis Villeneuve. Jóhannsson’s other score credits include Villeneuve’s “Prisoners” and “Arrival,” plus “Mandy” and “The Mercy.
- 1/14/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Eight international series to be showcased at the Efm at the Berlinale 2020.
The first two episodes of the Paris-set The Eddy, directed by Damien Chazelle for Netflix, UK romantic comedy Trigonometry, directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari for the BBC and HBO, and Stateless, co-created by and starring Cate Blanchett for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, will all world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival’s 2020 Berlinale Series strand.
Formerly known as Drama Series Days, Berlinale Series is open to the public and runs from February 24-16. A further six international series are also being showcased. All are world premieres apart from...
The first two episodes of the Paris-set The Eddy, directed by Damien Chazelle for Netflix, UK romantic comedy Trigonometry, directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari for the BBC and HBO, and Stateless, co-created by and starring Cate Blanchett for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, will all world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival’s 2020 Berlinale Series strand.
Formerly known as Drama Series Days, Berlinale Series is open to the public and runs from February 24-16. A further six international series are also being showcased. All are world premieres apart from...
- 1/14/2020
- by 88¦Louise Tutt¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
The Berlin Film Festival’s sixth Berlinale Series lineup will include Damien Chazelle’s anticipated Paris-set musical-drama The Eddy for Netflix, Jason Segel’s starry AMC series Dispatches From Elswehere, buzzy Cate Blanchett project Stateless and BBC-HBO Max show Trigonometry.
Moonlight star André Holland leads cast in The Eddy, about a French club owner dealing with the everyday chaos of running a live music venue in the heart of Paris. The festival will show the world premiere of the show’s first two episodes.
The compact, high-quality lineup also includes German-language drama Freud. Scroll down for the lineup in full and details about each show.
This is the first program for new Berlinale Series head Julia Fidel who previously worked on the festival’s Panorama and Generation strands. The dramas will screen at the Zoo Palast cinema, which will also host the Berlinale Series Market, formerly known as Drama Series Days.
Moonlight star André Holland leads cast in The Eddy, about a French club owner dealing with the everyday chaos of running a live music venue in the heart of Paris. The festival will show the world premiere of the show’s first two episodes.
The compact, high-quality lineup also includes German-language drama Freud. Scroll down for the lineup in full and details about each show.
This is the first program for new Berlinale Series head Julia Fidel who previously worked on the festival’s Panorama and Generation strands. The dramas will screen at the Zoo Palast cinema, which will also host the Berlinale Series Market, formerly known as Drama Series Days.
- 1/14/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix is getting ready to officially launch its swanky Paris office on Jan. 17. The streaming giant has planned an afternoon of discussions that gather together Netflix executives, including the company’s co-founder, chairman and CEO Reed Hastings, as well as the filmmakers and producers who have worked with Netflix.
As previously announced, the French outpost won’t be dedicated to production as in Spain, where Netflix bowed its first European production hub, but it will be staffed with executives working across several fields, including production, acquisition, and marketing. The 27,000-square-foot office will spread over three floors and will be located in the heart of Paris, in a chic and hip neighborhood in the city’s 9th arrondissement.
The panels on Jan. 17 include a roundtable bringing together the up-and-coming directors Julien Leclercq and Leïla Sy, as well as rapper-turned-actor Kery James, who will participate in a discussion with Sara May, the head of acquisitions at Netflix.
As previously announced, the French outpost won’t be dedicated to production as in Spain, where Netflix bowed its first European production hub, but it will be staffed with executives working across several fields, including production, acquisition, and marketing. The 27,000-square-foot office will spread over three floors and will be located in the heart of Paris, in a chic and hip neighborhood in the city’s 9th arrondissement.
The panels on Jan. 17 include a roundtable bringing together the up-and-coming directors Julien Leclercq and Leïla Sy, as well as rapper-turned-actor Kery James, who will participate in a discussion with Sara May, the head of acquisitions at Netflix.
- 12/13/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Producer-director Alan Poul (HBO’s Six Feet Under) has signed an exclusive overall deal with Endeavor Content to develop and produce premium scripted content for the indie studio owned by Endeavor.
Under the pact, Poul has joined Endeavor Content’s upcoming HBO Max drama series Tokyo Vice as executive producer.
The deal stems from Poul’s current collaboration with Endeavor Content; he is executive producing and directed two episodes of Oscar winner Damien Chazelle’s upcoming Netflix series The Eddy, which the studio is producing.
“Alan is not only one of the greatest producers around, but he is also a highly talented filmmaker and his illustrious production expertise makes him an invaluable partner to work with on The Eddy and Tokyo Vice,” said Endeavor Content Svp Television Joe Hipps. “With his extensive background at HBO, he also has impeccable taste in creating ground-breaking, high-end series that resonates with audiences on a global scale,...
Under the pact, Poul has joined Endeavor Content’s upcoming HBO Max drama series Tokyo Vice as executive producer.
The deal stems from Poul’s current collaboration with Endeavor Content; he is executive producing and directed two episodes of Oscar winner Damien Chazelle’s upcoming Netflix series The Eddy, which the studio is producing.
“Alan is not only one of the greatest producers around, but he is also a highly talented filmmaker and his illustrious production expertise makes him an invaluable partner to work with on The Eddy and Tokyo Vice,” said Endeavor Content Svp Television Joe Hipps. “With his extensive background at HBO, he also has impeccable taste in creating ground-breaking, high-end series that resonates with audiences on a global scale,...
- 9/17/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
“We depend on the commerical proposition of movie houses and they are closing down.”
Leading international festival figures came together at a wide-ranging talk at the Toronto International Film Festival on Friday (September 6) to chew over challenges including representative line-ups, the loss of key venues and working with the streamers.
Cameron Bailey, artistic director and co-head of Tiff, Paolo Moretti, artistic director of Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, Mariette Rissenbeek, executive director of the Berlinale and Kim Yutani, the Sundance Film Festival’s director of programming, quickly came to a consensus film is alive and well, and streaming companies and cinema exhibitors can easily complement each other.
Leading international festival figures came together at a wide-ranging talk at the Toronto International Film Festival on Friday (September 6) to chew over challenges including representative line-ups, the loss of key venues and working with the streamers.
Cameron Bailey, artistic director and co-head of Tiff, Paolo Moretti, artistic director of Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, Mariette Rissenbeek, executive director of the Berlinale and Kim Yutani, the Sundance Film Festival’s director of programming, quickly came to a consensus film is alive and well, and streaming companies and cinema exhibitors can easily complement each other.
- 9/7/2019
- by Kaleem Aftab
- ScreenDaily
Funa Maduka, Netflix’s director of international original films and acquisitions, is to leave the streaming giant Friday, Variety has confirmed.
Her acquisitions included films that brought the company early awards recognition, such Houda Benyamina’s “Divines,” a Cannes Camera d’Or winner and Golden Globes nominee, and Ildiko Enyedi’s “On Body and Soul,” a Golden Bear winner at Berlin and an Academy Awards nominee. Other titles she brought to the company included “Happy As Lazzaro,” “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” and “I Lost My Body.”
Scott Stuber, Netflix’s VP of original film, said: “Funa has been integral to building our international film catalog. She has a great creative eye and the ability to connect deeply with filmmakers. We’re excited to see what challenge she takes on next – and know that whatever Funa does, she’ll continue helping storytellers from around the world have their voices heard.
Her acquisitions included films that brought the company early awards recognition, such Houda Benyamina’s “Divines,” a Cannes Camera d’Or winner and Golden Globes nominee, and Ildiko Enyedi’s “On Body and Soul,” a Golden Bear winner at Berlin and an Academy Awards nominee. Other titles she brought to the company included “Happy As Lazzaro,” “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” and “I Lost My Body.”
Scott Stuber, Netflix’s VP of original film, said: “Funa has been integral to building our international film catalog. She has a great creative eye and the ability to connect deeply with filmmakers. We’re excited to see what challenge she takes on next – and know that whatever Funa does, she’ll continue helping storytellers from around the world have their voices heard.
- 8/2/2019
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Executive has been at Us streamer for six years.
Funa Maduka, director of international original films at Netflix, is to leave the Us streamer on Friday (Aug 2) after six years.
In an email to external partners, the highly-regarded executive and friend to filmmakers, announced that after playing an instrumental role in building the international film business for the streamer, she is “ready to embrace a new challenge.” No further details were provided.
Maduka has been on the front line of Netflix’s international expansion, launching and expanding the international film offering across more than 100 territories.
Her acquisitions brought Netflix its...
Funa Maduka, director of international original films at Netflix, is to leave the Us streamer on Friday (Aug 2) after six years.
In an email to external partners, the highly-regarded executive and friend to filmmakers, announced that after playing an instrumental role in building the international film business for the streamer, she is “ready to embrace a new challenge.” No further details were provided.
Maduka has been on the front line of Netflix’s international expansion, launching and expanding the international film offering across more than 100 territories.
Her acquisitions brought Netflix its...
- 8/2/2019
- by Kaleem Aftab
- ScreenDaily
Endeavor Content habla Español. The content division of Endeavor has forged an exclusive partnership with fledgling Hispanic film and TV studio Exile, launched last year in a bid to develop, package and produce premium content for Spanish and mainstream markets.
Co-founded by Isaac Lee, the former chief content officer for Univision and Televisa, Exile will also set up a fund to acquire IP and strike development deals with both prominent and emerging talent from Latin America and Spain.
Endeavor Content’s first Spanish-language deal comes at a time when demand for premium content in Spanish will far exceed supply as more streaming services, led by Netflix, have upped their commitment to producing more content in Latin America and Spain, with Netflix setting up production hubs in Mexico and Spain. Other TV services led by Amazon Prime, Spain’s pay TV giant Movistar+ and Apple are also growing their creative interests in Latin America and Spain.
Co-founded by Isaac Lee, the former chief content officer for Univision and Televisa, Exile will also set up a fund to acquire IP and strike development deals with both prominent and emerging talent from Latin America and Spain.
Endeavor Content’s first Spanish-language deal comes at a time when demand for premium content in Spanish will far exceed supply as more streaming services, led by Netflix, have upped their commitment to producing more content in Latin America and Spain, with Netflix setting up production hubs in Mexico and Spain. Other TV services led by Amazon Prime, Spain’s pay TV giant Movistar+ and Apple are also growing their creative interests in Latin America and Spain.
- 5/14/2019
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Amandla Stenberg has been cast as the lead in Damien Chazelle’s Netflix series “The Eddy,” which will globally debut in 2020.
The eight-part musical drama is expected to debut in 2020. It revolves around a club in Paris, highlighting its owner, the house band, and the chaotic city that surrounds them. Stenberg will play Julie, the teenage daughter of Elliott (Andre Holland) who shows up suddenly in Paris and forces him to face his past. Stenberg also joins Joanna Kulig (“Cold War”) on the show, who was previously announced to play Maja, a singer who is resisting committing to Elliot, her on-again-off-again partner.
“La La Land” filmmaker Damien Chazelle is directing the show, along with Houda Benyamina (“Divines”), Alan Poul (“Tales of the City”). Scribe Jack Thorne (“Wonder”) will also write several episodes. Glen Ballard wrote all the band’s songs. Executive producers include Chazelle, Poul, Thorne, and Ballard. Jimmy Desmarais...
The eight-part musical drama is expected to debut in 2020. It revolves around a club in Paris, highlighting its owner, the house band, and the chaotic city that surrounds them. Stenberg will play Julie, the teenage daughter of Elliott (Andre Holland) who shows up suddenly in Paris and forces him to face his past. Stenberg also joins Joanna Kulig (“Cold War”) on the show, who was previously announced to play Maja, a singer who is resisting committing to Elliot, her on-again-off-again partner.
“La La Land” filmmaker Damien Chazelle is directing the show, along with Houda Benyamina (“Divines”), Alan Poul (“Tales of the City”). Scribe Jack Thorne (“Wonder”) will also write several episodes. Glen Ballard wrote all the band’s songs. Executive producers include Chazelle, Poul, Thorne, and Ballard. Jimmy Desmarais...
- 5/6/2019
- by Rachel Yang
- Variety Film + TV
“The Eddy” doesn’t have many official cast members yet, but Netflix’s impending Paris-set musical series is off to a solid start. After announcing that Andre Holland would lead the show as listless jazz pianist Elliott Udo, Netflix announced on Monday that Amandla Stenberg has been cast to play his daughter.
The official announcement describes Stenberg’s character as “Julie, the teenage daughter of Elliott who shows up suddenly in Paris and forces him to face his past.” Stenberg starred in last year’s screen adaptation of “The Hate U Give,” which earned her the Breakthrough Performance award at last year’s IndieWire Honors.
For the opening two episodes, the cast will be under the direction of Damien Chazelle. The Oscar-winning director of “La La Land” and “First Man” also has a series in the works for the upcoming Apple+ streaming service.
Chazelle is making his Netflix debut with this series,...
The official announcement describes Stenberg’s character as “Julie, the teenage daughter of Elliott who shows up suddenly in Paris and forces him to face his past.” Stenberg starred in last year’s screen adaptation of “The Hate U Give,” which earned her the Breakthrough Performance award at last year’s IndieWire Honors.
For the opening two episodes, the cast will be under the direction of Damien Chazelle. The Oscar-winning director of “La La Land” and “First Man” also has a series in the works for the upcoming Apple+ streaming service.
Chazelle is making his Netflix debut with this series,...
- 5/6/2019
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
“The Hate U Give” star Amandla Stenberg has been cast in a leading role alongside Andre Holland on Damien Chazelle’s upcoming Netflix series, “The Eddy.”
A musical drama set in contemporary Paris, “The Eddy” series revolves around a club, its owner, the house band, and the chaotic city that surrounds them. The series, which will be shot in France this spring and feature dialogue in French, English and Arabic, has an eight-episode order from the streaming service.
Holland is set to play Elliot Udo, a celebrated jazz pianist from New York. Now in Paris and the part-owner of a failing jazz club, Elliot, who is hiding from everyone, has an on-again-off-again romance with his lead singer. When his 15-year-old daughter Julie (Stenberg) shows up suddenly, Elliot has to face his weakness and learn to grow up.
A musical drama set in contemporary Paris, “The Eddy” series revolves around a club, its owner, the house band, and the chaotic city that surrounds them. The series, which will be shot in France this spring and feature dialogue in French, English and Arabic, has an eight-episode order from the streaming service.
Holland is set to play Elliot Udo, a celebrated jazz pianist from New York. Now in Paris and the part-owner of a failing jazz club, Elliot, who is hiding from everyone, has an on-again-off-again romance with his lead singer. When his 15-year-old daughter Julie (Stenberg) shows up suddenly, Elliot has to face his weakness and learn to grow up.
- 5/6/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
The Hate U Give star and celebrated advocate Amandla Stenberg is ready to show us even more range and talent in the forthcoming Netflix original series The Eddy. She will star in the new musical drama which co-stars Andre Holland.
Stenberg will play Julie, the teenage daughter of Elliott (Holland) who shows up suddenly in Paris and forces him to face his past. The Eddy is an eight-part musical drama set in contemporary multicultural Paris revolving around a club, its owner, the house band, and the chaotic city that surrounds them.
The series will include a stacked slate of directors including Academy Award-winner Damien Chazelle (La La Land), Cannes’ Camera d’Or-winner Houda Benyamina (Divines), Emmy-winner Alan Poul (Tales of the City) Five-time BAFTA, Tony, and Olivier Award-winning writer, Jack Thorne (Wonder) who will also write several episodes. Six-time Grammy Award-winner Glen Ballard, wrote all the band’s songs. Chazelle will also serve as executive producer along with Alan Poul, Jack Thorne, Glen Ballard. Jimmy Desmarais and Olivier Bibas of Atlantique Productions are also executive producing. Holland serves as Co-Executive Producer.
The series begins production this spring in France and features dialogue in French, English, and Arabic. The Eddy comes to Netflix from Endeavor Content and is slated to premiere in 2020.
Stenberg became known for her role in The Hunger Games franchise and soon became most influential voices when it comes to young Hollywood as well as advocacy for people of color, women, the Lgbtq community and underrepresented voices She starred in the critically acclaimed The Hate U Give based on the novel by Angie Thomas which shed light on the timely topic of police brutality against the black community. Her role in The Eddy will showcase her musical talent that is not often put in the spotlight. She plays the violin and has sung with singer-songwriter Zander Hawley. The duo released their first folk-rock Ep in August 2015 under the name Honeywater.
Stenberg’s credits also include Amma Asante’s WWII drama Where Hands Touch, the sci-fi film The Darkest Minds as well as Everything, Everthing and As You Are which won the Special Jury Award at Sundance 20116. She appeared on Time as a Next Generation Leader and was honored with the 2019 Visibility Award by the Human Rights Campaign.
2019 Netflix Pilots & Series Orders...
Stenberg will play Julie, the teenage daughter of Elliott (Holland) who shows up suddenly in Paris and forces him to face his past. The Eddy is an eight-part musical drama set in contemporary multicultural Paris revolving around a club, its owner, the house band, and the chaotic city that surrounds them.
The series will include a stacked slate of directors including Academy Award-winner Damien Chazelle (La La Land), Cannes’ Camera d’Or-winner Houda Benyamina (Divines), Emmy-winner Alan Poul (Tales of the City) Five-time BAFTA, Tony, and Olivier Award-winning writer, Jack Thorne (Wonder) who will also write several episodes. Six-time Grammy Award-winner Glen Ballard, wrote all the band’s songs. Chazelle will also serve as executive producer along with Alan Poul, Jack Thorne, Glen Ballard. Jimmy Desmarais and Olivier Bibas of Atlantique Productions are also executive producing. Holland serves as Co-Executive Producer.
The series begins production this spring in France and features dialogue in French, English, and Arabic. The Eddy comes to Netflix from Endeavor Content and is slated to premiere in 2020.
Stenberg became known for her role in The Hunger Games franchise and soon became most influential voices when it comes to young Hollywood as well as advocacy for people of color, women, the Lgbtq community and underrepresented voices She starred in the critically acclaimed The Hate U Give based on the novel by Angie Thomas which shed light on the timely topic of police brutality against the black community. Her role in The Eddy will showcase her musical talent that is not often put in the spotlight. She plays the violin and has sung with singer-songwriter Zander Hawley. The duo released their first folk-rock Ep in August 2015 under the name Honeywater.
Stenberg’s credits also include Amma Asante’s WWII drama Where Hands Touch, the sci-fi film The Darkest Minds as well as Everything, Everthing and As You Are which won the Special Jury Award at Sundance 20116. She appeared on Time as a Next Generation Leader and was honored with the 2019 Visibility Award by the Human Rights Campaign.
2019 Netflix Pilots & Series Orders...
- 5/6/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
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